Family

My mom sent me an e-mail today saying that my great-grandfather's brother was mentioned in the Amarillo Globe News. Thankfully, I had already heard the story before I read the opening paragraphs.

"A.D. Payne failed not once, not twice but three times to kill his wife. The fourth effort succeeded.

He tried using gas, then rigged a shotgun so she'd be shot and then arranged a morphine overdose. Each time, she escaped unscathed.

Then on June 27, 1930, the Amarillo man used dynamite to blow up the family car, with his wife and son inside - killing her instantly and injuring the boy.

He played the role of the bereaved husband, offered a $5,000 reward for information and demanded a newspaper investigation by the Amarillo Globe.

The Globe obliged, and a reporter's investigation ultimately led Payne to confess that he had a longtime mistress and was responsible for his wife's death."

The full article may be found here.

Outside, Inside, and Onward

My friend Robby is on his way to Portland from Texas. He made a stop here in Santa Fe and we headed out to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.









We also cooked two nights in a row. My taste buds are happy.







This morning Robby played his viola and I played my neglected trumpet before he headed off for the rest of his adventure to the West.

It is nice when a friend gets you started back on track with things you have been missing. Thank you, Robby.

WBU Alumni Show

My painting The Virgin Athena is currently being shown in the Wayland Baptist University Alumni Art Show, "Full Circle," at the Abraham Art Gallery in Plainview, Texas, along with 18 other former students. An article about the show may be found here. The show runs through March 26th.

More Good

The Bad:

Winter still holds on.

The So-So:

I've been experimenting with using an artist board and, also, Sculpey this past week or two but nothing complete has resulted from these new art supply adventures.

The Good:

A Farmers Market morning and Hand Salve from Second Bloom Farm.

I had a day off and was able to enjoy a brunch at Chocolate Maven with my mom, who is in town. I think I found a Santa Fe brunch favorite. Delicious and, to top it off, dessert in the form of a mug of hot chocolate. Happy Valentines!

Cats and Dogs

I just moved into a little adobe house in Santa Fe, New Mexio. I have two cats that like to come in the pet door to visit.

Meet Marshmallow



and Hobbesy.



I haven't had any raccoons (yet).

I am enjoying the company but am most excited about my own new companion. So far, I have not been able to settle on a name.



Edit.

Meet Graham.

Pick and Choose

I went exploring through folders of photographs on my computer. I'd like to share a few that stood out to me today:













Is there anything in common?

December

Christmas has passed by me.

(and I haven't seen any store windows back home in Texas quite like Bergdorf's)



It's time for choices.

(It's nearly New Years, after all.)