Busy Week!
By Ali Canary
@AliCanary (4617)
April 21, 2026 9:38am CST
Hey all, can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted. I've been popping in to leave comments every day, but it's "time to make the donuts", as they say.
I last posted on Tuesday, so I'll catch you up. Wednesday I dusted my bookshelves in the living room and pulled more CDs to take to the used bookstore. Thursday I went over to my bestie's house to watch our shows.
Friday, I ran errands and worked on some artwork. It's a large picture of a mermaid that is going to be done in soft pastel. I finished the "underpainting" in magic marker (I do that to improve coverage and save having to apply huge amounts of pastel). Here's a picture of it, but the color's not good - it was getting pretty dark by the time I finished. I'll post a better pic later.
On Saturday, I had a tutoring gig - yay! That hasn't happened in a while. Not sure when it will happen again, but every little bit helps. I just kind of puttered around Sunday. Yesterday, I went back to the doctor to get a cortisone shot directly in my hip joint, since the oral medication didn't help my pain. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have worked, either...yet. Maybe it will? And then in the evening, I went to a "meditative drawing" session at the public library. It was free. There was soft music and tea and cookies, and we sat quietly for an hour and drew. I enjoyed it very much and I wish it had been much more than an hour.
9 people like this
8 responses
@FourWalls (87440)
• United States
21 Apr
No wonder you weren’t here: you were busy!
Oh, that sounds so cool, meditative drawing. I think there’s a veterans group here that does that for vets who have PTSD.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
21 Apr
It was such a lovely experience! The man who was hosting the event decorated the room so nicely, and there was a very tranquil view of trees out a big picture window.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
21 Apr
@AliCanary this was where I sat. During the event, the lights were lower, but we all had little lamps to draw by.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
21 Apr
Yes, it makes me feel good afterward! Although sometimes I feel tired beforehand, lol
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (122270)
• United States
21 Apr
You’re definitely keeping busy, and that’s great. Your picture is amazing! I wish my 14 year old niece could see all your art. She’s doing so well, but she loves seeing other artists work.
I got a Cortisone shot in my back several times, and it helped, but the ones in my neck did nothing. If I remember right though, you’re supposed to have one a month for three months to get long lasting results. Maybe they don’t do it that way anymore?
The library event sounds like a really good time. I’ve been checking my library for free events, but the ones they have are mainly for children, unfortunately.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
21 Apr
I have a Facebook page for my art, if you're interested in seeing more. I don't know if your niece has Facebook, but I think she can still look around a little. I know we can't put links, but if you just search for "All Sorts of Art by Ali" on Facebook, it should come up.
Re: the cortisone shot, it initially felt like it was at least partially working, but it has a numbing agent in it, and maybe that's what was giving me some initial relief. I guess that wore off and the cortisone hasn't kicked in. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I do have PT scheduled and a follow-up with the doc in 6 weeks.
Perhaps you could request that the library has events for adults. It's possible nobody has asked yet! Ours does lots of arts and crafts-type stuff like drawing, needlework, making birdhouses, etc. Sometimes it's for kids, but adults are usually welcome to participate.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (122270)
• United States
21 Apr
@AliCanary Next time I’m with my niece I’ll show her your work on Facebook. 
She doesn’t have an account right now so I’ll just show her on mine!
And that’s a great idea about the library. 
She doesn’t have an account right now so I’ll just show her on mine!
And that’s a great idea about the library. 2 people like this
@toniganzon (77467)
• Philippines
21 Apr
I look forward to the finished painting of the mermaid. I love mermaids.
YOu're too busy indeed.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
22 Apr
I feel like as long as I'm not working, I can be doing all the things that I didn't have the time or the energy to do when I was.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (4617)
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22 Apr
I legit love being busy as long as I'm actually getting things accomplished. Sometimes I can busy myself with dumb stuff.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (383958)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Apr
@AliCanary Because I'd try to draw something and make a total mess of it and then become frustrated.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
23 Apr
@JudyEv ah, now see there are two facts: 1. You're going to be bad at something before you're good at it, and 2. The more you do it, the better you get at it. So if you're not happy with your drawing, you should realize it's just practice and you can do it again and do better!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (223561)
• United States
24 Apr
You're an amazing artist.
Those shots don't take effect immediately. I hope by now it helps.
The meditative drawing sounds really cool. Too bad I can't draw.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4617)
•
24 Apr
Everyone can draw! The more you practice, the better you get. I've practiced for decades, so yeah, but anyone can improve with practice. Just do it!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (223561)
• United States
25 Apr
@AliCanary I have no talent whatsoever. My drawings look like a 10 year old did them.
1 person likes this
