Greetings from the sunny south. It looks like another beautiful day in the desert. My friend Kyle is watching the horses back in Montana and wrote that it will be eighteen below today. I am sorry to be missing that... ( yea, right...) He also told me that the pasture is getting thin so I guess I will be grabbing my mittens and heading north to start feeding hay and taking advantage of the northern climes before long. You know, as often as I complain about all the masses of humanity here in Phoenix, there are aspects of this neck of the woods that have been growing on me. Of course, the weather it a major plus. I will be taking the dogs for a walk in the park in a few minutes and I can't decide whether or not to take a jacket or just a long sleeve shirt. On Sunday we took the dogs for a hike in the desert where we climbed a rocky knob and got a good view of the desert in winter. Yesterday I dropped in at a quarter horse show and watched some of the finest horses I have ever seen prance, dance, and spin ridden by people who were obviously very versed in the language of equis. In two weeks I will be attending another international event where Arabians will be showing. Tomorrow I plan to hop on the old bicycle and head back down to the galleries to see what other artists are up to and tonight we might take in a movie or a museum. These are just of few of the treasures about life here I will miss. It will be good to see the ponies, though.

    On a lighter note, I finished the Grand Canyon sunset painting mentioned last time. It is up in New Work and I hope you like it. Now I'm wrapped up in a 16x20 watercolor of my old friend David Rummell fishing on the Stillwater River. It is fun to do a watercolor after so many oils. Of course, I will let you know when it is finished. I hope to be done in two or three more days.
     I finally got a Pay Pal account for those of you who are astute enough to " get 'em while they're hot!". Also, Lynn has started a web site called Fishtail Art Studio where she is going to feature some of my work in prints and cards as well as her amazing photos from far flung travels around the world. I hope you will check it out when it gets on line. Well, the dogs are ready and clamoring to head out for a little duck chasing and a dunk in the lake. I will soak in the sun while I can. Have a great day yourself. I'll write again mid month. Thank you for dropping by. Tom