Transition........

 It's that time of year when the familiar rhythm of school and fall start creeping into our lives.    Being old and retired and living either on the road or in the Sunshine State, this season often bypasses us.    But this year, we were privileged to be right in the middle and angst of transitions.  
Nicholas and Kelsey are sorting out the final details of a big wedding in November .... Kelsey is also in her last semester at CSU while Nicholas continues out in the fields with Halliburton as a fracking engineer.....and spending time on the new cycle.    When did he grow up??

 Alex stands proudly next to his new (to him) Mustang.   He was able to get in all of his worldly possessions, like golf clubs and a refrigerator and TV and headed south to ASU in Phoenix.    He's the first to go far away..... he will leave a big void in that big house.  

 Becca has her cute little Beetle to get her around at CSU....final semester and then it's out into the real world.  

 We spent part of Sunday, helping her and Lizzie get her things into a smallish room at the sorority house.   I'm always surprised that kids these days have their big rooms at home and then somehow manage to move into dorms and houses and share tiny rooms and closets with strangers (initially) and seem to adjust quite well......or not.   There is always the roommate from Hell that pops up now and then.  

 Lizzie started HS last week and is starting the process of 'what do I do next....."  But she has wise parents and siblings who have gone before her for counsel.     AND, she's now an only child !!

As we left the house that night after a delicious family dinner, the setting sun was a harbinger of good things for all........(No retouch necessary on this) 

Meanwhile, the "mature" student continues her studies......   I've completed 4 classes already!!   The Director allowed me some leeway and I was able to take one of them out of sequence....otherwise, I would not have been able to complete this many.   The Botanic Gardens Art and Illustration program has a very strong reputation and most of the students in my classes fly in from around the country for the weekend classes.   Usually, they are offered one day a week for 5-6 weeks.   Impossible for me unless I take up temporary residence.    I don't have much to show for my efforts (and money) as much of the early classes center on theory and basic exercises.    Some of it I've had before at the NY Botancial Gardens when I was MUCH younger.      Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I took a class called Light on Form.    Our final project had to be submitted within a month.    We weren't given a choice of subject matter.....the shell and shiny stone are to teach us shape, volume and light.    I had fun with it and the shell and I became very good friends.    I passed the course !

This weekend I completed Pencil I....  a basic course, required before most other courses....this was the one they allowed me to take out of sequence.    I learned some new things but mostly, I met some great friends.   I've missed hanging around with others of like interest and this group, altho diverse in age and accomplishments, hit it off over lunches and breaks and walks in the beautiful gardens.    Most were local so I'm hoping to meet up again in other classes.     We didn't have a final project for this class altho we drew tomatoes most of the last day.    I smudged my almost completed drawing on the way home and if I fix it, I'll share sometime.   

And now, it's back to reality for us as well...... cleaning is on the agenda while one of us is honing his accomplished pickleball skills.    And it's hot so no hiking today............maybe a drive in the mountains tho !!