Thanks to My Followers

 Dear Friends,

I am at a crossroads…thinking about ending my blog. I have been jabbering on here for about twelve years. Unlike many of you who have a huge group of followers, I have never been able to attract that many.

A whole slew of the people who blogged when I began have disappeared long ago. I won’t go into the long list of those, but the one that comes to mind is Kate at Visual Saint Paul. She was instrumental in me getting started and she just disappeared one day, before I could even thank her.

My faithful followers …. (those that comment) comprise rather short list.

Marianne (Holland) at: http://biebkriebels.blogspot.com/ is  one that has stayed with me all of these years. She and S.C. her husband were kind enough to show us around Amsterdam on a trip there…. I especially enjoy her many posts since years ago I lived in The Netherlands.

William at:https://ottawadailyphotos.blogspot.com/ has been around a long time too. I especially enjoy his tulips pictures in the Spring.

Mariette at Back to Basics is another Dutch friend https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/ who happens to live in Georgia. She and her husband Pieter are loaded with talents and have lived an amazing life all over the world. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about it.

Rosemary at https://wherefivevalleysmeet.blogspot.com/ has a beautiful blog. Her photography skills can’t be beat and I have always learned something new every time I stop there!

Diane at: https://lavenderdreamstoo.blogspot.com/ Her blog is filled with amazing wildlife she discovers on her Florida hikes and her never ending amazing crafts.

Grace in Perth Australia http://perthdailyphoto.blogspot.com/ has introduced me to a place I knew nothing about. Once a year my favorite thing is the art on the beach event.

Heather at https://lostinarles.com/ really does seems to be lost at the moment?. Can’t say enough nice things about this kind sole.

Elizabeth https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#search/contessa/FMfcgzGqPpkjdwfJBdzVnWBJfjcjHKlg is fun, different, exotic (is that the same as different)?.. and always makes me smile.

Sharon at https://phxdp.blogspot.com/ makes living in the desert seem doable ...She's a great photographer..and will always read your blog if you comment on hers.. 

Let’s not forget Katie at https://preppyemptynester.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-friday-files_20.html She is cute is a talented decorator with wonderful taste and shares her beautiful family, home and life with everyone.. Did I mention she is also funny?

Then there are those that don’t comment but I know they are there:

My west Texas cousins Becky and Judy…Love you.

A cousin from my little hometown. Love you too Milton

Ed and Donna Spray. Ed a retired network president that I am so proud to know (and Donna) …causing me to be guilty of name dropping, although  Donna is probably the true follower.

...and last but not least..a friend of my daughter's…Paige..who in reality seems like part of the family.

.....and just maybe there could be a daughter or two or maybe a sister who drop in occasionaly...naw not likely.

If I have forgotten anyone...so sorry.  Janey 

 

Taking a Break

 

      

       I will let you know when I will return…Janey

Hannah’s Art.

 We have just returned from Austin, Texas where we have been babysitting our youngest grandchild two year old Maggie, and I am already missing her. Her parents were out of town and her ten year old sister Hannah is away at summer camp.

In the playroom my daughter for about the last four or five years has been framing Hannah’s art projects. I am not trying to say she has any talent, although I think she has an unusual style.

Once she discovered her style she seemed use every color available to her.

She also seems to add a lot of small details.

Although I was surprised by the lack of color in this one.

The tile trivet she gave me for Christmas seemed to be more her style.

As were the custom note cards she did.

I hadn’t seen this one before, but I recognized right away as a ”Hannah”. Seems it had fallen off the wall though and the frame needs repair!

So there you have it. Ms. Hannah’s first art show! Ha! 

Hope you are staying cool wherever you are. We returned today to find our air conditioning not working. A repairman is here now. Fingers crossed! It by the way is 102 degrees out…Janey

Art Special Interest Group

 On my previous post I told you that I was at The National Cowgirl Museum in Ft. Worth for a meeting of my special interest group The Art of Ft. Worth. 

One of the spaces on the first floor is where visiting exhibits display their works. Our group was there for a lecture on the art of Bob Wade by Peeler Howell one of the owners of The Campbell Gallery here in Ft.Worth.

Bob Wade (1943-2019) who was famous for several reasons is best known for his technique of taking old black and white postcards, projecting them on to canvas and then colorizing them..

His most famous work is The Thirteen Cowgirls (real ones I might add) which you will find not only on canvas but t-shirts and other memorabilia.

There were many examples of his work in this display but this one caught my eye.This is Dale Evans (1912-2001). Dale was not only famous for being an actress and singer but for being married to the wildly popular cowboy Roy Rogers. Dale and Roy starred in several movies and had their own television show.

If you would like to read more about Bob Wade a very interesting man who was also known as Daddy- O .….go Here

Cowgirls

 I have done a blog in the past on our excellent Cowgirl Museum here in Ft.Worth. It is second to none since I believe it is the only one! It is not to be missed if you find yourself in Ft.Worth.

It is located in our cultural district where there are several other museums you can walk to.

The building itself is a work of art in the Art Deco Design.

I was there for a meeting of my special interest group connected to the University where I take classes. 

I arrived early so that I could walk around before our meeting. The museum is so well done.

There are all kinds of exhibits of donated cowgirl outfits.One fancier than the next.

It is also a very interactive experience. Here you can pose on a pony.

or even see if you can stay on a bunking bronco.

The upper floors of the museum have some wonderful paintings of famous cowgirls.

and there are walls with a lifelike video of horses following you around..

As I said the museum is very hands on. I enjoyed this device where you push these circles to decorate the boot.

