The Whole Family is Home!

At long last we have the whole family together.  Mom and I and Aaron and Libby and Jay.  It’s been forever since we’ve all been together.  The more I think about it maybe this is the very first time.  Weird.  ■  The drawing to the right is a pen & ink I’m doing of the church in which Libby and Jay were married.  It’s Christ Church in Irvington, VA.  I hope they like it.  They asked for it for Christmas.  ■  I did lose an old cap on a tooth and it’ll have to be replaced.  So I’ve got another dental appointment coming up in January.  Swell.  ■  Tomorrow I work at the guitar store.  I imagine we’ll close early.  Then it’s New Year’s Eve!  It’ll be a quiet one for us, but one new year’s day we’re hosting our 7th annual Bullfrog Family & Friends brunch.  That’s always a good time.  Lots of food, fun, and football and probably music.  ■  This tinnitus – the noise in my ears all the time – sounds like a flock of birds sitting in a tree outside chirping away.  It’s not too bad, but I wish they’d chirp a different song.  ■  It’s almost midnight and I need to get in bed.  Goodnight.

After Christmas . . . . .

This photo was taken Christmas night at our friend’s home in Crystal Lake.  If you’re wondering why it looks a little funny it’s because it’s a combination of 3 or 4 photos that were stitched together.  Great food that night – ribs, red beans & rice, corn something, and the list goes on and on – too much to remember.  ■  Yesterday I picked up our son Aaron from the airport.  While I was waiting I started chewing on a piece of gum.  I only chew gum maybe 4 times a year.  At any rate out came an old tooth cap.  So now I’m off to my dentist.  Lovely.  ■  Got to go.  Time to post.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

 

Here’s wishing you all a very merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve . . . . .

And we’re all just about snuggled in our beds.  At least Holly and the two dogs are all snuggled in – especially Abby.  Boy can she snuggle!  And when you try and get her off she stands up, turns in a circle, and lays down again snuggled even closer to Holly.  ■  The drawing of the house on the right I finished last night.  It’s a very nice house and really needed to be done in a larger size to do it justice.  ■  Had Christmas Eve dinner with our next door neighbors and their family.  Food was delicious.  Thanks Jean and Steve.  ■   I’ve been fed and now it’s time for bed.  What a rhyme.  ‘Night.

I’ve drawn this one before .. . . .

. . . and pretty much from the same angle, but it’s the angle that shows most about the house.  Drawing it from a front perspective would make it like any other millions of houses.  This is really the only angle to draw it from.  (Is that a correct sentence?)  ■  And this house has what I call “the dreaded pine tree.”  I think I really suck at pine trees.  What I should do it practice, practice, practice on pine trees until I get ‘em right.  They’re tought – at least for me.  ■  Tomorrow morning I’ve got to finish a drawing.  And with those words I’m off to bed.  ‘Night.  ■

Received a Christmas card today . . .

I think I’ve mentioned it before, but here it is again – every time I go to the bank (drive-up window) I take Abby and Zoe with me.  The tellers there sent out a dog treat for each dog.  I started giving the tellers a note card from Abby and Zoe thanking them and wishing them a great day.  This has now gone on for months.  Today when I made a deposit they sent out not only the usual dog treats, but also the card you see above.   ■  Still drawing.  Almost finished with the current one and one more to go after that.  ■

Getting towards Christmas . . . .

This painting shows snow in downtown Cary at The Tracks bar.  We don’t have any snow now, but apparently did this past weekend.  And where were we?  Up in Green Bay.  No snow up there – yet.  ■  I have two more drawings to finish before Christmas.  I’m madly working on those.  I also have one that I’ve completed, but don’t have a shipping address and my customer hasn’t answered my emails yet.  I’m hoping my customer is ok and not in the hospital, or something.  ■  This is going to make me alter my ordering procedures somewhat.  All I have for customer contact information is an email address.  I’m going to have to add a phone number and require a shipping address, etc. for future orders.  ■  It’s not very late, but I’m tired so it’s off to bed for me.  ■ 

Back to some pen & ink . . . . .

