Hello from Cleveland

Thanks again to all of you for your very kind comments and prayers on my father in law's behalf. He is in stable condition. We are waiting on test results from a lung tissue biopsy that was done a few days ago. Though still on the ventilator, his breaths per minute have decreased, which is a good sign as he was hyperventilating last week and unable to breathe normally.

I am still here in Cleveland at Training, but will head back home on Friday and will be able to finally get to your spring kits -- I plan to have them all shipped by Monday next week -- so thanks again for your patience. I do appreciate it. I have been reading A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle to pass the evenings in the hotel. It's wonderful-- I know it's quite old, but I didn't read it when it first came out -- and so it's a great treat to be able to read it now. He's a very engaging, witty writer and I have that sense of delight one gets when you discover a treasure of a book.

I have really missed blogging. Right before all the craziness happened, I was in touch briefly with Oregon-based artist Bonnie Taylor-Talbot. Bonnie is living proof that our most cherished dreams can be realized after the age of 40. I came across Bonnie's stunning work in my last issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine, and I was completely bowled over by its uniqueness and charm. Bonnie is a self-taught artist who at the age of 44, began painting on boards with house paint colors she mixed herself. That was 12 years ago. Now she's moved on to acrylic on canvas with hand stamped words on most of her paintings. She has a true eye for beauty -- and much of her work shows an affinity for things French - Paris grates, crowns, chickens and chandeliers. Anyone can relate to her paintings - whether your tastes run along the lines of the quaint and provincial or the refined and elegant, there is something for everyone. Each piece is truly remarkable. Bonnie was kind enough to permit me to post some thumbnails of her artwork on my blog here, and I am happy to share it with you -- be sure to check out her website where you can see the rest of her work (you can increase the photo size on her site) and buy prints or original pieces, at www.ipaintpictures.com. Happy Hump Day, hope you enjoy the rest of your week. I will update again, as soon as spring kits go out.

Comments

[Jan Olson]

Ranjini,
It's good to hear things are looking up and that your Father in Law is stable. I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the delightful pics of Bonnie Taylor-Talbot. It's never too late to live your dreams. Take care of yourself.
Jan

[Alisa]

Ranjini, so happy to hear good news about your father-in-law. Hope training is going well and thanks for sharing about Bonnie and her wonderful paintings.
Alisa