I sold a painting!

I got a call yesterday from Endeavor Gallery, where I have 3 paintings on display, saying that several tourists came in on their way to Tombstone and one of them bought this painting! A total stranger! 

I am so thankful for the half dozen family members and friends who have been kind enough to also want a painting of mine, but it just feels amazing that someone walked through a gallery and looked at 100+ pieces of art, and chose mine! I never thought it would happen. Endeavor Gallery post

The gallery wants me to bring down a replacement, so I'm taking my barrel cactus. 

On the subject of art, Sam has also gotten creative lately. He took this photograph of dappled light on a folder several weeks ago.

Then he cropped it and added his considerable artistic touch. What do you think? (I think it's pretty cool!)

Sam drove the 8th grade class to a year-end field day at the park a few weeks ago.

 

The kids had a lot of fun. 

On the last day of school, Sam went all out with a new mohawk. Thankfully, my hairdresser Debbie did the hair part. Sam found Benson Bobcat cutouts and white, red and blue spray. I only had to apply the paint. Everyone loved it.

The hair style is catching on! One of Sam's coworkers got a mohawk, along with his two young sons.

Sam continues to win votes for best bus driver. No surprise there!

That evening was the 8th grade "promotion" to high school. This year Sam had eight 8th graders on his bus, so we wanted to be there.

The following evening was high school graduation and Andy's daughter (of our favorite restaurant, Mi Casa) was salutatorian and gave a speech. 

It ended with fireworks, which were great!

We've had a few visitors lately. Ben and Kathy drove down for a few days and it was wonderful to visit and see them in person. 

The best times were a couple of leisurely walks, just like old times when the whole family got together. 

Some things never change. Which is good.

We also had a visit from Wayne and Maxine, friends from the RV resort where we used to live. 

They're special and it was fun to show them our ranch. Maxine left me a few plants; thank you, Maxine!

We have a funny story about Mom. Don't let her know we told you. Oh, wait, she won't remember anyway!

One of her daily snacks, actually the only thing she still makes for herself, is bread and jam. Last week she ran out of jam and went searching the refrigerator for a replacement. 

Sam keeps a few condiments in Ma's fridge that only he eats. Mom pulled out this squeeze bottle of habanero honey mustard. Sam says it is so hot he can't eat much of it. She generously topped her bread with it and began to eat. I came in halfway through and her eyes were watering. I told her she didn't have to eat it all, but she kept going. Her only comment was, don't let any small children get ahold of this stuff!

Needless to say, Sam's hot sauces are now hidden on the bottom shelf, including this one with an appropriately descriptive name!

I hope to show you our garden in a week or so, but meanwhile I've made a few friends lately on my morning walks. 

These two handsome dudes live on a back road without much traffic and were very curious about me.

This jackrabbit let me walk close by him before he bounded off.

The lone deer, on the other hand, was very skittish. We know there are deer around, but we rarely see them, so it's a treat. 

We hear our quail a lot, and often see them as well. This is a scaled quail (Sam's "spirit animal").

I'm sure you can see the resemblance. 

Have a great summer, everyone. I hope to see you again soon.