Dear People,
Ian, website honcho, just informed me that I normally write monthly some news or nonsense and that I didn’t yet in March. It seems that, at times, the word solitaire gets in the way of my writing or doing other meaningful things. I call it thinking time but Jan has other words for it. Reminds me of a story of our life and a time I just narrowly got by remaining alive.

When we first moved to Georgia in about 1972 Jan was painting and I, at the desk, was reading the newspaper. Things were going real well so I assumed I could risk some bad humor. Jan, with paintbrush in hand, walked over and said, “Gil, I was thinking…” I interrupted and said, “You paint, I’ll do the thinking.” She turned and went right back to painting. Too many seconds passed, and with every future second I knew my future happiness was in jeopardy. All at once she whirled around with arm muscles visible and protruding she said, “Don’t you ever tell me to quit thinking. Who do you think you are? I have rights and I have thoughts and you aren’t the privileged one even though you think you are”, and on and on. It was not funny and I had a difficult time trying to explain that it was a joke. Needless to say our life is not all bliss. I am not always funny and fun. Jan has some very dear and profound thoughts and ideas that have been very important in our lives. Believe me this is true.

We just concluded our Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio showing of Jan’s paintings at the Sheraton. It was fun and successful and only four hours each day. On Saturday we had people there all day long. Not many but just nice. Sunday was not as busy. Times have changed. Before the bubble and 9/11 people would visit and laugh and see and enjoy. Now most everyone who showed up bought paintings. Few did not buy. I’d rather have more people just visit and enjoy. We try not to exude pressure and don’t feel we do. It’s just less happy these days. Come to think of it it’s like Jan says I shop. I go and say I want a blue shirt. The sales person shows one and I buy it and leave. I guess I’m a man hunter type and Jan is a gatherer type shopper and people today are like me, heaven forbid.

We will have news of shows forthcoming soon. When we know, I’ll tell you, and until then I do wish you happiness and joy in living this life we’re given.