Romance…it truly can last a lifetime.

My friend Barb recently blogged about long-term romance. Usually when Barb writes, I find myself at a loss for words because she is so eloquent, but this time, I found I actually had something of my own to contribute which was both personal and relevant.

After 32 years of marriage, I am lucky enough to still have romance. My husband often gives me unexpected flowers, and like Barb’s husband also leaves little notes near the coffeepot (with hearts on them no less), but of late, the most romantic thing was opening my email on Friday afternoon and finding in it a photo which Michael had taken and then sent to me, of the new, painted mailbox, all mounted on the post.

You see, I finished painting the mailbox last week and he had hurt his wrist and couldn’t install the new posts and mount it. So I waited (outwardly patient, but inwardly yearning to view my creation outside and visible for all the world to see).

On Friday morning I said to him “What do you think the chances are of getting the new mailbox put up by Monday?”

His reply? “The chances are very good.”

Later that afternoon he said, “Have you checked your email?”

“No” I said.

“Go check your email”, he said.

“Why?” I said. (Typical)

“Just go check your email”, he said…

Our new Mailbox

…and the rest as they say, is history…

Thank you Michael for keeping our romance alive.

A new Painter class!

I began exploring in Painter and discovered some wonderful features which are not normally used, and really have very little to do with painting, but boy are they fun to play with! I learned to how use these features to create collages which incorporate some techniques from the world of digi-scrapping. I’ve put what I learned into a new class which I will be teaching at the Digital Art Academy.

Registration opens on May 25, 2009. In this class you will learn how to use some Painter features in new and exciting ways. Come join me. You’ll have fun and learn things about your favorite program which you never suspected…

Ah Painter! You never cease to amaze me.

Painter X classes at LVS!

Registration is currently open at LVS for the May session, and I’m teaching two classes there on the basics of Painter X.

These classes cover everything from the details of the icons on the Document Window, to the details of how to back up all your custom Painter settings, etc., and much more. The classes have been very well received so if you think you’d like to learn more about how to use layers, layer masks, Effects, custom Color sets, and all the other many things I have to teach, please join me for either:

Painter X Level I - Begin the Journey

or

Painter X Level II - The Journey Continues

To register, just scroll down either page and look for the “Add to Registration” button.

We have fun in these classes, and the students really do learn a lot. Several of my students have been long-time Painter users who have told me they learned things about the program which they never knew were available.

Registration closes on May 13, and enrollment is limited. Hope to see you there.

Tags: Corel Painter

Bush Fires!

Here in Florida, usually between the months of April and June, we experience a fire season. In areas which are heavily wooded, spontaneous fires sometimes start up because of lightening storms. Last year, there was a horrible fire which lasted for days and was accidentally started by a couple of teenagers. Many homes were lost, but nothing on the scale of what’s going on in Australia right now.

So many of the citizens there have lost homes, family, pets, everything. The devastation is unimaginable. I have seen posts on forums I belong to telling the most horrible and heart-wrenching stories you could ever hear. The photographs show sights that make you shudder. The wildlife is being destroyed in one of the most unique ecological systems in the world. There are photographs of Koalas begging for water, livestock in fields surrounded by fire, and more.

There is a way you can help. The Australian Red Cross is collecting donations which will go directly to those most in need. They have stated that none of the contributions will go toward administrative fees (a much criticized use of funds in the past). I’m posting the link to donate below. It will remain on this page until such time as I am able to find a direct donation page for these victims on the Salvation Army site, since I prefer to donate through them.

I hope you will find it in your hearts to give what you can to the people of Australia. I know times are tough for us here in the US, but for those who live “down under” right now, times are as tough as they will ever be.

http://tinyurl.com/Bush-Fires-directdonation

If you live outside of Australia and need to check the exchange rate, here is a very good link:

Bloomberg exchange rate calculator

Not in season…

For those who are newly visiting since the first of the year, you will probably be surprised by my choice of a theme. It is of course, completely out of season, but I chose it for two reasons.

First of all, I know that those who are living in the Northern climes are heartily sick of cold, snow and ice right now. This winter has been very bad for them, and some areas have had snow and ice for the very first time ever. So, I thought perhaps seeing a lovely image of spring flowers might cheer them and take their minds off the dreary days of winter.

My second reason? Before moving to Florida, as the weather warmed I would go outside each day and check every flower bed in my yard looking for signs that the crocus, daffodils and tulips would soon poke their lovely heads above ground. I thrilled to see each and every bloom, and I miss that wonderful change of seasons. Here in Southwest Florida I can grow exotic things like gardenias and pineapples, but having a year-round growing season tends to take some of the shine off of gardening, especially since it also means year-round weeding…lol. So I thought, if I change my theme to lovely daffodils, I can still enjoy those blooms, without having to put up with ice, snow and blustery winds…and so I did.