Back to some pen & ink drawing.  I’ve got 4 to do including this one.  My nose is to the grindstone for the next few days.  ■  This house is very interesting.  Lots of different roof lines; lots of different windows; and a pleasure to draw.  ■  Back.  You didn’t know I left, did you?  I’ve pretty much finished with that house above.  Just waiting for the customer to email me with the shipping address.  ■  I had the “dreaded pine tree” in this drawing.  I’m not good at drawing pine trees, but I’m getting better.  Now the drawing just needs a little “sitting time.”  ■  It’s way later than I had intended to stay up – almost 1:00 am.  ■  1 down and 3 to go.

My painting graces Christmas card . . .

One of my “paintings” is gracing the front of a Christmas card.  It looks great!  It’s fun seeing one’s works being used.  Very satisfying.  ■  I’ve got an eye doctor appointment tomorrow (Tuesday).  Just a regular eye exam.  I have had to go to a “larger prescription” of magnifying glasses for regular use and for drawing.  ■  I’ve got a number of drawings to get done soon.  They’re needed in time for Christmas and I have to take into consideration shipping time.  ■  Finally emailed the invitation to our annual Bullfrog Family & Friends new year’s day brunch.   It’s always a fun get-together.  ■  It’s late and time for bed.  ‘Night.

Backup and new card?

I’ve learned my lesson – backlup, backup, backup.  I know I’ve lost data, but don’t know what until I go looking for it.  Some of it’s there and some of it is gone forever.  That’s life – unless you backup.  ■  I keep doodling around on my brushes app on my ipad.  The drawing to the left  is a start of what may become a note card for my business.  We’ll see.  ■  It’s early – at least for me – and I think it’s about time to kick the pooches out of my bed and take my rightful place there.  ■ 

Love this painting . . . . .

This is a painting (digital) that I did for one of Holly’s co-workers.  It’s of their new golden Lab.  Ok, you can tell I’m not a real artist, but it’s one of my favorite paintings.  Love it.  ■  Looks like a good dog – her name is Cate.  Hi, Cate.  ■  My pc is back – up and running, but I still have a ton of stuff/programs to load and configure, but it’s good to have my pc back.  And, of course, it’s TFB.  ‘Night.

No PC!

The power supply died on/in my pc.  It's now in the pc repair shop getting fixed.  I thought I might have it back tonight, but no go.  I need it back tomorrow morning for sure. 

Not all of my subjects are buildings . . .

Sometimes I even paint dogs.  Mostly Zoe and Abby, but occasionally a different dog.  This dog is one of Holly’s coworkers new golden lab puppy.  I’ve still got a long way to go on it.  Paintings take time.  ■  It feels like a Sunday today.  Don’t know why.  Maybe it’s all of the football we’ve been watching.  ■  Did chicken on the grill tonight.  Yup – delicious.  We were making some mini Italian beef sandwiches this afternoon and Holly put 3 of the buns on the counter.  We both went upstairs – when we came down they were gone!  The culprit – Zoe.  After she scarfed a 1/2 of a salmon a few year ago you’d think we would have learned a lesson.  ■  The house painting in this post is for a customer out in MA.  Nice house.  It was fun to draw.  ■  Tomorrow is cribbage.  I’ve painted each of our cribbage friends homes.  I hope they like them.  ■  TFB.

Intentions are good, but follow-through is better!

My intentions were to try and post daily, but, obviously I didn’t make it.  My how time flies.  ■  I’ve updated my pen & ink website with my new paintings product.  Paintings done on my iPad.  The painting style is somewhat a combination of Grandma Moses and Family Circus.  Take a look at the paintings I’ve posted so far – I do have more to post, but that may take a couple of days.  ■  TFB

Oh, my website:    http://www.shrandahl.com/

Work today, Saturday . . . . .

