Butterfly on Sunflower

Metal Mark Butterfly

10" by 10" by 1.5" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 27.2013

I must really love this particular butterfly as I have painted him once before.  That is really something when you know just how many species of butterflies there are, between 15,000 and 20,000.

Anna Paulowna tulips

Anna Paulowna Tulip Field #4

8" by 10" by ¾" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 25 2013

Just when we thought there couldn't be another from Anna Paulowna, here I come with another one!  Trust me, I really think this is the last one.

What I loved about this one is the reference photo I used was taken from a moving train.  I thought it was a pretty good shot.  However, this isn't MY finest hour.  I have seriously debated whether or not to put this one on the blog, but finally decided that I should put the good and the bad!  It's just OK.

I've been working in the studio about as much as usual, but have very little inventory ready.  Maybe tomorrow some of them will come together and get completed so I have a better selection to choose from on Blog Night!  If not, I've got plenty more "junkers" to choose from!

Salisbury News: Voice Recognition

Salisbury News: Voice Recognition

Just for fun, here is a wonderful video I could watch over & over - I truly did LOL !

Let the babies play

Panda's Jade & Ming

11" by 14" by ¾" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 26, 2013

One of my very earliest paintings was of a panda.  It is hanging in my entrance hall now.  For some reason, I love to paint them and love to look at them.  Guess I didn't have to mention that, did I?

Tonight was Family Night here on Kings Road.  Mary Ellen and Ron came over and we had taco's then I gave the mandatory "Art Showing".  It had been two weeks since we had been together and I actually had 41 new canvas' to show off.  I was surprised, too!  Well, they found several more to add to their growing collection.  It is nice to have them like them enough to take a few.

I added one to my own collection.  Since February that I've been painting, I've only kept two now.  I think I've painted almost 150 so that is not bad.  I actually did a calculation and it turns out that at this rate I keep 1.3698630% of my work. (Yes, I am OCD & anal retentive - guess I didn't need to tell you that either, did I?)  Of course there are many I like well enough to keep but enough is enough.  I'd rather give them away and know someone is enjoying something I've painted.

You want one?  Ha! Ha!

Anna Paulowna B&B

Anna Paulowna Patio Café

8" by 10" acrylic on canvas board

April 23, 2013

The name of this place is "Bed and Breakfast De Goudvissenkom" in Noord Holland, the Nederland.  Translated, it means "The Gold Fish Bowl".  The man on the right, in the photo, reminded me of my Father however, not in my painting.  I had hoped he would.

I have so much trouble with some things and faces are so much trouble for me.  I'm considering taking on a project of painting just faces.  I've started collecting some good faces and think I'll try to paint one or two faces a week expecting they will be bad but maybe I can learn something.  I have a book of painting faces.  I guess I know what I must do now!

Prom Night

Date Night

6" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 20, 2013

Pretty Eyes is stepping out on his first date with Christmas Blue.  However, Blue was so excited to be stepping out that she wore her purple outfit!  I think Blue is a boy, but to keep this blog politically correct, in this painting we can think of him as a her!  For some reason I like to think of this as Prom night.

I had a wonderful date to Prom night with a young gorgeous man named Steve Albert.  He was a blind date I met just a few days prior to the Prom.  No matter, we had a fabulous time.  I had the cutest empire wasted pink cotton gown.  I looked like a dream in it.  Here, I'll show you.  It was May 1966, 47 years ago.  WOw!

You know, I got all this from Pretty Eyes and Christmas Blue going out on a date.  Boy, can I digress!  But from what you can see, isn't he gorgeous?

The Birds, Ladybugs & X-ray

 Ladybug Green

6" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 19, 2013

Butterfly on Magenta Flower

6" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 22, 2013

Hummingbird Lane

6" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 24, 2013

Here are a few little animals.  I guess I could have put them on one at a time, but they just seemed so lonely by themselves.  Funny, until I labeled them, I didn't realize they were all 6x8 canvas'.

When I started painting in 2009, I thought I'd paint daily and use the 6x8 canvas as my go-to size.  I bought a box of them, 125 I think.  Well, I have about 122 of them left!  Ha! Ha!  Not really, I've used several dozen of them, but there are still plenty, plenty, plenty.

