Illustration Friday: Caution

I was tired of Reuben's eccentric ways. He went to great expense, or his staff did, to offer me a word. I replied the only way I know how... with my gun.

Books will tell ya to use water color paper when using water colors or your art will look sloppy. I just laugh at em, all the way to the bank. Sloppy you say? Life isn't nice and pretty pork chop, so why should my art be? I'm just a two-bit go-to-guy with an abnormally large head and enough street smarts to make a copy of some person's GED and put my name on it. How's that for credentials?

Illustration Friday: Wrapped

Mr. Campbell was a volunteer who was once a boxer. I met him while I was learning how to box at Good Shepard's Gym in Akron. He was lean and balding with tired yellowish eyes. Mr. Campbell would show me how to jab and work the heavy bag. He would get in the ring and take punches with the pads as we worked on our jab, saying that's right, mhm-hmm. He always looked tired and sometimes he'd even fall asleep in the chairs while we hit the heavy bags or shadowboxed. Mr. Campbell would wrap my hands for me whenever I looked like I needed help, which was often. He would tell me to spread my fingers wide and then he would proceed to wrap my hands in such a way that I thought they would resemble bound feet by the time I'd get done boxing. I'd look at his hands while he wrapped mine. They were like darkly tanned leather, worn but with a shine to them, frail.
Today, after seven years, I returned to the gym at its new location. Mr. Campbell was nowhere to be seen. He had passed away.

Ohio- The Strange Fantastic

When summer finally presents itself to those of us living in Ohio we seize every opportunity to make the most of the very few days of warmth and sunshine before the dismal clouds roll in accompanied by temperatures that would make a Yeti shiver. My wife and I are pretty good at keeping ourselves entertained with various activities, visits, travel or hobbies throughout the year, but when summer hits it's as though we are social darlings who have way too many social events to attend. I'm very grateful to have so much to do with so many wonderful people.

For those not familiar with Ohio, it may take them a few years to learn or accept all that we Ohioans have to offer. You'd be amazed at the many different ways we find to our entertain ourselves in this otherwise unbearable state. For example, three years ago my friend Josh and I decided to take a drive up Rt. 45 in Warren to Geneva-on-the-Lake. Along the way we came across a sign announcing a festival one mile ahead. We followed the signs til we came to a parking lot full of people dressed in Medieval costumes. It was a Medieval fair! We did not stay longer than a few minutes since we were not interested in paying an entrance fee to hear people talk of mead, dragons and sorcery. We continued on our drive and went to Lake Erie, but the beach conditions were not welcoming so we drove on and made a stop at a local winery. We ordered wine and ate lunch while a Jazz band played to a diverse crowd of people in the hot summer sun. On our return home we came across a tractor pull competition. In a public park people brought their supped-up John Deere riding lawn mowers to a drag race. Men and women of all ages raced each other on a dirt track in these home improved muscle mowers. Josh and I videotaped the excitement of the event and even interviewed someone about this peculiar sight. What a wonderful Saturday that was!

Yesterday, Meghan and I were invited to a pot-luck music party. We made caprese salad and I brought my guitar to sit in on the jam session. Neighbors, friends and new acquaintances brought, food, drink, and their children to the soiree. Here I am playing guitar and a bongo with my brother in-law KC, on vocals and guitar, and Jason (the host) playing percussion. From there we went to Lockview restaurant in downtown Akron.

When we stepped out of the car we were greated by the most spectacular live latin music I have ever heard. It was Tito Puente Jr. and his band at Lock3. I was transported back to Sarasota, FL. where I would hang out while my friend and roomate, Josh, worked during Latin dance night in his restaurant, Michael's in the Quay. The music was nearly strong enough to divert us from attending the other engagement we had planned, a night of Yacht Rock on the rooftop of Lockview.
If you are not familiar with Yacht Rock a good introduction to the music and lifestyle would be to watch these webisodes (not suitable for children) created by J.D. Ryznar and Hunter D. Stair. Last night was an exceptionally good time spent conversing with friends and fellow Yacht Rockers as we enjoyed the smooth sounds of this unique musical style.
Yes, there is something for everyone during the summer months in Ohio. If you don't agree you're not looking. Sail on sailor.

Illustration Friday: Impatience

Do you think the elderly are as impatient as the young? Do they wait with baited breath for the sound of a doorbell or the ringing of a telephone? Do they wait eagerly for the ghosts of loved ones or the harbinger of death? I had so many ideas for this topic but I ended up here.

Lakeside

Just got back from spending an extended weekend with my family at Lakeside on Lake Erie, Ohio. We celebrated my mother's birthday (happy birthday mom, I love you!) with a wonderful meal made by my wife followed by cupcakes made by the grandchildren. I had a fantastic time fishing, riding bikes, eating ice cream, and playing the deadliest of all games involving sticks and pucks, shuffleboard.
Dad with his catch. He spent fifteen hours fighting to land that monster.
Zach and yours truly, I'm trying to restrain him from his unbridled rage of excitement during the magic show. I could not contain him and I'll be a monkey's uncle if they ever find the rest of that rabbit.

This was the game where Zach had to have a talk with me about my attitude on the court. Mason, being the consummate sportsman, pretended to ignore the verbal bashing I took over my "hissy fits" and "drama queen theatrics" as Zach called them.Aboard a 1967 Lyman wooden boat.

Good stuff.