The Doors

Regrets

Another stranger. He looks like he might have just been dumped by a girl friend.

Mandy

Susan and I met her in a London pub near the Globe theater while she was waiting for the next performance to start. I took her photo thinking she didn't notice but obviously did. I asked if I could get her to pose with a stare out the window but all were stiff and unnatural looking. I based my Improvisational drawing on one of those poses. We conversed a while and found out she worked as an engineer in the US and designed parts for atomic bombs. Smart gal.

Skeletons

If you can't get rid of the family skeleton

You might as well make it dance.

George Bernard Shaw

Cactus Flower

These bloom once a year for a couple of days and are gone.

A Mom

Lime Lady again in color. I saw her on a bench and asked if I could take her photo. What you see is what I got. The interchange only lasted a few seconds. I should have stayed a while and chatted. The baby must be a toddler by now. This was two years ago. The prior sketch took about five minutes. This is closer to how she looked.

Woman in Lime

Mood

Moi

The assignment was a self portrait using a mirror. So a 10 minute sketch is what resulted. This isn't the best look but my vanity isn't what it once was. It's also a reversed image. I really do look better, at least Susan says so.

C'est La Vie

I've never figured out why one of those wagon trains traveling to Shangrila out West stopped here in good 'ol Phoenix. "Yo, circle the wagons folks. There's a little water here, it's hotter 'n Hell and they aint much ta eat. Keep them hankies on yer faces sos the dust don't choke ya. This is it!" Probably too much loco weed.

Phoenix was recently voted the most miserable place to live. The criteria was based on gas prices and unemployment.  Am I miserable? Not today. I'm retired and my cars get good mileage. The weather is perfect. The Sun is shining, there's a breeze from the South, the trees and flowers are in bloom, and there's a taste of pollen in the air with a hint of air pollution. Not too bad.

Suffering and discomfort await though. In a short few months the Sun will blast with photon torpedoes, what little green we have will fade and brows will bead. Air conditioners will burn dollars to cool and filter dust and all will long for an oasis. So if you're alone and miserable in some other location in the world, come to Phoenix this Summer, you'll have lots of company.