Blog

Observing Curiosity

Are you frequently in contact with children? Do they ask you questions? Lots and lots of questions?

Are they constantly moving objects around? Taking them apart? Attempting to put them together?

I think I still have some child inside me. I enjoy finding out how things work. If I move this…what happens to that thing over there?

According to the artist, this young man is curious about sundials. I hope he doesn’t manage to move it out of alignment. I like the concentration in his posture. He may go far in his studies. Do you think he’ll learn how assemble different types of timepieces?

Police detective by day and fine artist when off-duty, gives a man plenty to do. Will he add a complication to his life? Will her occupation as defense attorney put her off-limits? Check out the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Set in beautiful St. Louis, home to most of the art featured in recent blogs. Here’s a link to the book: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Let there be Joy!

The sun rose this morning.

You opened an electronic device and started to read this.

Are you eating breakfast today? Any meal?

Do you have clean clothes in good repair?

Rejoice! Be Glad!

Yes, I am choosing to be an optimist today.

Is the sun shining? That’s a reason to smile.

Is it raining? The plants are getting a good drink.

Americans tend to think about counting blessings and positive items during November — preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, blessings are to be found every day. Find something to make you smile today. It can be a simple thing — such as large, metal, purple ribbons in a park. What will you find today?

With an artist’s eye assisting his detective skills (or perhaps the other way around), the hero in Fine Lines, a later-in-life romance serves his community and learns what his life was missing. Check book details at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Wagging Tongues

Shocking! Scandalous! Salacious!

The entire neighborhood — the whole city — was stunned when the statue was unveiled.

Then again, should they have been surprised? The intent was to honor newspaper editors. This occupation is centered on revealing the truth, the entire truth, the Naked Truth.

Evidently, the St. Louis public in 1914 was not quite ready to see this artist’s interpretation of the topic. However, by the time I took this photo, a century later, the figure is accepted.

You’ll find the lady at Compton Hills Water Tower Park. The park’s ornate water tower is a local landmark and historic feature. The entire park is worthy of an afternoon visit – to stroll and admire the flowers. Or perhaps watch tennis, playground, or dog park activities. And discover “The Naked Truth.”

Fine art in a different medium gives a police detective relaxation in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. His days are full with work and art — no need to attempt more. Until…

Check out details at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Hi There!

Farmer Fred welcomes you to the market. What’s on your shopping list today?

We have all sorts of salad fixings. Local fruits. Veggies. Honey.

Do sure how to prepare some of the items? Ask the vendor. Farmers know how to do more than plant, weed, and harvest. You’ll be able to get tips and perhaps recipes at your local farmer’s market.

Surprise your family with a new type of produce — or a familiar item prepared in a new way.

No, this is not an accurate representation of my appearance. (I’m actually more handsome.) Really, I’m just your average person with an above average amount of ambition and an enjoyment of outdoor work. I love the feel of good soil sifting through my hands. The smell of fresh-turned earth makes me take deep breaths. And please — don’t call me a hay-seed. I’m nothing of the sort. Farmers need to be educated — there’s more to growing a crop than tossing seed into the ground and saying a prayer.

The later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, is set in an urban area. The professionals in the story don’t have the time (or desire) to garden — but still enjoy fresh-from-the-land produce. Picture them walking the aisles and selecting items for a salad to accompany grilled meat for a quiet supper on the patio. Follow the link for more book information: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Pardon me, did you…?

A person, or other mammal, should not leave body parts just lying on the ground.

Missing a portion of yourself from battle or accident? Yes, creep off, recover a bit…then please, pick up your pieces and dispose of them properly. Persuade a friend to help if needed.

Now — who’s responsible for this?

Not a human — our eyeballs are measured in millimeters, or perhaps inches. This one set out for everyone to see is perched in a park. Who is missing an eyeball measured in meters, yards, or feet?

Will a monster bear come to reclaim in at dusk? Or perhaps not a mammal. Is the aquarium missing a giant squid?

Who started the rumor that fine art needs to be serious? This playful piece can start all sorts of conversations — with children from three to one-hundred-and-three. (You’re 104? Sorry, out of luck.)

Fine art in a different medium runs through the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Everyone, including serious professionals, needs a hobby — and if it happens to earn a little side money???? Check out the book at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Group Hug

Go ahead. Admit it. Some days a hug feels good. And at times a group hug lifts the spirits more than we want to admit.