. . . and then dinner with our old bass player, his wife, our old band photographer and his wife and Holly and I.  We’ll have burgers at The Tracks.  Great burgers and a cold brew.  ■  I worked up the “painting” you see above for our friends Cheryl & Bill.  It’s their home although not in their neighborhood setting.  I’ve included Christmas lights, Bill’s boat, a couple of Bill’s fishing rods leaning against the garage door, and a snow shovel that seems to be very fitting in our northern climate.  Oh, and let’s not forget Santa who just took off from their roof.  It’s a lot of fun trying to put in little details.  I do like the foot prints in the snow.  ■  TFB.

Finished.

Finished with this “painting”At least I think I am.  Part of downtown Cary – and Cary isn’t that big, so this is a large part of it.  ■  The Thanksgiving meal consisted of 3 turkeys, potatoes, tomato something, green jello, Cinnamon Apple Cranberry sauce, a pumpkin pie, a pecan pie, bread pudding, etc.  It was too much.  I couldn’t eat all of it.  But it was good.  ■  And football most of the day.  Can’t complain about that.  ■   TFBWTDs

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, it’s Thanksgiving.  I wanted to get in bed earlier, but we were waiting for our daughter and son-in-law to arrive from Louisville.  They’re here and everyone, including the dogs, are in bed and asleep.  ■  Been doing a little work on my “painting” of part of downtown Cary, Illinois.  Haven’t had time to work on it a lot.  ■  We’ve got, I think 8 people coming for Thanksgiving – and 3 turkeys!  I know Holly has already made some of the food ahead of time.  She’s already made Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce.  Made it for the first time last year and it was a hit.  And I know she’s started her homemade baked beans.  Delicious, but, err, deadly.  ■  And we have butter to make.  It’s a family tradition.  ■  TFB.

Another one . . . . .

Yup, another “painting.”  They start out a little sloppy, but do get a little better as the painting progresses.  I think my style is somewhere between Grandma Moses and Family Circle.  ■  We’re getting the house ready for Thanksgiving.  Washing bedding, cleaning, scrubbing, cooking, shopping, sweeping, washing walls, putting up baskets, baking, checking email, washing dishes, playing guitar, cleaning the office, vacuuming the carpets, swabbing the decks, running errands, getting gas, defrosting freezers (ok, we’re not really defrosting freezers), feeding dogs, letting dogs out and back in, paying attention to the poor animals when they act like they aren’t getting any love, running to the bank, . . . and a lot of other stuff.  ■  I’m out of breath from all those chores.  ■  TFACB.

Christmas in Kentucky . . . . .

No, we won’t be in Kentucky for Christmas, but this is Libby & Jay’s home in Louisville.  Artificial snow, I guess, ‘cause I don’t think they get a whole lot of it down there.  I’ve included ALL of the extras in the painting – sleigh and reindeer tracks on the roof; Santa’s sleigh having taken off from their roof; and Beau, their Golden Retriever ( back end of the driveway – he’s small and hard to see in the painting.).  I hope they like it.  ■  Thanksgiving this year will be rather a small gathering as opposed to years past.  We had hoped our son would be able to make it home for either Thanksgiving, or Christmas, but no such luck.  ■  Abby is definitely feeling better than she was Friday  and Friday night.  Both dogs slept with me Friday and Saturday nights and cuddled up about as close to me as you can get.  ■  It’s not late – well not as late as usual, but I’m headed to be.  ‘Night ‘all.

Abby’s doing better . . . and can’t leave well-enough alone . . .

Abby is doing much better.  Last night she wasn’t feeling well at all.  It was a rough night for her.  Hopefully this will take care of the heartworm.  ■  I can’t seem to stop working on these “paintings.”  I’ll go back and see little details that I missed, so then I’ve got to go add them.  ■  iPhone 4s:  There’s a ton of new features to learn about with this new phone.  I have noticed that my phone calls seem to be much clearer.  This is good.  The camera is really good.  Even has a flash!  If you’re on the fence about this iPhone – get it.  ■

Poor Abby . . .

