It would be safe to say that 2020 is not a year any of us expected. From front line workers to small businesses, daily lives have been uprooted. And there are loved ones around the world who are no longer with us and ones who are still suffering from illness.

While it might seem best to forget the year entirely, we can remember the bright spots which shone even more: receiving an unexpected kind word, chances to connect and reconnect by all sorts of digital methods, wildlife spotted in areas which previously were too crowded, a chance to slow down and take stock, and the enriching joy of extending a hand (figuratively) to someone else.

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy and I wish you the very best for 2021.

I’ve heard from a number of you that you enjoy seeing works in progress. If you haven’t had a chance to read my blog, www.besseart.blogspot.com,
many of my paintings are posted there showing a step-by-step progression.

This past summer our front deck became a huge pool party.... for our local birds. It seems word got around the feathered community that not only did we have four hummingbird feeders and a large black sunflower seed feeder, but we also had a large rock-filled bird bath with fresh water continuously bubbling during the day. Word traveled a bit further than we planned as we had a surprise evening visitor to our suspended bird feeder, a black bear.

He proceeded to demonstrate how very flimsy heavy gauge metal mesh can be!

I hope during these challenging times you have created new ways to appreciate the beauty around you... even if it comes with a mangled sunflower seed feeder.