Today was my daughter’s college move in day. There was long lines, waiting in the sun, trips up and down the stairs hauling bags and boxes, but we got her moved in and set up.

After she was settled we checked out some of the businesses around campus and found a Yemeni Coffee Shop. We earned ourselves a well deserved treat, after all of our labor. My coffee had cinnamon and ginger and was fantastic. This may be our go to spot when I visit her on campus. There are so many delicious sounding coffees to try.

After saying goodbye, I came come in the tail end of rush hour traffic to hungry boys. After making dinner I decided that I would go to pottery another day this week as I was exhausted.

I was having a hard time deciding what to paint and a headache had developed so I didn’t want to work on my Caravaggio inspired painting. I decided on some loose abstract florals and used some liquid watercolors to drop onto my wet paper. I’m not sure how I like it. It’s not my favorite, but not bad considering the throbbing going on in my head as I was working. I was about to paint some blue in the sky, but I decided just in time to use some of the pink in the sky. I like the warm evening feel that it evokes.

While waiting with my daughter’s belongings on the side of the street, I got an email informing me I have a painting accepted in a show opening this weekend. It’s only two and a half miles from campus so I can drop off the few things my daughter forgot at home today, when I bring in my art.

How can you use adversity to guide or inspire your creativity today?