. . . she’s still feeling bad from her heartworm shot this morning.  Poor little girl is waiting patiently for me to go to bed.  ■  The painting to the left is a work-in-progress.  Still some to go.  These paintings do take some time.  ■  Tomorrow I work, so it’s really time to get to bed.

Friday–Abby’s last shot and more painting . . .

Yesterday Abby had her second heartworm shot and this morning her third and last.  It’s painful for the dog.  I feel badly that she has to go through with this.  ■  And this afternoon I’m taking Zoe to see the vet.  She’s got a hunk of meat hanging off her gum.  Sometimes you can see it, but mostly you can’t.  While it hasn’t bothered her it’s time to get it checked out.  ■  As you can see I’ve done another drawing.  Summer and Winter views of the home.  ■  Got to get going. 

iPhone 4s . . . a lot to learn . . . . .

I activated my new iPhone 4s last night.  Still a ton to learn, but it’s pretty neat.  Now we have to get Holly one.  ■  The pictures are of a much higher quality – that I can tell you.  And it takes movies – haven’t tried that out yet.  ■  The Alpha recording interface I ordered came in today.  I’ve got it, but now need time to use it.  I’ll record something this weekend and put it on this blog.  Should be interesting.  ■  I have a 16 track digital recorder I’m going to get rid of.  Anyone interested?  I can record 8 tracks at the same time – great for recording a band.  ■  Took Abby to the Vet today to get her second shot of heartworm medicine.  It’s painful for her.  The shot hurts and then she’s in pain for quite a few hours after.  The bad thing is that I have to take her for her third shot tomorrow.  I hope she can forgive me – all of the pain and I’m taking her to it.  ■  Tonight she’ll (and Zoe) sleep with us.  I feel so bad for her.  Lots of pain and nothing to relieve it with.  And, yes, the Vet gave me pain pills for her, but it still really hurts.  Sorry, Abby.  ■  Hope the weather is good tomorrow.  I can run over the lawn and mulch up the leaves.  ■  ‘Night.

Got the new iPhone 4S.

Still getting it synced.  This could take a little while.  I’ll let you know how Siri performs.  It should be interesting.  ■  Abby goes in today, Thursday, for her second heartworm shot – and then the third one on Friday.  Two shots in two days.  She’s going to be sore – that’s the side effect of the shots.  ■  I remember having to get 7 shots in two days when I went on active duty in the Navy.  Three one day and four the next.  My arms were sore.  ■

First things first and second things second . . .

I wonder who said that?  The earliest reference I can find is C.S. Lewis.  C.S. Lewis wrote “The Chronicles of Narnia” series. “. . . If you put first things first and second things second, both flourish”.  Makes sense.  ■  So the thing I should be putting first here is sleep!  I keep staying up too late – working and writing these blog posts.  ■  I’ve been trying this “painting” thing and so far I’m fairly happy with the results.  I’d show you our Christmas card painting, but you’ll have to wait for me to unveil that in December.  What I’m considering now is whether, or not to offer these paintings as a product in addition to my pen & ink drawings.  What do you think?  All input is appreciated.  ■  At any rate it is time for bed ‘cause I have to get up early for my weekly chamber networking meeting.  ■  ‘Night. 

New “paintings” and iPhone 4S arrives!

I’ve been experimenting a little more seriously with “painting” on my iPad.  The “paintings” on the left are two of the current ones.  The top one is finished while the one on the bottom still has a little more to be done. I put “painting” in quotes because I’m not using physical paints, but am doing this digitally.  It’s a lot easier.  If you make a mistake you can easily erase it and redo.  The hardest part about it is that you’re painting with your fingers.  It makes it very had to put your lines exactly where you want them.  I’ve even done the Christmas card we’ll be sending out via this program.  The two above could well be Christmas cards for the people that own those houses.  ■  My new iPhone arrived today.  Now I’ve just got to activate it.  ■ 

It’s on it’s way . . . . .

