Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.
—-Francis Bacon, Sr,
******************
Monday morning and I’m here in the studio, wondering why I continue to do this blog, to get up each day and struggle to say something new. In some ways it comes between me and the precious solitude I have set up for myself here. It brings in the outside world and exposes my weaknesses and flaws to them. It frustrates me at times. It takes away time better spent.
At least, I think the time might be better spent.
But I do it.
From the first few days of doing this, I viewed it as a form of art. I would try to be consistent, try to keep to a certain standard that I felt inside, just as I do with my painting. I would just put it out there so that the world, if interested, could see it and react. Like painting.
But it is different from painting. It takes from my solitude whereas my painting adds to it, and that is a big factor for me. I understand the quote above. I have often felt the wild beast, the feral dog that exists just outside the human world, sometimes venturing in when the need arises but always retreating to my solitary confines. A beast, not a god.
And I’m comfortable with that.
But sometimes, some days, there are moments when I feeel that this very act of writing this blog takes away my cover, my solitary den. Today is such a day. But I will retreat and hover for a while on the periphery and come back again tomorrow.
Maybe.
Redtree Times 
You’ve reminded me of something I’ve learned over the years and tend to forget: solitude isn’t the same as isolation.
Thanks for the reminder.
Do come back! Have you read Annie Lamott’s ‘Bird by Bird’? It’s a wonderful memoir, but it’s also a soliloquy on writing, and addresses some of what you talking about here.
If these paintings on the blog are yours, my God, you’re gifted. I’ve never seen landscapes with so much feeling and passion. The colors are beautiful.
Thanks for the recommendation of the Annie Lamott book. And yes, those are my paintings. It’s what I do.
I second Bird by Bird. Also, On Writing by Stephen King.
You know I’d certainly understand if you quit for a while, or for good. After 4 years of The Planet, this long hiatus has been nice.
I’m thinking about posting something about the election, and larger thoughts on how this country has changed (you know, old man stuff), since I was a boy.
But going back to once a day? Probably not. I still have this book to finish.
But if you do decide to hang it up, I will miss it.