Finished the vineyard painting last night and signed it as the huge storm arrived. Went down to the living room and soon had four cats snuggling on my lap and legs while the thunder and lightning cracked and rumbled for a half hour as I watched the radar images on the TV. Didn't lose power this time.

Finally went to bed about 1:30 am.

The painting is small, 16" by 8" high. It is in the "style" of the vineyard I really believe was my best one, titled as VINEYARD SUNSET in 2007 or 2008 when I finished it and sold it to a patron from Columbus. That patron bought several more smaller works over the next couple years and is now a good friend. He also introduced me to the gallery in Clintonville and to Tom Wolfel, my top frame guy.

I haven't been able to take a photo of the painting yet. The sky is dark and ugly so there is little natural light outside. I can't use flash on paintings. It makes white spots and reflections. It also washes out the color. The best light for art is reflected diffused sunlight. Even a thin cloud cover is near perfect.

Now I have a couple web sites to finish. I need to get Tom's done before the middle of May, and another one is way behind schedule. So the painting goes on the "back burner" for a while.

The week looks wet from here to the end of the weekend. I planned golf on Thursday morning but that probably will be a washout.

I think I will thaw some pork chops for tonight. Sunday I am going to my landlord's farm for a soiree Easter patio dinner to which I have been invited. They always do it up well and the food is good. I hope it doesn't rain. I can't take my Mom to Easter dinner at a restaurant because of her condition. She is just too frail now. Most of her brunches end up on her lap and I don't feel like hand-feeding her. I visited her yesterday and took her a sandwich and fries from Wendy's. She consumed it all!

The cats were petrified last night when a lightning strike was just too close. I got several claw cuts on my legs when it happened, even though I wore thick denim jeans. Rosie bailed off my chest and left two bleeding cuts on my right wrist. Comes with the territory.