Henry set in his chair looking out the window both tense and excited. This would be the day. He just knew it! Tuesdays had always been his lucky day. All good things in his life seemed to fall on a Tuesday.He waited to hear the jingle of the Postman bag and his familiar footsteps coming up the walk. He would run out the door and meet him in front of the house. He was sure the mail carrier would be shocked and Henry would enjoy every blissful moment of it. This would be the first in many wonderful steps for Henry and he knew it would happen today. It was Tuesday!!!
Although, the mailman seemed to be running late today. He usually came by at 11am sharp and it was already 10 past. But, Henry would be patient. After all, innumerable things could have kept him along his route.
Then he saw him. He was crossing the street to Henry’s house. Henry got up from the chair and walked towards the front door. He turned to look at himself in the hallway mirror. His face was red and perspiration rolled down his forward and cheeks. He didn’t care. It was his day to shine.
He reached for the door knob and could feel his hands shaking and his heart pounding through his chest. He held on to the wood casing and turned the knob. The sunlight sliced its way through the crack and blasted across Henry’s face.
He couldn’t breathe and started to feel faint. His knees were beginning to buckle under him. He slammed the door shut, locked it and grabbed at his chest. He ran to the safety of his chair and attempted to get himself under control.
Henry heard his mail fall to the floor from the mail slit in the door and watched the carrier walk away. He told himself it was okay. Wednesday is actually a better day to do it. He could do it tomorrow. Wednesday would be the day that Henry would definitely walk out his front door for the first time in ten years.
_________________
I know! Poor Henry. Agoraphobia is a very real thing that a lot of people suffer from in different degrees. Today with internet, I think its a lot more prevalent than we know. In fact I’ve often thought I could easily become a hermit of sorts. Although, my reclusive dwelling would have to include a large piece of green property that I could wander around in everyday. Maybe that’s against the rules of being a shut-in? I don’t know but it’s the way I feel one day out of the week. The other six days I’m more than willing to take my chances out there.
Ever feel like that?
Vikki
The painting is called Conversation with Thomas. (The star is one of my absolutely gorgeous Thomasville chairs that sits in my study! Oh yeah!!) For this blog only I’m pricing the original at $225. You can contact me through the The Red Chair Gallery.
And if you haven’t been there yet- you must check out The Artist Challenge and Dante’s Pub. We’re having a blast! We’ll have a new Challenge gallery for you in March. The theme is -“The Fool.”







26 comments:
Whew! I was SOOOO worried when I saw the word "Tuesday" in the title of the post. Had it really been 3 days since I visited your blog? Then upon reading it further, I realized that it was posted earlier today, and that I once again was on top of things.
But that is not the reason for my visit. This chair in the light of this window so reminds me of a recurring dream that I have. It's indelibly imprinted into my brain, and adds comfort and clarity to my space. And yet, I keep wondering to myself, "Where have I seen this before in real life?"
Oh Logistician-
I'm having a psychic moment about your dream and clarity and common sense that occurs over and over and yet over again: Could it be - that painting is on the top of your blog?!?
You're too funny. You know I could have titled it Friday but I made it Tuesday just to mess with you.
Vikki
Hi Vikki!
I remember this painting so well! I like revisiting your artwork like this after a while, and noticing it's a completely different experience. Gives me pause that the experience of art has a lot to do with where we are in life at that moment, and I suspect it's different for everyone.
One thing's the same for my past and present self though, I'd like to sink right in to that chair after a long day at work! ;)
~Michael
Thanks Michael,
I love my Thomasville chairs too.
Been a little busy with another silly website. That's why I don't have new art for you.
Soon. I promise.
Vikki
MDE's comment struck a chord with me also in terms of reviewing something that you had seen previously. I sometimes find myself going back to your previous posts when a topic arises which reminds me of a prior discussion or story. It's always interesting to revisit art.
Ooopps. There goes that word "interesting" again.
Poor Henry indeed. I couldn't live without being able to get out side. Nature is just such a large part of my life. BUT, if I had a chair like that, thing might be a little different. Your chair just screams COMFORT, and whispers security.
I do feel some days when I have to work in the city that I would much rather stay home. Especially when I have to go to Dallas, yuck!
Hi Logistician,
Thanks for your comment. It’s flattering that you’d review my older post.
My original blog on this painting was called Conversation with Thomas. This is a new story. I have another chair with a window that I haven’t shown on the blog that I considered- but the Thomasville chair seemed more applicable to Henry’s dilemma.
Okay fellas- ‘interesting’ can have a positive context also. Point taken. You win.
