Judy Richter

There have been many times in my adult life when I have set intentions—sometimes even creating visually elaborate intention boards—to attract the energies I need to intiate positive productivity. Not always successful to the naked eye, to be sure. But this year is turning out to be a banner year for generating immediate gratification, both physical and emotional. 

Suffice it to say, K and I joined a pickleball club this month and invested in the gak needed to join the lowly beginners rank at the club. Fortunately, our neighborhood club welcomes players at all levels of proficiency, so we are not intimidated or shunned from playing. For real! That’s the world we live in now, folks, even for such inauspicious recreational endeavors. So far, in my vast experience of playing 3 or 4 games, I have not been pickled yet, which is a good thing, I guess.

On the painting front, I’ve got three new canvases that I’m preparing to gesso so I can start on some jungle and wildlife scenes based on some of K’s photos. The largest I’ve ever painted, which is a bit daunting. It’s been over a year, and I forgot how cathartic it is to mix paints and layer colors! So happy for that creative outlet. I’ll post photos in my gallery as they progress.  

Post-COVID, we had been slow to re-socialize after the quarantines were lifted. Pre-COVID, we’d been on the opposite extreme of socialization in our professional careers, followed by extensive travel in our early retirement phase. With retirement came a respite from the constant grind of 24/7 meetings, set-ups, show-time, tear-downs, and, of course, the obligatory paperwork. We’ve settled into a cozy lifestyle in our jungle sanctuary that makes it easy to stay on property, especially in today’s frenetic, divisive climate. But we’re getting out there, by god, and we’re having fun, for the most part, with a few minor hiccups along the way. More weekly restaurant adventures give me a break from the chop-chop-chop of plant-based food prep. 

All in all, happy to be breathing the purest air on the planet in a serene and peaceful environment, hoping the insanity brewing abroad resolves in a good and expeditious way. Sending positive, healing energy to all in need. Pura vida.