Abstract art

I have some new paintings, unlike my previous paintings. These are my first attempt at abstract art, fun but I don't know that I have the knack yet. These paintings are on display at Kerbey Lane Cafe in South Austin on Wm Cannon Dr. Go by and view the exhibit by Artists of the South Corridor.

Trip to Kansas

We drove to Ellinwood, Kansas with our friend, Norlin Razak.  I stayed with my cousin, Gerry Menges, who I had not seen in over 40 years.  We reminised about our childhoods and tried to catch up on our lives since seeing each other.  We have been keeping in touch by email for years so it was not all that hard to catch up with current items.  I met 3 of her children, 1 grandchild and 2 greats.  She had just lost her husband in April and is still mourning his lose.  They own a wholesale fireworks business which keeps her and her son very busy.  We visited the cemetery at Ellinwood and located our great-grandparents from Germany tombstones as well as other Kleins who may be relatives, then we went to Sts. Peter and Paul cemetary out in the country, where we found more Klein tombstones, including the great-grandparents son, Casper.  We then went to the Ellinwood library where we found a write-up and pictures of the great-grandparents.  (I have posted all this on Ancestry.com)  From Ellinwood we traveled to Wichita where we stayed with my nephew, Bill and wife Carla, to attend the White family reunion.  So many cousins to visit, it was great.  I got more information for Ancestry.com. Took many photos to post.  Our friend Norlin stayed with friends and had a good visit.

Vacations

On our trip to Kansas I was able to go to the Ellinwood cemetery and found my great-grandparents from Germany tombstones.  Also I found pictures of them at the Library.  They were among the first 12 families to settle in Sts. Peter and Paul, outside Ellinwood.  Next we went to Virginia to visit our son and family.  Visited the National Zoo yesterday.  Great place. 

Vacations

We are planning two vacations in June.  The first will be to Kansas where we will visit a cousin I haven't seen in over 40 years and hopefully find some additional ancestry information for my mother's family.  (Do you ever watch "Who Do You Think You Are?)  My great grandmother and great grandfather from Germany may be buried in the little town where my cousin lives, Ellinwood, Kansas, and I hope to visit their graves and take photos for my Ancestry.com website.  From there we will go to Wichita for the White family reunion (my father's family) and visit my nephew and sister-in-law, plus all the relatives who come to the reunion.  I will certainly miss my cousin, Nina, who passed away this year and was always at the family reunions.  We are traveling with a friend who also has friends in Ellinwood and Wichita.  Later in the month we will travel to Virginia to visit our son and his family.  We are looking forward to a driving trip to Virginia since we have always flown and I am anxious to see that part of the country.

Last day

Yesterday was my last day at work and now I can play or paint.  My Weight Watchers is going good but I have only lost 2 pounds so far.  I am not giving up, I will lose weight.  Painting, I am trying to find exactly what I want to paint next.  Landscapes or abstracts, I don't know yet, but I will post whatever I come up with as soon as I finish painting.

Weight Watchers

I have joined Weight Watchers and I'm hoping to lose some weight for health and vanity.  We are planning a trip to Kansas the first part of June and then to Virginia later in June and I would like to be a little thinner by then.  Just 4 more days to work and I will be retired again.  I am tired of this job and glad to see it end.  I want to get back to painting.  Bought some new canvases Saturday and anxious to get started putting some paint on them.

Snow

The Backporch and path

The front yard

Driveway and yard

Front yard, driveway and street

I am well aware that everyone in the North and Midwest have had a lot of snow, but we rarely get any snow and we did early this morning.  I am including photos of our 1 inch snow.  Not really very impressive to someone in Chicago I know, but here they are.