Moss Creek Preserve, Alabama

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It looks like a face…

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Wow! What a hike! Everything in Alabama seems to involve hiking uphill and up stairs! It’s great preparation for Italy in the fall! And one does not mind getting all sweaty and out of breath in such a beautiful setting! Oh, and did I mention my daughter and grand-pupper, Priscilla didn’t even seem to get out of breath? I will get that fit, eventually!

So, as I mentioned, I am trying to get a bit more fit, so I can handle all the walking, going up stairs, and potentially wheel-chair pushing I will be doing in September, when we go to Spain and Italy. I want to introduce you to a dieting app I am using that seems to be helping. My physician at the VA said she and her whole family are using it. I like it because it is a diet of inclusion, not telling you “don’t eat this, this, this and this…” It also has a handy-dandy checklist and a calendar to keep track of how well you are doing! Its called Dr. Gregor’s Daily Dozen and it can be found in the app store for both Android and IPhone. Check it out!

Allegiance To Humanity

Thank you!

Why I bought an RV

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Let’s just call it a photographic essay…

This is Roosevelt State Park, in Mississippi. It is exactly halfway between Shreveport, and my daughter’s house in Birmingham.

I worked hard and now I have a freedom and a means to be where I want to be. This is probably just one of a million places on this continent that I can go see, now. And each one of them may be more beautiful.

In addition, the Park Ranger who works here, and I apologize because I forgot his name, is one of the nicest guys around!

Don’t Panic.

Guys, don’t panic. I changed the name of the blog today, to more reflect what I am doing right now. I also am adding a co-author, so we can bring you more fabulous content! More about her, tomorrow!

42…

How about a picture?

This was a flower practically on the beach in Honduras. I was drawn by the delicate edges that made me imagine the flower bursting forth, in bloom.

Have a wonderful evening. Or early morning for all my British readers (who comprise my largest audience! I get more reads from you guys than I do from family!)

I’m trying to break the run-on sentence habit. I feel it is my worst habit as a writer. Bear with me…

Hugs,

Oma

Rain, rain, go Away…

So, it’s been raining buckets in Shreveport. I haven’t left yet. I am worried it is too wet and too slick to take Winnie on the highways.

So, instead, how about some pictures from my day in Cozumel? It was great fun! A lot of the day was spent under-water, as I went snuba-ing, twice. Unfortunately, I don’t have an underwater camera yet. It’s on the list, but so are a lot of things!

I finally balanced my ears, so I could get down to 25 feet! It only took all week! This is a big deal for me, as I was afraid my days scuba diving were done and over, but I think I might have a chance at getting a basic certification. I had a PADI certification, years ago, before Cameron was born, but most expensive hobbies went out the door when I became a single parent. I’m really glad I have a second chance at scuba!

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This is Sand Dollar Sports, in Cozumel. You get there by water taxi, from the cruise ship dock. It’s an all-inclusive spot, from the perspective that they have snuba, scuba, snorkel diving, their own water taxis, a beachfront grill, a photography shop, beachfront massage, a bar and accommodations. However, you have to pay for the extras you want, like food, extra dives, etc. My ticket came with free water taxi, two dives, private instruction and buy-one-get-one free drinks. I bought more lunch than I could eat, a pina-colada, a coke, and a half-hour massage, with generous tips, for less than $50. It probably could be had cheaper out of the main tourist area, but it was my first ocean-front visit, so I played it safe.

I must mention the dive professionals, particularly Didi (Didier Perez)! They were amazingly helpful. He was very patient with me, while I worked through the issues with my ears and my balance. He was so very nice! I could not have accomplished what I did that day, without him.

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Cozumel food! Ceviche and pina colada!

A Little Something…

Until I figure out an efficient way to transfer 700 photos from my phone to my laptop, here’s a little something for you.

This last cruise we went on, was on the Carnival Conquest, and she is a ship dedicated to art! It was fabulous! I first noticed this, when I saw my favorite Van Gogh painting, copied onto the bulkhead across from the glass elevators.

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Here’s a little trivia about this painting. It is called Almond Blossoms. It was painted as a present upon the event of Van Gogh’s nephew’s birth.

The Conquest is teeming with art! I will show you all about that, when I figure out the technology…hopefully soon! However, Van Gogh is the only artist to merit his own lounge!

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The Van Gogh Lounge

Some may think the colors are garish, but I found it oddly tranquil. I sat inside and read for awhile one afternoon.

Now, tomorrow, I will be driving the RV, Winnie is her name, part way to Alabama. I’m in Shreveport now. I’m going to visit my daughter. It will probably take me 2-3 days to get there. I could get there in one. However, I don’t need to knock myself out driving a 26 foot RV, in dark and rain. It may be a few days before the next post.

Pleasant dreams, all!

Winnie & Me

Humanist Cursive Hand Research

While I was gone on the most recent cruise, a work I collaborated on, was entered in an SCA (sca.org) Kingdom Arts & Sciences competition. We did not win, but I am told we scored very well. I did the initial drawing and the calligraphy for the collaboration. I even made my own quill pen for this project. It was a fun project that let me explore the Vatican library, online! If you have any interest in medieval art, this is the place to go!  https://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?ling=eng

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Pix 1: first draft, Pix 2: Paint, Pix 3: Our Display

Anyone who is interested in the research, here it is. It’s significantly long.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AnZeMDKpRVgngxvY9WKXnMF9PSiz?e=D2gKSy

Long Overdue Update

Hi, Everybody! (I say sheepishly, after years of writer’s block and not tending relationships I developed here…)

I spent a couple of years in a deep funk that I couldn’t pull myself out of, despite medication and whatever…

My deepest apologies to anyone I didn’t keep up with.

But, I am back, and the last couple of months have been pretty interesting, and hopefully, that will translate into my blog improving, going forward!

So, let me catch you all up…

I’m now single. Jerry is a great guy–for someone–not me. I had some real issues after surviving chemotherapy. He’s also not really suited to my now, more nomadic lifestyle.

I decided running a business as an artist was sucking the joy out of the process. Now I make the art I want to make, when the mood strikes. No more, “please make this, by this date.” I will post photos and my research when I do a piece. I may also offer some things for sale, but it will be after the fact. I want this blog to be much less commercial than it was a few years ago.

Last October, I downsized from a 4,000 sq. ft. home to a 26 foot recreational vehicle, full time. My son took his dog, Uboo. Surpisingly, Sadie-dog is a fabulous RV traveler. She’s just happy to be wherever I am!

I also bonded with a new friend who likes to travel as much as I do! She’s a gold Carnival member and gets great discounts on cruises. I have now been on two week-long cruises. I just got back from one yesterday. We’re cruising Italy and Spain in September, and doing a Panama Canal crossing next January! I’m very excited!

All that being said, you may see this blog becoming more a record of my adventures, with the occasional rant, and a lot of reviews.

So, again, apologies for being so quiet for so long. You all hold a special place in my heart. Can we start again?