RAM Off the Wall

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." ~Henry Ward Beecher

I love the arts and human expression of any kind. Sadly, however, over the past 7 years, education has stripped the arts out of it's curriculum. If we parents want our children educated in the arts, we better do it. Luckily,

human expression will never be squelched--we were born to create and as long as we are living humanity will make its mark.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Off The Wall sale and exhibit at the Riverside Art Museum (RAM). The museum offers it's walls to aspiring artists or anyone wanting to share their talents with the world. All you have to do is frame your piece so it can be hung and it can be shown and perhaps sold to those who appreciate

it. Prices are affordable for art enthusiasts ranging from $50 - $300. The RAM is a beautiful setting for the show. Once the old YMCA of Riverside it is Spanish Colonial Architecture and full of wrought iron and paned windows. It is just as enjoyable to be in the building as it is to view the art.

I have always liked Riverside for it beauty and for it's support of the arts. The Off the Wall show is an example of this.

My freind Lucile, a happily retired teacher, introduced the event to me at lunch. The happy event of Lucile's retirement opened the door for me to get a job at the high school in which I teach. Since working there, I've noticed that people who retire from my school don't actually leave. They come back to the site for sub jobs or just to visit for lunch. It gives you a good idea about the environment in which I work and the caliber of people who work there. So now that I work away my day in Rm 6, Lucile spends her days having lunch with friends at the Bridge Club, volunteering for charities: The Jr League that support women's causes and improving communities and The Riverside Art Museum. She is a grand lady for sure.

I got to the RAM early the day of the opening because I spied a small oil that I liked. It is a california landscape and have a passion for those and it was only $50. Lucile met me at the door and we waited for them to give out tickets that would designate the order in which you can enter at the opening of the show. I had heard that once those doors open, it is pandemonium. We met our good friend Doug and his son there as well, Doug is the art teacher at our school and a gifted artist, together we planned our method of attack: The show is in two rooms and four of our paintings were in one room and the other two were in another.

We had decided that Cody, who is six foot six inches would go for my painting since it is about 7 feet high on the wall, and I would go for his, since it is on the bottom half of the wall. Doug would go straight for Lucille's two paintings that were in the opposite room and his own favorite, an original illustration from a children's book which was created by one of his students. It was agreed that we would show good decorum and not knock anyone over in our attempts to retrieve our prized paintings. Getting there early and securing the first spot to enter just behind the sponsors of the exhibit allowed for a successful retrieval of all the paintings. Where was Lucile you ask? She was behind the table taking money and assisting the happy customers.

Some of my kids favorites: Lily loves the horse photograph. Will's favorite is actually very similar to the painting that Doug purchased for his son. Very similar painting in size and style. Owen was attracted to the color and the geometry of his abstract painting. Emma didn't seem to have a favorite, but isn't she beautiful? And in fact, aren't they all? Notice will giving the artwork from the Off the Wall Jr. a discerning look. Youth up to age 17 can submit work to be sold from $10 - $30 dollars. He admired some of the work and is confident that he will submit some of his work there next year.

Glory Be Spring

We concluded our spring break with a day at Laguna Beach. It was an amazing day with temps int the high 70's and beautiful clear skies. My friend Kristine Woolf took some picks I would like to share.





I took some shots of my own:

The boys made a crab palace or a couple crabs they found

One of the many hermit crabs found

All the kids enjoyed playing Zim Zam

Will looked at each tide pool very closely, sometimes too close.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.

My friend Brenda is one of those friends that will always be there, no matter what! You know the type, You may not talk for over a year, but when you get together it is like you have never been apart, or the type that that calls you right when you need a call--She is the type and I love her. We planned a getaway to say good bye to my friend who is moving east. Whenever we get together we know we are going to have a great time and without exception it happened again.

Just after we arrive we take off. Let the fun times begin.

The first thing we had to do is head over to Old Navy because when I said, "Okay, we are leaving, get into the car, Owen, being the obedient boy that he is did just what I said but with out his shoes.

we couldn't help but take a picture with all the celebrities.