Frankly, I don't feel like I've painted well unless I paint on a 9x12 or larger.  My favorite is the 11x14.  I also like the 12x16 and 14x18, 16x16 and 20x20.  Nothing bigger than that.  I did paint on a 12x24 and could barely handle it!  Last week, I got out a 20x30 and really couldn't handle that one anymore.

When I first started painting in 1984, I painted on 16x20, 20x24 and 20x30.  Once I even painted a 30x30.  That one is here in my living room and I love it, but can't imagine painting that large again.  I use it to mentally measure large sizes.  For instance, if I see someone has painted on a 36x48, I look at my 30x30 and mentally add the other inches then say "WOW"!

OK, enough about sizes.  Reminds me of X-ray.  When we would get ready to do a certain exam, we'd tell our student "Get me 2 11x14's, 1 14x17, 1 8x10 and 2 7x17's.  What ever!   My first weeks of school were like learning a new language spoken in numbers.  The cassette sizes, the room numbers, the MA, KVP and time all spoken in one or two sentences leaving out all the words.  I remember one night at dinner all I could do was recite numbers.  But I learned well.

When I spoke yesterday of being good at something, there was a day when the students asked me to teach them how to take sinus x-rays.  I said, "For heaven sakes, get one of the big girls to teach you", they responded "You are the best".  I will never forget how I felt that day.  I was one of "the big girls".  Something I never expected to be.  It changed my life professionally.  I became good at what I did and secure in the knowledge that I could do it.  I was finally good at something!  That was when I had the courage to go to Nuclear Medicine School and truly found my niche.

Can She Paint, Johnnie Boy?

My revelation.  Like my handwriting, which doesn't conform to the strict rules of what is good and strong, my paintings have their "own" look and will be mine.  What ever it is, good or bad, it is mine.  I've been waiting to hit my 500th painting so I can start painting "good".  I'm afraid that it is what it is.  That is how each artist develops their own "look".  If you are able to paint, say, the stems of a plant with precision, that will be your look.  If you paint the same stems with broad loose strokes, that will be your look.

My hand writing gets the job done, I can write enough to get the job done and hopefully be able to read it at a later date.  I had hoped my painting would develop into "fine art".  But now I don't think my stems will ever be confused with any precision, darn it!

Of course, it is possible there is a place for my art.  Just where is that place?  My friends and family seem to like what they have taken.  Oh well, I once realized you don't need a beautiful voice to sing.  Now I know I don't need beautiful paintings to paint.  Just paint, Beckie, paint, paint, paint.

Everyone is given their gifts and should be grateful.  I wanted most to sing.  Then I wanted to paint.  Later, I thought how wonderful it would be to be really smart.  I just wanted to be "really really good" at something.  A gift.  A talent.  A star.  An Angel.  I, my friends, am a middle-of-the-road-er.  That should be worth something.  OK, that is my talent.

"What is she good at" one would ask.  The answer came back "Oh, my dear, didn't you know?  She is a middle-of-the-road-er and she is REALLY good at that"!  They all smiled and were proud of her.

Anna Paulowna continued

Anna Paulowna Tulip Field #3

12" by 16" acrylic on canvas board

April 23, 2013

I did it!  This was so much fun to paint and I painted all of the Anna Paulowna pictures I had hoped to paint.  In fact, I have one more from there but it isn't of the fields.  This photo was posted to Flickr by "bruxelles5".  Too bad I don't know the name of the person to credit with this wonderful photo but at least I found this much because where I first saw this photo didn't credit it at all.

Anna Paulowna

Anna Paulowna Tulip Field #2

6" by 12" acrylic on canvas board

April 19, 2013

This is a colorful field of tulips in Anna Paulowna, Holland, The Netherlands.  I am so taken with the incredible color the tulips give vast tracts of land.  I already have one more picture in mind to paint of these beautiful tulip fields.  This photo was placed on Flickr by "rheingold" who posted dozens of beautiful shots of Anna Paulowna.

Wire Hanger Series

Wire Hanger Series - Wedding Dress No.21

11" by 14" acrylic on Pentura canvas board

April 15, 2003

Wire Hanger Series - Wedding Dress No. 22

11" by 14" acrylic on Pentura canvas board

April 20, 2013

Will these never end?  YES, only one more set to go.  I've decided to stop at 24, at least for now.  I still have to complete No.24 and then on to something else!

