Monday, April 28, 2014

Back on the Job







The Easter Bunny had some early sunrise treats and outdoor surprises for his "main squeeze"... before he hopped off on his busy delivery schedule elsewhere! HA HA!!! Still out there to welcome May and to serve as a gathering place for our chatty American Gold Finch squadron!

Easter Egg silliness and surprises... plus our much anticipated visit from my brother Don have been "the stuff" of our time and energies for the past few weeks. It seems that the wheel has now fully turned on Winter in these parts... and judging by the bristling of the birds and rampaging antics of our resident chipmunk friends Spring is definitely on every one's minds. I have spent endless hours attempting to dissuade a pair of robins that they cannot nest on the lights above either of our entrances. Despite my efforts each morning I begin my day removing their grassy gatherings. Who will win out?.... Time will tell!

On the human side of the ledger, cruise tours are again underway in the village from early morning until late afternoon. The cruise visitors bring with them curiosity and the urge to explore at will during their brief sojourn and cruise time. Property lines as with the other creatures bear no meaning to them. It is amusing to watch at this point in the annual migration... but deep within me burns the late summer memory of the constant influx of numbers of daily visitors which this tiny village is incapable of housing... even for a brief few hours. So I smile... relish the moment and continue on with my raking and garden chores. Tomorrow will come soon enough... and today.... there is ample space for all. Besides... it is the business that they bring that drives and supports village economy.

I have resumed my painting projects, set aside earlier to share our time fully with Donnie. What a marvellous time of touring old haunts and visiting newly discovered and exciting places... on both sides of the River we grew up on together. The three of us visited Clayton and Alexandria Bay, NY on one cross-river excursion. It was a relaxed and easy warm up for our time together. On our second tour... we followed the River from A-Bay eastward to Ogdensburg, NY to visit the famous Frederic Remington Gallery there. What a marvellous time we shared there. Allison had joined us on the first day... but alas... the Gallery was closed until Tuesday... so we returned the next day... unfortunately without her to actually view the collection. On both occasions we took nourishment at The Phillip's Diner... a 40's diner still flourishing and throwing out diner hash to a daily packed house.


Riverside relics... still hangin' around in Alexandria Bay


 Oscar's Tavern was a weekend hangout for all Brockville youth in our day.... "legal" at eighteen in NY State... whereas twenty-one was the launch pad year in Ontario. Oscar's time has passed. The tavern is for sale online. No more sudsy pitchers of cheap draft... or dancin' till ya drop!Some things must change... but as this picture clearly presents... others need not. Love you Donnie... to the moon and back!


Fabulous Fifties food still hot on the grill at the Phillips Diner in Odgensburg NY since 1946. Kept expecting Fonz to drift in at any moment... or Flo to appear... check pad in hand.... as I knocked back a HUGE Reuben n' fries combo and a tall Pepsi! If you've got a good game plan going and it works... Stick to yer game!


A Sherman moment... the smiles say it all! Thanks Flo... for the great photo!

I think that I'll take a pause here at this juncture to put in some much needed time on my projects Deadline is fast approaching... and almost have a wrap on them! I will share our wonderful afternoon visit to the Remington Art Museum. It was truly a magical time... with many lessons and observations garnered personally and I so want to share my findings with all of you! Art does not get any Fine-r than Remington's output. It never gets old. Every time that I visit and peruse his works... I come away enriched... and further motivated to paint my little heart out!

Stay tuned... for episode two! Glad to be back in the saddle painting... and writing again. I missed it!

Good Painting to ALL!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Bruce,
    Happy to see you enjoying yourself with family and friends. Looking forward to your future paintings.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

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  2. Thanks Joan!...

    Good Painting... and Happy Spring.... Finally!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. I've wondered what you've been up to, Bruce. Forgot your brother was coming out but so glad you all had a great visit. Love seeing the photos too and those types of places are right up my alley for the historical aspect of them. Pepsi? Not Coke? Grew up on them both but admit that as an adult, I have to have the Coke (Diet) and can easily taste the difference. I do not even order pop if they serve Pepsi, but have iced tea!

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  4. Hi again Sherry!... Had a great visit and am now getting back into the swing of things... one step at a time. It sure doesn't take long to lose one's rhythm and scheduling! but... "a change is as good as a rest." HA HA!!!

    Coffee and (diet) Pepsi continue to be my only vices. No alcohol or smoking... though I do miss the sweet smell of my Dad's ever-lit pipe. I do like iced tea as well.

    Thanks for sharing. Nice to be in touch again!

    Happy Spring... and Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Sounds like you are fully ensconced in spring in the upper north - and having a good time. Sorry about the tourists who know no boundaries (we find that wherever we visit but I never trespass or step where I am not welcome - can't say the same for Sweetie, though!). Perhaps the next time one comes into your yard, you could just hand him or her a rake and put them to work? ha ha

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  6. Hi Rhonda!... Fully "into it"... finally! The sun and warmer weather really perks up one's spirit and energy levels!

    Like everything in life Rhonda... there are those who are respectful... and there are conversely those without concern for others. We simply have to work around them.... and swallow hard.

    I love your rake idea. I think that I might actually try that device... if only to reverse the feeling of awkwardness that such an act creates within. Might work... I'll get back to you! HA HA!!

    Thanks for your visit and sense of humour!

    Good Painting!... and Happy Spring to you and Sweetie!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi Bruce, I'm glad you had a wonderful time catching up and reminiscing with Donnie. I hope you can get back into your routine soon and 'capture' some of that Spring atmosphere before it's passed.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  8. Hi Keith!... Thanks for dropping by!

    I really did enjoy our visit and our travels about. Spring is on the move rapidly... and does pass quickly as you mentioned. I have a host of tasks both in the studio inside (YUK)... and many in the Gallery outside to prepare it for our mid May opening. Somewhere between those two intervals... I hope to sneak out for some plein air work. All in good time!

    Good Painting... and Happy Spring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. What a lovely holiday feeling post, thank you for sharing. Glad you had such a great time with your brother. Looks like the snow is behind you now, we had some snow on the Cairngorm mountains last night and it is cold again here. Better temperatures for tomorrow which is great news. Really looking forward to seeing whats on the Bruce easel, happy painting!

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  10. Good evening Caroline... Thanks for your sharing... of your time and highlights in your own spring's arrival. Like yours... ours continues to ebb and flow... uncertain to fully enter. But buds are opening... and I had those pesky black flies buzzing around my face... all reminders that change is afoot here.

    I look forward to more painting time as well Caroline... but much is still to be done in preparation for our opening of the Gallery in just a few short weeks. Patience is the order of the day...

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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