I've changed the way I paint the sky recently. I used to prefer sunny days with crisp shadows. But in Seattle, waiting for clear days can take weeks, and smooth fields of blue sky are challenging in watercolor. These recent, moody, overcast skies are much more interesting to paint, and more indicative of our Northwest atmosphere anyway.

I have an epilogue to the Post Office story I shared in my last update: Today, the line was an hour long and Willa was getting restless waiting for me in the car so I held her leash in the line outside. When we finally got in they said, "No pets!" I set my heavy boxes on the floor to save my place and put Willa back in the car.

A few places behind me in line was a young man with a small designer dog and I told him as I passed that they weren't going to let him in. I said that when I was finished, I'd wait outside with his pup while he mailed his packages. He hesitated, letting some stranger hold his fancy little show dog was a gamble, but he let me. When he came out (it took a while) he was at a loss for words. "Pay it forward," I said.

See what that kind lady from my previous story started?

Feels good to do good.

Queen Anne Hedges

Okay, back to work!