TWO DOGS TALL

Senior Center Painting

2012-02-02T17:55:00.001-06:00

Early Morning Swamp

I go down to the Senior Center every Tuesday afternoon to paint. Above is my latest painting that I'm very proud of. I get a lot of advice from other painters when I go to class which helps me when I'm home painting in my bedroom. I have found that painting is very relaxing and I appreciate my daughter, Karen, and my son-in-law, Ron, who owns Artisans in Santa Fe, NM, for supplying me with all the paintings materials that I need so I can continue to enjoy the art of painting.

My Painting for Today!

2012-01-30T16:14:00.000-06:00

Walking In The Aspens

My Latest Paintings

2012-01-28T13:22:00.000-06:00

Sunny Side

Beautiful Fall Mountain

Rear Arch Window

Hunting With My Son

2012-01-22T15:24:00.003-06:00

I received a phone call yesterday afternoon around 3:00 from my son, Greg, if I would like to hunt with him Sunday morning at his camp, Brown's Point on Kings Point Island. Of course, I told him I would love too. Got all my hunting clothes on, some overnight things packed and Marian took me to the Kings Point Ferry at 7:00 where Greg came over on the ferry to meet me and take me back to camp. So glad to see some of my old hunting buddies there and some new faces also. We all sat down and had big bowl of venison stew. It was delicious! Settled in upstairs in Greg's room and I looked forward to an early morning hunt. Below are some pictures of our hunt together.

I slept on the bottom bunk! Used my hunting jacket for a pillow.

This morning on a deer hunt - I still look kinda sleepy!

In front of us...

Greg waiting for a deer to step out.

Greg did not think I would be able to get into his deer stand (No. 38) but showed him I could.

Noticed the center limb sticking out - it looks like a dog's head - do you see it?

To the side of us...

In front of us...

My son,Greg, after we got up in the deer stand.

Checking out the green field to the right of us.

Leaving stand No. 38. Had a good morning hunt and only saw a few deer that were too far away for my son to shoot. It's was great to be outdoors and enjoy nature and watching it wake up for another day! Life is good!

Hunting South of Town

2012-01-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

Marian and I were invited down to my step-granddaughter, Victoria, and her husband, Jamie's land south of town for an afternoon hunt. Above is Jamie after he and Marian helped me get set up in my one-man stand. I hunted overlooking a creek bed on the edge of the land but did not see anything. It was nice to be in the woods and hunting again.

Look down at the creek bed.

In front of me!

To the side!

Marian took this picture of me in my one-man stand before she left to go hunting.

Today's Painting

2012-01-14T10:49:00.002-06:00

Storm Over Santa Fe!

Today's Painting

2012-01-08T11:08:00.000-06:00

A west Texas town.

Christmas Gift To My Wife

2012-01-08T11:04:00.001-06:00

I painted this vase of cotton balls for my wife, Marian, at the Vicksburg Senior Center. She really liked it and we plan to put it in a wooden frame. I am very proud of it!

Today's Painting

2012-01-02T19:42:00.000-06:00

Church with graveyard!

Timber Life Note Paintings

2012-01-02T19:40:00.000-06:00

Property of Timber Life Wildscapes 2011

My Painting for Today!

2011-12-17T11:25:00.000-06:00

Smarty

My Latest Paintings

2011-12-13T19:52:00.000-06:00

Santa Fe Skyline

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Buck and Doe Walking Through the Woods.

Camo Buck and Doe

My Painting for Today!

2011-12-04T18:31:00.000-06:00

Indian Desert Sunset

My Latest Painting!

2011-11-22T22:07:00.000-06:00

A sacred white buffalo!

My Latest Paintings

2011-11-17T15:09:00.000-06:00

Cheyenne Sunset

Sioux Teepee

My Painting Today!

2011-10-31T14:23:00.000-05:00

A church in the country at fall by TWO DOGS!

My Latest Paintings

2011-10-22T12:32:00.000-05:00

Buck rubbing a branch.

Another buck rubbing a branch.

Country store.

Another country store.

Pink and Blue sky over the gorge.