Happy Birthday P W E & A

Happy Birthday, Painting With Erin and Annie!  You are four years old today!  I'm proud of you and proud of me.  I've stuck with it.  OK, now for the reason I have this blog, the art!

Countertop Rose

8" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 19, 2013

Rose was our cat for many years.  She was a rescue from Mary Ellen's daycare living out of their trash.  They begged us to take her and she was such a wonderful addition to our family.   It was fun to paint her and remember!

My Sidebar is back!!!!

Desk Dolls

9" by 12" by ¾" Acrylic on Cradled Canvas

April 17, 2013

I guess you can tell now, I love my dollies!  And yes, I have many.  I've painted this pair once before.  They were in a grouping of my books and an antique powder shaker.  I liked them in that painting and wanted to make them the centerpiece of their own.  Moral of the story?  Never go back, it doesn't work for me!  I guess I just don't pay enough attention to detail now.  I am, after all, several years older!  I forgot his hat and her feet are different.  Also, I tried here to make his arms & legs darker but did a better job last time and her hair showed up better.  I feel stupid!  But I trudge on.  Just paint ... paint ... paint ...

The good news tonight is, I figured out how to get the template layout I prefer.  I wasn't able to get the font size corrected.  I went to the area where it is adjusted and the font size appeared correct and the blog itself looked just right.  I saved that and went to the blog & nothing had changed.  Oh well, this is so much better now.  Maybe I'll figure out the rest eventually, too!  A few weeks ago, it just "got bigger".  Maybe I was hacked, I don't know.

ADDENDUM: 6:00 a.m. I couldn't sleep until I "fixed" it!  Maybe it makes a difference & maybe not?  But here is the "Re-Do".

I darkened his arms & legs, added a hat and lightened her hair.  It turns out her feet were embellished the 1st time and I decided not to change them.  Now I think I can sleep!  I think the changes were worth it!  I often see more by looking at the paintings on line rather than holding the real thing in my hands.  Isn't that weird?

Also, I forgot to mention they are sitting on an antique captains desk that was my grandparents.  My Mom gave it to Mary Ellen many years ago, but she has never had room for it - thank goodness!  I love it and do have room for it!

A Better Day

Anna Paulowna Tulip Field

11" by 14" acrylic on Everlast Canvas Panel

April 16, 2013

This is the 1st of maybe three paintings I'd like to do of the Anna Paulowna Tulip Fields.  I want to do at least one more with the color of the fields.  Anna Paulowna is a former municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

Even though this one doesn't have the color of the tulips, it does have such grace I couldn't resist it.  Also, it wasn't a knock off in a day.  That is called Wet-on-wet, or alla prima basically meaning you sit down and paint until the painting is completed and is probably more accurately applied to oil painting than acrylic.  However, I frequently paint that way.  Also, after applying a background and letting it dry, the rest of the painting is accomplished in one sitting.  NOT THIS ONE!  It's been on the drafting table for over a week!  Well, partly because I had to think about what to do next and partly because it needed to dry between sessions and partly because I was working on several others that were more fun to paint!  The date on the painting is the date I complete the piece.

I have to take a moment here and mention "my whining".  Two people contacted me about my blog and boy was I surprised.  On the very day I whine, I get some attention.  Maybe I should whine more often!  Ha! Ha!  No, I like to keep my face toward the positive, the future.  I'm reminded of a Biblical reference "Keep a single eye to Jesus", one of my favorite quotes.  OK, it's not exactly a reference about whining, but it is a reference about knowing where you are going.  When I live this way, I don't have time to whine!

Tha-tha-that's it folks!

TV - Blogging - Whinning

Home Plate

9" by 12" by ¾" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 15, 2013

It's been a couple of days since I've written anything.  There are several reasons and all issues my own fault.  I've been blogging now for 2 solid months and as far as I know, not one person has visited.  I know there are things I can do - should do - to bring traffic, but so far, I have done nothing.

Part of the reason was I wanted to bring this blog back to a solid footing.  Partly, I am just to lazy to visit other blogs and leave comments.  That is one of the surest ways of bringing traffic.  In 2009, when I started this blog, I did several technical things which also helped.  I don't know if they are still in place or not  and don't really know what they are anymore.  I'm sure I could find out if I visited Blogspot tutorials.

Speaking of my original blog.  I don't know what caused the font to become so large and therefore losing the sidebox.  I wish I knew what happened and how to fix it, but I don't so just live with it!  Poor me!

