Accidental Anneversary Sculpt

Ladies and Gentlemen...
Boys and Girls...
Children of All Ages,

Hello.

Hope you all have been doing well.

I do believe that I am back from my hiatus. So much has happened since last we spoke. I will touch on some of it today, not all, wouldn't want anyone falling asleep. :)

Let's see...where to start, where to start. And these are by no means in any particular order. Just whatever happens to populate my head.....

June 25th my son was in a car accident. Scared the bejesus out of me. His car was totaled but fortunately he is ok. He was banged up and bruised - slammed his face into the air bagged steering wheel. The call came with no other information than 'he's being rushed to the hospital'. You know, the one that's over an hour away. Which only made the feeling of dread that much worse. Discovered afterwards that this particular hospital is the one that handles 'traumas of his level'. We waited, and waited, and waited while they tested and x-rayed to make sure there were no injuries that couldn't be seen. In the end, he was stiff and his face hurt. Headaches for a couple weeks after. I am just thankful that's all it was. Ryan, I love you!

There have been a couple of birthdays, Lawton and Sally's. A bar-b-q and a bar. Don't worry, didn't take Lawton to the bar. LOL. And an anniversary. Sally and I have been married for 22 years. Sally and I went out for a nice dinner. Nothing fancy, just the two of us. Had a great time. And Jenifer is getting huge! It's almost time for my new grand daughter to make an appearance. Just a few more weeks. :)

Lawton's eighth birthday!

Sally's bar bash (i was taking pictures and was the DD)

We were on vacation at the beginning of July. We went hiking at a couple of the state parks here in Georgia. We have a map and we are checking off parks each time we go. I think we've done 8 or so. We went to Panola Mountain State Park and to High Falls State Park. Panola Mountain had some really amazing fungi. We also spent time working on the decks around the house (not vacation stuff, I know, but when else would it get done?). Got the front deck (porch) power washed and waterproofed. Got a good bit of the back deck done, still a long way to go though. 

Panola Mountain Fungus 

more fungus

and a granite outcropping. this just dropped over the

side and into the forest. it was huge

the remnants of the old mill at High Falls State Park

the falls - taken from a walk way that extended into the river

the other side of the river (across the road from the falls)

and of course, fungus

amazing how much dirt is actually there  YUK!

Made a trip to the Renaissance Festival. Yes, I got dressed and then didn't get one picture of my garb. Duh, what was I thinking? Other than, 'OMG it's hot!' It was scorching when we went. I took off half of my clothes within an hour of being there. Everyone had a good time though. 

the opening ceremony

Jenifer and Perry on the dragon ride. the guy that pushes

the ride just looked at us like we were all insane  :)

Jenifer made new friends. they were pushy too!

the lord mayor and some wandering gargoyles

During vacation I started my third batch of mead. It has been named Gypsy. It only seems fitting considering the amount of ingredients it has....

Spring Water, Orange Blossom Honey, papaya, apricots, hazel nuts, vanilla beans, orange peel, coriander seeds, grains of paradise seeds, ginger and rainier cherries. 

I did the first rack earlier today and it smelled fantastic. The reading was 1.002, which puts the alcohol level at 11.95%. When I removed the fruit bag I was shocked to discover that the process had turned the cherries 'white'. Never seen that before, live and learn I guess. HA!

all the goodies going in...

removing the fruit bag, gooey mess!

and the discolored cherries - kind of reminds me of olives

I've also been working on a new painting in Corel. So far, so good! I've really been happy with the results to this point (granted, it's not finished yet). And I have also been sculpting. It's a mask I am working on, for HALLOWEEN of course. I can't believe how close it is already. I guess that happens when your head is in a fog. :) I have no 'sneak peaks' of the painting but I do have some of the sculpt. I am happy with it so far...

measurements laid out...

base layer of clay

blocking in larger shapes

teeth roughed in

smoothed out over all...

adding cracks and details...

this is where it is as of Saturday night

I just realized that I've had more daily visitors since I haven't posted than when I did....not sure how to take that one. Maybe you're all just checking up on me. Yup, that's a good answer, and I'm sticking with it. 

Well, I do believe that's all for now. Until next time....

Be Good, Be Safe, Be Happy!

TTFN

p.s. I think I hear pumpkins! HAHAHA! (it's better than hearing voices, isn't it??)