Not on My Watch

For those who follow my wife's blog, you know my mother-in-law has been seriously ill. For those who read my blog, you probably have guessed that I'm generally am optimistic person. So, when my mother-in-law spoke to my wife about her requests and wishes 'when' she passes vs. 'if' she passes, it was quite simply gut wrenching.

Tami and I have discussed this stuff, but in a theoretical way. This was real and my initial instinct was to put my game face on and get pragmatic. But, when Tami mentioned that Shyron wanted us to take Kyle to Disney World in Florida after she's gone because that was the next trip she had planned with him, I lost it.

Shyron was there for Kyle's first Disneyland experience. I think it was for his 1st birthday and I can remember him being absolutely excited about the whole thing. At the Mainstreet Parade that night, I snapped a photo of Shyron holding Kyle that has always been one of my favorite; a grandma's beaming smile, gazing at a happy little boy. It has been the essence of their relationship ever since.

Well, I got to carving and tried to recreate that moment. I will give the print to Shyron, with the caveat that she will take Kyle to Disney World.

Why Nothing Gets Done

I always start the weekend with good intentions; get the garage clean, do some stuff in the yard, get some riding in, visit with the family..... Sadly, before I know it, the weekend is over and I'm left wondering where it all went. Then, my son took a photo that explains it all.

Though not apparent in real life, the film has captured two ghostly apparitions that appear to haunt me the second I sit down. These para-normal beasts effectively suck the life force out of me and leave me reclining with my feet up.

When I'm not sitting, these same creatures make voices in my head that sound like a Siren's call, willing me to venture out into the freezing cold to walk down by the creek. Upon return, I feel a compelling need to slap peanut butter on a treat and lay it on the ground.

I don't know where these harpy like vampires come from, but look at the photo~~~ They are REAL!

Alright, maybe I've taken dramatic license, but, damn those dogs! They get me all peaceful on a cold winter day. Thank god for football on TV!

(And, I did do a carving of some Anasazi Pottery. I liked the photo, which had a very abstract feel to it; like ancient art deco!)

Never to Old to Rock

For me, a great source of pride comes from when my son says "Dad, you know that song that goes 'Brahh-wah-wah-hwah-twaaahhh' real loud?" as he rips out a verbal guitar riff.

"You mean the one where they go 'gbow-wow-zeeeeeeeee---brahh-wah-hwah-twaaahhh?"

"Yeah, that's the one! Can you download it for me?"

While I download the tune to his ipod, I tell him about the song; what it means; how the guitarist was amongst the best before (pick one) sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll did him in; what I was doing in high school when the tune came out. A real history lesson.

I'm lucky if I get a "thanks" and stoked if I'm blessed with a "cool." Still, it's my way of connecting with my son, spanning the great divide, bridging the generation gap. I know he appreciates the download, even if it comes with a monologue.

Yesterday, while I'm watching football, I hear my son talking with his friend while they listen to tunes upstairs.

"You may think this song's about a trip across country, but what it's really about is discovering all the things he likes about his girlfriend..." he says and then casually mentions that the songwriter died in a plane crash/speeding in a Ferrari/eating a bologna sandwhich. And, of course, his knowledge illicits the appropriate "coooool........" And not just from his friend, but from dear old dad.

First Reduction Print

Since I have a new press to play with, I tried a reduction print. Reduction is where you carve away the lightest color, print the color, carve away the next color, print it, and so forth. By reducing the block, it's destroyed in the end.

Anyway, it's from a pictue I took, and have posted here previously, of two crows in Mesa Verde National Park.

Arches National Park Print

It rained all day, so I watched football and perused some vacation photos. Carved up a shot of Delicate Arch while watching my beloved Redskins lose in the playoffs.

The best part, though, was Tami making up some killer hot artichoke dip, creamy spinach dip, and a cheese and salami tray. MMM MMM MMM!!!!

Supposed to get a foot or more of snow tonight, so I'm sure I'll be busy shoveling out all day Sunday. This is Southern California, right?

Brighten the Day

Hey, first post in the new year! Looking out across the meadow, it's a foggy, drizzly, cold day here in the mountains. Just waiting for the 'storm of century' to hit. I've got this crazy wiener-dog passed out in my lap, and a need to do some art. Who will win?

I just took the full plunge into printmaking with a purchase of an intaglio etching press and I can't wait to explore all the possibilities! To that end, I read a Taoist quote which I really found compelling

~To the beginner, the possibilities are endless; to the expert the possibilities are few.

For all the creative folk, I think it's a great reminder to keep an open mind on your creative pursuits (or anything else for that matter), no matter how accomplished you may be.

So, I'll close with a description of the vividly colorful photo above; a free spirited boat in Monterrey Bay, touched up in photoshop using a dry brush and sponge filter with a whole bunch of saturation and contrast thrown in.

PS Tattoo Lesa- Kick some butt in 2008