I'm back after a month of vacationing in cold, damp, Washington State. I've ignored the laptop except to tune in my favorite public radio shows, and developed a minor obsession with crossword puzzles. We did drink our way across Portland one day, but mostly I kicked back at my sister's doing little but escaping the routines of my life. Boredom led me to paint this one image. It's from an old photo of my sister's boyfriend, David, when he was a hippie. They'd crimped his hair (he's such a sport) and he was kicking back reading when Kathy snapped the photo. I've always loved the image, a memory of a time when we were all a bit wilder and more carefree. And yes, the book was a bitch to recreate. I don't really do tributes as I tend to feel inadequate, but I'd like to dedicate this to Thea Venger. It was a sad irony to have painted this only to receive the message from her mother of her passing. I think she understood the essence of this painting, living life for all it is worth, unselfconsciously engaging in the moment with a vivacious enthusiasm. Blessings to you Thea. You are missed.