Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, NZ

tree ferns


more tree ferns

Sketches, and such...

bird bones, sand castle



possums, fish, penguin, lobster, and resin



bird bones up close



pelvis, and assorted found objects

Experimentation

part of fish skull and large painting in background


found object assemblage


sea urchin (kina) with paper


kelp, wire, plaster, and painting in progress.

In The Studio, Owhiro Bay, NZ

close up of a painting using various material


bird bones


kelp and wire armature


bird sculpture

South Island, NZ near Nelson

Zucchini

I love zucchinis. For some reason they are the first thing that I learned to cook after I'd figured out how to use the toaster when I was 5 or 6 years old. When I publish my cookbook there will be a special recipe in there for the courgettes as our friends overseas call them. Better than any other squash. Black pepper, garlic, a dash of rosemary, chili powder, cayenne, and sautéed with butter. That's how I had them for lunch today - they made me think of Mexico as I peeled off the little sticker that indicated their origin.

Ah, Mexico. I leave in two weeks to go there. In honor of the next trip I had a papaya with lunch. One has to eat a dimpling squishing papaya before too long. I prepared it with fresh lime juice and salt - it smells of Mexico. Of course anything with lime juice and salt smells like Mexico to me. My cookbook will feature many dishes with lime juice and salt - and drinks!

Not much time for painting these days - too busy updating the mailing lists, preparing for 2008 taxes, writing drafts of the cookbook, and planning for the next online auction. I am also closely watching CaringBridge updates from a dear friend Larry who is lying in a hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico recovering from intestinal surgery - he's like my second father.

He was scheduled to come out of sedation today, but will remain so until a blood sepsis clears. I guess telepathy will have to serve until I get there to visit. Hang on Larry.