My Newest Paintings

2011-10-16T17:22:00.000-05:00

Puma resting on a tree limb.

Santa Fe Church on a hillside.

Classmate John's Vicksburg Visit

2011-10-11T19:46:00.000-05:00

My Boys Town classmate, John Finn, aka (iamflagman), came into Vicksburg last night and today we got together and went out to eat at a Mexican Restaurant and toured the Vicksburg National Military Park. It was so great to see and visit with him again. John went straight into the service after we graduated and when he got out became a flagman and now rides around in his very own Blue Bird bus pulling his toys behind him. John also has a cat named, Callie, that keeps him company on his drives throughout the countryside. Here are some pictures that my wife, Marian, took of our memorable visit.

So good to see John again.

His home...

This is what he pulls and our truck along side the back compartment behind the bus.

Catching up...

Finn's Inn Annex on the backside of the compartment. His license is WABBIT!

Getting ready to enjoy our lunch at El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant.

Giving John a copper tree that I made for him.

Reminiscing about our Boys Town days!

Another picture before we head out to the Vicksburg National Military Park.

In front of the Illinois Monument on John's very first visit to our civil war park.

Today's Painting

2011-10-07T18:24:00.000-05:00

Home in the Valley!

Alumni News

2011-10-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

Today I received my Alumni News issue and this picture was on the back of it. It was taken at the 2011 Biennial Convention held in Boys Town, NE, July 29-31. It was quoted as saying that everyone came away with a special joy and sense of reunion that comes from family getting together to share what has been happening in their lives.

Click on picture to enlarge.

A Guido Painting

2011-10-05T15:47:00.000-05:00

Guido ~ A Handsome Dog by Two Dogs!

Guido, Linda and I at Corner Drug Store, October 4, 2011.

I was so happy that Linda Gerache liked the picture that I painted of her dog, Guido. Here I am presenting the picture to her yesterday afternoon at the store. Guido has a playmate, Sophia, which is her husband, Joe's dog.

Guido is happy that my wife Marian is taking his picture!

Joe "Bubba" Gerache, Jr., owner/druggist at Corner Drug Store downtown Vicksburg.

My Painting Class @ Senior Center

2011-10-04T18:16:00.001-05:00

My painting instructor, Joyce.

A painting that I'm working on for Linda at Corner Drug Store.

I attend my painting classes at the Senior Center on Tuesday afternoons from about 1:00 to 3:30. I have been going now for approximately 6 months and have really learned a lot. They furnish all the supplies that I need to paint a picture. Above are some of the ladies in my class and one gentleman. Also, a picture of a dog that I am painting for my friend, Linda, whose husband owns the Corner Drug Store. This is her pet Quido!

My Latest Deer Painting

2011-10-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

Buck Rubbing Up Against A Branch

Work Weekend @ Camp

2011-09-22T11:52:00.001-05:00

Marian and I were invited up to the famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club in the MS Delta over the past weekend for a work day. We arrived on Saturday morning and I spent the day helping her at the camp house. Sunday, Rex, Hershel and I, took off across the Beaver Dam to get some tree limbs up that had fallen on the road while his Dad worked the field at the Box Stand. Above, Hershel and I are puttering around in the gator after he came in from plowing the fields.

We brought Rex and extra shirt from Artisan's that my son-in-law, Ron, sent to us. He has a business in Santa Fe, NM, called Artisan. This is where I get all my art supplies to do my paintings. We were acting up here because the shirt says...KISS AN ARTIST TODAY! We really had a good workday weekend and enjoyed seeing everyone and look forward to our next visit to the camp for the big hog hunt. This is the first time that peanuts were planted on the 500 acres. In a few weeks the peanuts will be turned over and dried out before being harvested and I know for sure the hogs and deer will come a runnin.

Wolf painting that I gave Rex hanging in the bunk room.

My Latest Painting

2011-09-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

My latest painting from my painting class at the Senior Center this past Tuesday. Need to put my Two Dogs signature on it and I'm finished!