Now, about todays painting.  I actually took a photo from a movie on TV and used that as my reference photo.  WOW!  Something unique and original.  Too bad I didn't have enough detail to help add to the painting.  It could use a lot of tweeking, but again, I'm not going to do any more to this one. 

Gee, do I sound lazy.  Or depressed?  I don't know, I'm just beginning to wish I had some traffic.  Maybe because I'm finally developing a fair number of paintings, lots of those are simply to be given away, but you know what?  It is practice and experience I'm getting.  I keep remembering the words of Edward B Gordon, a very successful German Artist who told me to paint my first 500 and not show them to anybody.  Just paint!  Well, I'm approaching 300 now, so it doesn't matter yet.  I'm still in my developing stage.  AND THAT IS THE TRUTH!

It's been a long time

Bamboo Panda

16" by 16" by 1" acrylic on Signature canvas

April 15, 2013

Wire Hanger Series

 Wedding Dress No.19

11" by 14" acrylic on Everlast canvas panel

April 12, 2013

Wedding Dress No.20

11x14 acrylic on Everlast canvas panel

April 15, 2013

Farm View

Crawford County Country

11x14 acrylic on Pannelli Telati canvas board

April 11, 2013

This is a farm scene I have become fond of painting.  This one is taken after a painting by Rusty Jones. His work is really amazing.  I looked at his web site and kept saying "Oh Rusty"!  My painting has no connection to his beautiful painting called "Early Morning on the Farm".  You would never know I used his as my reference.  It is so much fun to research an artist and find someone as talented as Rusty Jones. 

All that said, I do like my painting.

More Wire Hanger Series

Wedding Dress No.16

14" by 11" acrylic on Pentura canvas panel        

April 8, 2013

Wedding Dress No.18

14" by 11" acrylic on Pentura canvas panel

April 12, 2013

These two are as different as can be.  Click on No.18 to see the detail of the glass beads on the full bodice and cascading down the skirt to the hem.  This is the only one of the dresses I've used glass bead gel on.  I used it most recently on April 5th on Babar Sher Beloved.

No.16 is no less beautiful and deserves to be clicked on as well!  You can tell from this post that I am very happy with my Wire Hanger Series.  The dresses have, for the most part, turned out better than I originally imagined I could do.  Good for me - a small kiss on the cheek!

Need Help

Albert Putting the 9th

9" by 12" by ¾" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 12, 2013

OK, I need help here!  This is a copy of a painting but I do not know who originally painted it or what it was called.  I have looked everywhere in my files but cannot find it.  What I did have was a printed copy of it but I printed it some time ago before I started writing the artist's name on it.

Mine, of course, is not an exact copy, but is close enough that you would recognize it as being a copy.  That puts this in my "give-away" pile!  When I do give a copy away, I always tell the person it is a copy, who painted it, and it should not be placed on the internet at a later time.   What they do is give me practice in different techniques on the way to developing my own - I hope!

Above Tar Beach

Pretty Eyes Watches Cassie Fly

12" by 16" acrylic on canvas board

April 11, 2013

There is a reason for this composition!  Cassie Louise Lightfoot, age 8, can fly!  Here's the thing.  Cassie is one of my dolls and she is also the heroine of her own storybook, Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold.

I was looking around for other friends of Pretty Eyes, besides Rat, that we might paint him with.  What better than a favorite doll that can fly!  Ms. Ringgold is a gifted artist that paints quilt installations and has turned a few of them into books.

Tar Beach 2, 1990, Silkscreen on silk, 66 x 66"

I actually did not know any of this when I bought Cassie.  I only saw a small doll that appealed to me and happened to have a book to accompany her.  Who could resist that?

Something to Ponder!  I wonder if I forgot to paint a tail for Pretty Eyes or if it was tucked behind him and not in view?

Walk Like a Babar Sher

Babar Sher Born To Wander

8" by 8" by ¾" Acrylic on Cradled Wood

April 8, 2013

Some you like, some you don't.  This one is definitely a like!  It's funny about this wood surface.  I actually painted an antique Christmas ornament on it and it was really lousy.  I scraped off all the excess paint, gesso'd over it and wal-la, a new Babar Sher was born!  You can't even see any left over brush strokes.  In this case, it took two times to get it right.

