The last Sunday before school starts

My new figure drawing course begins in just two days so the summer break is officially over and the new academic year is about to begin.

I'm ready. A month ago I didn't think I had the energy to take a class this year but now I'm up and moving, in a can't-wait-to-meet-the-new-teacher mode. I hope I learn to draw some day!




Maybe I'm curious or just plain nosey, but I like to peek into other people's churches. This morning I drew Demi at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Napa, California and also took a snapshot before the service began.

I'm not an official member of St. Mary's - I haven't transferred to anywhere since Steve retired - but we bounce around and seem to end up at St. Mary's the most often.

It's a lovely parish and the congregation has been most welcoming. They adore Demi, which goes a long way for me.

Parishioners are impressed no end that Demi routinely trots up to the communion rail, sits, waits for a blessing and then follows me out -- all with no leash! She doesn't need one, she's a retired service dog and knows her skills.

The rest of the service she contemplates whatever spiritually inclined dogs in retirement are inclined to contemplate and no one even knows she's there.