Towboat Stopped In River

2011-09-10T12:58:00.001-05:00

Marian and I went to the Louisiana Overlook yesterday evening and as we turned in saw a towboat, Dennis C. Bottorff, Ingram Barge Co., not moving in the river. It may have been ordering supplies from Ergon's Store to make a delivery after it passes under the MS River bridges. You can check out my wife's blog site (Marian's Hunting Stories, etc., etc., etc.) and see more pictures of the towboat that finally made it way downriver. Part of Diamond Jacks Casino in foreground. Photo by Bob Phillips

Latest Painting

2011-09-04T13:42:00.006-05:00

My latest painting of a wolf that I completed last week at the Vicksburg Senior Center.

Wolf picture framed.

Wolf

I'm really enjoying my 'new found' hobby of painting - thanks to my daughter, Karen who is also an artist and son-in-law, Ron, in Santa Fe, NM. Ron runs an art supply store in Santa Fe, NM, by the name of ARTISAN which IS the art supply store of the southwest! They also offer art workshops from April through September. If you are in the area check them out! Thanks for your inspiration Karen and Ron!

Artisan

2601 Cerrillos Road

Santa Fe, NM 87505

Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Sun: Noon-5pm

505.854.4179

1401 Maclovia

Santa Fe, NM 87505

1.800.331.6375

Karen's Website!

Continued - Pictures of Class Reunion

2011-09-04T10:57:00.001-05:00

Class '61 Pictures

Class of 1961

Front row- left to right: Dell Coleman, Armand Jackson, Jim Price, John Schmidt and Richard Curtis.

Back row - left to right: Joe Holewinski, Harvey Lawrence, Gary Rusterholz, Richard Matus and Father Boes.

Front row - left to right: Ron Fisher, Anthony Astuto, Dean Albert and Robert Hellmann.

Back row - left to right: Father Boes, Melvin Picraux, Cornelius Arnold, Laurence Mulligan and Jim Rhudy.

Armand Jackson

Armand Jackson with wife and daughter.

Anthony Astuto and wife.

Melvin Picraux and Joe Holewinski

Joe Holewinski and wife.

Gary Rusterholz, Richard Curtis and wife.

Harvey Lawrence and his wife, Pat.

Continued...Pictures of Class Reunion

2011-08-24T18:08:00.000-05:00

John Mollison

Class of 1964

Ron Fisher

Veterans Memorial

Boys Town Honor Guard

Honor Guard and John Mollison

Father Boes

Special Award

Father Peters

21 Gun Salute

Pat Means and Melvin Picraux

To be continued...

Continued...Pictures of Class Reunion

2011-08-20T19:23:00.004-05:00

Coach George Pfeifer

Armand Jackson, wife and daughter.

John Schmidt and wife.

Richard Render and Robert Picraux (Class of 1959)

Great Hall Social

Bowl that Mel Picraux made and donated for the Silent Auction and went for $100.00

Sandy and Robert Picraux

Dean Albert

Richard Curtis and wife.

Jim Price and Anthony Astuto

Harvey Lawrence and Dell Coleman's wives.

Harvey Lawrence and Dell Coleman

Harvey Lawrence ready for the camera with Dell Coleman.

To be continued...

Pictures of Class Reunion

2011-08-15T14:51:00.002-05:00

Cornelius Arnold and Melvin "Mel" Picraux

Friday Registration

Picture of Class Sign

Jim Rhudy in middle and Robert Hellmann and wife.

Left to right - Jim Price, Jim Rhudy and Harvey Lawrence.

Left to right, Jim Rhudy, Jim Price, Harvey Lawrence, Jim Schmidt and Dell Coleman.

Anthony Astuto and wife.

Kathy Picraux and Robert Hellmann's wife.

Jim Rhudy and Cornelius Arnold

Richard Matus and wife.

To be continued...

My 50th Class Reunion

2011-08-14T22:02:00.000-05:00

I will be posting periodically, pictures taken at my 50th Class Reunion recently at Boys Town in Omaha, NE. It will include a Golden Jubilee Boys Town 1960 & 1961 booklet and numerous pamphlets.

My classmate, Mel Picraux, who lives in Republic, Missouri, sent me a big package full of material that was given out at the convention to the classmates attending. I wish to thank Mel for being so kind in remembering me since my wife, Marian and I could not make the trip. I hope my classmates will visit my blog and live out our class reunion again and again. (For better viewing please click on picture)

Four Paintings!

