I'm getting tired of the dark, gloomy and wet weather, It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow. I am getting excited about Thanksgiving day. I spoke with Jonah, Isabella and Josie today. They're all getting happy about it also.

My own grandmother came to mind after I spoke with them. I don't remember talking that much on the phone with her when I was a child. We always had plenty to say when we were together and I do remember her calling often after I was married. I never once, doubted her love. There aren't too many people that you, or at least I, can say that about, whether it was real or imagined.

She was never mean to me, or even short-tempered with me. I was a non-stop talker as a kid. She never teased me about it, or told me that I "sound like a broken record", or ever seemed annoyed with me. It strikes me as so funny...literally... that I remember stuff like that. I must have really been a piece of work. Anyway, I found a photo that I took of her, I believe it was on her 90th birthday. It brings to mind that she was a piece of work too!

I guess the message here is, this Thanksgiving, when the bratty kids are getting on your last nerve, measure your words and give some thought to what you say, before you say it. You never know who's going to be tattling on you, on their blog, or whatever they have in the future, when they're 58 years old and reminiscing.

I probably won't be back until next week, since I'll start cooking the Italian holiday soup, "gravy" and meatballs, etc. tomorrow. Then spending time with the kids.

So, count your blessings, take lots of pictures and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Friday and Saturday nights were good nights for a movie. Friday we watched " Deja Vu", with Denzel Washington and Saturday we watched "Perfume, Story of a Murderer". We really liked both for very different reasons. Deja Vu, was surprising and the acting was great. Perfume was strange, but fascinating and disturbing. The acting was also terrific. Last night we watched "Knocked Up", which was funny and made us emotional....newborn babies can do that.

The "Taste of Radnor" yesterday, was a fun event. Danny and Laura and Celeste and Asser all went with Jay and I, since the prize for first place was six tickets to the event and a blue-ribbon. I got to meet some of the other award-winning photographers there. The various restaurants had samplings of their food, which we really enjoyed.

After, we stopped at Christopher's in Wayne for a drink and then headed home.

A new painting is in the works, so tonight I leave you with my other entry from the photo competition.

It's titled "Fearless Geese in a Fog". It was also shot in Radnor.

Jay is playing one of my favorite pieces tonight. It's Pat Metheny's "Letter from Home". Just beautiful. I've included a link to YouTube for you, so that you can hear it for yourself. Just don't get too distracted by the outfits, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5-pBkwyUxc

I got started painting last night and totally forgot to sign onto my blog. The good news is that I finally finished the painting that I've been working on for so long....well actually not working on consistenly, for so long. In any case it's here now.

"FALL LAMBS, CHESTER COUNTY, PA.", 14"X11", oil on deep, gallery-wrapped canvas, $350. framed. SOLD.

Sunday is the "Taste of Radnor" event where all of the winning photos from the recent competition will be featured and area restaurants, cafe's, etc. will be offering tastings. It's from 4P to 7P at the Connelly Center in Villanova. The link is below if you're interested in attending. I can't wait, I believe it will be a great time. After you click on the link below, click on the "Taste of Radnor" on the menu bar on the left. Hope to see you there, if not I'll have a full report on Monday. Have a terrific weekend.

http://www.tasteofradnor.com/

For directions: http://www.googlemaps.com/

First off I want to apologize for that terrible, giant font in the past couple of posts. I hope it doesn't happen to this post too. I think I corrected it. Cine Braxton, Penny Bird and I had our girl's night out tonight and of course, had dinner at Georges'. You are in luck if you get in there soon. The lobster bisque was on the menu again, apparently prepared by Chef Perrier himself. To say it was fantastic is an understatement. Don't expect it to be thick and starchy...you just have to try it. The other thing is the mushroom bisque that chef extraordinaire, Joe Frost makes. It's on the tasting menu that Cine had. The guys are even talking about it on 610 sports radio! I mean it's that good. When you get it, take a couple of tastes with your spoon. Then switch to sipping from the cup, like coffee. It becomes transformed and you will be transported. Wow, is all I will say. Since I don't have a painting for you to see tonight, I'll post a photo. I used to be a wedding photographer. One of my clients that was married six years ago called for some prints. I was going through the photos and came across some pictures from a different wedding. We were shooting post-wedding formals in a beautiful park in West Chester and the bride put her bouquet on the bench to fix her veil and train for a pose. A mother, her son and dog were walking through the park and her son came over to us, picked up the bride's bouquet and presented it to his Mom! That's your treat for tonight. 'Til tomorrow...

Well, you really must have crossed your fingers tight, because I was notified late last night

that the photo, "LITTLE BOY UNDER A BIG TREE" that I submitted for the "Taste of Radnor" photo competition won FIRST PLACE in the PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS category!

You're right, between that news and the Moet that Jay brought home tonight to celebrate, my head will be in the clouds indefinitely.

This photo is of my oldest grandson, Gabriel. I took it four years ago, when he was three. Krista my oldest daughter, was home visiting from England and Gabriel was here for one of his numerous extended visits. After going to so many of the fantastic gardens in England with Krista, I couldn't wait to show her Chanticleer, the pleasure garden close by in Radnor, PA. I knew it was so totally different than anything she'd ever seen and with her great sense of style, she'd really appreciate it. I derive so much happiness from showing people all of the wonderful secrets and hidden nuances of the place. I also planned to get a shot of Gabriel under the enormous copper beach tree, which is totally inconspicuous. I had spotted this ethereal space under this tree before when Gabriel and I were there without the right camera and noticed the way the late afternoon sun just magically glowed and wrapped it's arms around this giant tree. I knew Gabriel would be the perfect little accent.

There aren't too many shots that I have a vision for, at least that are so successful and result in more than I had hoped for. Serendipity has always played a big part in my photography. When my son Jay developed this photo in our darkroom, I knew my vision was realized. He did a fantastic job with it. I will admit that I do take pride in the fact that there is no digital enhancement at all. That's pretty rare these days.

"Little Boy Under a Big Tree" hand-printed and toned, archival, darkroom photograph, framed, $125. Sold--thank you Katie.

I'm so not ready for the holidays. I think the warm October fooled me into thinking I had way more time. How about that Thanksgiving is next week? I for sure can't get my head wrapped around that one either. Well, there has been so much going on in my life and art. I have a painting near completion, but haven't been working on it enough. My antibiotic, peroxide and UV treatments have been taking a lot of time. I feel much better. Much less pain. Jeanie came up with the kids on Friday and we worked on framing and tagging all of the paintings for my exhibit at the Gryphon Cafe' in Wayne,next month. The artist's reception will be on Sunday, December 9th, from 5:30PM to 8PM. There will be food, wine, beer and soft drinks. Consider this an invitation, because I won't have time to get the painting finished that I was going to use, then have the invitations made and sent out. I entered two photographs in "The Taste of Radnor" competition. They were judged earlier this evening...keep your fingers crossed. One of my paintings,"Clam Shell, Quail Eggs & Blue Jay Feather" , was used by El Colegio De Sonora, for the cover of a book titled, "Soy Pescadora de almejas...". And finally: Gabriel got the lead part in the Christmas play at his school...of course, he's the angel Gabriel, what else! I'll be back tomorrow with more. 'Nite.