My Favorites - Ice Cream

It is officially Hurricane season in Florida.  In 2004 right after Gary and I moved here, Florida was hit with four hurricanes.  Frances was a BIG one and we left town until it was over.  While hiding out in Savannah we found a cute little ice cream shop to sweeten the experience.

Pen & Ink 4 - Birds 3

Since I really enjoy doing pen & ink and love birds I decided I'd try doing a couple more drawings similar to the two I previously completed.


Pen & Ink Drawing - Nesting bird

Pen & Ink Drawing - Baby Bird 

The Word 6

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

My Favorites - Dancing Birds

On another trip to the Black Point Bird Refuge I was lucky enough to capture a couple of birds trying to impress each other in dance.  Although I'm not 100% sure, I believe the birds are Snowy Egrets.

The Word 5

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.


Psalm 25:4-5

Just Black & White 13 - Betty

It’s time to meet Betty.  Betty was my neighbor and became a good friend.  We first met when I was cleaning out the rain gutters at the condo we were living in while our home was being built.  She saw me and jokingly asked if I would do hers as well and was a bit surprised when I picked up the ladder and walked over to her yard.  From that day forward we became very good friends.  Betty was in her eighties and had a unique personality.  She was not afraid to speak her mind and most times you had to take her with a grain of salt.  I learned a lot from Betty during the time we spent together since she was very well read and enjoyed the cultural events that both Gary and I love.  This picture is one I took at her eighty-seventh birthday party and knew I had to put my pencils to it.

Betty Montrose

Betty was a very independent lady living on her own, driving her car, playing pinochle with a group of ladies weekly and doing all she could to keep active.  Unfortunately time caught up with her and her health started going down hill.  I was blessed to be there to help when she needed to go to the doctors office and hospital visits.  This picture is the black and white I worked from in my drawing.

Betty in Black & White

Betty’s family didn’t live here in Florida and she finally had to be moved to Minnesota to reside in an assisted living facility close to where her son lived.  We continued to keep in touch but Betty finally passed on to a better life.  I miss her still and want to dedicate this drawing to a very special lady.

My Friend Betty

My Favorites - Red, White & Blue

Two years ago my husband Gary was able to get a pass to take us to a Shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center, Pad 39.  It was an opportunity we couldn't pass up and we were able to get closer to the launch site than the news media.  Although I wasn't able to get very good shots of the launch itself, I did get this shot three minutes into it.  Checking with Gary, my very own rocket engineer, I was told this is called an exhaust plume.  I thought since tomorrow is July the 4th and this coming Friday is the last Shuttle launch and the plume was red, white & blue, it was a fitting picture to post.


Shuttle Exhaust Plume