I ordered the new iPhone a week, or so ago.  It’s on its way!  I should get it Monday afternoon.  ■  I have the original iphone – bought it almost 5 years ago.  It’s been a steady companion, but I’ve noticed in the past couple/few months that it’s been slowly fading.  Time for a new one!  ■  I’ve decided to sell my 16 track digital recorder.  It’s very good, but I never record more than one track at a time.  It’s capable of recording 8 tracks at once.  Yamaha AW16G – if you want it let me know.  ■  Work tomorrow and then next Thursday and Friday Abby gets her last 2 heartworm shots.  It’s painful for her and I’m probably dreading it more than she is – ‘speciall ‘cause she doesn’t know about it.  ■  Yeah, TFB.

Bacon makes everything better . . . . ..

No s?&t.  Seriously – bacon makes everything better.  I fried scallops and shrimp in bacon grease tonight (along with some Slap ‘Yo’ Mama spice) and it was the best.  ■  Shipped a drawing of a beautiful home in MA today.  I’m sure they’ll love it.  ■  Car is in for repair tomorrow, so I’m stuck at home all day.  But, I’ve got a drawing to do of a beautiful home in Cary to work on.  ■  TFB.

Still the most beautiful woman around . . .

. . . my wife.  ■  Went out to see the Wiggleo’s play at a local restaurant.  That’s where this picture was taken.  I thought I had taken one of Holly and Ellyn (who was there with us) – and I did, but it was with Ellyn’s phone.  ■  Tomorrow I’ve got to take the plunge and buy a printer.  I’m looking for one that will print my note cards, but can’t find any printer that specifically documents that it will.  It’s a crap shoot, but I only get one roll. Don’t know it that’s an appropriate gambling statement, but I can’t afford to go out and buy printer after printer until I either run out of money, or printers.  ■  And leaves – I’ve got to mow the lawn tomorrow and mulch up the leaves.  Easier than raking and better for the lawn.  ■  TFB.

We’ve all done it . . . . . .

. . . left the house for work with mismatched something.  My wife did it today . . . and no one notices until you, yourself, points it out.  ■  I’ve done it twice – both times were mismatched suits.  The first time someone at the Cary train station pointed it out.  I called Holly and said I had the blue suit coat and gray suit pants – she asked it she should bring the matching coat, or pants – funny.  The second time I didn’t notice it until I had been on the train for awhile.  Nothing to do but arrive at work looking like a schmuck.  After arriving at work I hung the suit coat in a closet after my boss noticed that the coat on the back of my chair didn’t match my pants (she always dressed very well).  Later that morning she and I had to go to a meeting and I went and got my suit coat.  Yes, I put it back.  She wouldn’t let me wear it to the meeting.  At least it was better then when I ripped my suit pants installing pcs.  I caught those pants on something underneath a desks when routing some wiring – a story for another day.  ■  My boss fired and hired me back today.  Nothing serious, but if he has employees it will cost him a few thousand in insurance, or something like that.  I was re-hired as a independent contractor.  ■  I may go out and get the iPhone 4S tomorrow.  We’ll see.  My iPhone is the original iPhone – it’s over 4½ years old and has been giving me connection problems for the last few months.  Got to check out the costs, etc.  ■  Wow – this is a long post.  I haven’t written this much in a long, long time.  ■  At any rate it’s time for bed.  Up early tomorrow for our Chamber of Commerce’s networking meeting.  ■

Good, healthy, cooking . . . . .

