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Flippin’ Friday

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Camelian named Phoenix

Chameleon named Phoenix

One of the newest additions to my Grandson, Connor’s personal zoo is his chameleon named Phoenix.  At first Phoenix was defensive, and everyone was afraid to touch him, or pick him up.  So, my daughter went to the reptile store, and asked about the behavior, and how to work with this kind of creature.  Once they found out how to interact with Phoenix, everything has been clear sailing…..so to speak.  He is now getting to know the family, and is less frightened to see a big hand coming into his terrarium.

 

To be named

To be named

The next little creature that has come into our lives is a Blood Python who lives very close to my home.  My son adopted him, and he has the sweetest personality.   Very docile, and at only 8 months old is still small.  He has beautiful markings, and is much fun to interact with.

This snake although a python, will not get large like most pythons.  Maybe five or six feet.  He’s more of a stocky pencil than a green bean.  Stay tunes for more about the Zoo we have going on in our family.

Well that’s it for the week everyone.  I’ve been so busy with back to school, and a few other obligations that I even forgot to post on Tuesday of this week.  My apologies, but things happen from time to time, and it is never my intention to not post.  It’s just a matter of a little balancing, or juggling problem…….with my time!

Thursday Time Out For Art

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Summer Abstract

Summer Abstract

This little watercolor painting is something I was inspired to paint when I visited an old  friend.  She had picked some roses, and a few other things, dropped them on the top of her BBQ, and proceeded to do something else.  Once I noticed them, I couldn’t help but paint them.  They spoke to me for some strange reason.

Not long ago, I decided to  fill in some of the empty spaces with doodles.  First it was doodles with a fine point pen, then it was decided to use a paint pen.

Some of the most fun I have is doing something without pressure, and simply mindless!  This is one of those times.

Inspiration for creativity is provided by Zebra Designs & Destinations.

 

Thursday Time Out For Art

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Lady in a hat.

Lady in a hat.

Did you ever just start fooling around with an idea, and it turned out totally opposite of what you had planned?  That is exactly what happened to me.  I started with a 1/4 sheet of Yupo paper, and coated one side with clear matt medium.  The matt medium coats the surface of Yupo which is actually a plastic sheet, not paper at all.  I tried painting on it when I worked with water colors, and never could get it to where I loved using it.  So why not try it with acrylics?  Everyone said, coat it with a medium so the acrylic paint will stick.  In reality I coated a plastic sheet with a plastic medium.  I’m not really sure why I had to do that.

Now that the Yupo is coated,  eliminating the spontaneity of the clean plastic surface.  I shot myself in the foot that time.  Would this really stick better with a coating of medium, maybe but I haven’t tested the uncoated Yupo to find out.

Before I knew what was happening…….I sketched out a lady on a couch.

What was I thinking?

Someone has to keep an eye on me because I keep slipping back into reality.  Isn’t it bad enough we have to live in reality, now I have to spend all my creative time in reality also!  I do not like to paint realism, that’s what cameras are for.  I like to live, and paint in an abstract world.

Think abstract, breathe abstract, and paint abstract!  

It’s interesting how you think your going one direction, and the next thing you know you’ve made a severe right turn, and there it is…….

something least expected!

Thursday Time Out For Art is sponsored by Zebra  Designs & Destinations.  Check them out, and the journey they are taking that is filled with ideas, adventures, and art.

Happy Birthday Connor

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Connor's 11th Birthday celebration

Connor’s 11th Birthday celebration

Yep You got it!

Sunday evening we celebrated Connor’s (my grandson) birthday by going to Jake’s in Del Mar. Clearly this is something that is only done maybe every ten years or so.

And this is why…..

Don’t you think having Hula Pie for dinner would be fun?  Like I said, only every ten years, or maybe twenty.

Hula Pie

Hula Pie

Still, we all decided since Connor is growing out of the little kid birthday party stage, and clearly going into the tween stage, it was time to do something different.  Isn’t that what life is all about?  Doing off the wall things, having fun, and doing something so different that others would gasp!

Connor was eleven years old on Monday, August 3, and while we all sat around  talking about how time flies, and what a cute baby he was, Connor is growing up.  He is tall like his dad, cute as a button even now with those dimples and freckles over his nose, very determined,  smart, and has a sense of humor that is matched by only his dad.  It has been our great pleasure to see the transformation from  an infant to the steadfast young man he has become.  It’s only going to get better.

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Les and I are so proud of him that,  at times I could burst!

When his mom asked him, “How come you give Grandma a hug, and a kiss, and you won’t give me a hug, and a kiss?”

His reply was, “Grandma won’t leave me alone until I do!”  

See, I told her she was being to easy on him.   Believe me I’m not going to give parenting advise to any of my kids.  I barely made it through the raising of my own, let alone give suggestions to others.

This I have learned for sure…….

What was once true, is no longer applicable, and  what was one generations perfect family, now would be todays dysfunctional family.  Times change, ideas change, parenting changes.   I am astonished at the way my children raise their children.  I’m sure they don’t feel confident, but to me they are genius at how they handle situations, and problems.  They are all such great parents, and  make me feel so inept.

Connor is one of those kids….

That helps others.  He stands up against bullying, and helps teach kids that aren’t able to understand math or science in a way they can understand.  He has saved two or three lives by doing the Heimlich.  Once to his sister while they were in the backseat, on the freeway while his dad was driving. This is a boy who at the age of three cracked the password of his mom’s computer.  We knew then he would be a challenge to raise.  Keeping one step ahead of him would be exhausting.  Aren’t these kind of things, the things that keep you young? and help you grow old before your time as well!

Filled up!

Filled up!

We can’t wait to see what wonderful things he will do in his life.

But for now, it’s on to Middle School, and a whole different experience for Connor.