100th Painting for 2013

Wedding Dress No.17 - Wire Hanger Series

11" by 14" acrylic on Pentura canvas board

April 9, 2013

Well, I just realized this is my 100th completed painting for 2013, a goal I was hoping to see.  Actually, my real goal is to see 200.  Pardon the pun, but "we'll see"!  Truthfully, I do expect to make that goal.  I've got over 10 in various stages.  You have to plan ahead, select the size and type of canvas, prepare it and paint the background if necessary.  Some need to dry well between adding certain colors.  Some, you just need to think about!

This Wedding Dress is really beautiful.  The background has the random small scattering of gold glitter which enhances the gold of the trim of the dress.  It's not my favorite but maybe it should be.  I like it and it is a celebration piece.  Yeah Number 17 !

Babar Sher Moyenne

Babar Sher Moyenne

6" by 8" acrylic on canvas board

April 5, 2013

Another Babar Sher, remember that is Lion in Urdu!  I really like painting my Babar Sher Series, they may be the direction I am heading, at least in part.

I had a great day in the studio yesterday.  Got lots started and a couple completed.  I'm on my way to the studio now.  Let's see what today brings.

Pretty Eyes vs the Dunked Sheep

A double treat today!  The reason is, the first painting will look like you've seen it recently, and for that matter, in the distant past, too!  But this will be it's last hoorah as far as I'm concerned.  However, it gets snapped up quite quickly.  The 1st one, in 1984 was snatched off my wall.  The second one, seen for the 2nd time was also snatched up without a moments hesitation.  That tells me, this one, mine again, could possibly be at risk for "snatching".  You never know around here!  It is a rendition of a wonderful painting done by Sally Wildman which I covered in depth on March 5 called, appropriately, "Sheep Dip".  I can not find Ms. Wildman's edition of this painting on line.  I originally found it in an art magazine and snipped out the tiny photo.  Also, unfortunately, I do not know what year Ms. Wildman painted Sheep Dip.  I would estimate somewhere between 1959 and 1984 as Ms. Wildman was born in 1959 and I painted my first copy in 1984.  Brilliant!  I should be a detective!  Momma would have been so proud, Daddy would have been skeptical.  Here for your enjoyment is my last, I hope, copy of Ms. Wildman's Sheep Dip.

Sheep Dip after Sally Wildman

20" by 20" by 1½" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 4, 2013

About the three I've painted, they very in size quite significantly.  The first was done on a 16x20 canvas board.  The second, given to my dear friend Ann O'Reilly, was done on a 10x10x1½ cradled canvas and this one is done on the 20x20x1½ cradled canvas.

Pretty Eyes Tabled

11" by 14" acrylic on Claybord

April 5, 2013

I'm going to write something about this in the next couple of hours, but right now, I just can't keep my eyes open.  Say Goodnight Gracie!

Whew, I'm back and so is Pretty Eyes. Don't you love him?

Kate Shelley Bridge

Kate Shelley Bridge

11" by 14" by ¾" acrylic on Signature canvas board

April 4, 2013

I've been wanting to do a train for a long time.   What I found out was they are hard!  There is so much detail.  And the bridge was another story!  I actually scraped off the paint and started again, something I've done on several other painting since.  You can see remnants but, believe me, this is still better!

The bridge has quite interesting statistics. It is located in the Boone Scenic Valley 3 miles West of Boone, Iowa.  It is America's tallest Double track Bridge.  It is above the Des Moine River and 2, 685 feet long.  It was constructed in 1899-1901 and renamed to its current name in 1912.

No matter what, it is an impressive bridge and I'll bet it is a real beauty to see.

Shoo Fly, Shoo

Soft Hackle Fly (Maria Gonzalez of Mayfly)

6" by 6" acrylic on masonite

March 25, 2013

Captain Poinder (Davie McPhaill)

6" by 6" acrylic on masonite

March 25, 2013

These are the last of the fly's.  I don't have any plans to do more unless some pitiful man begs me too!  Ha! Ha!  That Davie McPhaill sure makes them colorful doesn't he?  Let's see, he might have a website?  I looked him up, but everything seems to be videos often on Youtube. They can be found by Googling in case you want to see more of his tying skills.