2011-08-13T14:52:00.000-05:00

The Electra Falls

Navaho Sky

Early October

Good Luck

Visiting My Friend Baby Doll

2011-08-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

Several years ago I was attending Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service - Some Place Special, an elderly day program for approximately five hours, four days a week and enjoyed exercising, playing games, lunch, crafts, etc. I really enjoyed going there but have not been back in a couple of years. While there I met the nicest lady and her real name is Lener Mae Taylor, but everyone calls her "Baby Doll". Baby Doll is 96 years old and still has her mind and would talk for hours about her childhood life. She lived at Magnolia Manor on Manor Drive. Recently, she fell and broke her hip in her apartment. It was a good thing that someone was with her when it happened. She is now at Heritage House Nursing Home and yesterday, Marian and I paid her a visit. We enjoyed talking to her and listening to the music of the 30's and 40's while visiting visiting in the cafeteria. Baby Doll and I had a root beer float while Marian enjoyed some vanilla ice cream. Here are some pictures that Marian took while we were there. She will be living permanently at the nursing home and still experiencing a lot of pain. We pray that the Good Lord will heal and watch over my friend Baby Doll!

Lener Mae Taylor

"Baby Doll"

Today's Painting

2011-08-04T12:22:00.000-05:00

A home east of Santa Fe, NM.

My Early Morning Painting!

2011-08-01T15:29:00.000-05:00

After I went to bed Saturday night, I woke up early Sunday morning and could not go back to sleep and ended up painting this picture.

Today's Painting

2011-07-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

Mountain Stream

50th Class Reunion Weekend

2011-07-29T14:56:00.010-05:00

UPDATE: (July 30, 2011) John made it to Pearl, MS about 52 miles from Vicksburg where he spent the night and left for Jackson only a couple of miles away and the radiator started overheating again. Will try and get it fixed this week in Jackson. He was very disappointed as we were and said that he may have to cancel his vacation trip altogether.

This is the weekend of my 50th class reunion at Boys Town in Omaha, NE, and I will not be able to attend because of health reasons. One of my classmates, John Finn, lives in South Carolina and has been trying to get through Vicksburg for a quick visit since last weekend. Below is a note I received from him yesterday of all his troubles. Marian and I do hope he can finally make his way to Vicksburg and knows he will not be able to make it in time for the reunion. This is also his planned 2011 vacation trip and having problems before he can get down the road good. We are hoping and praying that he gets his motor home fixed and can continue on his way. Here is what he had to say...

Well somethings are not really going as planned so far on this trip, after three attempts at leaving my friend Randy's place in Georgia, due to problems created by the radiator flush chemicals that did there job much more than we could have ever anticipated at removing and loosening up old stop leak material that evidently had been used extensively in the 5 chassis heaters before I purchased the bus, so much so that it has been like awakening a monster, so far I have removed the 2 thermostats three times and changed out 32 gallons of fresh coolant and removed cleaned and reinstalled the radiator three times and now I have gotten as far as Meridian, MS.

Today I had originally talked to Clark Diesel in Jackson, Ms about getting the 'Bird in there where they have a reverse flushing tool, but after getting more information, I was told that they would not be able to work on it until Tuesday of next week, so I got in touch with the shops in Meridian where I was very close to and found an independent shop that did more mobile mechanic work and I was only seven miles from there so that is where I am now.

I got in touch with Browns radiator in Meridian and they would take the radiator and reverse flush it as soon as I could get it to them and all I needed the mobile mechanic for was a place to get off the road and I did almost all of the work at removing the radiator, but I needed him to do the heavy lifting, so that is what we did and the radiator will be ready to pick up first thing in the morning. I knew I was physically spent and didn't want to reinstall the radiator and get back on the road tonight, I was already two days behind schedule and now three days, so I called one of my classmates who was already at the reunion at Boys Town, Nebr. which started today and told him I wouldn't make it, there will be a 55th reunion in five years, sometimes the chips don't fall the way we want them to, but that's life.

