And on the light side . . . . .

I always liked this one – you just don’t see it coming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BrlCjmkRjI

And off we go . . . . . . .

Had a couple of beers with Jac, my across-the-street neighbor tonight.  His son Patrick has a gig tonight at a neighboring town’s venue.  Patrick does, I think, rap.  Patrick hired a limo to take them to the gig.  It’s a gangster rap gig so I’m not sure if the white limo is appropriate, but it-is-what-it-is, or so they say.  Oh, that’s my beer in the foreground.  ■  It’s been Zoe and I this weekend.  Holly went up to Green Bay to see her mother.  Zoe is so sweet.  She’s slept with me – cuddled up against me.  I think she really misses Mollie.  She needs another dog with her.  And to that end I emailed a shelter today about a dog.  I’m awaiting an answer, but I’ll keep you informed.  ■  Tomorrow I’ve got to mow the lawn and do some other stuff around the house.  More tomorrow.  ■

Smoked salmon . . . . mmmm . . . . . . . . .

That’s about $25 worth of smoked salmon.  Delicious.  I have a special brine that I use and it always turns out great as long as you brine it for more than 12 hours.  This salmon was in the brine for about 18 hours – delicious.  ■  In addition to the salmon – and actually before it – I grilled some brat burgers and some regular brats – and smoked some chicken breasts for my mother-in-law.  She’s going to be eating very well for the next few weeks!  ■  Planning a party for our daughter and son-in-law in August.  And then Chili Fest will be coming up in September.  This will be the 17th Chili Fest – that’s quite a few years.  ■  Hey, Alanna, are you coming up for this year’s Chili Fest?

I miss them . . . . . .

We’ve had dogs most of our married lives.  In this picture the 3 dogs are (from left to right) Zoe, Maizy, and Molly.  Maizy we lost about 3 years ago and Mollie about a month ago.  Zoe, originally our daughter’s dog, is still with us.  And she’s a joy, but she does miss her pal – Mollie.  I’m currently in pursuit of a companion for her.  ■  I know it’s been a ton of time since I’ve posted – I apologize for that – and I’ll try and do better in the future.  ■  My boss has never had smoked salmon, so today I bought some salmon and as we speak (ok, we’re not technically speaking . . . ) I’ve got it in a brine and  will smoke it tomorrow night.  Salmon is expensive – cost me about $25 for the filet I’m going to smoke.  ■  Got a party to plan for in August and then plan for the annual Chili Fest in September.  Keep your calendars open in September (the 18th) for that one!  ■  And again . . . it’s time for bed.  More tomorrow.  Promise.  ■ 

Every man . . . . . .

“Every man is born as many men and dies as a single one.” - Martin Heidegger.  ■  What does he mean?  I think I know, but I’m not sure.  ■

Do you remember? . . . . . . .

I can’t remember that I remember these Bullfrog trading cards.  We would print them off, bundle them in packs of 4 or 5, and include a stick of gum – just like the old baseball trading cards of years ago.  These really bring back old memories.  ■  Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup tonight!  Go Blackhawks!  ■  Time, as usual, for bed.  ■ 

How to take a good picture . . .

My mother always says that she doesn’t look good in photos.  Generally she’s correct as it seems she always manages to close her eyes, look somewhere else, or makes a face just as a photo is snapped.  So when our good friend and photographer wanted to take our picture she mumbled something about not liking her picture taken, so I made a face – she laughed – and we got something of a good photo.  The photo sequence below shows the action.

The sketches have begun . . . . . .

I did a couple of sketches today with material from the wedding trip.  The drawing above is of “Rocket Billy’s” – a sort of fast food stand/trailer in White Stone, VA.  Good food – especially the seafood.  ■  The wedding was great.  A good party on Friday, a delicious brunch on Saturday, and then the wedding and reception on Saturday night.  And to be able to share it with good friends and relatives makes it very special.  ■  Back to work tomorrow.  I’ve missed it.  ■ 

Lots of trucks . . .

That's good. It means goods are being sold and moving . . .

The wedding was great

Had a super time at and before the wedding. We can't thank our
friends Bill & Cheryl and Terry & Ellyn enough for their help. We
couldn't have done it without you.
On our way home now. Maybe a couple of posts from the road.

Mollie . . . . . .

Mollie . . . 13½ years old and now gone.  She was my baby.  She’d snuggle with me.  When I got out of bed she’d jump up into my spot and force me to get in between her and Holly and have me cuddle her.  Tears are running down my face as I type this.  What a sweet dog.  I miss her terribly.  And Zoe . . . she’s been very quiet.  In face now she’s in her “hidey hole” – underneath the bed in Holly’s office.  It’s her place of refuge.  She’s sad and misses Mollie.  And so do I.

Start to finish . . . . .

This is a drawing I did of an apartment building in New York – from pencil sketch to the start to the end.  I wasn’t sure it was going to work – I’d never done an apartment building before – it’s vertical instead of horizontal.  It does make a difference.  But it worked.  And though it’s hard to see – there are pink flamingos on each balcony on the first floor – and a brass doorknob on the building door.  For the brass doorknob I used gold paint that I had bought to do some reverse-glass-painting.  Doing reverse-glass-painting is a whole ‘nother method of painting.  I’ll fill you in on that in a later post.  ■  I’ve been trying to do one pencil sketch a day.  It’s to try and improve my drawing ability.  I’ve been pretty much up to that one-a-day pace, but missed it today.  I’ll post some of them here for you to look at.  ■  And yes, it’s time for bed.  ‘Night. ■

Keeping the drawing going . . . . . .

I’m still doing a drawing a day.  They’re quick, but useful in helping me develop my skills.  Someday I’ll publish a book of my quick sketches.  Just wait . . . . . .

A little bit of Kalo . . . . .

I finally got to get to one of our Kalo Foundation events today.  Two of our board members gave a presentation on Park Ridge, the arts, and silversmithing.  It was an interesting presentation and well done.  ■  There are a number of other presentations that are being given over the next 2 weeks, but I’m working for most of those.  Bummer.  I’d really like to see and hear the one on Friday given by a family that makes miniature houses/rooms, furnishings, etc.  Think of Colleen Moore’s dollhouse at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago.  ■  I’m trying to set a goal of doing one quick pencil sketch a day.  I think it’ll help improve my drawing skills.  ■  I’m a judge for the Lombard Lilac Parade on Sunday.  I’ve been a judge for the past maybe 5 years.  Should be a good time.  ■  As always, time for bed.

Front, or back?

Here are a couple of quick pencil sketches of a home that I need to draw.  Should I draw the front (top), or back (bottom) of the house?  The back of the house is on Chesapeake Bay and the pier makes it kind of interesting.  ■  Your thoughts?