Past, Present , Future.. 2012

Last year and the year before I wrote about the new year, the last year ... dreams, goals, likes, dislikes..
 Past?  one word ..Painful losses, one could not be helped the other still has no sense to it... 
  Present?  one word.. Today.  Make it the best, for yourself and others.
Future?  now theres a word... Goals, plans, hopes and dreams.
  Of course I still have them,  I always have,. without that what is the sense to waking each day...
  Goals I set for last year?  Join an art guild was one . I did and it was a positive step for me..
Hopes and dreams? some worked out, some did not.
   The next few months will be a health issue for me, surgery is in order, after that?  then I'll plan..and not until....
  Painting ?  always will be my agenda , no matter what...  
 I wouldn't feel right if I didn't mention my Angie, she's still here, well in body anyway,  (she's forgetting where she put things.)  LOL !  I think we are losing it together.   She is here for me, I for her..  
   So I wish all of my friends, old and new, A Happy New Year.!
and see you all in 2012.   BJ

This Morning in Florida

Just as I got up, and looked out the back door.  The sun had not yet come up over the horizon .  
Even though parts of my life are not worth a dime, this is the sort of sight that makes me want to live forever.

 I've done nothing to enhance the photo.. BJ

To All of You ~

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my friends.. thanks for all your support during the past year..  Many times, I've been tired, moody, not feeling well, and I read your blogs and get inspired by your art , your words and your spirit.   Barbra Joan

Some Christmas Thoughts Again.

 
I wrote a Christmas letter to my Dad a few years ago and published it on my blog last year.. I had so many comments and emails from it.. some said it helped them to try and be a better father. I hope so .  I'll post it again for this Christmas Season. It's a small part of my relationship with my Dad.. He left me in June 1997 and as I like to say I've tied the memories in a bow, put them aside but never forgot. For the most part, I write it as a tribute to him but your certainly welcome to read it.  BJ    
----------------------------------------------------------------
    ~ The  Christmas Letter ~ from 2010  
Although I've thought of my Dad often in the past thirteen years...its this week that I've missed him most, so I write this to you Dad.
When I was a little girl  you took me everywhere with you, deep sea fishing off the coast of New Jersey, and were always so proud that your daughter never got sick no matter how rough the ocean would be.   You brought me to NYC to see everything from the Empire State Building, Radio City Christmas Show, the Statue of Liberty, and when we went to Coney Island I'd make you ride that Cyclone roller coaster with me over and over . You never said no.
   You taught me how to ride a bike, fly a kite, build a snowman,  and made me that real little house in the backyard. I put curtains on the windows.
   You taught me my love for animals and all living things.. We took care of injured wild birds and rabbits, you'd make a box for them and if I cried when they didn't make it, you'd say " Barbra , you can't save all of them,  you just do what you can".  I still do .

   On Sunday mornings you'd drive out to that little airport and we'd watch the planes take off and land..
  One Sunday you managed to get a pilot to take me up for a ride in a small plane. And when Mom found out she had a fit. !

    We'd hike in the woods and go target shooting. I'd get poison ivy every time.
 You'd take me to the christening of the new big ships at the shipyard when you still worked there.

  We'd go to your welding shop on Saturdays and you showed me how to weld. Then taught me to drive my first car and bought a red convertible because I liked it.. And Mom had another fit !!
You were the first one I saw when I woke up in the hospital .. more than once.
   I thought you had the strength of 10 men, you could do anything and make everything alright. I remember the night we lost Louis, you looked right at me and said,
 " This is the ONE thing I can't do for you". And I knew you were right because you never lied to me. .
    I learned so much from you Dad. Any good that I am it was from you.. and the not so good ... you were still there for me every single time.
   Every Christmas you and I would go and get the tree.
 I'd bother you for weeks ahead of time.. I was good at that !... finally you'd  say 'ok, time to go and  get the tree,' and then with all the patience in the world you'd help me put it up and decorate it.
  I remembered something new this year, the time my new kitten went behind the kitchen stove and you spent hours taking it apart to get him out.. oh, all the kittens I brought home and said 'they just followed me" and you let me keep them..
   This time of year brings back lots of those memories, and I haven't forgotten a single one .
   If I were given just one wish for Christmas, I would ask that every little girl be blessed with a Dad like I had. What a beautiful world this would be.
from your daughter Barbra
   Merry Christmas again, Dad

Poinsietta

Merry Christmas ~  Happy Holidays

 and the 

best NewYear to all my friends in Blogsville. 

BJ  

A Tribute to Kelly ~

   Less than 2 weeks ago I drew and posted  what I called "Eye of the Horse".  .In fact the real name was 'Kellys Eye.'  Her owner had taken the photo and posted it on a copyright free site for artists.
  After seeing my drawing on that site yesterday, her owners who live in the UK, contacted me to say how much they liked the drawing but that sadly Kelly, their beautiful grey mare passed away suddenly just a few weeks ago.. it seems I had just drawn her at almost the same time of that happening. I needn't tell you how sad my heart felt all last night. 

   What started for me as a drawing is now a real soul to me , and I will  not forget her name was Kelly.   .   Barbra Joan

A Great Time !

The art reception  was fantastic, packed with people .. and was just for 3 hours this evening .. Strictly an exhibit for Christmas inviting local people .. Even Santa was there. 

   Thanks to my friends for the encouraging words that give me the confidence to do this.. .  BJ

Christmas Art Show

    

 Tonight is the Christmas Art Show.. 
 I've chosen 3 watercolors to bring .
   This is not so much a  show to sell, but more of an exhibit of local artists.. I'll take photos . remember camera!  BJ  
      

Watercolor~

I couldn't resist painting this Jack Russell terrier.   Done on Arches 140lb C/P paper.  11x14" .  

'Eye of the Horse ~ aka~ Kellys Eye ~Pencil~

 This piece was finished this morning.   Well today I have art hanging in the library for December (forgot about that), the Christmas Exhibit thisThursday.

P.S.   This is my rendition of the photo of Kelly .. unknowingly she had just passed away.  Her owners saw the drawing on another site, and sadly told me what happened... Coincidence or mystical,  I don't know, but Kelly and I have a bond.. Just the way it  feels . 

p.s. I'd like to add that this drawing has won a ribbon at the Art Show in Plant City, and yes Kelly we did good! .

BJ