If you look at the coolant it at first looks good, but with a flashlight, I can see very small brown specks in it and when I removed the hoses the remaining coolant that had not already drained from the radiator petcock was brown in color, so we stuck a garden hose in the 1 inch bypass hose from the radiator and flushed it until we saw clear water. I had already isolated the chassis heaters and motor minder for the water heater, by closing the coolant hose valves to them as that is where I believe the crud is coming from and the brown coolant in the block was from what had already gotten in there during my 300 mile trip from Randy's to here.

I will continue the rest of my 6,250 mile planned trip, so there is still more fun times to enjoy.

John Finn, Hopkins, SC

Today's Painting

2011-07-28T22:41:00.000-05:00

Aspens high in the mountains in the fall.

My wife, Marian, wanted to take a picture of me with this painting! She really liked it. I accomplished it within two hours.

Paintings This Week

2011-07-28T22:32:00.001-05:00

Old church with graveyard.

Aspens in New Mexico

Today's Painting

2011-07-23T16:27:00.001-05:00

Reservation Solitude

In Memory of Katie

2011-07-23T16:21:00.001-05:00

Katie

12/31/98 - 07/22/11

My wife, Marian, took one last picture of Katie and I before she took her to the Vicksburg Animal Hospital yesterday to be put down. She was so sick and weak and will be sadly missed by both of us and our families.

My Paintings For Today!

2011-07-22T14:06:00.000-05:00

An Adobe House. Can you find the dog?

American Indian Tepee

My Latest Paintings

2011-07-22T13:37:00.001-05:00

Morning walk through the woods.

Old abandon gas station.

A Nightly Hunt!

2011-07-15T15:46:00.000-05:00

Rex's Thunderhoof

A Golf Scene Painting!

2011-07-09T15:32:00.000-05:00

Augusta National Golf Course

My son, Greg, wanted me to paint a scene that was in a golf magazine of one of the golf holes at Augusta National. He really liked it and above is a picture of my painting I gave him.

A Letter To My Classmates!

2011-07-02T21:55:00.001-05:00

Click on letter twice to read.

30th Biennial Convention

July 28-31, 2011

Boys Town, Nebraska

My Paintings Framed

2011-06-28T14:16:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Karen, artist and son-in-law, Ron, sent me these frames recently and I put two of my paintings in them. Ron has a store in Santa Fe, NM, called Artisan-Santa Fe, where you can get all kinds of art supplies. Check out his site!

This was taken at the house on a table easel they sent me and the frame really makes my painting stand out!

I had already put this painting with the frame at River Chicks, downtown Vicksburg. It really opens up my picture. What a difference a frame makes!

Boys Town Alumni Veterans Memorial Video

2011-06-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

In honor of the Boys Town Veterans who gave their lives in Service to the Country.

Mike Smith
Region IV Director
Boys Town National Alumni Association
Boys Town, Nebraska

Robert W. Phillips (Class of 1961)
Served in the Army and the Army Reserves

My Picture Published

2011-06-26T13:14:00.000-05:00

Bob Phillips was walking his dog near his Vicksburg home when he looked up and saw this sight in the sky.

I was so excited this morning when I opened The Vicksburg Post and saw in the Classified Section that my picture I took was published. This is the first time for me! My wife, Marian, has had several pictures published and a few months ago I picked up a camera like hers at a pawn shop. Got a good deal on it! Now I'm taking pictures and must be getting good at it to have it published. Marian also had one published in today's Sunday paper next to mine. Readers can submit photos to the paper and will be published, either because of their subject matter or their oddity, or the photographic skills shown. It says to, give us your best shot and I did!

My Painting for Today!

2011-06-18T19:07:00.001-05:00

A really mad mountain lion up in a tree!

My Painting for Today!

2011-06-14T17:37:00.000-05:00

Deer in the Vicksburg National Military Park

My Painting for Today!

2011-06-12T14:59:00.000-05:00

An old dilapidated church somewhere out west!

My Recent Paintings

2011-06-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

An Adobe Church in Santa Fe!

Civil War Cannons!

