These are Common Moorhens…I thought they were Coots, but then I am not a true bird-watcher, like my friend, photographer Bob Gefaell.  But my "Birds of North America" book says they are Moorhens and even shows a picture like the photo I took in Naples last winter.  This duo reminds me of two of my artsy friends who paint birds, bird nests, bird eggs... Laurie W. Samuels and Ruthie W. Mann.  They are into birds!   
Well, I just uploaded four new paintings to the web site that were inspired by their work…bird nests.  There is a Red Bird Nest; two Blue Bird Nests; and two Black Bird Nests.  The real nests are from a couple of Juncos who live in our Boston Ferns…they are sculptors…don't say much, but they eat a lot for little fellas.  Pretty good weavers, too.  The Mountain attracts them, y'know…artsy types...Enjoy!

What a great Saturday afternoon!  Not only did "The King of Crossnore" show up, but so did a hundred of his closest friends!  Thank you all for coming…your wonderful comments…and for saving me some of the Rendezvous cheese plate and chocolate chip cookies.  Special "thangyuhvurrymuch to Barbara Timberman, Liz and Sarah from The Art Cellar Gallery, and my wonderful wife, Bobbie for being such a BIG help.  I wish I had six more "Kings" because they would all have homes today…
More to come, so stay tuned, y'all!

Saturday afternoon from 2-4, there will be a "meet and greet" at the Dickson Gallery of the Cannon Hospital in Linville, North Carolina.  Who are you gonna' meet?  Well, maybe  the "King of Crossnore!"  Last year, while delivering "Meals on Wheels" with a friend of mine, a PIP from California, we met the King himself.  My buddy captured him on digital camera and forwarded several images of him to me…I had to paint him!  He rules the roost in that yard and hardly let us on the front porch…knee high…and spurs longer than most Texas bull riders.  Who else will you meat?  Yea, I did that on purpose…I am going to whip up one of my other specialties…a Rendezvous Cheese Plate…or at least my version with hoop cheese, Greek peppers, dill spears and smoked sausage…all sprinkled with Rendezvous' World Famous dry rub!  Ummm-um-um! Thank you, Jesus!  Oh, and I'll be there telling tales about the other 23 paintings in the show…should be a lot of fun…may be a few celebrities in the crowd (look for the "Tater Hoe"), but none like the "King of Crossnore."
P.S.  PIP from California…like all us retirees…Previously Important People!