Tag Archives: practicing my guitar

June 28, 2026 · 9:10 pm

Monday 6-29-2026

@tracychrest989204 on Substack

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These are my latest painted sketches. The upended cat was from a section of the “Cats on the Beach” jigsaw puzzle I finished recently. I have photos of another couple of sections I’m going to try to draw.

The “Planting the Rice” scene is from a photo taken outside my husband’s room. I was fascinated that the workers had made hats of umbrellas so their hands were completely free and they were well shaded from the really strong sun. I’ve tried to show the “poking” gesture they were making in distributing the rice seed. I have no idea why they do that, rather than what I expected – more of a feeding-the-chickens type strewing motion. I have actually seen workers putting the plugs in the ground in rows once the seeds have grown. There is another part of the fields around that is the brightest, most stunning shade of green I’ve ever seen. It was simply beautiful!

I’m going to do the base painting on two sketches I did at the cafe yesterday. I’ll take my art backpack to the cafe later this afternoon.

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Today is yoga stretches to go along with the walking on the treadmill I did this morning. I’m also taking the stairs when I come down from Bri’s condo to mine at least twice daily.

LOSING THE LARD MONTHLY UPDATE – As of today, I have lost 95 pounds (going from my heaviest at 205 to the 110 I am now.) I have lost a total of 89.7 inches. I am trying to eat like a normal human being (breakfast and dinner with careful portions daily, drink more water, and move more. I am now concentrating on trying to increase my balance, flexibility, core strength, arm and back strength.

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My new way of practicing my guitar was better yesterday. I’m showing the lyrics and chords needed on my phone and the finger diagrams for the chords on my computer, looking from one to the other as I practice. I am lasting longer with the practice, with it taking longer before my fingertips yell at me. I’m hoping this will increase gradually and I can concentrate more on the song, rather than all the details. I’m enjoying trying to relearn something I used to do a lot a hundred years or so ago…

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I watch/listen to YouTube each evening while winding down for bed. I’ve been watching singing contest videos – loving it when people face their fears and discover the audience and the judges love what they’re doing. You’d think I’m their mama… :0). Lately, I’ve been talking into my remote, giving the name of one of my favorite singers or musicians. YouTube pops up several videos I can listen to from that particular artist, plus collaborations with other artists. I really like this feature!

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TheFunnyBeaver.com

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June 27, 2026 · 10:22 pm

Sunday 6-28-2026

@openwings on Substack

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These are my latest painted sketches.

I’m working on several right now, doing the base painting in preparation for going to the cafe this afternoon to finish the details.

I researched planting rice in Chiang Mai. The first step I kept finding was where a group of people have ‘plugs’ of rice plants that they bend down and stab into the ground in rows. The thing I’M trying to draw is one step before that – when the people are carrying sacks of rice seed. They use one hand to make a kind of “poking” motion as they let the rice go. I guess this may result in a cluster of seeds forming the ‘plugs’ they later pull up, divide, and replant in the rows. I’ll continue to research. Meanwhile, I’ll try to finish the sketch.

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Dogs Naturally

I did well at the gym this morning, moving my speed up a tick and staying steady. Brian and I shared a nice breakfast of two fried eggs with cooked sliced sausage and chicken slivers cooked right into the eggs. Delicious! Today is Sunday, so that means exercises with water bottles this afternoon.

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ru.pinterest.com

I did my first session of a new way of practicing for me this morning. I pulled up the lyrics to “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack on my phone. It shows the chords that are to be played, too.

On my computer, I pulled up the diagrams of the finger positions of each of the chords I need to play the song. (I missed C sharp and F major 7, though, so I’ll need to find those. I tried to play the song, practicing changing the chords at the proper time while the sick frog croaked and my eyes moved from the phone to the computer to the neck of the guitar. I started to get a feel for when the chords change and was moving from one to the other. I lasted about 10 minutes more before my fingertips started screaming. I’ll do that once or twice more today.

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We found out that my “Abstract Cat” Puzzle is NOT coming. They failed to notify Brian about the problem, but he was able to look up the order. I spent a lot of time yesterday evening and chose another one. Brian ordered it for me last night.