When you choose a color or design for the boot the color or pattern  also changes the walls around you.

So why did my art group meet here? I will post about that soon as this I fear is getting too long! Have a great weekend..

Baby Lizard

 Hello from hot Texas. We are in the grips on one of the hottest summers on record, so we spend a lot of time indoors in the air conditioning.

I went out early this morning to water my hibiscus. We have two in large pots by our front door and there he was, a tiny little Green Anole Lizard.

Anole Lizards don’t get that large, maybe 6 ins. tops (like the adult one pictured above) but they can change the color of their skin from green to brown to blend in with their environment.

The adults, mainly male have the pinkish throat pouch or fan called it’s dewlap that they blow up when frightened or when trying to attract a mate. We are happy to have the about as they don't eat our plants but do eat pesky insects.

Tea and Talk

 

In the heart of downtown Fort Worth, Texas on a brick street shaded by tall tees is the Sid Richardson Museum.

Sid Richardson was a wealthy oilman back in the 1930’s who amassed a large collection of western art. Names such as Frederic Remington and Charles Russell adorn the walls along with other western artists of that time.

You may have heard that Richardson was single and left his estate to his only nephew. His nephew in turn left the fortune which had grown considerably to his four sons who are now some of Ft. Worth's wealthiest residents. All four worth over a billion dollars.

Back to the museum. The museum is free and worth a visit when you come to town. This summer they have a monthly event titled "Tea and Talk" where there is a group conversation regarding one piece of art facilitated by a docent. Participants are then invited to stay for a cup of tea, snacks and fellowship.

 

Today's discussion was regarding a painting by FT Johnson that was painted sometime before  the 1920’s titled Trouble for the Pony Express. For those not familiar with what the Pony Express was:

It was a great innovation in mail delivery in 1860. A rider with mail in saddle bags would race west out of Missouri which is in the Midwest headed to California. He would ride as fast as he could go for 75 to 100 miles before handing off the mail  relay form to another horse and rider who did the same. Reaching California in record time!

Johnson's  painting depicts one of the many hazards along the route. Indian attacks.

We are looking forward to next month's event

Independence Day

I have had a wonderful fun filled day.

It's been our Independence Day and no better place to celebrate than at my sister Polly's

 Polly  had  four different tables set up inside and outside of her festively decorated home. The one above she said was reserved for the 65 + crowd. I was hesitant to sit there. .but finally admitted that was indeed my age group 🙄, but first…

the younger set were all decked out and excited about getting to walk in the neighborhood parade.

It was your usual 4th of July parade with kids on bikes, trikes, scooters and in wagons and strollers, many of them bringing along the family pet.

Yes there always seems to be one neighbor that has a vintage car!

Back at Polly’s for a casual meal with everyone bringing something to share,

 

and the grand finale was the dessert bar, featuring niece Kristin’s fabulous cookies. 

I started this post out saying that I'd had a wonderful day....that is until I got home and heard the awful news that there has been yet another mass shooting. This time a 4th of July parade full of families and  small children. This is not the America I grew up in and certainly not the one that I can say I am proud of....

Yay or Nay?

 Back when we built our townhouse we decided to put in a strip of artificial grass in our courtyard. We wanted something low maintenance and didn’t need mowing. 

We have been very pleased with our choice…I know, I could use some flowers!

 

 

 

I have been noticing about town, or at least in our neighborhood that folks are now installing fake grass or turf in their front yards. Here is an example where two neighbors did. It is a shame that they didn’t pick the same color. I think the one on the left looks more real. Would you ever consider doing this?

In a Target Near you!

 Target is a big box store here in the U.S. A one stop shopping experience where you can purchase most anything you could ever need or want.

 My observant sister Polly noticed this new sign hanging in her local Target and was intrigued, so she promptly made an an appointment and was nice enough to let me tag along.

 

Yes, you can get a manicure or at least a color application by sticking your hands in this little black box. A bit disappointed since I was hoping to find this little character with blinking eyes and a cute name.

 

The $10.00 charge does not include nail clipping, filing or cuticle trimming…just a color application and these are the color selections above.

The polish is actually in these little viles.

You watch a short video of instructions and then the polish is inserted into the machine.

Next you put one of your fingers in the little strap and insert it into the box and very quickly a series of 100 photos from different angles are snapped of the shape of your nail.

 

The little pipette  then starts at the edge of your nail applying polish is a circle like icing on a cupcake until the nail is completely covered.

 

If the machine misses a spot for whatever reason, there is a nail tech there to correct it. Polly chose a very neutral color and was happy with her choice.

Would she do this again. Maybe and maybe not, but you certainly should try it yourself if it shows up at a store near you!

 

*at the present time these machines are only located in four areas of the U.S

Finally

 Okay, for the last several posts I have been taking you along as we hiked from the Moulin Rouge up Rue Lepic St. in the Montmartre section of Paris,

and we have finally reached the Basilica that has such a commanding view over Paris. We did not go in as we had on previous visits.

 The crowds were  growing and our stomachs were growling so we headed down the hill.

These are the famous Montmartre steps and yes that is my Tom. I can tell you those steps are a lot easier to go down...than up! 

There is a way to get to the top if you find those steps daunting. A funicular operates up the hill and you can ride using your metro card.

 

 

Before you start down the steps though it is  fun to take a picture of this building to one side of the Basilica. See how steep the hill is?

 

 

Well you can edit that photo using the crop/straighten icon on your device and end up with this fun photo.

That's a wrap folks. I will now try to find something interesting here in Fort Worth, Texas to photograph and write about.