Want to see me draw a quick sketch? Here you go..

I did this quick sketch on a little program online, nothing fancy, didn't take the time to make it look totally polished, but you get the idea. It's me drawing in almost real time. Sometimes it will seem like I stopped but it's just me erasing or blending a color or two. Set the speed bar to fast (it pops up if your cursor is at the bottom of the drawing while in play mode).










And yet another. The quality of these drawings isn't optimal due to the program being rough, I have to work very quickly, as it closes without warning and loses the pic. Plus, the eraser is ROUGH edged. Ugh. Still, it's fun to do:





Here's a video of me being interviewed by a national news reporter in a fancy Florida penthouse for a promo piece a few years ago:

Mom & Dad's Kittens are the Cutest Ever

Pansy looking for something to play with.

Smoke looking like a deer in headlights.

This is Felix, Master of the Basket


Recently I was at my parents' house for the weekend, and got aquainted with the most adorable kittens..Felix, Pansy and Smoke. I thought mom and dad were crazy at first to keep all three of them (born from a stray they took in, they named Nike) but now I support their decision, as they are just so fun. Little balls of fur who play, charge down the hall at 100mph and come by to take a nap on your lap at will. Awww.

I think mom and dad need a farm out in the country, near me somewhere. I live in the sub-suburbs out where life is quaint and slow, with Amish all around. This would be great to get the whole family out here to be in the country air, away from the city and with more room to move. The kittens are doing great, and love the cat tree I got mom and dad's older cat, Cinny. Cinny, on the other hand, isn't sure what to think of these little guys. He likes them at a distance. He's older, more dignified and used to being the center of attention. He's doing pretty well considering kittens play all around him. He gets annoyed but then joins in the fun after awhile. I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em :)

Cinny the Prince

The New Harry Potter Movie is Almost Here

Trailer


I'm a big Harry Potter fan and am looking forward to the release of this movie. Having read all the books, I know what happens, but it will still be great to see it come to life onscreen.

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Farewell to the King of Pop

Today was Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles. I watched it on TV and was moved. It was a beautiful service, fitting for the King of Pop. He would've been so proud of his family and friends for doing such a lovely job to put it all together.

It's so sad, to lose such a talented person with a gift that was evident from the very start. I was a little girl when the Jackson Five came into the public spotlight. And they were everywhere, on tv, on lunchboxes, on the radio and more. It was great music and my parents and I liked it all. As time went on, I grew up watching and hearing about MJ and his songs, scandals and families. To me, he was a sensitive and misunderstood person who was so naiive that people took advantage of him. He was his gift, there was no separation. Being born with a profound talent is a lifelong responsibility to use it well and to nurture it. And that he did. There was nobody who was a better showman than Michael Jackson. Everything he did came naturally to him, and he was a perfectionist. Being one myself, I can relate with the perfectionistic personality, and how hard it is to live up to it. He worked hard, very hard, and showed the world the best performances possible. I have total respect for him, and will choose to remember him for the good things he did. Those who focus on the negative are just cruel. This was a man who gave the world so much and wasn't given enough credit for all the good things he did.

Now that MJ is gone, he'll never know how much the world loves him. He would've loved it. I am one of many fans, but not a fanatic, just a regular fan. I cried watching his little daughter making a statement at the end of the service. Those kids are just so young to have to undergo such a loss. They will be well cared for with the Jackson family, who seem so warm and caring. I hope Debbie Rowe slips away and leaves them alone. Those kids don't need the hassle of a court fight over them after losing the only parent they've ever known. She wouldn't even send them birthday cards. My heart goes out to the whole family. You've been through so much with this and may you heal in peace. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.

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Rest in peace, stars

Today not one but two major stars died, both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I'm not surprised about Farrah who had been gravely ill but Michael Jackson's death was a shock. Both of them were way too young, it's so sad. Recently Ed McMahon died too, all of them were total fixures on tv as I was growing up. May they all rest in peace.

It just goes to prove how fragile life really is and how we can't take even one day for granted. It appears cliche but it isn't, we must value the time we have on this earth since we never truly know how much we or our family members have. It's all about living life to the fullest, in whatever way works for us. For me it was travelling a lot in my twenties and thirties, now it's working hard and enjoying my pets, friends and family. Life has more meaning now than ever. It's scary to see people we all grew up with die, still we go on. Life sure does throw us curve-balls. I feel for the families of Farrah and Michael, who have to grieve in the public eye. Especially Ryan O'Neal and son Redmond. They suffered as Farrah fought for her life and now this. This is a sad day for not only the entertainment world but all who grew up seeing these familiar faces on tv. We all grieve.

