Tea at the beach

My life could not be better, well, maybe if I won the Lotto, but tea with MY honey sitting by the waves. Actually, who needs money?

Update to Teardrop camping: life is an adventure

We worried about the wrong gods, the weather gods were appeased it was the mechanical gods we should have thought about. All loaded up, pulled out beyond the gates--truck won't start. Seems as the column, where the key goes, has a very important gear and it broke. Bummer. No one is going anywhere in that truck.

We got the trailer unhooked and pushed back in the back yard and Dan "hot wired*" the truck to get it behind the gate. He realized it was not something that could be fixed in an hour, more like days, so while he worked I unpacked all the camping stuff. Everyone, including the hundred-year-old-dog, was disappointed. Good thing it happened in the driveway and not our first gas stop along the way which would have meant towing. We hate towing.

After living with old cars for more than 40 years these kinds of problems always pop up and I'm sure will continue as long as we keep driving old cars. No quitters here.

* For any law enforcement folks reading this post please note Dan would never use his "hot wiring" knowledge for anything nefarious. But it has come in handy more than once.

Weather of not

Our once-a-year Teardrop Gathering (we've gone since '07) is this week and with rain in the forecast my honey is none to pleased. His Safety Event was rained out last Sunday so the weather gods have not been too kind to him lately. Quoting Noah, I say go for it, what the hell is a little rain going to do?

We've not had the Teardrop out since our unfortunate accident in New Mexico and it's been repaired. The water leak has been fixed with the wood stripped out of the galley and replaced and everything is looking quite spiffy. I've got all my cast iron loaded for a few days of Dutch Oven cooking. Oh how I look forward to this. Will be making a carrot cake, potato side dish, and two pots of chile verde--not all on the same day, whew.

Before we get on the road I will attend the last Life Drawing class of this quarter and partake in a potluck. This class has been a lot more familial than the other with everyone eager to bring something. Jay is marketing this as "The Last Supper" but that sounding a little too ecclesiastical I think it should be called "The Luncheon of the Boating Party." After all, Renoir's masterpiece is much more festive.

I'd like to say I sacrificed a chicken last night to the rain gods but actually I just burnt dinner a bit. So, snorkel and fins in hand we'll head for the lake.

Life drawing final

Our final is to be a narrative and most of my work has been very detailed. I wanted to break away from that and create something totally different for me. That's part of what the class is about.

When dopplegangers meet

Self portrait assignment for my life drawing class but I didn't get it finished. There are a few touches I'd like to add but given the size, about 90 inches wide, it takes a while to get it up on the wall in my tiny studio. After the class is done, hopefully.

Most people don't get this and I was reluctant to even post it but here it is. My teacher understood right away, as did some in the class, so I was happy with that.

The quarter is near over, only one more class. I will miss this class, I've learned so much from Jay, the instructor, and hope to take another class with him in the future. He will be teaching this summer in Brittany, hmmmm.

More from the drawing collective

All these drawings are from class with live models. The first is a new model for us and though she was very graceful in the posing she twitched and moved and yawned so I didn't make her very pretty.

The last two are of a male model we were lucky enough to have for many classes. He was perfect in holding a pose and just a nice guy, too. He never spoke until the break and then never looked at any of our work though did comment on homework hanging on the boards. When he left he said how much progress we'd made. Nice touch. I was hoping he'd be back for last class.

Life drawing

I wish it were more life-like. Dan said it looked like Pruce or Marci.

This one might be better.

So here is Dan. Close I think but his mouth looks like his mom.

Happy Birthday, momma

December 15, 1922 - February 5, 2002

This is my darling momma when she was high school aged. Sweet. Today she would have been 88. She is missed by friends and family alike and her daughters especially. She loved Christmas, she was "the Elf Herself" and decorated every inch of her small apartment.

Thanks to my sister for posting this great photo of her as I took it from her blog. She loved to laugh and cook and help others. Her frail health did not keep her down or keep her from helping others.