I just found out Maria Gonzalez is an artist with a Website called Mayfly Art.  I thought she tied flys.  That means her paintings are so realistic that they are mistaken for the real thing!  She does portraits in addition to the flys.  BTW, mine does not look a thing like hers.  Part of the reason is mine are painted on the black background which is quite dramatic, don't you think?

Well, good thing I'm out of the "fly" business.  Looks like it's pretty well covered.  Thank you both Davie and Maria for the inspiration you've provided.

Wonderful Days!

Babar Sher Beloved

9" by 12" by 1½" acrylic on cradled canvas

April 3, 2013

I feel like I'm beginning to find my niche!  Maybe not completely, but at least a start.  I have four series: Babar Sher's, Number Kids, sock monkeys, and Wire Hanger Series.  In addition, I'm finding I really like fields, vineyards and barn landscapes.  Maybe I will find out who I am eventually!

This darling little painting is of a Father looking at his cub.  Nothing else needs to be said!  And, it is a Babar Sher Series painting and that always makes me happy to add a new lion to the pride!  The dirt they are standing on is made using glass bead gel, one of my favorite tools I've used many times.  You may be able to see it if you click on the image and then again to enlarge it.

The day past was so successful, I couldn't help but smile while I worked.  I couldn't help but thank Our Father for all that He has done for me and for the gifts we can choose to use.  Life is good!

I'm now on Ebay!

Wedding Dress No.14

11x14 acrylic on Pintura canvas panel

April 3, 2013

Wedding Dress' No.15

11x14 acrylic on Pintura canvas panel

April 3, 2013

I showed my Wire Hanger Series to my Family last weekend and was surprised at how much they like the series.  I was encouraged to paint more.  However, the big news today is, I have put most of them on Ebay.  I am finally offering them for sale! 

I have developed a selling price list and an 11x14 would sell for $86. That is a price I have developed by looking for several years at what art sell for and that is a beginner price.  It is a more than fair price.  With that said, I am starting my Ebay auction at $20.  I do not expect to have any bids.  I do not have a following.  I do, however, have a good rating with Ebay haveing been a buyer for many years.  If one did sell at that price, the good news would be I would be covering the cost of materials, something I sorely need to do!

Passing Time

At The Creek

6" by 12" acrylic on canvas sheet

April 1, 2013

This painting is based upon a painting by Mark Kelvin Horton.  No matter how hard I try, mine always look like a childs marks on poster paper.  Remember that?  That is how I feel.  How will I ever learn to blend my colors, create shadows and control my brush strokes to take off on my own?  I keep trying. And I won't even talk about faces and noses.  Those are impossible!

I love, love, love Mr. Horton's work.  You must scoot over to his web site and take a look.  My favorite are of fishing with shrimp nets.  B-U-T-full !

Reaching into the Past

Sennelier - 3 Quai Voltaire, Paris

9" by 12" by 1½" acrylic on cradled canvas

May 31, 2009

This is still the photo you get if you Google Street Maps at 3 Quai Voltaire.  I painted it in 2009 as part of an art challenge for Virtual Paintout.  Sennelier is an art store in Paris and also a very popular paint brand.  I thought it was appropriate to paint an art store for an art challenge.  I Googled Sennelier to get the address, it is pronounced sen-nel-ee-ay.

I'm posting it today - again - because it is a favorite of mine.  I may bring back a few other of my favorites this month.

Easter Sunday

Burro 

9" by 12" by ¾" acrylic on cradled canvas

March 30, 2013

This is loosely based on a painting by artist Jeffrey R. Watts out of El Cajon, California.  If they were side by side, I don't think you'd notice they were both Burros!  His is beautiful!

Our Family Night was wonderful, perhaps the best we've ever had.  We ate our Frogmore Stew outside, in fact, we spent four hours outside.  It was heaven!  Barbara made up a game where we all sang "Going Down the Bunny Trail" and passed eggs to win prizes.  You would have thought we were playing for the lottery, it was intense!

Just the wonderful time spent together was worth all the jellybeans in the world.  I love my Family Night group.  We all work together as a unit and everything comes together without any one person being stuck with doing everything.  And we get along so well.  I got to stop right here and give Ron kudos for being the only male and enjoying himself as much as any of us.  He and I smoked cigars this afternoon since he didn't have another male to share in the special right of passage.  I managed about an inch of the behemoth. 

Life is Good and this Easter was Wonderful.  What a day...