Today's Painting

2011-06-05T19:16:00.000-05:00

Santuario de Guadalupe

100 N. Guadlupe, Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.955.6200

Built in 1781 west of the Santa Fe Plaza, the historic Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church is now an art and history museum. The Santuario contains the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's collection of New Mexican santos (carved images of the saints), Italian Renaissance paintings, and Mexican baroque paintings. Among the treasured works is Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the largest and finest oil paints of the Spanish Southwest, dated 1783 and signed by Jose de Alzibar, one of Mexico's most renowned painters.

Memorial Day Pictures

2011-05-30T14:28:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures in our National Military Park yesterday commemorating Memorial Day! Volunteers and park staff placed 18,000 flags on the military graves as part of the Memorial Day activities. Marian also took some pictures in the military park. We try every year to make a special trip to the park to pay our respects to all the soldiers who have laid down their lives so that we may have freedom in our country! God Bless our soldiers who have gone to their resting place and for all the ones that are serving and those who have served our country. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Today's Painting

2011-05-29T15:07:00.000-05:00

Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

In Arlington Cemetery near the east portico of the Amphitheater, it commemorates the dead of both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Bodies of unknown Americans from each of these conflicts rest here. A soldier of the First Battle Group, Third Infantry, guards the tomb day and night.

Two New Deer Paintings

2011-05-28T13:36:00.000-05:00

This painting has been sold to my barber's daughter, Melissa, to give to him for Father's Day!

I finished this painting yesterday. I let Marian put the birds in for me!

My Granddaughter, Eilley!

2011-05-28T13:30:00.000-05:00

Eilley is already posing for pictures! We can't wait to get out to Santa Fe, NM, to see our new granddaughter and great grandson. Marian and I are looking forward to visiting with family and catching up. It has been over 3 years since we made the trip out west.

My New Paintings

2011-05-16T17:44:00.000-05:00

Painted this today, Monday, May 16, 2011

Painted this on Saturday, May 14,2011.

Happy Birthday Karen

2011-05-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

Today is my daughter, Karen's, birthday and she is already a grandmother to Eilley whom she is holding. Marian and I are looking forward to visiting her and seeing Eilley for the first time in October. Happy Birthday Karen! I love you, Dad!

Happy Birthday to Eilley and Brittany!

2011-05-08T22:56:00.000-05:00

My Great Granddaughter, Eilley's, birthday was yesterday and she was 2 years told. This picture was taken at her 2nd Birthday party in Santa Fe, NM. Marian and are going to Santa Fe, in October to see Eilley and our new Step Great Grandson, Christian, born March 28, 2011. It was also, Brittany's birthday, our Step-Granddaughter. We want to wish both of them a belated Happy Birthday!

Brittany is on the right in black top and boots!

My Painting for Today!

2011-05-07T12:53:00.001-05:00

Santa Fe pueblo with a storm moving in!

Two Paintings Today!

2011-05-03T20:20:00.002-05:00

Today's painting.

Today, I finished this painting at the Senior Center.

Today's Painting

2011-05-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

Old rotten tree near a farmland.

My Knife Maker, Billy Foster

2011-05-02T14:10:00.001-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, Marian and I were invited over to visit Billy Foster and his wife, Peggy's for coffee. We really had a nice time and while there Marian took some pictures. Billy is a great craftsman of knives. He will be in the upcoming Gun and Knife Show in Jackson at the Trade Mart Center on May 14 and 15. He also sales his knives at the flea markets here in town. The next flea market will be the first weekend in October around the New and Old Court House Museum.

I'm standing by Billy's pride and joy, his truck!

Billy's wife, Peggy, standing in her lovely rose garden.

Peggy smelling her beautiful pink roses.

2011-04-28T17:36:00.000-05:00

This is my brand new apron from Artisan-Santa Fe that was sent to me by my daughter, Karen today and my son-in-law, Ron. It is a perfect fit! Thanks guys!

My handmade knife that I will give to my daughter, Karen, when we go out to Santa Fe, NM, in October for our granddaughter, Christina's wedding on October 8, 2011.

Today's Painting

2011-04-27T14:55:00.000-05:00

Oak Tree in the Fall!