One of these days, time permitting (hah! good one!), I may actually learn to put together my own theme and then I can use whatever photos/paintings I want. Meanwhile, I’m kind of stuck with what others provide…but, having said that, understand that I think these free themes are wonderful and generous gifts and many of them are truly professional quality. I had a fabulous one for Xmas, but of course, that would look a bit odd in February.

I understand that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, which supposedly means 6 more weeks of winter, however, I also understand that he only gets it right 39% of the time…lol. I never did understand this custom. The official first day of spring is on the occasion of the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox always falls in March, usually around 3/20 or 3/21 (3/20 in 2009). The period of time between February 2 and March 20 is approximately six weeks. So why do people insist on pulling that poor groundhog out of its burrow?

Animal cruelty is it not? LOL….poor Phil.

I painted in the little coloring page of Phil.  You may get your own image to color  www.groundhog.org

Punxsutawney Phil

A great day today

Today, January 20, 2009…a day which will go down in history.

The first Black man ever will be sworn in as President of the United States. I wish my mother could be alive to see this take place.

Although I’m very excited about the inauguration ceremony which will take place today, it can’t possibly top election night when the results came in. I physically jumped up and down in my kitchen, kept patting my heart, and then the tears came. It was as if our country had been reborn, and the Kennedy years were back.

Every time I see Obama speak and hear his eloquent words, I’m reminded of Jack Kennedy and the promise he stood for. He was cut down so early, and much of the promise died with him, but today, at noon, I think that promise will come alive again.

I believe our country needs this man very badly, and I think he may finally teach many people that the color of ones skin has nothing to do with the power of one’s heart. I truly believe that Obama is a healer and a unifier, and I think he will be able to work with Congress to get our country back on the track where it belongs.

Yes, today is truly a great day, and I believe the days to come will be greater still!

Not the night before Christmas…yet…

…but boy do the holidays seem to be barreling down upon us this year. I think it’s because Thanksgiving fell so late in the month. Fortunately, all my shopping has been done for weeks, but we just put up the outside lights last night, and there’s been no decorating done inside the house at all. Meanwhile, there are still cards to be addressed and mailed, gifts to be wrapped, etc., etc…..well you know how it goes.

At this very busy time of year, I hope you take some necessary time for yourself to just sit back and sip a hot cup of cocoa, tea or coffee, and reflect on the past year. The good, the bad, all of it. Count your blessings, there are always blessings to count even if sometimes you have to look very hard for them.

Have a Happy Hannukah, a Merry Christmas, a Blessed Kwanza, a Sacred Solstice, or whatever it is you celebrate at this time of year.

May your new year be filled with peace, propsperity and health. May you be blessed, and may you be content.

One week from today…

…we in the U.S. will celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m sure there are many who feel that this year there is not much to give thanks for what with the condition of the economy, troops still in Iraq, and health care costs spiraling out of sight. However, I was brought up with the philosophy that you should be thankful for what you have because there is always someone with less.

Next Thursday, as the day enfolds, take stock not of your trials, but of your blessings, whatever they may be. For some, the simple blessings of a roof over their head and food to eat can mean the world. Try to be thankful for what you have and try not to dwell on what you don’t have.

Life is short, enjoy the good, overlook the bad, and give thanks just to be alive.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to one and all!

Hope Wins!

We elected a new President on Tuesday. He is a Black man. For the first time ever, the United States of America has elected someone other than a White, Anglo-Saxon as President of the United States. This speaks volumes about the progress our country has made during my lifetime.

There are people alive today who can remember not being able to vote because of blocked polling places, literacy tests which no one could hope to pass, and numerous obstacles placed in their path for the sole purpose of preventing them from exercising their rights as American citizens. On November 4, 2008, these same people saw a Black man elected to the Presidency.

The feelings of joy and hope in the air are palpable. There is a renewed sense of purpose and promise. The Dream of Dr. King hovers before our consciousness, and the days of Camelot are remembered.

So many of Obama’s supporters were the young, new voters. They were a part of the process, and now it seems, they also want to be a part of the solution to the many problems our country faces.

Will we see a renewal of the surge of volunteerism that so marked the early 60’s, where people truly seemed to care about those less fortunate? Oh I hope so! I can’t begin to express the feelings I have and the joy I feel as this new era dawns.

I am blessed to have lived long enough to see this day happen.

God Bless America!

At Last, At Last!

We’ve had a cold front come in. At least that’s what the meteorologists call it. Those of you who live in the North would call it a “cool front” but our local weather person insists that the correct meteorological term is “cold front”. In any case, the high on Tuesday is supposed to be no higher than 70 degrees.

For this climate and latitude, that is indeed considered cool and I can hardly wait. I have shrubs to trim and pots to get ready to plant bulbs in, and I may even buy a couple of tomato plants and put them in the ground.

Yes, things are indeed backward in Southwest Florida. We plant tomatoes here in September and October, while those in the more Northern climes plant them in May and June. Those puny Northern tomato plants would never survive a summer in Southwest Florida, but then, I barely survive it myself…lol…

Finally, the cooler weather is upon us. I can go outside again!