IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT

 I'm slowly putting together another book chronicling our exploration of the American Southwest, and Western Canada , but I have to tell you that as one ages it becomes more and more difficult to gather up one's thoughts, and put together sketches and paintings. My message therefore,  for those of you thinking of taking your efforts and putting together a book, don't put off until you're old and creaky......

High Road To Taos.  Graphite Drawing

Carson National Forest.   -  New Mexico

Taos Mountain.    Graphite  Drawing

Taos Mountain from the Quail Ridge Inn circle. 1993

It's hard to believe, but we climbed up that mountain on a couple of occasion, albeit years ago when we were a young 60 years of age, or so. I now get tired just looking at my drawing. On one occasion we got caught up in a hail storm at the top of the mountain, and almost succumbed to hypothermia. Who would have guessed that the temperature in the eighties could suddenly drop down to the thirties in a matter of minutes, and spit a blanket of hail accompanied by bolts of lightning. Incidentally, that's not snow on the top of the mountain.

New Mexico is called the Enchanted Land, and it is enchanting.  Whether it's the cloudless sky, the landscape, or the various cultures, there's something there that makes one want to stay.

In fact many artists visited and stayed, including Georgia O'keefe. Looking back on my life, I sometimes wish that I had the courage, and had also stayed.