HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY
I know it doesn't look like much now, but it is a start. this is the birth of my rose garden which will border the end of the driveway and provide pleasant viewing for us and our neighbors.
When I went out to water the new roses this morning I realized it was Mother's Day and I had planted three bushes. I decided this should be a memorial garden for our mothers and I named the rose bushes - Lois, Dorothy and Mary after my mother and my two dear aunts.
When JoAnne comes to visit at the end of May, I will give her the opportunity to pick out a rose bush and we will plant it in memory of another mother, my loving cousin and JoAnne's mom, Shirley.
Check this blog later in the summer and see how the girls are blooming.

BACK TO PAINTING
As I have already explained, I have no illusions of grandeur concerning what I paint or any of my creative pursuits. It is just something I enjoy. It relaxes me; It makes me happy; it gives me a sense of accomplishment.
So - Here I am posting my latest three endeavors. I hope you enjoy them. I find myself beginning to be more thoughtful and focused while painting than I was when I first started. Is this good? Or - am I beginning to inhibit myself subconsciously?
Oh well, it's growth; it's change. Nothing can stay the same; so, I say go with the flow and see what happens.

GOTTA MISS FRIENDS.
Yes, I truly am happy the Florida phase of my life is over. I believe that state is in decline already and has lesser days to come. But - people are a whole different concept. It was very difficult seeing beloved friends once again and not really knowing the next time I would be able to have the pleasure of their company. I was so fortunate to learn early in life that acquaintances are not friends and that true friends are the only treasures worth having in this life. I have been blessed with loving, caring, reliable, and dependent friends. I also believe ""like brings like" and do try to be to others the type of friend I would like to have. Guess what? It works.
I was so happy to leave a piece of my old life with Bev. She liked my chair and a half pull out sleeper, so I had Will take it over to her office. As you can see, it looks lovely there and fits right in. Bev was happy because it helped dress up her new more spacious office and it created a place for her late flight personnel to have a little nap before a long drive home. Bev is just one of the many I will miss and long for - and - you all know just exactly who you are. Unfortunately not all of my Florida pictures came out well . I would have liked to post more. Oh well, it gave me an excuse to purchase a new camera which is now on it's way. I will also take the time to fish through my older photos and find some good "friends" pictures to post.

DING! DONG! THE HOUSE IS GONE.
Just got back from a necessary trip to Florida to sign papers for the closing of the house sale. Hooray! I am finally totally free of the sunshine state. It is such a shame that in just 30 years Florida could change from a paradise to the crime ridden, overpopulated, polluted, cost prohibitive pit it has become. I am desperately trying to be thankful for having had the pleasure of experiencing it as it once was, should be, and never can be again. Man can be so hateful and cruel to nature. The upside is "man pays" - Nature ALWAYS wins and will outlast all mankind.
Enough of that I am past my Florida phase and am snuggled into the beautiful hidden-away parts of Maine where I should be; where I want to be. Everyday is a celebration of life and nature.