We might not have leaves changing color here on the Emerald Coast, but we definitely have Autumn Colors of our own.

This simple photo was not re-touched or accented in any way, and was in fact taken on my little iPhone!

I love taking photographs here on the Coast.  The Island offers all kinds of beautiful views, and I have enjoyed so many different ones this year.  It is nearly December, and I won't be able to return to my beautiful Paradise until March, and I will miss all the beauty that is here.

The wind on the water, the sea birds and dolphins and rays and the waves and sand have provided me with so much beauty since I purchased the condo in May.  The variety is endless.  I will be leaving for China in just over a week, and am sure I will find some beautiful views and unusual things to photograph there, but I also believe I will never tire of taking pictures here on the Island.

While I intend to take many pictures over the next few months, I also would like to take a photography course before I return to the Island in May.  You see, I believe that an artist not only creates beautiful things, but also sees beauty through eyes that force him/her to want to share their vision with everyone else.

This simple little picture has me so captivated with all its shading and color that I think I will have it reproduced on canvas.  I can't wait to see China and Thailand and find treasures in the beauty of the landscapes and people there. 

I finished the first week of my Ease Into 5K today, but I am going to repeat the first week before moving on.  The case of whooping cough I had this summer has made stamina a bit more difficult for me.  I am hoping that by backtracking a week, I can help to build back into a greater amount of lung capacity and strength.  Oh, don't get me wrong, I am feeling really terrific now since I have lost 23 pounds.  I got myself outfitted today with a good pair of running shoes and an outfit to go with them.  My bright yellow top makes me very visible, and I have just discovered the wonders of a sports bra!  I wish I had tried one of those a long time ago...really keeps things in place! 

Tomorrow is Sunday and I will be leaving here on Wednesday, so I am trying to squeeze all I can into my last few days here.  Tuesday night we will be attending a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert in Pensacola. I fell in love with the group over 30 years ago, and am glad they are still producing such magnificent music!  We will be going to dinner at a Restaurant in Pensacola called Jaco's which has excellent reviews.  I will, of course be watching very closely what I eat...don't want to blow the diet now!  So, dinner and a great concert will end my season here on the Gulf Coast, but I will be back in the Spring, ready for another beautiful time on the beautiful Island I call home.

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy

Art and Artists

This beautiful Murano glass pendant was designed by local artist "Dr. Meow", Doretha Jones.  Dr. Jones is an emergency veterinary doctor who has found her passion in making the most extraordinary jewelry I have ever seen.

This tiny jellyfish is housed completely in a glass teardrop.  Look at the tiny beautiful tentacles, the detail is absolutely amazing.  Dr. Meow's passion is evident in every piece of her work.

I had the opportunity to spend about and hour and a half with Dr. Meow this evening.  She is an ebullient and energetic woman who has thousands of beautiful ideas waiting to burst from her brain onto the walls where she displays her amazing work.  She does lovely lampwork beading, wire weaving and wire knitting, interweaving extraordinary pieces of glass and stone into her work.  I have never seen any glass work jewelry more beautifully crafted.

Dr. Meow is a true artist.  Oh, many people can be taught to "craft" and create pretty things.  Painting, glasswork and many other arts can be taught.  But a true "artist" has that creative spark which burns within and doesn't need prompting.  They are bubbling with new ideas to improve their craft at all times. 

Dr. Meow travels to learn new techniques in her pursuit of crafting beautiful glass and metal jewelry. 

I have recently made acquaintance of another local artist here on the Emerald Coast, Lisa Fretina.  Lisa paints.  She paints a huge variety of subjects and is excellent at what she does.   She also teaches others, sharing her knowledge and experience to assist other would be artists to progress.  Lisa is another energetic, bubbly person whose ideas spill out onto canvas in colorful and magical paintings!

The Emerald Coast seems to bring out the best in all the artists who live here.  From Dr. Meow and Lisa to Alan Hoelzle the photographer who seems to capture each and every mood here on the Emerald Coast.  Isn't that a positively glorious photo?  Amazing.

As I said before, anyone can be taught to paint pictures, take pictures and create jewelry, but only a true ARTIST has that special spark that makes their body of work stand out from the crowd! 

I am privileged to know some of those people and their work, and I hope some of you will check it out!  It will lift your spirits.

GOD BLESS - Peace, Love and Joy