While shopping she found a new store that sold baked goods and candy. The owner was a young woman eager to make her business a success. When Lorna needed to give a gift, usually cookies, she'd make a "fancy" box to put them in. She told the young store owner she'd give her some boxes, no cost, because she enjoyed making them and they'd be a big hit with the customers. The woman loved the idea and Lorna even made a few envelopes to put with gift certificates. When momma died I was calling her list of friends and saw a name I didn't recognize. Calling it I explained who I was and was pleased to find out it was the owner of the small shop. She was very sad to hear of her death and assured me she'd not sell the last box because she'd love to keep it as a reminder of her.

You are missed.

A story about toys

So because that's what she really wants this year Dan and I ran out on November 1, the release date, and bought Toy Story 3 for the Princess. Pleased with ourselves we put it away. 

Last Friday I decided to wrap it because I had time. I did not have time to search every square inch of this house looking for it. Nor did I have time on Saturday but that's what I did. Dan said he couldn't remember where it was, either. I decided if I didn't find it Sunday morning I'd head back to Target and get another copy hoping they still had one. If we found it I'd take one back but I did not want a disappointed little Princess on Christmas.  

Sunday morning out early and as luck would have it another copy of the movie was purchased. Better safe than sorry. 
  
When Dan came home I'd told him about it, he walked into his office, and opened a drawer I'd already looked in. When he pulled out the movie it was obvious I didn't look deep enough. Sometimes a brain needs a little nudge.     

Drawing class: urban landscape

Sadly, my drawing class is nearing an end. Good news, I'm going to take a Life Drawing class in January so be prepared for naked bodies.
This isn't finished but had time to take a snap. When talking to my daughter she said, "Oh, that was where Dad took you on your first date". I'd forgotten and felt odd she had to remind me but yes, that was our first date. How we ever had a second date is beyond me.

When Dan picked me up he unknowingly stepped in dog poop. We both found out half way to the movie theater when it started to stink. Stopping by his house so he could clean up and I chatted with his roommate while he did. Uncomfortable as I had dated him before Dan. Off to the theater and oh, such a feel good movie, Midnight Cowboy. Depressed we both decided the date was over and skipped dinner. No one was more surprised than I when he called for a second date. Glad he did but forty-one years later I had to be reminded of this by our daughter.

Drawing class

My drawing class has moved on from graphite and into charcoal. Messy but rewarding. Here are a few of my recent assignments.

The first is from a photo I took in '94 of Laffitt's Blacksmith Shop in New Orleans, the French Quarter. It's still a bar after all these years.

This still life was done with my very own lemons and had to finish it quickly as the lemons were starting to go. Not many things smell as pungent as rotting lemons.

Lots are whores when politics are involved.

Guilt shouldn't enter into this but I do feel bad when I accidentally open my blog and see live not posted in weeks--but for the last week I've been banished to my bed to get healthy. Still don't know what kicked my ass but finally I think I'm turning the corner. Hell, I'll be glad to get away from this neighborhood, all they do is cough.

Staying in bed means lots of TV because for a lot of the time I just needed some noise. So, because it is close to November elections, mostly what you hear is all of those political commercials. They are all bastards especially Fiorina. I can not stand to see her smirky, I-know-better-than-you-dumb-peasants smile. Her little head waggle when she taking about how she'll do so much better for us poor Californios--how have we survived without her? I didn't like her in '08 with McCain And I don't like her now.

Don't forget to get out and vote.

There is a disturbance in the force

In the 36 years we've lived in this house we've never had a cat. We've never owned a cat nor had one as a visitor but now we've got one residing in our guest room. There was that one time I kidnapped our neighbor's cat because we had a mouse invasion but all the stupid animal did was watch the rodent. Lazy-assed cat.

My darling sister and her husband and cat are visiting and would usually stay parked in front of our house in their trailer and did for the first week they were here. This week has turned into a variable hell when it comes to weather and they could not run their air conditioner and ours at the same time. We tried taking turns but yesterday, when the thermometer blew out the top at 111 we shut down their trailer and brought the cat inside to live in our guest bedroom.

