Dear Friends from all over, Mar. 22, 2012

I have been very neglectful of all of you by not writing for such a long time. I have been on a journey or adventure and just didn’t fit you into the schedule. Another part of the reason is that the new laptop computer didn’t know how to send messages to Janet who was tending to the home fire. I just didn’t take the time to find out how to make it all work.
We had the Dutch auction of some of Jan’s paintings. It got up to the 50% off and now we have two parties who have earned the right to buy at that ridiculous price. After they have chosen their paintings the prices go back to the original price and will stay there or go higher. I suspect they will go higher. There is still a Jan Dorer following who value her work and think the value will increase in time. Some of you may see this happen. I think I’m a bit old to see it.

My journey tale is forthcoming. I am on a dating site. Being the clever guy I am, I said I was planning on renting a condo in Florida during January and February 2012. I got a hit from a lady in Dunedin saying she wished to rent her place to me for she wanted to spend the time in Guatemala living with a family and improving her language skill. I saw. I rented. I journeyed to Dunedin. I was scared as hell for I was this old man, all alone, knowing no one and trying to put all together. Now I never washed clothes until Jan was quite sick. Never ever ironed and still haven’t. I threw the clothes in the washer and push the proper button. Later I looked for my car keys and found they were still in the pocket on my pants along with some other lesser important items. The Dodge Caravan has this black plastic thing you stick in a hole to start the car. It doesn’t take well to wetness. A little normal key comes out of the back of the hunk of plastic and unlocks the car. BUT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED ALARM GOES ON. If I hurried and put the hunk of plastic in the hole designed for it the alarm would go off. I finally found a Chrysler dealer for the Dodge shops are no more. They ordered a new one and programmed it. Price $225.00. Next day I lost my cell phone. It was my only contact to my known civilization. $200 for a new one and if I found my old one within two weeks it was only $35 for the use of the new phone. After a week I was called from the marina across the street. They had found it in the parking lot. Met some nice people tho.

The condo was wonderful with two bedrooms and two baths and a beautiful living room with view overlooking the gulf. If you are real nosy google Dunedin, Fl. 340 Causeway Blvd. Just look where I found myself after I found myself. It was wonderful. First floor was a garage for cars under the building and two stories above. I was on the top floor. Now being Gil you might feel it insignificant but there were three jazz bars within walking distance of the condo. One of the bars was British with real British food. Many bloody Brits came to see and I may say drink. On Wed. night a combo played. The keyboard player was with Dick Clark for many years. About 8:00 the oldies were on with an open mike. I got to know some people and learned a great deal about the singers etc. I was lucky enough to meet Anita and her husband, George. I’ll call him George for I don’t remember his name. Do know he has had eight holes in one in a game called golf. Anita is 89 and George 90. Both had great minds. I was given a chair next to Anita and she told me all the history of the singers. There was one harmonica player who played with the original Harmonicats. Remember, “Peg of my Heart”? He was on it with the bass harmonica. Talked him into bringing it but left before he brought it. There was a female singer who sang the song she recorded in 1961. Never did get her name let alone phone number.

Almost forgot. My last night to be there I didn’t feel things were right. Didn’t know why just didn’t feel right. I dressed and wasn’t happy but thought I should go anyway. When I got to the bar all the seats were taken and it seemed no one cared if I was there or not. I was out of sorts so stayed a bit and snuck off for home. Got home and took off my shirt only to find I had it on inside out. Now I don’t understand how clothes become inside out when you wash them but they do. I have a feeling I’m the only one who would tell this story.

Guess this is enough for tonight. I’m going to catch up on stories seeing I’ve let you down for so long. Got lots more to say. Stick around and drop in occasionally to see what’s said. You may not be sorry.

Janet was in charge of my place and the selling of paintings. She did a great job and is now ready to sell artist materials. I have lots and lots of mats that were all ready for Jan but never got filled. They are all of super quality mat board far better than most artists use. I always tried to have the best quality materials for I wanted Jan’s work to last. A super artist I know was not a great marketer. He had lots of unsold paintings and a major gallery chain came and saw and wanted to market the work until they found the work was all on student grade watercolor board. He was not to be represented by the galleries and lost tens of thousands of bucks due to cheapness. Most artists use a less expensive board. If the edge of the board is visible you can tell for the professional grade board is pure white meaning museum quality. The student grade is gray like news print. Stick around for I have lots more trivia to tell later.

I do hope you will attempt to be kind to all animals including people.