I have worked on a large painting of a building here in Westgate center for three weeks. Solid time, too, with occasional breaks for drying time on the canvas. It is a painting I volunteered to do for friends who own and run a fine restaurant. They had a catastrophic kitchen fire one night in the Spring and have been rehabbing the joint ever since.

I said I volunteered it. (Blushes and chokes.)

Somebody slap me, please!

This is a very difficult painting and it has been driving me nuts. I have done so many 'do-overs' on it that I am thinking of giving up art for plumbing, or carpentry, or nuclear physics, or something easier.

Today I saw a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

I think I can wrap it up this week.

They are just about ready to install the new kitchen equipment and have completely redone almost everything else, and I have to have the painting in its frame (which I have) and on their wall next week.

I know they will be ready to open when I see my bottle of single malt Scotch on the shelf behind the bar.

I will try to post a photo soon.