At first, Bogie was not happy at all and climbed under the covers of the bed and would not come out. Later in the evening, when they went to bed, the cat did come out to eat and use his box. We must keep the door closed since Buddy, our 100 year-old terrier still has the urge to chase a cat now and then and we'd hate to give this, already traumatized, cat a fright. He was a kitten when they put him in the trailer and, outside of traveling from place to place in the back seat of their truck, he's only know that space. He was quite confused when dumped in a 9x12 bedroom.

The 100 year-old dog hasn't caught on that there is a feline a foot but keeps sniffing down the hall and looks a little confused but that is what a 100 year-old dog usually does. He knows there is something odd going on but loses interest if offered a cookie.

As you like it.

Sometimes things are not as advertised. My first Art class was Wednesday evening and it was better than I expected. The class is small, less than a dozen, the teach a nut; his favorite saying, " I shit you not" and he is very prepared, very.

Wednesdays are a busy day for me but I'll survive. Pilates in the morning, Getty Center the afternoon then off to Westwood for three hours and finally a long drive home. One would think the traffic on the 405 at 10:00 p.m. would be light. Think again. I'm not sure there is ever a time when the traffic is light on the 405. Parking turned out easier than I figured with a $5 lot just a block or so walk, and just like the freeway, the streets of Westwood are quite lively at 10.

It's fun to be taking a class again and for the next ten weeks I'll be very challenged and might end up being a better artist. I shit you not.

Colorado sunset

My sister is an accomplished photographer and posts on her photo blog, Imagine. From time to time I use her photos as inspiration. This time I tried to copy, as best I could, and I'm pleased with the result.

Here is the inspiration photo for this pastel. It has a very gloomy feel to it but that's not always bad.

DMB for more than a decade

Big update but not surprising. The concert last night had to be the best. They played past 11 pm, we wondered if they have to pay a fine, and they rocked the bowl.

It all started in 1998 when lil bird asked me to go to a concert with her. Oh, I'd heard of the Dave Matthews Band but never thought to go. My beloved was not a concert goer. So off we went to see my darling daughter's favorite band at the Los Angeles Forum. Really bad seats and the sound was not so good but the show was amazing. Toots and the Maytals were the opening act and we did have a great time though the Nazi's behind us wouldn't let us stand up.

Next year they played in Irvine and she had extra tickets so we took another friend. Unfortunately she had to sit on the grassy knoll but she didn't mind. It was a fantastic concert though the parking really sucks at that venue and I swore I'd never go back, and I haven't had to eat those words, yet.

2000 was Glen Helen Dark in San Bernardino and the first year lil bird bought tickets through the fan club. Front row. I was truly impressed. At a concert like this I felt conspicuously older but would feel better finding someone older than me there. So far I've always been able to since they have fans from all generations.

Now in '01 we went crazy. She saw them three times, me twice. Dodger Stadium on a Tuesday night and then Las Vegas on Wednesday. The Vegas concert, at Sam Boyd Stadium, was the best I'd ever heard them play and we had a great time. We flew to the concert, ate dinner on the strip then took the early morning flight home. I washed my feet in a casino restroom and slept on the floor in the Vegas airport. Life was good.

In 2003 I was in Bakersfield and lil bird called with a great opportunity to see them out of town, again. They were playing in SF, a charity concert and would I like tickets. Yes. We included our friend Tia from Tacoma and my son-in-law and made a weekend trip. The concert was fantastic and I cherish the live DVD of the concert. I think I can hear Tia and me screaming for Carlos Santana when he came on stage.

The concerts not mentioned all were equally good but do I need to bore you? No. Each concert was different with the common thread being we were enjoying it together. She usually gets more than one date and takes either her husband or some other, equally as lucky, fan.

2008 was equally memorable but for a different reason. It was at the Staples Center downtown LA and bought our t-shirts and such before we got seated. Someone was saying LeRoi Moore, their band member had died and a little while longer it was confirmed. They band went on as a tribute to their friend but it was a sad concert without his sweet jazzy sax and though Jeff Coffin is good, he just doesn't have the same 'Roi sound for me.

