November Sunlight at Vanderpool
Landscape Painting by Cindy Morawski
Photo
of my Tent Camping at Lost Maples Natural Area
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Painting Gold
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Whish-sh-sh--ss! Turning too quickly on the uneven
pond ice, I remember that scary moment of knowing I
was going to fall. I grew up getting ice skates for
Christmas so I could enjoy skating the frozen ponds
and marshes in the pasture below our Pennsylvania
farmhouse. After watching the women's figure skating
on TV this past week at Vancouver's Winter Olympics,
I not only have a whole lot of respect for triple toe
jumps but also for skating backwards faster than a
speeding locomotive. Yes, I've been reminiscing and
romanticizing about snow and skating and sled riding
in a cold climate that also forces you to plan like a
war general when you venture outside to run to the
store. As an adult, I know that life is easier when
you don't have to battle those severe elements, but
when I watch the winter olympics every four years,
I'm suddenly propelled through time to long for that
stinging wind on my face, eyes watering, as I race
down an icy hill on my wooden sled. Memories are
funny like that.
I digress. I meant to get right to the perfect moment
of a perfect day. I'm sure you've felt it before.
It's like there is some kind of universal alignment
to allow you, a mere human, a glimpse of paradise.
That's what it must feel like when an olympic athlete
gets it more than right. That moment in the spotlight
with the gold medal, while you're hearing your
national anthem play. There are all kinds of
perfection. It doesn't have to be olympic gold. In
fact, I felt it that day when I was hiking with Paul
and my dogs Phineas and Rusty. We had just descended
from the highest point in the park and were following
the Lost Maples East Trail. I felt that late autumn
warmth on my face as I turned the corner to suddenly
view a pond of water that reflected the November
sunlight. It beamed to me the reflective beauty of
that perfect day. I couldn't have been happier. I had
just been handed the gold medal! Whether the ponds
are frozen or not, they still have a life-long
attraction for me. Not the ocean, not even a lake.
Just give me a little pond, and I am reassured that
life is good.
My landscape painting comes from that perfect day. I
entitled it November Sunlight at Vanderpool.
It measures 11 x 14 and so far is unframed. The
setting is in Lost Maples Natural Area in Vanderpool,
Texas, a great place to camp and hike. Come visit me
at my home's gallery, and I'll show you my latest
paintings, plus, offer you a cup of tea and a dollop
of conversation as well.
Happy Trails!
Cindy
