Summer Fun

We've had so many grey, cold days, I let myself take a few minutes this morning and remember
some of the "summer fun" we enjoyed just a few short months ago.

This is another artist that I sometimes get to paint outdoors with, Claudia Davis. When this photo
 was taken, we were in the hill country, just outside of Fredricksburg, Texas. Even tho the wind was blowing at gale force, we had a great time and managed to get several small paintings finished.

All that day, our little troupe, which consisted of Claudia, Jan Bateman and my self, diligently moved
from one interesting location to another as the light changed. The wind never let up!

Later that evening we met up with some other artists and enjoyed talking art and some of the trials of painting "plein air"in Texas!  All in all, it was a wonderful experience!

But now, I must take myself back to the weather at hand, knowing it won't be long and the days of summer will be with us again as we load our painting gear and strike out to record the many beauties of the great
outdoors!

   

And More Snow!!

I admit, the snow is beautiful when it's falling and building up around every thing on the
ground, but, I'm so ready for spring!

Looking out my back door, I thought of the times last summer I sat under the pine trees and cooled off
with my iced tea, while taking a break from mowing. I like the seasons, I'm ready for the next one.

Times can be tough...

    After the struggle...

 
    Come the smiles. You precious baby!

Pecan Valley Ranch

I was in Texas this past week to spend some time with my dear friend, and used to be

neighbor , Jeanelle. Well, to be honest, there was a new baby on the ranch that I really wanted to see...after all, there is nothing so  sweet as a new colt or filly. 

Watching this new little creature, made me think of the way I sometimes feel.

Unsteady and not so sure !

I'm so flattered!

If you've ever had your portrait done, you know what a big deal it is. I'm lucky to have a little friend
who is quick with her pencil and has a pretty good eye for accuracy in getting a likeness. We had a nice chat while she worked away on the portrait. When it was finished, I was so happy to add it to my art collection. Loved what she did with my hair!  Thank you Lilly!

Frustrated Kitty

 I'm not a cat person. I don't dislike them or anything like that. They don't feel the same way they look—you know,
 you see a big fat fluffy cat, you want to pet all that fluff. But as soon as you touch, it's nothing but tiny little bones under there!

Anyway, when I bought my house several years ago, these two cat's came with the house. I've learned a thing or two about cats.
First, they say cat's don't have masters, they have "staff". This is true! I have come to like my kitties and I take care of them.

One morning I was on the phone with a friend. When I talk on the phone I sometimes wander out to the sunroom and look out
the windows. I noticed one of the cat's was following me from window to window. The big one. Oh by the way, my cats are named
" Big and Rich". I didn't know for a long time they were named after country and western singers ( I never listen to country- western so I didn't know ).

One day my friend Katy Measures was visiting from Texas. She loves all animals. She asked me what their names were. When I told her what the previous owners had named them, she laughed and explained about Big and Rich. The funny thing, she and I noticed that "Rich" who is Black and white, looks like he is wearing a tux, and "Big" is just huge! So, I guess the names fit them very well.

After all that, back to the sunroom with Big watching me on the phone. I was deep in conversation and turned away from the window for a moment. When I looked back, the sight made me burst out laughing!

I have never seen such a frustrated, disgusted looking cat before in my life! I ran got my camera, told my friend what was going on and started shooting!

I knew it was time to feed! (They'd not breakfast yet ). Here is poor "Big". Hey guy, I'll find that gorgeous photo I made of you so everyone can see how handsome you really are!

A Picture Is Worth A thousand... you know

Going out early one very cold morning, a friend and I, with cameras in hand, were on the look for that great shot, the image that would make the day. Right away something happened that made us laugh, the start of a fun outing.
I spotted a tiny little purple flower bravely blooming, even tho it should have been gone for the winter. I thought such determination deserved to be recorded for posterity. Here I am, my camera two inches from the ground,
and I hear what sounds like a bull moose behind me. Knowing we do not have moose in Texas, I continued to photograph the little flower before I checked on my friend. As I started to turn around, I heard a small voice call out " I'm ok—I'm ok Mare." She had slid down the side of a dry creek bed, and was looking up to see if I was checking on her, which I wasn't. I was getting the flower!

The next thing I hear is, " Thanks a lot Mare!"

Since Susan was at the bottom of the hill now anyway, ( and it was a lot steeper than it looks in the photos) she decides to climb on up the other side and explore higher up.

 I had already missed one good photo opportunity, I was ready for the next.

Going up high...

Hold that camera up!

 Harder than it looked...

If I could straighten up a bit...OOPS !

Crises not over! Hang on! Don't drop the camera!!

Whew! That was close, continue on, camera undamaged!

This hill was almost straight up! And only one hand to

work with, that made for a slow go!

Victory!

Hmmm, could I make it on up?

Pressing on...

Please tell me you're not going any higher, or I'm going to start throwing rocks at you !!

Hey Mare, smile!

And I did, but not for the camera.

I was back to my tiny blue flower. I cropped in on it so you could see.

It wasn't as large as a dime.