Walter's

Several years ago, John decided that the Connecticut grandchildren needed to experience Walter's Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck, NY. Walter's is a pagoda shaped building built in the 1920's that sells hot dogs, fries and various drinks. That's all. And, it's takeout.
So, we go to Walter's and stand in a line in the rain, snow and wind to get ...a hot dog. We are not alone in this - every year we meet people in the line from out of town who grew up going to Walter's and are home for a visit. As a matter of fact, the man who looked at our crowd and begged to be allowed to go ahead of us had to pay for the priviledge by taking our picture. Our group has grown from the original four to a crowd of (this year) twelve, who are now considering a trip to Walter's the day after Christmas to be part of the family tradition.

To eat hot dogs.

Christmas and New Year

We had such a nice time visiting kids and grandkids during Christmas week. At Kristin and Rob's house we helped Oliver write a last-minute note to Santa and had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day breakfast.
Isn't this a great cookie?

Ouch!

Stepping off the last step in our garage, I twisted my ankle and landed hard on the concrete floor. A visit to the Medical Center on Block Island netted me an air cast, crutches and a lot of sympathy.

Turns out that my foot is broken, ankle sprained, so I got upgraded to this attractive boot. Several weeks later I have cleaned out lots of files, started a couple of new books, caught up on correspondence and painted a LOT.

Could be a lot worse!

Leonard

My friend, Ruth, asked me to do a painting of her husband. She didn't want a portrait (phew) but she wanted his "essence". She loves to watch him

putter around their garden - snipping, pruning and generally really enjoying himself.

So, I did this...

Feeling Better

I have told my students to paint every day and I obviously don't listen to my own advice. After having a disappointing try at a small painting I went back the next day and tried again. I painted this little painting and I was much more comfortable. It proves my point - you have to paint every day, if possible.

Stumped

I finally got into my studio after an absence of several weeks and discovered I forgot how to paint! I was all thumbs - couldn't draw, couldn't work the paint, couldn't feel comfortable. I finally did this little painting and felt relieved but I don't like it. The kid's arm looks odd.

So, I will prop it up in the kitchen and ignore it for a couple of days and the problem will reveal itself to me.

First Prize!

I entered these three 6" X 6" oil paintings in

Atlanta Artists Center December juried show.

I was so excited to find out that all three

were given First Prize!

The judge is someone whose work I have admired for years and I consider this a great honor.