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Springtime in Northeast Ohio

Beau loves the new place. Here he waits for sun to hit a prism ball so he can chase the resulting rainbows.


Here he springs into action, pouncing on everything.



He's done chasing things (sunbeams went away) so he's catching up on some tv. Here he's watching Martha Stewart.

It's a gorgeous spring morning here in Ohio. Sparrows are chirping in the trees outside my place, they do this every day, as my cats watch with interest. The temperatures are so comfortable, not too hot or cold. Nothing beats northern Ohio in the warm months. I don't miss Florida at all, not one bit. Between high humidity, bugs and a large criminal population, where I was living was truly Hell on earth. How great it is not to need to deal with hurricanes anymore, as well. The cats, too, love the new, cooler climate. They are so much happier in every way. My parents come over frequently and give them lots of love, too, which they really like.

Today I go to a store that I used to go to weekly when I lived in Solon. It's been years since I lived in Ohio so it feels so good to get back to somewhat of the same routine, one I've craved for a long time. Marc's is a true Cleveland area institution, a store full of deep markdown items, all quality and most top name brand. These folks find closeout items that are worthy of buying, and offer them at amazing low prices. They even have a full grocery store along with other stuff, it's a wonderful place. After paying top dollar for everything in Florida (and not having easy access to good quality discount places) I am grateful to be back to what I know and love.

I think I'll go downstairs for a latte, it's addictive living above a really great coffee house. After a glorious morning of coffee and shopping I'll be paying bills and deep in computer code learning/writing purgatory so I'm enjoying myself to the fullest until then. An Amish buggy just went by my windows. They do that all the time, it's such a wonderful sound hearing horse hoofbeats go by.

I don't miss the city craziness at all. It's nice to live away from fast paced city but have easy access to it if needed. Computer and cable access make living further out possible for me now. Working hard isn't a chore but fun, why I work so incredibly hard all the time to draw and create. Taking time out for other stuff just recharges my energy, giving me momentum to do more. This is my calling in life, and nothing else makes me happier. Life is good.



Fluffy fell asleep watching sparrows here in my office.



Beau is King of the convection oven.

We're Back in Ohio and Loving Every Minute of It

It's been over a week now that I've been living in beautiful, glorious Ohio again. I'm in the sub-suburbs where the air is fresh and nature is all around, but am 40 minutes from my parents and all the great shopping places, and only 15 minutes from my hometown of Chagrin Falls. I live in a small but elegant village called Burton, which is full of life and nice people. It's a total contrast to Pinellas County, Florida where I was living before. Gone are the unpleasant people, humidity, urban mayhem and oppressive heat. Living in the tropics is now fully out of my system. I need hills, low humidity and to be with friends and family. The cats love it up here, too. They smile and purr like I've never seen. It's bizarre to see animals react so clearly to a different environment like this. They actually smile now. Being long-haired, they both are surely glad to be away from Florida's humidity. It was so thick, even with air conditioning. Ohio is a wonderful place to live, even in the snow-belt. I'll take snow over Floridian heat and bugs any day.



View from the truck as I drove through the mountains of Virginia




My second cousin Marcia and third cousin Holly

I visited my lovely relatives as I drove north, and stayed two days with them. We had a great time and it was hard to leave.

Once in Ohio, a crew of really great Amish guys unloaded my truck for me. I'd give them a plug here online but they frown on that, so I can't (but would if I could). They were amazing, as were the amazing movers I had in Florida who packed up the truck for me. If you're in Florida and live in the Tampa Bay area, use Christos & Christos Movers at:

http://www.christosmoving.com/

These guys are the most reliable, trustworthy movers I've ever had. After many lousy movers who damaged and/or stole stuff/tried to upcharge me and other nasty things, it was a huge pleasure and relief to have such professional, quick and friendly movers. Seriously, these guys are beyond five stars.

So now I'm here with my two cats back home, living in what I consider true paradise. There is a coffee house next door, and on the other side, a really cool diner that has festivals and activities that draw people from all over weekly. How good it feels to be in a safe place that has so much to offer.


Active maple sugar producing log cabin in Burton, OH



Beau (& Fluffy, not in pic) most definitely approve.