Updates on My Daughters

Jody's return of Cervical Cancer turned up negative after a biopsy. They think it was just scar tissue. My older daughter, Tracy, has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease which means she is allergic to Gluten which is attacking her Intestines. She is now on a strict Gluten-Free diet so hopefully, her Intenstines heal. If anyone has any Gluten-Free recipes (mostly for bread), please email me.

My Grandson's First Fish!!

Took my Grandsons, Zach & Ben out fishing today on the dock at my cabin. First time they ever fished. They were so excited. The one fish on the right was quite a large Rock Bass. The pole bent over so much I thought it would break, but he did a terrific job of reeling it in. Just thought I'd share the moment with you all.

WHY IS IT?

In my last post, I was all excited about Spring. Why is it that it seems in my life, nothing stays the same. I just received some downer news yesterday afternoon. They think my daughter's Cervical Cancer has returned. Needless to say, I got out the Cream Sherry last night. We don't know much yet, we will know more next Monday.

Spring is Here

and how glorious it is. The Sring smell, the Lilies popping up, the green grass..I love the season at this time for the expectation of things to come. I have about 200Lily plants. I absolutely love them. I keep dividing them and now I got alot....but I have 2 homes...one on 1 acre and my cabin on 2 1/2 acres so there are plenty of places for homes for them.

My mom came in from Phoenix last night. She is 91 years old and I have no clue how she manages all 3 suitcases plus a carry on. When she comes to Michigan, she travels alone but when she goes back to Arizona, my sister and I go with her (a chance for a vacation with my sister..lol).

I am so blessed. I have wonderful children and grandchildren, a great husband, a wonderful mother and sister. My brother isn't too bad either...lol. I have a wonderful doctor who saved my life in 2002 with bypass surgery. He not only is my doctor but my very good friend. He is a hobby artist who does awesome acrylics. Last year he had prostrate cancer but he is coming along fine. Well, as good as can be expected mood wise. He at present is cancer free and so is my daughter who had Cervical Cancer last year. In June, my daughter will be cancer free for a year....we are going to have one heck of a celebration.

That's all for now. Haven't done much painting. There is alot of work with opening up the cabin and cutting the trees down, etc. Hopefully, we can get the boat in the water this weekend.

Plein Air

We are opening up our Cabin on the lake the week after Easter. Planning on doing more Plein Aire studies to take back to the studio. I pretty much live at the Cabin most of the summer. I make my own Charcoal Sticks over the Fire Pit, and I plan on getting some new Charcoal Sticks to replenish my current supply which is getting low. We need to Chain Saw some trees that have fallen due to the Beaver who thinks he has possession of our trees...uh..uh...I inherited a new Bow and Arrow Set from Kodiak and if I see that Beav out, he is so mine. I am excited this year as we have a new electric trolling motor for the boat which allows me to get into the areas that I couldn't previously access. This allows me access to new views that I didn't have before (and also catch more Bass).

Happy Easter everyone! I will have a full house with all my Children and Grandchildren (all boys) coming for the day. Bratwurst and Burgers are on the menu.
I guess we aren't very traditional...lol....but traditional is boring. I have been on this health kick lately where I hardly eat any red meat and eat lots of Brocolli, Cauliflower and other veggies. I don't care for Fruit so I eat very little of that, mostly just Bananas and Apples. I must say that my energy has increased tenfold since starting on this Menu. Try it--you might like it.

Working on Some New Studies

I am currently working on some new studies. New techniques, revamping my whole thought process on creating.

As Usual

As usual, life just keeps getting in the way of progress. I had to babysit my Grandsons this weekend. Sure enough, Monday I came down with their cold. Then a month ago, we had to put our dog to sleep. Cancer. I hate that ugly word. Depressing. My daughter with Cervical Cancer and my dog with Cancerous Tumors.

Sorry folks, no updates yet. I had Pneumonia last year at this time and this year, I am being more careful and taking care of myself. Basically, eating, sleeping and doing lots of reading. I am now reading "I Know This Much Is True", by Wally Lamb. It was on the New York Times Bestseller List awhile back and was recommended reading by Oprah's Book Club. It is a very good read. It is 900 pages long, and currently I am on the 501th page. Some language is a little bit rank, though. Long way to go yet.

Been following what is happening with my Detroit Tigers. They need to improve this year and it looks like they have. Hopefully, we have a decent bullpen and a decent shortstop now. Why in the world they don't bring Rick Porcello in to get his feet wet is beyond me. I think they still need a really good catcher though. I guess we shall see. I gave up on Lions football way back when they were bad and are still bad. New Coach now, maybe this year??

Been doing some Internet shopping for a new sketchbook. Now that we have a Cabin on the lake which I inhabit pretty much all summer, I plan on doing nothing but sketching and painting. I have 2 1/2 acres and 330 feet of water frontage that is totally mine to explore. My Grandsons are getting older now (4,4,31/2, and 1 year old), so they are very inquisitive. Last year we found a snake, a baby frog, they run after the Deer (those poor deer) and this year, I am teaching them how to fish.

Well, that's all for now. Going to get better and try to post some pictures then. I have a couple of ACEO's (Artist Trading Cards) to post here and I also wanted to post a painting near completion.

Stay warm and stay safe!!

The Dragon

This was started in the hospital waiting for my husband during his surgery. I had 2 interesting encounters. First a man was in the waiting room and peeked at what I was doing and loved it. He wanted to know if I do tatoos. Told him nope. Then the doctor came in after finishing my husband's surgery and noticed what I was doing and told me he loved the dragon (he was Japenese or Chinese, don't know which) and wanted to purchase it. Told him no as this was done for my Grandson. He asked about a print and I told him I only do Originals.

Actually, I want to paint this dragon. I just haven't decided which method to use (acrylic, gouache or pen & ink). Still thinking on that one. So if anyone wants to commission a painting of this dragon, please email me.

I just thought I would stop in and wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

Exciting month. Family and Friends seemed to be around me all the time and I couldn't get any artwork done. I am so thankful for them all. I couldn't imagine life without them.

I have just started working on a new technique in Acrylics. Hopefully, in November, I will be able to post a painting or two. I also have some Graphite work that I will post then. My daughter is doing fine.....cancer free as of now. Hopefully, for the next 5 years that will continue.

Blog is Under Construction

I had to halt my Blog for the time being. My 32 year old daughter has Cervical Cancer and there is much to do with her and my Grandsons. I will try and get back and post some Artwork in the next week or two. Thanks for stopping buy. I hope you add my Blog to your Favorites list on your computer.