This long post brings us up to date but wait, there's more. Monday August 23, once again, my darling daughter will take me to see DMB. We'll be going to the Hollywood Bowl, a favorite of mine, and all the crowd and music and, most important; my night out with her. Hope I can spot someone older.

Dolores, can I call Newt a putz?

My very good Jewish friend says I should not call anyone a "putz" because it is a very distasteful word, so I refrained from using the word but I have to call Gingrich out for his statement regarding the Islamic Center being built two miles from ground zero.

This is what the former House speaker and possible (just kill me now) 2012 presidential candidate had to say,

"Nazis don't have the right to put up a sign next to the holocaust museum in Washington … "

Let's just logically think this through, shall we?

• Were there any Nazis that didn't follow, whole-heartedly, Hitler?
• Are there any Nazis today that don't follow the Ayran Nation philosophy?
• Are there any Nazis today that follow an altruistic form of religion?
• Are there decent Islamic people in this country?
• Were there Muslims that died on 9/11?
• Are there Muslims in our military right now fighting in the Middle East for the American way of life?
• Do they have the right to practice their religion here in these United States?

Newt, you can't cherry-pick the Bill of Rights for your own beliefs. They're for all of us, as hard as that might be for you to swallow, ALL.

Now, go home.

Oh, and you are a putz.

Thanks Conejo Parks & Rec

Another great free concert in the park, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps what a wonderful way to spend a late afternoon; sitting in the shade of an old oak tree listening to live music with my beloved and his dog. I'm not sure we'll catch the Labor Day Concert, it's a Queen tribute band, yikes!

Soon, very soon

Remember in April I posted about my darling seedlings? No, well catch up and click the link.

Ok, it's now near August and look how we've grown.

This is but two of the seedlings all grown up and ready to make my life oh so joyous by showering me with hot green chilies for the summer.

There, look closely and you can see a few, off to the left–hiding behind a leave– there's a New Mexico Green Chili hanging on. There are a few larger ones but they are deep in side and avoiding the camera like 20-year-old movie-star felon.

As you're looking closely you can see I don't use any bug spray and something is having a banquet munching on the leaves but hey, I've enough for all the little creatures. These two pots were planted because I had so many seedlings that sprouted. Half are now growing in my neighbors garden and he says they are doing well. He's also growing tomatoes. We are serious about salsa here.

It was a rocky start when we had the horrible triple digit heat wave. The 'net, and you all know I live by the 'net, said NM green chilies don't like hot weather over 90 during the day and over 60 at night. Sheesh, that's about our normal weather let alone these blasts from Dantes Inferno from time to time. But now I'm giddy with the amount of flower that stayed and became little tiny chilies. They are just so dang slow growing.

Grow, my darlings so you can realize your full potential, Chili Rellenos, Chili Verde, Salsa, anything your little green hearts desire.

Deadline met

The bi-yearly Getty Art Show for the staff and docents deadline is August 4 so I've been working like the devil to get this finished and when I say finished I also mean matted and framed. I would like a double mat and bought large pieces, this is a 22x30 inch frame, but for some reason cut the second mat the wrong size. To quote a former co-worker, "I cut it twice and it's still too short." Rather than wait until next Wednesday when I'm in LA so I could pick up another board I decided one mat was just fine.

This pastel was taken from a photo on our last trip. We were in Arches National Park, it was late in the afternoon, and the truck had a ignition problem. So I could take some photos of the wonderful red rocks in the park my darling drove us from spot to spot and I'd jump out and snap what I wanted. He never tried to hurry me along though the temperature was triple digits.

At one stop I snapped a shot and turned to walk back to the truck. The green of the truck looked so great with the red rocks and the lengthening of the shadow that I snapped another one. This really says it all about our vacation. The truck, the teardrop and the wonderfully beautiful country we drove through.