Vikki
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your comment. I totally agree about needing to be outside.
I actually bought this house/ property 5 years before I retired. It was my weekend vacation escape from the chaos of L.A. I’d drive down every Friday night. I think it emotionally gave me the same thing as your trips out to the woods hunting.
When we live active and full lives -having a little recluse on occasion is a healthy addition.
Vikki
I hear what you mean about a series- your chair series just take me deeper and deeper into retrospection- like this chair - it's so inviting, it's calling your name to sit and meld into its tufts and slide into its soft leather and bask in the shadow- just rest and think- this chair says to me
Hi Odd chick,
Thanks. It's a lot of fun to get into a series. It can be a series of 3 or 300. You just do find yourself coming back to the same subject until you know you've said everything you have to say about it.
Vikki
hi vickie! thanks for stopping by. i am so claustrophobic that i can't imagine being agoraphobic! lol! i might freeze to death b/c i can't stand to be inside tho :)
Hi Marianne-
I'm with you girl. Even when it rains for a couple days - I find that I quickly reach the stage where I'm bouncing off the walls. I have to at least go out for a walk or drive.
Vikki
Hi Vikki - don't go getting agoraphobic on us! I agree that it could be pretty easy these days with so much pressure in the wider society, and technology that makes life interesting and comfortable in our homes.
We are social animals and we need people to be truly healthy.
June in Oz
I haven't seen this painting before--love it. The chair almost seems alive, as if it has stories to tell and wisdom to dispense.
Hi June of Oz,
I’m with you. Interaction with other people is so necessary to keep the mind healthy. I actually have a neighbor that’s been a shut-in for 15-20 years. She loves to talk to people but she won’t go outside her front gate. It’s really an interesting dynamic. (She was my stimulus for Henry)
Vikki
Hi Peggi,
Thanks-I acually have two of those chairs. BTW -I hope your foot is all better and your out dancing around your studio again?
Vikki
I love that chair. The painting makes me feel like that chair is an old friend. One of those places I could sit and fall asleep in the sun in.
Somehow that doesn't seem like good English.
Hi Lou and Thank you,
I understand your English just fine.It's probably 'gooder' than mine.
Vikki
Little Mama!!
Beauty! I know how this feels!! I'd NEVER leave my house and grounds if I didn't have to!! I am content and self-contained here and conduct most of my affairs from a computer chair....hmmm. A painting and story here??
And I'm with Lou! I love this old chair!
XXXOOOO
ON my way to Dante's!!
D
Hi Queeny,
Thank you and I'm with you. I play well by myself. As long as I can putz around on my property - I'm a happy camper. But I still need people.
And actually that a new chair- they just made it in an old fashion style. That's why I couldn't resist.
Vikki
Now thats a chair!...I could easily become agoraphobic reading the hours away in that cushion of comfort.....The painting is beautiful and inviting Vikki....very nice!......and so reasonably priced..=]...
Hi Robin,
Thank you. Okay, okay. You know my comment about $25 for a drawing was well meant. You’re a master artist and your drawing are worth SO more, my friend.
Vikki
Hello Vkki,
This chair does bring me back to when you posted it the first time.
Not knowing what the story was about, when I got to the part where he says, "He told himself it was okay. Wednesday is actually a better day to do it. He could do it tomorrow."
It made me chuckle because in the begining, Henry was so determined to do whatever he was planning to do on that day, just because it's Tuesday and all good things happen on a Tuesday. All of a sudden it's okay to do it on a Wednesday, just because his plan didn't materialize on a Tuesday. I found it very humorous, for some reason.
After I found out what the real message was, I soon felt guilty for chuckling because the story was never meant to be funny.
Yep, I could say I'm a part-time reclusive and a part-time social butterfly. It just all depends on my mood, for the most part.
Well, I think my eyelids are telling me to get some badly needed snooze right now; therefore, I shall say good day for now.
Signing out,
Tasha
Hi TashaBud,
Thank you and no reason to feel guilty. I was having a bit of fun with poor Henry and hoped his dilemma would be a bit humerous and something we all might be able to identify with to a small degree.
I'm forever setting schedules for myself. Henry's final resolve to "it's okay to do the next day" is what I frequently tell myself when my plans don't pan out the way I'd hope.
Vikki
Oh WOW!!!! This is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I enjoyed reading it too!!
Aaarrrggg, if only I could be a storyteller too, along with an artist like you...wow.
Hi Sandy,
It's a lot of fun to write little stories. I bet you could do it without a problem.
Vikki
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