Drum Roll Please

As promised I am coming clean regarding what has monopolized my time since arriving back on the island late last month.

I am blessed to be part of the "Artists Colony at the Esplanade." The colony offers an opportunity to show my photographs and possibly (hopefully) sell one or two along the way. (That would be a good thing as my photography wish list is long and grows longer by the day.)

It started with an email from an artist friend in early August, just a few days before we departed for points north. She explained that one of the area painters had approached the Esplanade management (the Esplanade is an upscale shopping center on Marco, see below) regarding leasing their empty store fronts to local artists; and would I be interested in sharing space with her should the idea take hold. Of course I said YES and went on my merry way to Maine thinking that this crazy idea would never materialize.

To make a long story shorter, after a lot of back and forth between the parties involved, sometime in mid-September the project was approved and the dream became a reality. This all meant that I had to hit the ground running. There were walls to paint, mats and frames to order, photos to print and frame, business cards to design, etc., etc., etc.

Above is the main walk way at the Esplanade. Our studio/gallery is tucked behind the orange arches on the left. We are one of three working studios in the complex, working being the operative word. One of the stipulations is that when open, artists must (should) be working. This means the painters paint and I surf the net!!

The next photo takes in the view as you walk through our front door. My space is in the back of the studio...my four walls so to speak!

And this is Inez. She is a very talented oil painter and one of my two partners in crime.

Below is Carolyn, partner in crime number two and the reason I'm involved in this lil project.

It has been a fun and interesting four weeks. I have learned that artists tend to have strong personalities and I am quickly learning to speak my mind when my mind has something worthwhile to say.

I'm giving this venture through season, for those not familiar with island speak that translates to after Easter when the snow birds fly back north. If by that time I haven't sold enough photos to at least break even on the monthly expenses then I shall hang my head in shame and fold my tent.

I really don't know what to expect. I do know that I could never consider doing something of this magnitude on my own. I also know that it is time to take that leap of faith. And hope someone is there to pick me up in case I fall on my face.

Or better yet, share that bottle of bubbly with me when I become rich and famous.

Return to Life

I am alive. I am well. And, I am no longer MIA from this blog. In a few days I will have details as to what has occupied my time almost non-stop since returning home from our trip to Maine.

I do however have a confession to make with regard to last week. We were cruising....again. It is quite possible that there may be an addiction involved. Or so it seems to my children. I actually received a phone call from on of my daughters (I've decided to drop the in-law part, after all they are the only daughters I will ever have) voicing her concern. I believe she even mentioned the "I" word (intervention). I think their tune will change come Thanksgiving when they too will be standing in line for the lunch buffet!!

I have to fess up though that I'm beginning to believe that if you've seen one Caribbean island, you've seen them all. Please don't share that with the Caribe Tourism Board, they might revoke my privileges.

The two photos above were taken in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. We were fortunate to be in port a full 24 hours prior to the fuel tanks exploding in the harbor. While there we chose to hike up the hill to the old fort in the sweltering heat in lieu of taking a cab. It was our fondest desire to get some exercise before returning to the ship for our mid-day meal. I don't know if I lost any weight but the walk around Old San Juan was a treat.

Our ports of call also included Grand Turk (their recent encounter with a tropical storm has left their points of interest in ruin but their beach was beautiful), St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. The photo here and the blog header were both taken on Half Moon Cay. This is quite possibly the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The sand was softer than butter and the water as blue and clear as the pictures depict. No photoshop trickery needed.

I was taking a mental hiatus from photography on this trip. I have been on photo overload recently and it was refreshing not to feel the need to click away at every turn. Doug did drag me out on deck one evening and insist I take some pictures. I assure you that kicking and screaming were involved but the end result was one of my favorite shots from the trip.

Why is it that my pool never looks like this?

In spite of too many late nights and half price happy hours, it was a wonderfully relaxing week. Many thanks to the Freys for inviting us to help celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with them. You guys are the best. (We'll meet you in the Crow's Nest at 4!!)

Suckered

It started out innocently enough. A sweet respite on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

It was smiles all around as siblings enjoyed their mid-afternoon treat.

And as things of this nature usually tend to unfold, a need to share the same space soon became apparent.

There were a few minutes of calm licking and sucking.

Siblings relaxed and taking pleasure in their snack.

Ahhh, this is some good stuff.

Mom really came up with a winner this time.

Leaning in for some sibling snuggling.

But wait, what's this? Trouble, trouble, trouble.

Worry, worry, worry.

Brace yourself kiddo, here it comes. The good times are officially over.

The head squeeze.

Suckered again.