My Dear Friend Donna

This morning I received the sad news that my dear friend Donna passed away. She has been battling brain tumors for the last 5 1/2 years. The doctors diagnosed her on Valentine's Day 2005 and gave her 6 weeks to 6 months to live, outlived their diagnosis and made it into the medical journals. Needless to say she struggled thru the surgery to remove it, endured the chemo treatments over most of these years, and she never really complained or whined. She was strong, funny, witty, she loved her children and family, and we were friends. She was always there for me during the turmoils of my life. She took care of my youngest son for years to help me out when I needed child care, and her children and mine were friends. She got me into painting again and we had a wonderful time together at Point Reyes for a weekend long painting class at the ocean. I'm so glad we got to do that together.

I'm glad she is not suffering any more and that she was able to go peacefully to her Maker. I know she is in a better place where there is no pain. I love you Donna.

B & W Christmas

I've hardly posted this month. I've been wrapped up (no pun intended) in Christmas happenings. The one big 'trip' that happened was my first experience in a light air craft! My husband's son-in-law was going to make his cross country flight as part of his training, to Weed, California, to pick up their new puppy they were getting for the family. So he invited me to come along so I could take pictures as I had previously requested a 'ride' for my birthday. He thought I could take photos flying up to Weed, and then puppy-sit on the ride home. It was a great experience and for me wasn't any different than a ride in a Southwest plane, except for the fact there were quite a few drafts going on and if you didn't wear the earphones you couldn't hear anything. Oh, and no one served you any food or drinks! Hah! As it ended up, the whole flight up to northern California was absolute clear, blue skies, however, Weed was socked in with fog, so we ended up landing in Dunsmuir. The puppy was delivered by the breeders with no problem and we were up in the air again.

It's such a different perspective from way up there in the wild, blue yonder - it's just a small glimpse of Heaven, and oh so beautiful. The puppy did great and slept on my lap under the blanket and was no problem at all. We made it home for the big surprise for the grand kids. Here's a sweet view of a mountain range and a close up of Mt. Shasta. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

High Hand Gallery

So I'm done with my everlasting birthday, as my husband puts it, and Thanksgiving is over and the bird whittled down to bits and pieces for soup making, and NOW I am moving on again with my artwork.

I am now showing my art in the High Hand Gallery located in Loomis. I took all my works: framed pieces, matted photos, cards and card gift sets, magnets, a pillow and coaster gift sets. Today I start working in the gallery as it is a co-op. So today from 12 to 4:30 p.m. and again next week on Wednesday from 10 - 2:00 p.m. Both of these days will be my training. Yesterday I met with the founder and chair person, the curator, and the calendar keeper of the gallery. They are all personable people and I am looking forward to being part of their community.

Several years back when High Hand was in the early stages of the nursery, I had permission from the owner to come and take photos early in the morning. The building and grounds of the nursery were the original Loomis Fruit Packing facility. If you go the 'galleries' on my website you can view the photos and read the history. I'm posting one of the photos here for you to view.

All said and done - 'wish me luck'!!