I like chameleons. I love the colors in this one, plus the 3-D quality of the flowers and his ‘scales.’ I’m looking forward to it being delivered sometime soon.

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Spiritual Sundays

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June 24, 2026 · 10:57 pm

Thursday 6-25-2026

“Last Breath” – Beth Robertson Fiddes via @womensartbluesky.bsky.social

Water is ‘impossible’ to draw or paint – so says ME – – – this is magnificent, isn’t it?

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I’m getting ready for my housekeeper to come tomorrow – changing sheets on the bed, getting out fresh towels, gathering trash, straightening, etc. Soon I’ll go get cash for this and my massage tomorrow.

I had a good session walking at the gym, ate a delicious breakfast, got my laundry hung on the balcony, and then felt sleepy. So – this decadent lady took a nap! Ahhhhh! And I don’t even feel guilty. 🤭 I feel much better now.

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These are my latest painted sketches.

I’m doing the base painting on more so that I can work on them when I go to the cafe later today.

Speaking of the cafe, I had the NICEST thing happen yesterday. I was in the elevator and a young couple joined me. The man turned to me and said, “You’re the lady who paints in the cafe! I love watching you work.” To say I’m still walking around 3 inches above the ground is an understatement. 🎨 😁

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Today is Thursday. That means that I’ll do my exercises with water bottles today. I’ll also do a couple of practice sessions with my guitar.

By the way, since my fingernails are shorter, it’s easier to press my fingertips down on the frets on the neck of my guitar now. I had a better practice session yesterday. I still have a long way to go, but I’m making some progress lately. Since the two songs I would like to work on playing and singing use different chords than the basic ones I’m practicing now, I’m going to see if I can find finger placement diagrams for the other ones I need. 🎸

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Pinterest

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June 17, 2026 · 9:44 pm

Thursday 6-18-2026

Petra Michaela-@petramichaela.bsky.social

This makes my mouth water! Such a happy place to spend some time!

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Yesterday I practiced tuning and playing chords on my guitar twice. I am GRADUALLY building some callouses on my fingertips, but still don’t last long before they are screaming at me. I’m going to try for two or three practices a day. I’m getting a BIT clearer sound, but nothing to write home about. 🎸🤭

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I’m hoping to finish a sketch or two today. I’m doing some base painting and hope to spend some good time at the cafe this afternoon. Otherwise, I’m doing my chores to get ready for my housekeeper tomorrow (did you hear that? “My housekeeper.” Having never been able to enjoy having help in my life, I treasure each and every day she (or her sister right now) comes.

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Yesterday we took the bank paperwork to our lady at the visa place. She had me sign a gazillion other pages ( I had already signed enough to buy a house!) Tuesday – and finally she was finished and confirmed that we now go to the immigration place tomorrow to finish.) Even though it’s a hassle, I think it’s good that the Thai people know who is in their country, pay attention, and can tell at a moment’s notice if you’re here legally or not. If you’re not – out you go!

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June 13, 2026 · 4:41 am

Saturday 6-13-2026

We visited Harvey this morning. He recognized us, but didn’t make any sense, other than liking the picture (though I’m not at all sure he understood what it was about) and said I could put it up on his Happy Wall.

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I spent part of the afternoon at the cafe sketching. I have a couple almost finished that I’ll post tomorrow.

I got the idea to sketch and paint the signs of the Thai Zodiac with the animals standing for each of the 12 years in the cycle. I got the idea when the owner of the cafe was so pleased that I drew her a goat, which is her birth sign. I found a list of the 12 animals and will see what I can do.

I also found a couple of photos of a man selling a gazillion brooms from his cart or bicycle that I’ll try to draw.

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Tomorrow I’m going to redouble my efforts on practicing on my guitar. I’ve let it slide when I wasn’t feeling well, and I really want to get to the point that I can start strumming along to some of the songs I would love to be able to sing. I may not live long enough, but everyone needs a goal…. 😜 🎸

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I hope that you will enjoy a wonderful weekend, full of joy.

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