What Fills My Plate

This blog post will include some of my latest paintings that have just arrived from the framer.  I rarely get to show them matted in a frame.  I will include a short description with each one. There is a river near Puerto Vallarta, quite close to where Elizabeth Taylor made a movie.  This house was set in the jungle, and I added the lady with her laundry, changed much of the foliage and added the boat. Joan of Arc received the leadership of the army of France in this castle, Chinon, France.  Chinon is also known for its wonderful red wine. The old center of Chania, Greece, has tiny streets and the architecture is Venetian.  I found this priest added much to the feeling of this composition.  But to me, it is all about that blue door. Budapest is a beautiful city and we found this not so old castle with a lot of charm.   This is also found at that castle in Budapest, on the right side of the last painting.    An old church in St. Petersbur...

 Ciao tutti, Hello everyone. Several years ago I visited the house of Marco Polo in Venezia Today I am looking out my window and seeing a blue sky and the day is just about as perfect as it could be.  However, in a few hours the rain will arrive in the big clouds that are building over the volcanic hills nearby.  We have had a wonderful August and September this year.  If we had tourists, they would be having a memorable visit.  Now is the perfect time to paint Italy, no tourists in the scenery.   Yesterday I voted in Italy's election.  The process is about the same as in the United States, but the lines are not as long and everything seems to go faster.  Elections here are held on weekends so that everyone has a chance to vote.  A second day is open for voting on Mondays.  Many merchants who have small shops do not have them open on Monday morning, so this helps them to have the time to vote.   Upon arriving at the middle...

  Country Road Scenery Slovenia There is a magical place in the small country of Slovenia.  Slovenia is located just above and to the right of Italy.  This posting will attempt to show you just how special it is.   4 Hours From Our Home Is Kog We went to a tiny village called Kog, located in the upper right hand corner near the boarders of Croatia, Hungary and just a bit farther one can find Austria.  Therefore, you can expect that the houses in Slovenia to look quite a bit like ones you will find in those countries.  Many are covered with flowers near windows and in front to greet everyone with a smile and a good feeling.  Rows and Rows of Vines   Kog is famous for a wine maker named Milan Hlebec, and this area is called Jeruzalem Road.  The hills are crammed with grape vines of many types, and if the hillsides are touched by the sun, there will be vines.  You will find other crops growing, but mostly for family use.  Most of ...

  We turn our backs on vacation today and return to our small village.   It has been hot there and I am afraid that   my zucchini plants have not survived.   We leave this small campsite paradise and the small mosquitos who have learned to find my juiciest parts in which to feast.   It has been a peaceful 10 days, a time of beautiful sights, great food and many catch up naps. Yesterday we witnessed a whole morning of people from other countries is Europe leaving the massive campground near the beach.   The cars and vans drove past us non stop, being forced to leave because their countries suddenly listen Croatia as an orange zone.   This meaning the when they return they must quarantine for two weeks or take a test.   Some, in order to stay will take the 80 euro test here from a   clinic.   The rest have deserted   the campsite more looking like a ghost town after the gold vein peters out. Imagine 2,000 people suddenly heading for t...

Polished Cart In Hills Near Our Home Here we are at the end of July and activities in northern Italy are almost back to normal.  People wear masks when they leave their home and use them when around other people.   They remove them once inside their cars.  Lines at the pharmacy and the post office stay maintained to be spaced  two meters between each other.  They have placed a tear off number for knowing who is next.  This is good for Italians as we have folks who sometimes conveniently forget who is next.    Covid Cases in Italy  Our daily skies have been the bluest I can remember, due to the lack of smog.  We went almost two months with no freeway/autostrada traffic as everyone stayed home.  Now a majority of people are back to work, with some still working at home.  This is because there is still a risk of contacting the virus, so the less people together, the better. Cases in Regions (Veneto) Our cases remain so much l...

In The Hills Near My Home For awhile the lack of sound, day and night, day after day brought an immense tranquility to my life.   Brought on by the fear of what the virus could do in our lives, it changed all of us.   Even the birds seemed to be quiet.   No cars moved, the autostrada was vacant, it seemed unreal.   Many days there was no wind, no rain, and I looked out my window and saw no one walking, with the exception of those who had dogs.   It was a bad sci fi movie. Now the people of Italy have been given a modified green light to move, but   with protection, and a stern warning to use distance when with others.   The economy is now back in business and we all hope that none of us will contract the disease and face the consequences of facing an end apart from our loved ones. Today I saw a photo of a man holding a bass trombone, much like the one I own.   He looked happy, pleased like most trombone players.   (There is a d...

grapes on left side Yesterday the Italian authorities relaxed the stay at home rule and allowed people to go no more than 200 meters from their home.  This caused many to go out for a small passeggiata.  We live near the edge of a village that is bordered with vines for white wine, and fields of wheat.  You can see the volcanic hills are not far, and the soil there helps produce some of the best red wines in the Veneto. As you can see, the freeway was quite empty of cars for a Sunday at 6;30.  Usually at that time people are headed back from a trip out away from home.  It is better for drivers on a Sunday as trucks are not allowed on the autostrada.  You will see them lined up at truck stops, waiting for Monday as they head north to Austria, Slovenia, or  south to Firenze and Roma. Hungry American Families In Line for free food I have asked my friends to write and tell us what they are experiencing where they live.  Everyone has ...