The weather has been wonderful for a couple of weeks. The two doors between my livingroom and terrace are thus flung open most of the day, and the light in the livingroom is simply marvelous. Reflected off the terracotta tiles on the terrace, it is warm and bubbly. Bathing in this magical light, my paintings look so fabulous that I cannot suppress an occasional cry of wonder: “What stunning beauty!” Having just heard my own praise once again, I paused to reflect: “Is this self-delusion by any chance?” But I quickly abandoned such wayward thoughts. Self-delusional or not, they do reflect my joy. And it is real. Most real. More, I am behind it with my entire being. If this is self-delusion, it ought to be praised. And praised out loud for others to emulate in their own turn.