After Owen chose his flip flops, he liked the fatigue design with the skulls, what little boy wouldn't, we headed out to Las Vegas' best kept secret Kyklos Greek Cafe, a greek restaurant in the food court of the Sunset Mall. It was voted Best Greek restaurant in Las Vegas. It is a family owned shop managed by the three Kyklos brothers, Manny Moe and Jack, wait... I am confused.

Now that is gyro. It was huge I could only eat half.

After a meal that filled us to the gills we went roller skating. It was family night there and we could get a family of four in for $12. What a deal.



Lily did fine:



Until:


Lily is my mover, my groover, my dance extraordinaire and it wasn't long before she was out grooving on the dance floor on eight wheels. Emma and Brianna were a little more cautious, but still had a great time.

Brianna and Emma on the floor.

My Sunshine, Will, ooppppsss, I forgot that I am not supposed to call him that in public. He told me the other day, "Mom, remember, you can call me Sunshine here,in the house, but not outside, remember!, because I have to be tough!" so it is just our little secret that I called him Sunshine on my blog. Will and Owen got on their skates determined to do well. Once free skate started, we three went right to the center, timing our crossing of the river of people just right so as not to be knocked down roller derby style. Here are my boys all decked out with their skate gear.

My handsome boys.

Will spent a good 10 min in the circle practicing and then said to me, "all right, I am going out!" meaning he was venturing into the stream of people that circled the rink. There he goes.

Will the Thrill joining the skaters.

Owen, on the other hand, stayed in the circle all night. He was game for the skating, but, needed a lot of practice. He was up one minute, and down on the floor the next, but through out the whole night he had a smile on his face. When ever he would fall, I would say "What do you do when you fall Owen," and he would reply, "Get right back up!" I love that attitude. and he did get back up time. . .


after time


after time


But every time he had a smile on his little sweaty face. It was like 90 degrees in there. He had a ball. He never left the rink floor. For a time he didn't get off the floor saying that he wanted to work on his moves: half splits and such.



Brenda is a dancing queen herself and has always had the moves. She was getting down on the dance floor as well. I'll see if I can download the video on You tube, but for now here is a pic of Bren and the girls.

My Beautiful Friend Brenda

Oh there goes my Sunshine again!


It was right about now that Brenda started to feel a little queezy. The flu had struck. We went home and tucked everyone in. . .and by the next morning Brianna had it. We gathered our belongings and vamoosed out of there, hoping that what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas. I am happy to report that all are in good health once again and we did escape the dreaded camp flu. We are hoping to head out to Vegas again before she ventures East, because we know that whenever we spend time with Auntie Brenda, it is going to be a blast.

Solo Mio and a Trio!

I went out kayaking with Daniel Woods, adventure photographer again. He offers an amazing exploration of San Diego's cove. If you are interested in seeing his site click here Daniel resides in San Diego so he knows a lot about the area and can help lead you as he photographs you on your kayak adventure.

This time I took my friends Brynna, Sherie and Kathy with me. We had an amazing day. Thanks to Daniel we can relive it again and again. Daniel not only photographs you underwater but he can also video tape your snorkel expedition.

A group of sea lions resting by the caves.

Brynna and Kathy entering "The Clam."
We saw a ton of garibaldi swimming around the cove
Sherie and I in the cave.
One of the sea kittens as Daniel likes to call them. These are leopard sharks. Very docile creatures swimming right off the coast of La Jolla.
Kathy and Brynna after we saw the sea kittens. See how close we are to the shore. Those leopard sharks are harmless.
A fish
An amazing shot by Daniel. How he got all four of them. . .amazing.
Daniel caught me practicing diving. I had to pop my ears to get deep. It's a little scarey!
Brynna and Kathy
Sherie and I
All of us outside of the cave
Kathy and Brynna in the cave. See me behind trying to capture Sherie.
There she is.
Afterwards, I wanted to keep snorkeling so Daniel took me to another spot, where I could swim around and explore. Daniel has so much fun swimming with you, he will photograph you as you explore but also find little creatures for you to see. I highly recommend Daniel Woods at beachshootsandiego.com