Dear Website Friends,

Our web guy Ian says it’s time to write again and tell you what is happening. As always, we have good news and bad news. The good news is that we had a very successful show at Armonk, N.Y. It is so faith-renewing to find another show, all volunteers, interested in providing the best art available to their community and not just a need to gouge artists.

Armonk Outdoor Art Show is wonderful. Jan said we were “youthfully challenged”, which is true, so they placed us at the beginning of the show with easy unload and load capabilities. The show is so well organized. Proceeds go to the local library. It is a total community project. The art work was wonderful, the crowds knowledgeable and discerning. When Jan’s work is well received in a show full of wonderful art, it makes us realize she is an excellent artist. The weekend was a window of cool weather, but rain on both sides. We’ll take the temperature drop anytime before rain! We always try to help new shows or shows put on by friends, but to be successful, we need to be with the big boys at shows with high quality, high traffic, and astute buyers. That we had at Armonk.

We stayed a couple days with our old friends Michael and Lynn Cox at their home near Woodstock. Gil got the couple together about seven years ago. They are still love birds in their home nest at the end of the road, as Michael likes it. Mike did not want to live the rest of his life single but (as Gil says) did not know how to date. Gil got him six dates and the sixth was the lucky number. Lynn, the daughter of Misko, an artist friend, wanted a responsible bohemian. That’s “the Mike”. We are so happy for them. We gave them a belated wedding present when we were there. Jan almost never paints castle/fairytale paintings but did one and we decided it was right to represent their union. Love both of them.

Now, Gil had a little rash before leaving Michigan for the show. He said nothing (being the Viking he is) and loaded the van and waited for Jan to pack the suitcases with enough clothes for the winter. In Ohio, Laurie (a friend and nurse) was reluctantly shown the rash. She said, “you have shingles”. I thought, “So what!”. I struggled through the visit to the Cox house and the show before allowing myself to be sick. Now, if you ever had shingles, you know what I’m talking about. There is pain. Then there is also a different pain I call lightening pain. It is like a spear entering your body and delivering a bolt of hurt. I’ve never felt Tylenol should be taken ’round the clock, but now I think sometimes it might not be a bad idea. Finally I am better. The one doctor said it was the worst case of shingles he had seen in years. I don’t know…for about ten days there was little pain, probably due to my not allowing it ’til the show was over. Finally got to stop feeling it and think healthy! It isn’t terminal to the best of my knowledge. Jan is living through it. When you are as close as we are, the other party suffers along with the bearer of the illness.

We can’t wait until our nest is back in order, clothes all washed and put away, letters answered, photos of paintings sent to new owners, paintings back in the studio followed by some deserved rest. Maybe next week we will be able to get to the creating and framing and fun in living at home with some phone calls from people wanting to come see what we have. We also miss our Monday pizza nite at Thompson’s with our friends. Gil wants to get serious about Go Blue and the future of the rivalry with the Buckeyes. Tigers are wonderful. Screw the lions. They have been zoo animals for too long and need to get hungry but won’t. They get fed regularly and too much…

One business owner at Armonk thinks the note cards are a perfect gift for those needing notice but not a huge present for the holidays. The order is on the way. It’s time for you to think similarly. Note cards for noteworthy people. How’s that for marketing? Finally getting back to the positive and do hope you are too. Election is soon. Please take it seriously.

Love,
Gil
(With Jan looking over my shoulder)