. . . I think.  I smoked ribs and cooked chili (smoked, of course) today.  Put 2 habaneros and 1 jalapeno in – it’s got some bite – most likely too much for most folks – but not for me!  ■  Also worked on a drawing and watched some football.  Not a bad Sunday.  The only bummer was that it rained, so I had to brave that when cooking the ribs.  At least it didn’t pour.  ■  Aaron called and he’s doing well.  Not going over to Iraq and his job seems better.  ■  I see my gutters are getting full of leaves.  I probably should get up there and clean them out, but there are still tons of leaves left on the trees.  ■  And while my garden hose is disconnected (has been for a couple of weeks), I do need to wrap it up and put it away for the winter.  ■ 

Spooky . . . . .

Wooooooo . . . . . it’s the time of ghosts and goblins, raking leaves, making chili, and smoking ribs.  ■  Our Cribbage group got together tonight.  The group has been together for roughly 20 years.  That’s a long time.  We don’t play cribbage anymore, but just get together for the fun of it – catching up on news from everyone's families.  It’s a nice group.  ■  More tomorrow.  TFB. 

A short break from drawing . . . . .

Sometimes I think I should just sketch in pencil.  It’s more relaxing ‘cause you can always erase your mistakes – unlike pen & ink.  At any rate this is a very quick sketch of the new home of Holly’s cousin Lori.  We wish her well.  ■  I have a couple of new things on my to-do list.  One is grab the data from a survey on the Kalo site and put it into a cohesive, readable format.  Another is to set up a mailing list for Kalo.  And those are just two of the items on my ever expanding list.  ■  Chamber networking meeting in the morning and the rest of the day to try and get things done!  ■  Yup, time-for-bed.  ‘Night!

The drawings continue . . . . .

I have a couple of orders that I need to finish.  That’s a sketch of one that’s on my board right now.  I'd like to finish that one in the next couple of days.  ■  Abby is doing fine.  Unfortunately she’ll have two more shots in November.  I’m not looking forward to that for her sake.  ■  My across-the-street neighbor has started a blog – “Leading In 4 Directions" – ( http://li4d.blogspot.com/)  I’ll be reading it daily.  It should be interesting.  ■  Recording:  I’ve got a couple of songs I need to record – before I forget them.  And, as usual, I need lyrics for them.  That, I think, is always the toughest part of song writing.  This time I think I’ll try recording them on my iPad.  It certainly is more convenient than my 16 track recorder.  ■  TFB.

Poor Abby . . . . .

Abby has heartworm.  It’s a serious thing and today we had our first of three shots for curing it.  The shots are apparently somewhat painful – they’re given in her back – and she’ll have soreness in her back for at least a couple of days.  The pain started soon after the shot.  She just can’t get comfortable.  I’ve got some pain pills for her – which I gave her 1 today and will give her 1 tomorrow.  She’s such a sweet dog.  I think she’ll end up sleeping with us tonight.  Sort of like when one of our kids was ill.  Sleeping with Mom & Dad made things better.  ■   Tomorrow (actually today since I’m up so late) the weather should be better – no rain, I hope – and I’ll be able to get the grass cut.  ■  Holly’s off to a girl’s weekend, so the girls and I will be together – all sleeping on our bed, I’m sure.  ■  Send some hugs and kisses for Abby.  She needs them.  ■  Off to bed.  ‘Night.

Rain, rain go away . . . . .

It’s been raining on and off all day long – a bleary, fall day.  It looks like it’ll rain tomorrow too.  Friday looks like it might be dry – I can get the lawn cut.  ■  Got my flu shot today.  It took longer to drive to the doctor’s office than it did to wait and get the shot.  ■  Our vet called and told me that the medicine for Abby’s heartworm was in.  I take her in tomorrow (Thursday) for the shot.  ■   I have a couple of drawings to work on and get done.  I do, however, wish business was better.  This economy has definitely had an effect on orders.  ■  TFB.

Stopped for gas

Just a short stop. A couple of hours to go yet.

Three hours to go

I slept while Holly drove.

Back on the road

Heading home, but first stopping to get some breakfast.

Ghostly view in Louisville

Outside of Libby & Jay's house.

Going thru Indy

Almost thru Indy. A couple of hours to go.