But…have you been hugged by a cat?

In St. Louis County, you can find a special cat. This one is willing to hug you — or a group.

Welcome. No claws. No teeth. Only interesting patterns and textures will surround you and yours. Visitors of all sizes and ages will receive the same kind treatment. All I request is a little respect on the side of humans (or dogs).

Public art and sculpture improves the quality of life. At least that’s the opinion of many — including the characters of Fine Lines, a later-in-life romance. Professionals with stressful occupations need a way to unwind and reset between work events.

What about you? How do you relax? Music? Nature? Art?

Check out the book at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Breezy Music

Pause. Listen. The wind is flowing — moving the grass, playing in the trees, making music.

For centuries, man has enhanced the sound of a breeze. Sometimes the object is shaped like a bell. Or a tube. Or a mythical creature.

The material may be metal, or wood, or ceramic. However, this musical “instrument” is the broad category of “windchime.”

Large artwork intended to be viewed by the public in a garden. When the wind is right, you can hear them call you from the path to a bench. Stay and enjoy the various tones.

Do you have one or more sets of windchimes? My metal tube and wooden disc design is simple and classic. It certainly lets me know when I bump against the support pole while pulling weeds.

Public art can sooth the nerves and feed the soul. Soothing is a bonus for people with high tension occupations — like attorneys or police detectives. Check out the later-in life romance, Fine Lines, to discover how art works into the life of two busy professionals. Click on the link for more information. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

Faces of Patriotism

Four men. Each elected to lead their nation. Men with flaws threaded through their greatness.

Did you know their lives overlapped to form a continuous line from 1732 until 1919?

Washington and Jefferson were contemporaries. During the years of revolution and formation of a new nation they worked for the same goal in different capacities. Perhaps we should remember them as soldier and diplomat.

Jefferson, the younger of the pair by nine years, lived until the year 1826. (Yes, tomorrow is two centuries since the deaths of both John Adams & Thomas Jefferson.)

When Jefferson died, Lincoln was age seventeen — a strong, tall boy facing manhood.

Lincoln’s life was cut short in 1865. At the time of that event, Theodore Roosevelt was a lad of six. He carried the thread of this quartet into the 20th century with both his administration and later life.

Two and one-half centuries since John Hancock and others signed the Declaration of Independence. Have you read the document recently? Perhaps you have a copy in your home — in a seldom read book or pamphlet. Take a little time today to read and think on these men and their words. They risked their fortunes, lives, and future of their families for an idea. What would you risk?

Blog

Oh Dear…pardon me — Deer

Have you ever imagined a quiet animal in giant size?

Rendered in fiberglass instead of flesh and blood, this deer is unique to Laumeier Sculupture Park in St. Louis County. Considerably larger than life — standing twelve feet tall — this doe observes the grounds both day and night.

Real live deer also frequent the acres of the park. Study the photo and imagine a deer emerging from the woods at dusk, approaching the statue, and giving the legs a good sniff.

Wildlife art, much smaller in scale than the above, makes several appearances in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Already matted and framed, defense attorney Mandy Price uses a butterfly and thistle blossom piece for office decor. Find the book blurb and pre-order information at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

Blog

The King on the Hill

Louis IX of France lived in the wrong century to travel to America. He was admired for many fine qualities and accomplishments during his lifetime. And approximately twenty-seven years after his death he was canonized — hence the name, Saint Louis.

Fast forward to the year 1764. French traders establish a trading post on the Mississippi River, just south of the confluence with the Missouri River, and name it Saint Louis in his honor.

The city grew, became a center of manufacturing and trade until the mid-20th century. Today the city has a lower population than the surrounding St. Louis County but remains an anchor in the region. And the king on the hill?

You can find this representation of Saint Louis (aka. Louis IX) in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. He has a great view of a large portion of Forest Park.

Art is an important, yet unspoken, portion of life to Cal Collins. With a satisfying primary job of police detective, he keeps his fine artist activities quiet. However, nothing lasts forever. Seek out the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, to learn more about Cal — and the defense attorney who puts his life into turmoil.

The book is available for pre-order with shipment on April 8. Follow the link to the Barnes & Noble site: https://bit.ly/4rVvd7M