Pop Pop: My Great Grandfather

A tribute to my Great Grandfather, Melvin E. Cole, on my Mother's side of the family. He had a really hard life and was a small, wiry, gruff man who smoked unfiltered Camels and Lucky Strikes. He grew beautiful flowers and took great pride in them. He also kept finches. We didn't understand his gruffness, as kids, but now I have an appreciation for his life and what he went through.

Blues Gals: Big Maybelle

Mabel Louise Smith, better known as Big Maybelle, was a singer and pianist. If you've never heard Big Maybelle, well, you've never had a good time! Give a listen to "Pretty Good Love" and you won't be disappointed. More iPad experimentation.

Blues Gals: Big Mama Thornton

More in a series of iPad experiments, here is my tribute to Big Mama Thornton, the ORIGINAL "Hound Dog" and pioneer of the blues.

Dream Big! Part II

Another in a series of iPad drawings. Impossible optimism!

Dream Big!

Another in a series of iPad art sketchbook pieces. My glass is half full. Always. Sorry if yours is not!

Pitchin' A Wang Dang Doodle!

How I'm spending some significant summer evenings lately, pitchin' a wang dang doodle (my version) on the iPad! Ahhh, summer! It is the good life. With apologies and props to my muse for this piece, Miss Koko Taylor.

Ticks. I Still Hate 'Em.

Ticks. One of God's most loathsome creatures. Well, lampreys are also loathsome, but they don't live in my back yard and attach themselves to me with any regularity. So, ticks win. Here is a handy field guide to help you identify them.