On the road . . .

On the road to Louisville.

Watercolors ????????

Watercolors – what was I thinking?  Actually I was thinking it wouldn’t be too hard.  Wrong!  I haven’t worked with watercolors since high school except for a couple of weak tries a few years ago.  I was commissioned to try and do ↓a watercolor of a landscape.  Shouldn’t be too hard, I thought.  Wrong!  It’s much tougher than I had expected.  If you look down a couple of posts where I did a watercolor wash of a pen and ink – well that turned out pretty well.  Not so the landscape.   I’ve tried 4 different times – too busy, too broad-colored, too stiff.  Nothing seems to be working.  I may be that I’m trying to fit all of it in to an 8x10 inch drawing area.  That doesn’t give much room for the detail that I see in my mind’s eye.  Live and learn.  At any rate my client doesn’t need the drawing – good news from an artistic standpoint – bad news from an income side.  ■  Still a lot going on.  The girls (Abby & Zoe) and I will make a trip to the bank tomorrow.  That means a new card from the girls to our favorite tellers.  ■  I also need to mow the yard tomorrow.  It’s finally in need of mowing after being dry for so long.  ■  And I need to get out and take some photos of homes and businesses that I’ve been needing to take for so long.  My camera’s on the charger and will be ready to go tomorrow.  ■  TFB.  ‘Night.

A lot of drawing to get done . . . .

I’ve got a lot of drawing to get done in the next few days.  One pen & ink watercolor wash, and two pen & inks.  I’m ready to start on the watercolor wash tomorrow.  I’ll post pre and post pics of that in the next couple of days.  ■  Tomorrow morning I’ve got my weekly chamber networking group meeting.  Up early for me.  Then tomorrow night we have to drop Holly’s car off at the dealership to get a wheel bearing fixed.  It should still be under warranty.  ■  Time for bed.  Goodnight.  ■ 

Ribs . . . Mmmmmmm

Six racks of ribs

Cookin’ . . .

I’m busy cooking six racks of ribs for our neighbor’s birthday party tonight.  I wasn’t sure I was going to get all of them on the grills (I borrowed my neighbor’s Weber), but I did.  I’ll take a quick picture and post it in a little bit.  ■  And now I’m hoping the rain will hold off.  No fun grillin’ in the rain.  ■

Trying some watercolor washes . . .

It’s our next-door-neighbor’s birthday tomorrow.  Her husband is throwing a surprise party for her.  I have to bbq six slabs of ribs for it – gonna take some time.  I drew their home for them quite a few years ago and thought I’d do it again, but this time do a watercolor wash over the pen & ink.  What do you think?  TFB.  ■

A Great Chili Fest–#18 . . . . .

It was a great Chili Fest.  18 years of Chili Fest – that’s a long time.  (pictures to the left are a portion of the pictures that were taken by RockHeart Photography (http://www.rockheartphotography.com/) ■  This year’s music was probably the best we’ve ever had.  Great musicians.  Thanks for playing everyone.  ■  Next year I’m thinking a live webcast of the music.  I’ll have to see how to set that up.  Technically I don’t think it’s too hard, but we’ll see.  And would you tune in to it?  Hmmm.  ■ 

Great Chili Fest

It was a great Chili Fest.  Some pics tomorrow.  TFB.

Finished painting . . .

My neighbor and I finished painting my window sashes.  He did the lion’s share of the work – going up on the ladder to the second story.  I’m not great with heights.   ■  Chili Fest in coming up in a couple of days.  I still have to make my chili.  Lots to do in prep for the fest.  ■  Tomorrow I’ve got a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.  That’s 3 chamber events for me this week.  Too many.  ■  TFB.

House painting, Chili Fest & other assorted stuff . . .

