30 Paintings in 30 Days, Day 6

"The Fortune Teller" - mixed media on reclaimed wood, 7" x 13", Ready to hang.  Available on Artfinder.

ARTHUR: There it is! The Bridge of Death!
ROBIN: Oh, great.
KNIGHT: Look! ARTHUR: There's the old man from Scene 24!
BEDEMIR: What is he doing here?
ARTHUR: He is the keeper of the Bridge of Death. He asks each traveller five questions--
KNIGHT: Three questions.
ARTHUR: Three questions. He who answers the five questions--
KNIGHT: Three questions.
ARTHUR: Three questions may cross in safety.
ROBIN: What if you get a question wrong?
ARTHUR: Then you are cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril.
                          - from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Scene 35

We are jumping ahead in the movie script today, to a scene totally appropriate for hurricane forecasting.  Because what if the meteorologists and computer models answer the question "Where is Irma going?" incorrectly?  We are all cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril!  There is nothing I can do besides preparing just in case.  So why not paint a fortune teller?  Maybe she can sort out the whims of Irma.

It is a bit surreal, truly.  It seems we were just yesterday glued to the t.v. watching Harvey, sending good vibes to the folks in Texas and cheering for every rescue.  And now...well we are trying to enjoy each day with a big ol' windy beast breathing down our necks.  But there is a little silver lining to all this stockpiling and shoring up and standing in line....people are connecting.  We are talking to one another, sharing advice and strategies, asking after each other's well-being and reaching out across the miles to discuss particulars.  My kids each called me yesterday to express concern - and if you know young adults, they don't call often!  It made me smile inside to know they are thinking about their parents and worried on our behalf.  Our little ones are growing up.

All this preparation has made me examine my home for fortress qualities.  We are fortunate to have many safeguards in place!  But when you start planning for where to store your stuff in case the roof blows off or caves in, well, it makes you realize how much you take your roof for granted and how few truly secure places there are in a house.  I should have bought stock in blue tarps and plastic bins.

I am not sure what this Fortune Teller sees in her gazing ball with respect to Hurricane Irma, but she did see a winner in yesterday's blog challenge, which asked readers to name something they thought people 100 years from now might make fun of about us.  Congratulations to Carol, whose comment "Well, maybe they'll scratch their heads in perplexity over our fascination with the "Snack & Soda" aisle in the grocery store and the Kardashians" made me laugh out loud and provided a lovely respite in all this weather news.  Your painting is on the way!