David took me to the Toronto Zoo for my birthday and the second half of my present was to be able to take as long as I wanted while photographing the animals. The perfect day! I think I took over 200 photographs.

This Indian Rhino skin photo is so textured, almost looking like splats of mud (she did have mud all over her!) but the folds of skin and odd colouring were what really caught my eye.

The zebra foal is one of my original pieces of drawing I did while in Mexico last year. I used a China Grease pencil (marking pencil) to achieve the colour of black that I wanted. It took a long time as there is no erasing a grease pencil! This one I am keeping on my own wall, but will make available limited quantities printed on watercolour cold press stock, in 8 x 10 size which is just slightly smaller than the original. Each copy will have an unframed price of $75.00.

The photo of the Snow Leopard cat is one that I use as a desktop photo on my laptop. Her intense green eyes! I softened the edges because unfortunately she and her cubs were behind heavy wire caging and I didn't want that in my photo.

It feels like fall in the air here this morning on the 3rd. I want to go swimming at least a dozen more times though! All the tree leaves are rustling, some have yellowed and fallen. David only had to cut the grass once in the last 10 days. Even the Blue Jays are flocking and squawking, sounding like they are constantly scolding someone (most likely my cat Blanca). Such a "Fall" sound. Our past determination as to when we would be leaving for the south came from David, his "when the butter gets hard" brought many laughs to our friends as they knew we were living in our trailer and hard butter is always such a reality with cold nights - who wants it? But now, I have come up with a saying as well; "when the snow plows are put onto the truck harnesses". I think that's a pretty good indication that snow is on the way!
But, it is too soon to be discussing snow, so outside I go to enjoy a lovely morning walk with the dogs and Blanca.
Should you like to contact me to discuss other artwork or photographs that are available for sale, please contact me via email; data1999@gmail.com I look forward to your comments, and critiques!

We have been spending a lot of time renovating our own home - well, David has anyway!

A reconfigured front deck (3rd and final time!) that now has a roof and soon to be screened in completely, all new siding, a garage door so it can be used as a garage, a new man door on the garage, new soffit and fascia, and my contribution - new paint around the windows!

As we relax this afternoon here on the 3rd, the humidity has the temperature feeling a lot warmer than the 32 Celsius listed on the thermostat. We went up to the Burnt River park for a swim with the dogs this morning and we had the place all to ourselves! That was nice as the dogs got a chance to run and swim to their hearts' content. Bob is becoming quite the water dog! He likes to be the first one in though he also likes to pretend I am his personal flotation device so have to break him of that!

I have been drawing and working on framing some of my pieces in anticipation of the Studio Tour at the end of September. I am looking forward to it! I will be co-showing at Harmony Cafe with Sara's mom, June Kenner. It will give a nice flair to show my art alongside her contemporary canvases.

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes did not happen in our little area of paradise. Others were not so lucky. Our condolences to those who lost a little boy, and to those who lost cherished property and effects.

Off I go to photograph the finished house! Wishing everyone a great weekend - enjoy summer while we have it! The butter will be hard soon.