It’s been very busy here lately.  My neighbor, Steve, is helping me paint my window trim – it badly needs it.  Actually he’s doing most of it – bless him.  I’m not real comfortable with heights and doing those 2nd story windows puts one up higher than I’d like.  ■  I’ve got 3 chamber of commerce meetings to attend to this week.  One tomorrow on social networking for business; a presentation of my business to my networking group; and then a chamber breakfast on Thursday.  I’m trying to find time to clean the garage and make my chili.  ■  And my wife pointed out that I have a “bruise” on my right shin.  She says I’ve had it for a couple of weeks.  I hadn’t noticed it and it doesn’t hurt at all.  The only think that hasn’t completely healed is my left big toe.  I still have to soak it in some medication that starts with a “B”.  ■  I’ve started work on a book for myself of my paintings using the iPhone/iPad app Brushes.  It’s going slower than I had anticipated and right now I don’t' have a lot of time to devote to it.  ■  Got a text message from our son – he starts training for duty in Iraq in October and then goes to Iraq after the first of the year.  We don’t know any more than that at this point.  ■ 

Good news and not so good news . . . .

Good news – I received a thank you note from the recipient of one of my pen & inks.  That’s it to the left.  I’ve removed their name and address to in the name of privacy.  The drawing was of the home they had just sold in Cary.  The drawings are great – they hold so many memories . . .  ■  The not so good news . . . Abby has heartworms.  The vet is running a 2nd set of tests, but he’s assuming that they’ll come back positive.  It means 3 shots for her and caging her for awhile so that she’s not active during the healing time.  Hopefully it won’t be too bad.  I’d hate to see her hurting.  ■  And it’s getting towards the time for our 18th annual Chili Fest.  That’s coming up pretty fast.  Got to get to bed.  Good night.

No pics today . . .

Ok, I did take some.  I went early to the “Cary Cruise Night”, which is held on Wednesdays during the summer.  I haven’t been “able” to go to one of these nights, because for a long time Bullfrog practiced on Wednesday nights.  For the past few years, I just haven’t remembered – or at least until the night was over.  Finally I made it – and it before it actually started (prior to 6:00 pm).   I got a lot of pictures of cars – some old – some new.  I’m looking forward to trying to draw some of them.  I’ve only drawn houses and other buildings – never cars.  Should be interesting.   ■  Heard from a long ago customer today.  That’s good news.  ■  Abby goes to the Vet tomorrow.  And it’s an early appointment. TFB!

Book format . . .

Purchased a new program that enables me to add “books” to my websites.  The pages actually turn with the sound of a page turning.  There are still some features that I need to figure out, but that will come in time.  If you want to check it out go to my Chili Fest page and click on the “Origins of Chili” link.    ( http://www.shrandahl.com/chilifest  )  ■  Still have some drawings in progress.  I should finish one of them tomorrow.  ■  And a nice long weekend coming up.  Too bad I have to work on Saturdays.  But at least Holly and I will have Sunday and Monday off together.   Doctor’s appointment tomorrow.  TFB.  ■

One ingrown toenail – done

That’s a close-up of Abby – one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever had.  She always looks at you when you talk to her with her eyes saying, “What can I do to please you.”  ■  Went to the podiatrist today to get an ingrown toenail worked on.  Didn’t feel a thing during the procedure.  I left with a big bandage around my left big toe.  Tomorrow it’ll just require a band aid.  ■  A little concerned about my cousin Tom and his wife Patty.  They live pretty close to the Atlantic ocean and hurricane Irene is heading their direction.  ■  Work tomorrow and again on Sunday working our store’s Rock-U concert.  The kids in Rock-U do a great job.  I’m looking forward to it.  ■  TFB.

Still busy . . . . .

Still busy, but I am making some progress.  The drawing in the upper-left corner should be completed this week.  The one in the upper-right corner is a quick pencil sketch of another home; The one in the lower left – I just have to run off note cards; and the one in the lower-right is of the USS Peleliu – my son’s old ship.  ■  It’s time for bed.  No more dilly-dallying for me tonight.  ‘Night.  ■