Summer Reading

~Same Kind of Different As me~

by~ Ron Hall and Denver Moore

~*~

Have you read this book? I haven't, not yet.

It was a gift from a very good friend. Last week while she was on vacation she read it and says, it has changed her life.

My friend stopped by on Saturday evening and handed me a copy. Apparently she bought every copy at a local independent bookshop and then went to our Barnes and Noble and bought every copy they had. She then returned to the little bookshop and ordered several dozen copies.

In August she is celebrating a special birthday and has decided to gift a copy of Same Kind of Different As me to each guest attending her birthday party!

~*~

I'm looking forward to settling in with this book.

Later this week we will be flying to North Carolina to visit my Father-in-law.

I anticipate many hours of reading, relaxing, walking and enjoying the company of my sweet Father-in-law.

I'm still catching up on illustrations that have deadlines quickly approaching, and my stack of summer reads is getting taller each week.

So many books... so little time!

If you've read this book, I'd love to know your thoughts.

Images: Same Kind of Different As me- website and Here

A Mid-Summer Break

~Thinking of you~

Enjoy each day~ summer is passing quickly.

~*~

For those special friends in the southern hemisphere~ curl up by a warm fire with a mug of something warm.

A Little Time-Out~

I've been spending a lot of time with these......

When I sit at my drawing table I do a lot of daydreaming...
like......

The five beautiful walking villages of the Cinque Terre along the Italian Riviera.

More Information here.


The Cinque Terre is one of the most beautiful places I have visited.
I'm thinking of my first visit to this gorgeous spot when it was early in July, really warm, the water so blue, the bougainvillea so profuse, the wine refreshing and cold.
***
I will be taking a bit of a blogging break, a 'time-out' to catch up on several painting projects.
Summer here in the northeast is short and between painting, some gardening, my Pilate's classes~ the days feel very short and they are passing too quickly.

It was such a difficult decision because catching up with all of you is such an important part of my day. I really won't be gone all that long, so please check back with me when you can or keep in touch via email.

I will miss you and don't be surprised to see a comment here and there.

***

Sending Prayers to this very special family.

Images:
Top-google search
Cinque Terre Website

Wyeth's Maine

~Andrew Wyeth~

July 12, 1917 ~ January 16, 2009

{Image~ Peter Ralston}

~On The Edge~

On Monday I visited the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine.

What a gift.

I am a fan of the works of the late Andrew Wyeth.

I have been for years. Just out of high school I started collecting Wyeth prints and having them matted and framed.

Fast-forward several years... I became the gardener on an estate here in central Maine. One of the owners was a gallery owner in New York City. He was a friend of Andrew Wyeth and held the exclusive for Wyeths at his gallery.

Occasionally Andrew Wyeth and his wife Betsy would visit the estate. One particular August the famed artist was due to arrive for a weekend visit. I knew well of this pending visit- I arranged the flowers for the guestroom that the Wyeth's would have for the weekend.


~Nicholas~

On that Saturday morning I made a quick trip down to the greenhouses to do some light watering and venting of the beautiful glass greenhouses. As I was driving up the lane to my home, also part of the family property, I saw an imposing figure walking along. I knew just who it was. Worn, baggy khaki pants, very faded navy canvas shoes and an old comfy navy cotton sweater- it was him. I pulled into my driveway and dashed inside. I went from window to window trying to catch the best view of the well known artist.
He made his way to the horses right across from my cottage.
I could see him gently clapping his hands to get their attention.

***

I took a deep breath, threw on a crisp white shirt, tossed a brush through my hair and nonchalantly walked outside of my cottage to where Mr. Wyeth was leaning against a newly painted white fence talking with a couple of the horses.

With the blush of a young woman I told him that I was a fan of his work. He was gentle~ he took my hand and put his other hand on my right shoulder. He was very complimentary of the gardens that I tended for the family and asked several questions about the horses and the greenhouses. He seemed more interested in the work that I was doing then talking about himself or his work.

It was a short but substantial introduction.

It made my summer.

This man was a gift to Maine and to art.
***
If you are in Maine or have the chance to
visit the Farnsworth Museum
it will be an afternoon well spent.
***
The Farnsworth Museum
16 Museum Street
Rockland, Maine
04841
207-596-6457

~Rockland, Maine~

Images:
Thank you to Peter Ralston {top} http://www.pralston.com/
Others are mine own

July 4th~ 2010

~Happy July 4th Weekend~

***

My favorite holiday of them all!

Have fun and be safe.

***

~Happy Birthday United States of America~

image:

Country Living

Quote of the day...

...and this is just what makes summer so darn fabulous!!!

You can stay in your jammie bottoms all day long...and no body even has to know.

Not that I'm doing this.......I'm just saying.......