Stop and Smell the Markers

I forgot a picture to bring in, so I whipped up this one. Now I am typing this with black ink marks on my finger tips. I kind of like them. I remember as a kid having multi colored stains running the length on the side of my left index finger from all the markers I used. It was from missing the cap, as I recapped the markers I used on a daily basis.

Do you remember days where you just sat with your friends and drew pictures or made things? I can remember sitting with my friend Andromeda in third grade, at her desk with the biggest set of Mr. Sketch scented markers. I was fascinated by the smell of a deep pink marker labeled "Melon." My favorite marker scents were light green--"mint," red--"cherry," and purple--"grape" (which still makes my mouth water to this day). I have this warm feeling thinking of the lamp light and the window going dark, and the hours flying by as we sat with paper and all those delicious colors. Nowadays I 'll use the excuse that my house needs to be cleaned or dinner needs to be made in order to procrastinate to get to my desk. Back then, it was such a DISAPPOINTMENT when we had to clean up and eat dinner.

I can remember us chatting about our pictures, as we created them:
"Are you going to draw Taya with a blue bathing suit or a purple one?"
"Blue. What kind of horse is that?"
"It's an Apaloosa."

I am lucky enough to still know Andromeda and to still own Mr. Sketch Markers. I still get a thrill from both, but it's so easy--as we all know--to get lost, not in drawings, but in adult time where we are competative and fearful, or short on time for a nice long visit with either friends or markers. Sometimes, as they say, you need to stop and smell the roses. Well, tonight I want to stop and smell the markers--the yellow-lemon and the brown-cinammon. I've learned also, that Mr. Sketch mean what they say, when they say they are "Water Color Markers." If you bring a brush and water, you can wash at the drawings you've made, and make them into paintings. And maybe I'll make a card for Andromeda that says, "Wish You Were Here."