Yeah - I know what you mean about self-sabotage. I do that occasionally too, and then my poor husband has to listen to me going on and on about how "I should know better," than to change midstream. It happens to us all. I completely understand how it happened in this case - the maple branches are enormously too cool for words. I really want to see you do that again, because they're wonderful. Don't let the failure of the overall piece overshadow the success of the elements.

I'm glad that you took Pat's suggestion about the dragon's tail - I think it will make it a much stronger composition. But you're right that the waves are perfect as drawn.

The house closing hanging over you head affects the flavor of *everything*. Remember what a nervous Nellie I was at Pennsic? It's a big, big step, and you can't expect it not to affect you.

I need a vacation too. Or maybe we should crack open one of those bottles - we've got a few left. Or both!