April 18d 2016

Has it really been ANOTHER week? Where has the time gone & what have I been up to you are axing ? I can splain. Here’s the encapsulated news & whut’s happening at the cloud …

Today's image is the latest project completion.

The peppermint angelfish, aka Centropyge boylei, has been spoken of often here and for weeks now while in the process of work. Last night while watching Stanley Cup playoffs, I could put no more paint on either one so I knew they were done. The one on the left is life-size while the bigger fish is slightly larger than life size.

The auction is now open & bidding has begun.

The reserve right now is $10k to get one of them off of my shelf & out of casa grande. At LEAST until I get another one done. The next one or following ones, will by definition, be better so you MAY want to wait.

The price here now in this case is firm. Like viagra firm, think FOUR (4) hour firm.

I am finding myself just staring at them looking for the smallest of flaws & finding none.

Must send copies of the image to Anthony Hillman who wrote the book AND did a special order making the pattern which is now framed on the same shelf.

Also must email a copy to Paula and Ayden at the Dallas World Aquarium for their help, enjoyment & amusement.

What else I can hear you wondering …

The job search is in high gear. Two focused & targeted emails this morning & following up with hard copy formal proposal letters. Like an alcoholic, think hitting it hard.

I went to Houston on Thursday for a visit cut short by the weather. I had planned on staying until Monday but came home Saturday morning and it was the smart move avoiding a significant and dangerous weather pattern & event.

FB reports this morning via text that last night the power was out there & local citizens were advised to stay in & remain at home. No problem I’m thinking. One of those things you don’t have to tell me twice.

While there I had a good time getting little FBNG all revved up. We started painting a spotfin butterflyfish. She put on the basic white undercoat with a bigger brush on the entire body under my watchful eye so I could spread the globs & large glops of paint smooth while encouraging her efforts.

So the next morning, she apparently got up early, went downstairs & came in to see if I was awake. She was very sad. When I axed her why she was so sad, she said she didn’t like the fish we painted. I had added the yellow color later but reassured her that it wasn’t finished yet and that she had to just wait to see it until it was done. The sort of things grandpa’s say to provide comfort to troubled young minds & put such issues to rest.

While out of town, Friday morning late the three (3) of us, FB, FBNG & Br18 visited Old Town Spring for lunch & a walk about/stroll.

What a cool, hip and charming little place. I COULD do a very long account with photos of this little adventure but duties & to-dos are begging for some attention. And winning.

We found the Little Dutch Girl, a shoppe NOT a match.com disaster, which had THEE LARGEST selection of licorice of anyplace I had ever been. I had seen such a shop on the travel channel with envy & interest. I really like black licorice and true to the ‘skip-generational’ theory, so does little FBNG. Both of her parents HATE the stuff & can only turn up their noses but she also LOVES it.

Isn’t that strange ? We had a bag of black jelly bean ‘treats’ for the occasion of my visit.

Speaking of strange, another odd event this morning. I was in the gym, for the morning geriatric workout, and turning on the radio there was a Mass in Spanish. When I tried to find the station usually on this little radio, I found the Mass again. Viewing this as an ‘omen’ or a word from God, I listened to the Spanish Mass strictly for the good of my soul, to work on & improve my Spanish. So I paid attention recognizing where I joined in progress in an attempt to prepare for the trip to Yucatan in June.

OK. During the visit the last crown (tooth) gave way & I need to make an appointment with Dr Bryant to re-glue the stupid thing. Not an emergency mind you but must, should, get it done on principle. I mean I paid a lot of money for that little thing.

So, until next time or at the WORST, next Monday, this is Bill reporting.

END OF REPORT ***