The Colors of Jamaica

The must striking thing about Jamaica is the the depth and breath of the colors. The oranges, yellows, and blues of the sunset on the ocean are breath taking. Every color of the rainbow can be found in the flowers.  The foliage shows infinite shades of greens combined with amazing textures.  I want to touch all the plants and fortunately Jamaica does not host any type of poison ivy since I'm highly sensitive. Jamaica is eye candy for an artist. If nature is your inspiration, Jamaica is the place to visit. My pictures can't do it justice,  you'll just have to go and see it for yourself.

We're in vacation mode.

Taking some time off.  Will be back on May 19.

Hobo or Skribby? What do you think?

My mom has Alzheimer's disease.  She is at the point in her disease where talking to dolls makes more sense to her than talking to people.  As I watched her on our last visit, I saw how a lifelike baby doll could be so inviting to someone in her state.  The doll never took its eyes off hers. He never interrupted or tried to make sense of her ramblings. He never asked her questions she couldn't answer. When she told him it was time for a nap and tucked him into her bed, he didn't put up a fuss. That little doll was the just about the only thing left in her life that she had some control over.  That little doll never told her when it was time to eat, time to go to the bathroom, time to go sit in the chair, time to swallow her meds, time to dress, time to undress, time to take a bath. He never talked to her in a slow, loud voice thinking that it would help her understand better. That little doll did nothing but give her his total undivided attention, willing to do whatever she needed him to do.  At one point during our visit, my sister asked my mom what was the doll's name.  Mom said Skribby.  What a wonderful name, Skribby. As you know from my previous posts, we've acquired a new cat. We called him Hobo because he was on the run, without a home, searching for a handout and a dry place to sleep.  Well he is no longer a hobo, he has a home now and I want to change his name to Skribby.  Husfriend wants to keep the name Hobo.  What do you think? Please take a look at his pictures on my previous posts, is he a Hobo or a Skribby?

Queen Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn

I've been following my new favorite website, "The Anne Boleyn Files" and reading about the weeks and days leading up to the execution of Anne Boleyn by her husband, Henry VIII. Surprisingly, I catch myself thinking about her during quiet moments. I think about how terrified she must have been, how confused she must have felt, the concern and fear she experienced for her imprisoned brother, the sense of panic a mother would feel at the thought of leaving a child behind motherless. The anniversary of Anne's beheading is May 19.  When Anne died she had no way of knowing what a great and historically important woman her daughter would become. So to honor Anne, I decided to make a keepsake box of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. I've posted a few pictures here.  If you are interested in learning more about the box, visit my website MortimerInc.Artfire.com.  What are your impressions of Anne Boleyn? Was she hero or whore?