Guest post written by Mick Combs

Although it had been decades since I took classes in college, when I retired I thought that taking a fun class would be a great way to use my time. But I didn’t sign up for a literature or history course. Instead, I signed up for an art class open to adults at the local art gallery.

I’ve doodled a lot in my lifetime and I don’t want to brag, but you can tell what most of the things are that I draw. So I came prepared to the first class with a sketch pad and drawing pencils. Except that first day our teacher had us paint a landscape picture with watercolors. Outside the classroom’s window is a cityscape, so we had to get a bit creative and imagine a landscape. I painted the ocean near where I grew up. I thought I did a decent job, but wasn’t too confident in my abilities.

Then when it was time to talk to the class I had a little boost of confidence because I had recently bought some miracle ear hearing aids and didn’t have to worry about talking too loud in public any more.