Intern had other obligations, so I was on my own again. First things first: what is that little doghouse on a post, secured in a tire? I sent a photo to the previous librarian for the answer.

She replied thus: “It was a community event that we kept seeds and but of course it didn’t last by a week”. I concluded 2 things: 1. Even librarians don’t proofread their texts and 2. It was a failed experiment for sharing seeds (the current librarian said someone tore the door off immediate. . . sigh.) I guess that people who garden already have a network for seed sharing. I wonder how it can be used.

I unloaded the car next. After lugging the 3 crates of paints for 2 painting days, I realized that the gallon buckets aren’t necessary. I can refill the jars at home when necessary. Still have to haul water, because there is no faucet available. I do not have access to the library on the days it is closed, and the storage closet is more trouble than the trunk of my car or the back of the pickup. The county hauled a trailer to the site, supposedly for me, and my stuff will only occupy about 1/100th of the space!

It was cold, and I couldn’t figure out where to start. (What the temperature has to do with indecision is an unsolved mystery.) When I don’t know what to do, I pick something easy. Time to mix orange paint (because I work from the primaries, I mix my own colors. )

I must have taken these photos while standing around, trying to figure out where to begin.

Finally, I decided to just focus on the far left edge. Get some oranges in place, build a few leaves around them.

I walked to the edge of the library yard and picked a leaf from the neighbor’s citrus tree. This reassured me that my greens are mostly okay while slapping me with the reality that my leaves are coming up insufficient. The orange paint is transparent and will take multiple coats.

Still bumbling around, fumbling along, so I tried the smudgepots.

Never mind. Entirely the wrong size, completely unacceptable. Maybe I’ll just tackle the orange label. I know! I’ll fill in the triangle between the insets and fill in the areas of dirt that were previously taped off.

Is that sunshine?? It is!!

Maybe instead of trying to do perfect leaves on the far left which are supposed to look close, I’ll just work on the distant more vague trees.

That label was calling my name, and I didn’t want to waste the bright orange paint on the palette paint bucket lid.

Ooh, that is looking fine. Fine! Finally, something is working. (See all that mud? It ends up in the feet of the ladder and the shoes of the artist.)

The hills behind are supposed to bring to mind Venice Hill, a geographical oddity in the vicinity, and also start delineating the trees in the row on the right.

A few interesting things on Friday: I met Cuco from the public utilities/waterworks, who told me of a tank they might want a mural on; met Melé from across the street who used to draw and whose son is interested in art; someone in the neighborhood has a stereo with bass that almost shook my two fillings loose (I’ll be taking earplugs next time); a group of women crocheted together in the library in the morning; the library will soon activate a computerized machine where reserved books can be retrieved by scanning one’s library card; still no key provided for access to storage and facilities but by George, there is a locked trailed on the opposite side of the liberry, just waiting for my use (IF anyone provides the combination to the locks.

Calendars available here, $25, includes postage and sales tax.