Invasion

They are so quiet. Our back yard goes back quite a ways until the tree line which separates us from our neighbors. It has been a private space for the 25 years I have lived here. Then suddenly in a matter of two winters the deer have silently eaten the bottom two yards of the evergreens and there are my neighbors!!!. I am not sure what I think about the sudden exposure to what was a secluded backyard. I feel as if the deer have exposed me unnecessarily to viewers I had previously not concerned myself with. Now when I sit on the deck I will have to dress appropriately, watch that bottle of beer I am drinking, and behave as if I can be seen and scrutinized.
I am thinking of planting some fast growing plant but Frank has not given me the ok yet. What about bamboo? Any suggestions?

Clara and Mr. Tiffany

I am reading a great book called Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland. I highly recommend the reading of this book.

God Bless the Child

I play the bass clarinet in the North Iowa Concert Band. Not like this,however.

Typewriter

So the question is this...should I keep this ancient typewriter or get rid of it. I like typewriters. Maybe it is nostalgic remembrances of my formative years. I remember the time I took in what was then called Junior High learning to type without looking at the keys. I never did accomplish that. Actually I always felt a sliver of quilt because I looked at the keys as if I was cheating or something. I think an old typewriter does have a nice font style that can be used in a collage or to type text. However, I need a new ribbon.

Interesting video and music

Cross Country Skiing

Frank and I went skiing at Wood Duck Marsh this morning. There was no school due to snow. Many inches but no wind as of yet. So, perfect ski weather. It is nice to have a place to ski so close by. I did have a workout, however. Frank broke trail most of the way. I tagged along.

Photogenic

My daughter LeAnn and her friend Brian in Des Moines when a woman too their picture when they were out with Brian's family. Thought it was a cute picture.

Mesa Verde Segment

Here is a painting I did in raw umber. Only one color and black and white. This was painted from a photograph I took when we were in Colorado many years ago. We might of been returning from New Mexico on a Santa Fe/Taos trip. It still is amazing that people lived in these cliffs.

Apple slices

I tried tonight to paint my apple from a couple days ago only altered. I sliced it, put it on a plate and tried to paint it in one hour. So, here is the results of "Apple Slices".

An Apple a Day

Here is a painting I worked on the last couple days of vacation. I am going to try and upload completed DIY projects I accomplish this year. This was a challenge to paint and apple from the About.com website - Painting. Let me know what you think. Pretty standard still life. I just finished the book Still life with Oysters and Lemon by Mark Doty. To really concentrate on one object to paint is a good challenge for me.

New Year, New Post

Happy New Year to everyone. Here is a New Year tune to listen to. I planned to upload a painting I am working on today but I believe my daughter has the chord so it is postponed for now. This will have to do presently.