This is just one of the photos I took at Hidden Lake Gardens this weekend.  It’s not perfect….but I like it.  I took this photo the day my uncle died.  So this one is for him.  Love you Hector.

My Uncle Hector from Corpus Christi, TX died last night from cancer.  In the words of Norman Maclean, “Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it.  The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time.  On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops.  Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.”  Hector is gone from this world but still lives in my heart and mind.

“Nuthatch”, Linocut, 6×8

I plan on hand painting this when it is dry.  It should be ready to sleeve and or frame by next months Art-A-Licious Festival in downtown Adrian, Sept 19th and 20th.  I also plan on donating one of the prints to the Stubnitz Environmental Education Center fund raising auction on Sept. 27.

It’s been a rough week.  I came down with a cold, but that’s nothing.  I’ve been thinking about and praying for my Uncle Hector who is battling Cancer.  Last night I spent the night at Devils Lake.  I woke up early, with a sore throat and runny nose.  I kissed Kayleen and headed home.  I thought about my parents who left their home in Tennessee for Corpus Christi, TX last night.  I made a quick stop at the gas station on the corner of Round Lake Hwy and US 223.  The golfers across the street at the Devils Lake Golfcourse were laughing.  The world didnt seem to care that my uncle is taking his last breaths of life.  I drove on and stopped at Hidden Lake Gardens.  A friend asked me to stop by to pick up two Paw Paw trees that she had get rid of.  While there I decided to go for a walk.  I walked through the demonstration garden.  I walked through the Conifer Collection.  I walked around Hidden Lake.  It was early and the dew was still on the flowers.  I’m glad I had my camera.  I walked through the Arid House and thought of my Uncle Hector.  The dry desert plants always make me think of Texas.  While walking through the Hosta Hillside I stopped to listen to the water coming down the man made cascade of rocks.  I looked up and saw a small yellow bird.  It wasnt a goldfinch.  What was it?  I looked closer.  It was a Hooded Warbler….the first Hooded Warbler I have ever seen.  It flew away.  I walked on.  My cold was telling me to go home.  I picked up the Paw Paw trees and headed back to Tecumseh.  There was work to be done at home.  My goal for the day was to trim the bushes around the house.  It took most of the day, but I’m glad it’s done.  The yard looks good to me.  I cleaned the birdbath.  I put seed in the feeders.  I took a shower, ate some soup and fell asleep on the couch for three hours.  The cool night air coming through the window feels good.  Tomorrow I will call my parents to check on Uncle Hector.

This is one of the photos I took for the creation of the linocut.  The owners, Carol and Duane Flint are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.  I love everything about their store, the creaky wood floors, the smell of sweet tobacco and fresh popcorn.  If I get a chance I’ll stop by the Historical Museum downtown and get some historical information and post it here.  

I added the side and bottom text in Photoshop for the Art-A-Licious Festival.  This image might be used for a t-shirt design.

While Kayleen was in Chicago this week I’ve been playing on YouTube.  Here’s a slide show of my work.

Arte Goyo Slide Show

“Chaloners”, Linocut, 8×10 

 I finished this quick lino-cut on Friday.  Chaloner’s Tobacco store is in downtown Adrian and two doors down from the LCVA Gallery.  I’ve known the owners since the 80’s.  They are good folks and I love visiting them.  I buy my Fly Tyer Magazines there and always grab a bag of fresh popcorn and cold Coke.  I used to smoke cigars more than I do now, but I did have one this weekend.  My friend gave me a Classic Acid cigar and I have to admit it was pretty good.  I’m tempted to go out and buy a few this weekend, but they seem to taste better when they are free..ha!  Anyway, I did this for the Art-a-licious Festival this Fall.

I’ve been thinking about the Gull a lot this summer.  A lot of people think these birds are “crappy”, literally.  I admit this one has done his fair share of pooping on the pontoon boat.  But, that’s what lake living is all about.  I look past this fellas diarrhetic issues and think about it’s other qualities.  I love looking up into the blue and watching gulls circle high in the sky…their faint white silhouettes appearing and disappearing as I squint to see them.  On night-time boat cruises, gulls are like ghosts, floating in large numbers……barely discernible in the darkness.  And, what about the gull’s yalp?…a sound of summer, of water, of sun.  

This photo was taken at Devil’s Lake on Sunday.  I fished a little this weekend…before and after a friend’s wedding vow renewal at Hidden Lake Gardens.  I also finished a novel by Edward Abbey, “A Fools Progress”.  Ed is a strange bird himself.  They call him the Thoreau of our age.  I’m not sure he is as poetic but he certainly had passion.  Anyway, I’m on my 5th Abbey book and intend to read them all eventually.

A little over a week ago I went to Silver Lake Recreation Area near Pickney, MI to hike some trails and take some photos.  I tried to sneak up on a few Towhees with no success.  Then I noticed this Towhee singing on a high branch without a care in the world.  Later that day I stopped by Dexter’s Side Door Gallery to see Valerie Mann’s “Fortunes” installation.  I feel fortunate to know such talented local artists like Valerie.  She’s a busy woman.  I believe she has work in three places….Ann Arbor, Dexter and Blissfield.  I’m hoping to see them all if time permits.

Ok, now I need to get back to work on a new linocut.  I put my bird project on hold to do a print of Chaloners Tobacco and magazine store in downtown Adrian….one of my favorite hangouts.  This print will be used…if it turns out…for the Art-a-licous Festival in September.