Grins and roses

I do believe the first time I saw this particular oil painting was about 13 years ago.

I was a very young Mom, out with some ladies from Bible class visiting our teacher's home.
(She is such a lovely woman who I have had the complete joy of learning so many things from.)
I remember her speaking in class often of her dear sweet husband with a such a glow about her.
Such true love right there!!!

Anyway...
I can't remember the reason for that visit, but boy do I remember that picture all these years later.
Mommies, I am gonna talk at you for a second!
There have been huge patches of my life in which I could not pursue art work of any kind for myself, because I was pursuing survival.
Okay, I admit that may have been an overly dramatic statement!

I just mean, when you are a Mom, and that is your "job" all the other things in your life simply must get put on hold while you accomplish the task of diapering and feeding and working irregular amounts of sleep, all while being madly in love.
And we all know what LOVE does to you.
Slowly but surely, you get back time for those things in your life which you desire, and help to define you as a person.
In fact, you must get back to those things a little at a time.
You are raising your kids, but you have to keep growing yourself as well.

Back to our story for today!
Artwork has always been that for me; its a part of the definition of me!
For awhile there, that part of me was denied for a greater good.
I am not complaining, just stating the facts.
Anyway...as a young mom,( not able to pursue artwork at the time) seeing this painting allowed me to see a thing of beauty and revel in it.
Like taking a deep breath of fresh clean air.

Of course I do love home grown tomatoes so the subject caught my eye before the detail of it.
And, to be able to stand in the room with the artist and look around his home and see his other works was like a miniature art gallery visit!
I was charmed!
It wasn't only the artwork doing the charming either.
Mr. Bob, the artist (and husband of our teacher) was and is a darling gentle, gentleman!
I mean... that is really the best way I can describe him.

I have had the distinct pleasure of being able to visit with him many more times over these passing years and have loved every single visit.
It is always nice to be able to chat with another artist, another person who really sees beauty in a way similar to the way I do!


His daughter, who I have loved for even longer than 13 years, let me know that the Larkspur is blooming out at their shared property and that I should head over for a photo opportunity.
I was glad to have an excuse to visit the flowers and my friend, Mr. Bob!


He took me on a tour of their lovely garden, deftly remembering all of the 80 some varieties of roses as we meandered by them.
No, he didn't name them all...but he sure knew each name should I ask! And I have no doubt that he could have named every one. Amazing!

He knew exactly which ones I needed to take the time to smell, standing there waiting with a huge grin on his face.
A very knowing grin!!

He would point out a bloom, tell me to smell, begin that grin, watch me lean in for a whiff, wait for my response then fill that grin all the way out...knowing exactly what I had just experienced!!


I was entranced by the spent poppies, which at this time had only the pods remaining.


Of course the bees were buzzing...


...and the sun was shining, giving a glow to everything in its way.



I think that this is the larkspur. It was the most prevalent item in their garden right now.

We have been under something of a drought, which Mr. Bob let me know meant that nothing had as a strong of a color or smell.
Interesting!
And he should know, by the way, having been a longtime member of the Rose Society!
I bet he learned a thing or two from working in that flower shop back in the day as well.


I just love a gorgeous succulent, don't you??? Okay, maybe you don't but you should!!

That one is called Hens and Chicks if I am remembering correctly!!

Hens and chicks!
I feel something like a little chick a dee when I am spending time with Mr. Bob. He is quick to take me under his wing and listen to all of my crazy artist talk, nodding along because he really does "get it"!!!

Here is Mr. Bob sitting in his favorite chair with a portrait of his lovely wife that he painted a few years back!

Such delightful people! What a treasure to know them all.


I couldn't let you miss out on this grin!

He is lit up from the inside out, no doubt about it.