Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Day 1497: When I think of him, I smile.





"Uncle Skete, photo & digital











When I think of Uncle Skete, I smile. I do.
His real name was Russel, but I called him Uncle Skete?
He was third born in a family of 10 children.
He began farming as a very young boy. 
His Dad gave him young horses to break and use as his own.
He drove a horse/buggy 7 miles to Lebanon High School each day.



not sure?, Uncle Owen, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Skete, Uncle Pete & Grandpa


5 years older than Aunt Fern, my Mom's eldest sister,
 he was out of high school before Aunt Fern started.



Uncle Skete, Aunt Fern, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Owen, Aunt Martha, Uncle Jerry & Grandpa



Uncle Skete and Aunt Fern were sweethearts 
for many years before marrying in 1925. 

 
Wedding day, 1925




Aunt Fern finished her first year of teaching 
and they were married the next day.








They had daughter Katha, & were married over 50 years.
Personally, when I think of Uncle Skete, 
I hear his laugh & I picture him in his chair ...





after a long day working his farm.
Special memories of a wonderful man. 
Today is his birthday.








Happy Birthday Uncle Skete!








93 degrees, Santa Ana, CA





(19 kata, a private lesson! )









A smile for Wednesday ...
 





Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Day 1496: You would have loved her too!






"Grandpa & Grandma", old photo, digital collage












Today is Aunt Vonda's birthday.
A special lady to so many of us. 
We loved her so, and you would have loved her too.








Eighth born in a family of ten children ...




Grandpa & Grandma


Seven children survived, four were teachers.



back row: Aunt Vonda, Uncle Pete, Aunt Martha, Uncle Les, Aunt Pauline, front: Aunt Fern, Grandpa, Grandma & Mom



Uncle Pete & Aunt Vonda


Mom, Aunt Vonda & Uncle Pete



Aunt Vonda & Uncle Pete



Grandma, Aunt Vonda, Kate Richardson, Aunt Pauline, Aunt Fern



As a young teacher, she met & married Uncle Kenneth ...



 


















who went to war ...
and she followed.





She lost her one true love.
After, she gave her love to family, friends and students.






Aunt Vonda, like her sisters, was a great teacher.
From a one room school house to modern classrooms.
A teacher who played ball with the kids at recess.
I am lucky to have all of her school photos from over the years.





She saved them & the names of every student she ever taught.
Later, after retiring, she would visit her nieces.


Aunt Vonda & Aunt Martha

The kind of Aunts who knew where you kept your silverware.
Not just at my house, but at all the cousins.




Aunt Vonda & Aunt Martha on the way to the Rose Parade 1971









Happy Birthday Aunt Vonda!











A smile for Tuesday ...


Aunt Vonda



Monday, August 29, 2016

Day 1495: Happy Birthday Dad!





"Dad & me @ 1" altered old photo









I think about my Dad a lot. 
Today is his birthday. He would be 107.
A man who had what he termed, a great life



Dad, age 5


He never smoked or drank, was strict & beyond thrifty. 
A child of the depression ... rarely parting with money.







Served in the Navy & then as a Greyhound bus driver, 



with a perfect safety record, he knew & loved cars.  






Dad had lots of stories & loved telling them.
What was really amazing, he told them word for word ...
with pauses in the same spot every time, for effect.
He loved having a new listener, a new audience.
People always seemed enthralled.
Many stories featured his travels, or well known celebrities.





  


As a personal driver for the movie studios, 
he regularly "hauled", as he called it ...
 Elvis Presley, Cary Grant & other big name actors.
Picking them up at their home in the car they preferred,
delivering them to their movie location 
and back again at the end of the day. 




Dad @ 80


This picture was taken on a junk in Hong Kong Harbor.
I don't think I ever saw him happier.
And yes, a lot of stories were told.









Happy Birthday Dad!










A smile for Monday ...


 



 

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Day 1494: There is no doubt an equation ...






"monkey brain", junk mail collage, gesso & acrylic












The lovebirds are busy.
I should say they have a busy schedule.
But they "eeked-out" a one night get away to Palm Springs ...
so I am at the big house for 24 hours.











Just the two Grandhunks (maybe more), Laker & me.
I am still moving in slower motion from the big day Thursday
There is no doubt an equation that explains ...
why it takes me longer to recover?
But, probably just as well that I don't know?

. . . 

Have a wonderful weekend!
I would love to hear what's going on where you are?
 












A smile for Sunday ...





Saturday, August 27, 2016

Day 1493: Experimental play!





"glasses", collage, gesso & acrylic on canvas











By the 4th & last day of the ...






we had worked on small canvases & a large canvas.




by Ann (aka Raquel Welsh)

 Everybody knows each other and 


 
by Carrol


enjoys seeing their work  ...



by Rose


and the changes ... 



by T.J.


 and work in progress ...


by Connie

evolving over the four weeks.




by Leisda




by Carrol




by Katharine

Freeing up and ...




by Sarina


having fun.



by Ann



Using acrylics, glazes, stencils ...




by Sarina



a wide variety of papers ...







a wide variety of papers ...


by Connie



it was really mixed media.


by Ann




by Katharine




by Sarina





by Rose










Fun to have time to play.









And, just in case ...  you're near and free in September?




Journaling
Thursdays September 8, 21, 28, & October 6, 2016 -- 10:00AM to 1:00PM
During this playful class make two small mini journals or one larger journal. Artist Jacki Long will demonstrate different techniques each class including collage, mixed media, adding fold outs, and cutting out inside the journal.
REGISTRATION: $160 for the series -or- $45 per class.
Limited seats are available for these classes, so sign up today!











A smile for Saturday ...