we can do this...

Painting has taken second place today. Frustrating, but there it is. It is olive tree pruning day, but first a few other odds and ends.

The car was ready this morning. Euro 166.45 for oil change, check wheel alignment, check brakes, install radio, check for not idling properly, replace rubber part on an arm which he kindly showed me on the polo parts range on the computer; I am still not sure if it was alignment or braking system. I fished out the cash and he took only 165.00 because that way of rounding down for simplicity is pretty normal here. Only Eu 60.00 was labour. I am happy with the service and the price.

Then down to buy some wine that was on special, a muscatel from Terracina which I rather like; the special was pointed out to me by Nonno who often cooks lunch for me on Wednesdays. I need to be able to tell him on Wednesday that I bought some. Well, that's my excuse!

I have another portrait to do on the strength of the success of Angela, so that is good, another month's petrol and internet money!

As I type work is progressing in the cantina. A little damp has been exposed between some rocks. I am not surprised; in fact I am surprised there was not more.

But now I have to paint a little, while waiting for the olive tree pruning friend to arrive. I am trying different background colours, and think I have found one that sits well with the portrait. Wish me luck, too many things are happening at once and that's when I make mistakes...

I have just remembered what I set out to say.

When things pile up too much, or look too difficult, I talk to myself. I tell myself what has to be done, identifying the problem or listing things out loud, then say "I can do this!" Or if Zacchi is around it seems to be "We can do this!" And, it seems to be, that when I have told myself I can, I really can. We have to be ready for the exhibition (mostra, from the verb mostrare, to show) and we will be. We can do this, Zacchi and I. We can do this.