Rust

Female Cardinal

Sorry for the prolonged absence! Here is a recent effort. It's not the best of its type I have done lately, but the other was given as a gift to someone I care about.

I Miss Someone

I miss someone.
Well, not just one.
But, one reminds me of the other.
And then I weep.

Crows and Loafing Shed

In the vernacular, a shed used to shelter livestock from inclement weather, and to which they have full-time access (as opposed to a barn, where they are either shut in or shut out), is called a loafing shed.  I guess, for cattle, loafing is not only permitted, it's expected.  Below is my depiction of the loafing shed that was on our farm in Granville, Ohio, in the 1960's.

"Crows and Shed", original watercolor on paper, 5" x 7", matted and signed.

Moving, Perhaps, In a Different Direction

     My wife, Jan, and my friend and neighbor, Diane, have suggested that - maybe - nobody wants a picture of Faulkner, Hemingway or Crazy Horse. They tell me Granville people want pictures of Granville. Why they don't step outside and look at it, I don't know. But, Jan and Diane are never wrong...

     So, here is my latest (and currently, only) eBay offering. It is, of course, Granville's most prominent landmark.

Swasey Chapel, Denison University, Granville, Ohio

     I would also like to know if anyone would be interested in commissioning a "portrait" of their home. Please let me know!

Past and Present...No, Just Past

            I recently "joined" a website that pays very little money for very small articles.  They asked for a writing sample, so, I prepared two.  I had my wife pick the better one, which I cannot share, because having submitted it, it is now the property of that website.  Let's just say it had something to do with the wonderful sights, conversations and aromas of a cheese shop that once was in Granville, Ohio.

            Here is the other one:

From the shop’s front door, beyond the pink-and-green ladies’ department, a narrow hallway leads to the men’s department of The James Store.  Here, the well-dressed customer may buy any sort of sport coat – as long as it is a navy blazer or a Harris Tweed.  Blazer buttons may be brass or silver, at the customer’s request.   To complement the jacket, certainly a pair of slacks in gray-flannel wool or khaki will be found.  All that is now required are a pair of oxblood Bass Weejuns penny loafers, a Gant button-down Oxford shirt, in Tattersall, white or blue, and a cordovan braided-leather belt.  A tie is optional, as are socks.  The customer who seeks more casual attire will want to add a pair of Levi’s blue jeans.  No further purchases are necessary, as these are to be worn with the Gant shirt, the braided belt and the Weejuns.

The proprietor of The James Store is Jim Bone.  Mr. Bone, as customers of my generation call him, treats every customer exactly like his best customer.  If the customer needs only a pair of socks – presumably in late fall – he will leave the store, socks on feet, feeling like he is Mr. Bone’s best customer.  I know I always do.

On Borrowed Books

Steve Layman's post On Borrowed Books, prompted this:

          I have read a borrowed book,
          But not like it was mine.
          I read it, opened just a bit,
          Afraid to crease the spine!