Sorta Back in the BlogSaddle...Y'all

First Off...On June 1, I will draw a name from those that comment on the Empty Easel Post of May 8. It's about "Our Blog Community" and Dan was gracious enough to print it. The name I draw will receive an original frog painting or a custom pet portrait from me. It isn't exactly like winning the lottery....but it's pretty close.

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Next, we have Windows to the Words April Challenge...Children, Part 2. There are 11 postings for the three subject photos. They are quite nice and can be viewed by clicking HERE. The May Challenge is Sunrises/Sunsets for artists and writers. This subject should really appeal to artists...lotsa color and lotsa latitude. Writers should take notice....beautiful thoughts and words should spring forth on these subjects like "Black Gold" on the Beverly Hillbillies Farm. And there has already been a few submissions on the WTTW Writing site, which you can view by clicking HERE. I invite you all to participate.
These are my 3 renditions, which I hope won't place me before a firing squad of irate parents and grandparents.......

Maggie Mayer's daughter...the Little Gymnast"

Cathyann Burgess' grandson Cole

Two of my little buddies from Bocas del Toro, Panama

Nancy, the big-hearted, multi-talented, and infinitely-patient originator of Every Photo Tells A Story honored me again by selecting and posting "Sushi Tragedy"...a previous painting I had done on a Different Strokes From Different Folks Challenge. I naturally had to offer a couple of poems to fit the occasion, which Pokey and TacoBelle got a few chuckles from...but they have never been known for their good taste. One was a limerick. I hadn't written a limerick since I got suspended from high school for inscribing questionable ones in the boy's gym locker room. :-) Nancy made me promise not to mention it on my blog till the day after she posted it. So I didn't. But you can check it out by clicking HERE.

And,,,Sheila Tajima, the big sweetie, gave me a very special blog award....pictured on the right.
It represents positivity and problem solving. Well, this blog is positively running long, so I'm gonna post the details and my pass-along choices on my next post. But thank you so very much, Sheila for this very flattering award.




And Finally...Diana, Eat Your Heart Out!!!
It broke my heart to miss the submission deadline for Karin's last challenge...Statue of Diana and her dog. I had it finished in time, but the only Internet connection I had available was by carrier pigeon. But I am presenting it now. The reference photo she had provided showed the actual statue, with the admiring dog (more like the "Hound of the Basketballs" to me) looking up at her.
You can check the DSFDF site for the many excellent submissions. Well, I put Snoopy in there instead of Cujo. And when it comes to admiring dogs, I refer you to my new profile photo with Pokey and TacoBelle in reverent awe.
Ow...Pokey just nipped my ankle for being boastful, or sumtin. Anyway...I rest my case.