Favorite Books

My boys' favorite books, once upon a time.

Tug

Swamp Rock

Hornbeam and Douglas Fir Screen

My backyard has a new character.  There's a huge house where Redwoods, a Cedar and  a Pine once grew.

The plan:  I've planted a row of Hornbeams and a Douglas Fir. Whether I'll live long enough to see it reach fruition is a legitimate question.

2001

Isaac Levitan

Isaac Ilyich Levitan

Isaac Ilyich Levitan (Исаа́к Ильи́ч Левита́н); August 30, 1860 – August 4, 1900) was a classical Russian landscape painter who advanced the genre of the "mood landscape."

A tonal and compositional study of the subject.

More work in pencil. 

Sam Ewing

SAM EWING


They called him "One take Sam" :  He could write voice-over copy for a television commercial and  record it for broadcast on the first try.


Writing copy with stopwatch and cigarette

In the booth

Let X = X

Let X = X

Backyard

The trouble with owning your own home is that, no matter where you sit, it seems you're looking at something you should be doing. --Sam Ewing



2016

2001

2005

2010

Duffman

Seaside, Oregon

Seaside Oregon

Cattle art

Muhammad-Hadiy-i-Sahhaf

Yet one more among those who emigrated and came to settle near Bahá'u'lláh was the bookbinder, Muhammad-Hadi. This noted man was from Isfahan, and as a binder and illuminator of books he had no peer. When he gave himself up to the love of God he was alert on the path and fearless. He abandoned his home and began a dreadful journey, passing with extreme hardship from one country to another until he reached the Holy Land and became a prisoner. He stationed himself by the Holy Threshold, carefully sweeping it and keeping watch. Through his constant efforts, the square in front of Bahá'u'lláh's house was at all times swept, sprinkled and immaculate.

Bahá'u'lláh would often glance at that plot of ground, and then He would smile and say: "Muhammad-Hadi has turned the square in front of this prison into the bridalbower of a palace. He has brought pleasure to all the neighbors and earned their thanks."


Abdu'l-Baha, Memorials of the Faithful, p. 67

Hosta

Hosta brightens up this corner.

Seven years ago the corner looked a little different. As the Maple tree grew, the corner became too shady for the Lilac.

The same corner nine years ago.  I thought it was the perfect place for a Lilac, which it turned out to be.

The Maple provides shade on warm summer afternoons. 

The first summer.