FROM OCEAN PARK, WASHINGTON

My bride and I are near the north tip of the Long Beach pennisula within sight of the world's longest beach. She is attending the Christian Writer's Workshop held each year on this weekend. Sessions. lessons, and hours of writing strategy have filled her day; I bummed about town checking out shops, bookstores, and local highlights. Now I am at the "Methodist Camp Center" where the event is held to join her and thirty others for dinner and entertainment. We are staying nearby in the beach house of friends as we did last year for our anniversary weekend. This year marks forty-five years of together and we are still deeply in like, in love, and , well, ... more still. Let me just say to all you youngsters, you all have much to look forward to in your senior years. We are well, happy, intrigued by the various wonders in the world, and very proud and appreciative of our children and grandchildren. We think we will be home Tuesday evening unless we decide to "elope" this time. God is good and He has blessed us beyond count.

THAT"S OUR GRANDDAUGHTER!!

In an annual interschool competition held this week at Concordia College in Portland, several small, private schools from across Washington and Oregon met to allow students to show their skills in Mathematics, Science, Language Arts (like spelling), Vocal Arts, Sports and Drama. Several members of our granddaughter's school in the "Tri-Cities" area attended and put their best efforts into the individual events and into the Drama in particular. We think the 200 mile drive and three day excursion was well worth it for the students and for every who was able to attend any part of the many events.

The cast and supporting managers of each group were allowed just thirty minutes to ready the stage, erect any sets they had brought, check the costuming and make-up, present the brief play chosen, and exit the stage with cast and paraphernalia intact. There seemed to be no hurry as everyone in Katie's troupe clearly knew their assignments and were soon ready to call for the house lights to be dimmed, the stage lights to be broought up, and the play to begin.
The story is a familiar American Classic about the powerful hand driller, John Henry, defeating the challenger, a steam powered machine in a grueling face-off. Our star skillfully portrayed the drill holder, Little Bill, whose steady hand and encouragement supported John Henry throughout the contest. While triumphant in the effort, the mighty man paid the ultimate price for his effort, thus attaining the heroic status his story holds in the major folklore of America.

While our attention was upon the whole cast, of course, we could not help being particularly proud of "little Bill" in this drama, convincingly playing the role of John Henry's sidekick as well as frequent foil to several other key characters in the play. We have seen Katie's talent in other "family" dramas and we are not surprised at her stage presence, clear diction, well-projected voice, and convincing appearance. We are always proud when any of our kids/grandkids do their best, and we are doubly proud when their best is superb. Well done, Girl!!

LUCY WANG AND THE SPANISH VILLAGE ART STUDIOS

Because of my budding interest in learning to paint in oils, I have begun both a personal library and a list of sources including galleries, art stores, museums of several kinds, local options for taking art classes, and favorite places to visit where I can enjoy the works of art and culture by real artists. Although the lovely place I am going to share with you is in San Diego, I would never think of visiting that city without allowing three or four leisurely hours strolling among "The Art Studios" in Balboa Park's "Spanish Village". This tiny colony of artists was created in 1935 as part of the 2nd California-Pacific International Exposition which was the inspiration for all of Balboa Park itself which today is sufficient reason to select San Diego for a vacation destination. Check it out at http://www.spanishvillageart.com/


The Art Studios currently are home to about ninety artists of various specialties (I can count at least 24 different creative arts available in these little stores.) who share the 37 studios, galleries, and active workshops. With its colorful patio atmosphere and Spanish architecture and landscaping, this is a wonderful and relaxing spot to spend a few precious hours. The village is located between the Natural Museum and the entrance to the World-Class Balboa Zoo and is a very short stroll from the huge, classic, lath conservatory. A center for art classes and camps, demonstrations, shows, and special events throughout the year, local residents are proud and protective of this gem in the heart of a spendid cultural preserve.
Like most of the folk I know, I have favorites in every field of learning and experience I can imagine, and I have one store and it's delightful artist-proprietor that I am always eager to visit . Here I can relish the remarkable paintings on silk and rice paper which are done by Lucy Wang. Now what I say might begin to sound like a commercial, but really it is just my own gushing about her work - its beautiful art, its fine materials, its clean, fresh presentation, and Lucy's own sweet disposition. The photo above shows her shop; the one below is Lucy and Betty against one wall of her display. Not surprisingly, she has achieved international recognition as artist and as a teacher. The list of her showings and the prestigious societies which have featured her work is long and most impressive. Enjoy some of both at her site: http://www.lucywang.com/

Yes, we have a nice picture which we selected from her studio. I also have bought some special art materials from her, including a special sumi-e ink brush for that special style of painting. You can purchase one of her books at any Michael's Craft store in the art department. It is one of the Walter Foster series and is titled "Learn the Art of Chinese Brush Painting. I now have several copies and the finest is the one Lucy Wang autographed to me.