We like certainty, however plans are to some extent illusory;
issues can and do change right away.

Sundown sail, 16X20, oil on canvas, Carol L. Douglas, out there.

I’ve observed an odd cut up this 12 months—my east coast
workshops are offered out, and my western ones are languishing. To be utterly
correct, my Acadia workshop has offered out 1.5 instances, as a result of as folks made
airplane and automobile reservations, they realized the problem and expense of journey
to smaller markets. They dropped out and had been changed by others on my ready
record. I’m extraordinarily blessed to have had a ready record.

That record is now exhausted. I’ve a last-minute opening at my
Acadia
Sea & Sky workshop (July 31-August 5, 2022), as a result of one among my college students
is ready on a nitrogen oxide sensor and microchip for his GM truck. As GM
has practically 100,000 autos sitting in tons ready for microchips, my optimism
is dimming. I instructed him I’d ask if anybody desires his seat, so if you happen to’re
involved in a last-minute jaunt to Maine, let
me know.

This unusual 12 months, by the way in which, isn’t restricted to only me, or
to the portray workshop market. I’ve talked to folks throughout the vacationer
business in England and Maine and heard a lot the identical laments. There’s an
worldwide labor scarcity and issues are nonetheless topsy-turvy from COVID.

It’s not that enterprise is down—it’s not—it’s that it’s
spotty and peculiar. We every have our personal clarification. I’m listening to quite a bit about
journey considerations, significantly the price of rental automobiles. One other instructor says Zoom is killing his
workshops. It’s simpler to remain dwelling and be taught on one’s laptop computer.

At this level in the summertime, my workshop schedule ought to be
set in stone, however as a substitute I’ve been dithering about my western workshops. After
a lot agonizing (and promoting) I’ve determined to cancel Steamboat Springs and Cody.

That leaves solely Gateway
to the Pecos Wilderness, August 28-September 2. I stored it as a result of it’s
accessed by way of a significant airport (Albuquerque), the place I’ve discovered automobile leases to
be manageable.

Equally importantly, Our Girl of Guadalupe Abbey, which
has cheap lodging, didn’t burn down within the Hermit’s Peak wildfires
this spring. I want that final sentence was a joke, however this 12 months has been a wild
journey.

Lastly, there’s my second watercolor Age of Sail workshop aboard
the schooner American Eagle, September 18-22. Though I’d have mentioned Captain
John Foss was irreplaceable, he’s made a mighty good stab at it in his
alternative, Captain
Tyler King. Tyler has the identical equable temperament and top-notch crusing
expertise as John. When Tyler turns 70, I’ll be 107, and will probably be time for each
of us to retire.

Change is, in fact, an inevitable a part of development, but it surely’s
not straightforward. We like certainty, however plans are to some extent illusory; issues can
and do change right away. By not touring a lot in September, I’m making
room for different alternatives. I can hardly wait!