Grace Ryan Clouse aka "Smile Maker"

Strawberry fields...

A Black & White view...

Old Town...

Just when you think...

Jackie and I decided to enjoy an early Saturday morning trip to Temecula's local Farmer's Market. As in the past I brought along my camera to capture whatever caught my eye amongst the visual choices such a venue offers. I hope you enjoy the following...

What I failed to mention earlier was that the entire set of images above that hopefully you enjoyed were not taken by me by but by Jackie. Being the competitive soul that I am...I will ask her to keep her little "point and shoot" in her purse next time! ha

Enjoy...she is amazingly talented.

Grace Ryan...

Tuesday morning I awoke to Laura telling me over the phone "Dad, are you awake and ready? You have a granddaughter on the way and her name is Grace Ryan." Not ashamed to admit...this guy cried. There is no training school or online preparation classes available to be fully prepared for such beautiful words. So many of us have had our fingers crossed, good wishes spoken and serious prayers for some time in hopes that Laura and Pat's attempts to bring a little one into this world would be granted. It's still a work in progress with Grace's expected arrival to be in early May, but this week we learned Laura and Pat will have a little girl along with her given name. The fact that they chose to include Ryan is beyond special and speaks to the bond Laura and Ry have shared from Day One.

In 1978 I was the one that was dialing the phone to inform my folks the news of Laura's arrival and that my Mom's wish for a granddaughter was finally answered...she cried. I, on the other end of the phone at the time understood, at least I thought I did...however, not until thirty one years later did I really fully understand.

Five more months and we all can wrap our arms around our little Grace Ryan Clouse.

:)

Family, friends, deer and dolphins...

This past weekend this dad had the sheer joy of sharing it with his daughter. Laura flew out for a long weekend and we made the most of her short visit. A native Californian, Laura set out to fill our days with an itinerary that covered visits to Old Town Temecula for Pete's birthday celebration on Friday evening with his car club compadres. Saturday was filled with a trip to Hollywood and cherished time with Reuben, Joyce and family. Sunday was set aside for a nice getaway to Catalina Island. Monday we revisited the neighborhood that Laura grew up in topped off with a lunch visit with her best friend from childhood Rachel and her family. Tuesday meant the weekend was over and her return to Michigan. I was bummed but grateful that not only was I so happy for her visit but to know she enjoyed her time spent with new and old friends along with our family that loves her so much.

Jackie Lee...

This guy likes to incorporate one's middle name when addressing someone I know well. So is the case with Jackie Lee Campbell. I met Jackie over thirty years ago when we worked together (I made a career guest appearance at Caltech). Ever since then I am fortunate to call Jackie, her husband Richard and their beautiful family my friends. All during our friendship shared in Southern California I was not aware of Jackie's artistic talents. Only years after they moved to Colorado in 2000 did Richard share with me Jackie's success and recognition she has gained for her art. That is typical of the young lady from Boron, California...yes, there actually is a town in the California desert known historically on laundry room shelves for it's twenty mule teams (Borax). Jackie doesn't draw attention to herself, she's known by all those that come in contact as one of the kindest and most caring individuals on earth, with her loved ones coming first in everything she does.

Jackie works in most mediums and as you can see she delivers memorable results whether they be wildlife, landscapes, floral or modern. You can visit her web site to learn more of her work and teaching career at: http://campbellscreativeart.com/info.htm

I miss my friends that have moved to Colorado, I miss our other mutual Caltech friends, the Merediths', who now call North Carolina home. If I were afforded the chance to be selfish I would have both as next door neighbors on each side of me and life would be very good! Colorado or North Carolina, I'm still blessed to have them as friends.

Oh, that middle name thing... Jackie nicknamed my daughter Laura soon after her birth as "Laura Lou". To this day, thirty years later, it has stuck.

Jackie, beautiful work from a beautiful individual and friend.

When TV was innocent...

Gordon Arthur Kelly was born July 17 1912 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. We know him today as Art Linkletter. Art is a Canadian-American radio and television personality and the former host of two of the longest-running shows in United States broadcast history: House Party, which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People are Funny, on NBC radio-TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on House Party and Kids Say the Darnest Things, which led to a successful series of books quoting children.

Some of you are old enough to remember as a child watching these shows. Take a moment to click on the link to revist some memorable visits that Linkletter enjoyed with the kids. It's a guaranteed smile.

http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/Videos/kids_artlinkletter.html

Color it "Farmer's Market"...

Farmers' markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. Growers from the area and beyond gather weekly on Saturday mornings in Old Town Temecula to sell their produce directly to the public. In the last decade they have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers throughout the United States, and a weekly ritual for us the shopper. You can find creative artwork, baked goods and most anything grown, whether that be produce, plants and more. A stroll through the market for me this morning allowed me to capture the colors of the venue. I hope you enjoy the palette.