Copper Trees @ River Chicks!

2011-04-23T12:48:00.001-05:00

Diana Cannon and myself in front of my display that she set up for me.

riverchicks@gmail.com

My latest painting of out west.

Another Painting

2011-04-21T15:11:00.001-05:00

I just finished painting this today and the picture I looked at to draw it from did not have the birds. Marian suggested that I add some and I was very pleased with the way it turned out. I am really enjoying my new found hobby.

Painting Of The Trees

2011-04-19T22:47:00.001-05:00

Another picture that I painted at the Senior Center and finished today. I have decided not to sign my pictures RWP anymore but to sign them "Two Dogs"!

Painting of a Mission Church

2011-04-18T15:39:00.002-05:00

A painting that I did that my daughter, Karen, sent me of a Mission Church in New Mexico.

Happy Birthday Son!

2011-04-15T11:49:00.000-05:00

Wishing Greg a very Happy 44th Birthday!

Paintings

2011-04-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

A new painting that I just completed.

Painting I did several years ago at the Vicksburg Senior Center. I will be placing both pictures at the flea market tomorrow at the Old Court House Museum. I will also be selling my copper trees sculptures at our booth.

Class of 1961 - Richard "Ace" Curtis

2011-04-11T17:55:00.002-05:00

Letter from my classmate, Richard "Ace" Curtis.

New Paintings

2011-04-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

I painted this picture in my painting class at the Senior Center and will give it to my son, Greg.

Painted this one of Autumn leaves and trees.

Gave this painting to my wife, Marian.

New Step Great Grandson!

2011-04-05T20:59:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Karen, with her husband, Ron, holding our new step great grandson. Kenneth "Christian" Whitmore was born March 28, 2011, at 8:59 p.m. in Santa Fe, NM.

Kenneth "Christian" Whitmore

My Paintings and Drawings

2011-03-04T13:08:00.001-06:00

My daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Ron, sent me some paints, brushes and supplies to start my new hobby of painting and drawing. They own an art supply company in Santa Fe, NM, called Artisans.

Bird on Japanese Magnolia Bush.

Fall leaves.

Bird in snow.

Hugger Tree

Squirrel

Outdoor scene and stream.

Rustic scene in Colorado.

Today's My Birthday!

2011-02-21T10:08:00.000-06:00

Today I turned 69 years old. Happy Birthday to me!

The Moon

2011-02-17T11:27:00.000-06:00

While I was outside walking our peek-a-poo, Katie, I looked up and saw the moon and decided to go back inside and grab my camera. I waited until the moon was centered in the clouds and took this picture. I thought it turned out pretty good and I like the glow effect that it gives off on the clouds.

My Painting

2011-02-16T16:25:00.003-06:00

My daughter, Karen, who lives in Santa Fe, NM, sent me some painting supplies recently for my birthday coming up on February 21st. Santa Fe is a big artsy city and her husband, Ron, is a partner in an art supply store, Artisan-Santa Fe in Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque, NM. She also has some of her paintings in galleries and doing very well. I have taken up painting as a hobby now since hunting season is over. I have really enjoyed creating and looking forward to my next painting project. I'm also going down to the Senior Center once a week (Tuesday) to do some water color painting and to get some experience. It really makes you feel good to create something and enjoy it at the same time. My thanks to Karen and Ron for getting me started on my new hobby of painting!

My New Stick

2011-02-12T12:32:00.001-06:00

My friend Jamie Howington made me another walking stick out of walnut. I'm am so proud of it! He also inscribed my name on it at the base. Thanks Jamie! I know I will enjoy using my new stick and I appreciate your friendship so much. (Photo taken by my wife, Marian)

Snowy Vicksburg!

2011-02-10T10:50:00.000-06:00

Marian getting the paper after it started sleeting yesterday afternoon.

Out front yard this morning...

Out back...

Squirrel in our backyard looking for buried nuts this morning.

Granddaughter At Christmas

2011-02-09T22:45:00.000-06:00

Our granddaughter, Eilley, in Santa Fe, NM, at Christmas time. Photo taken by her Mother, Jessica!

Thanks Rex!

2011-02-04T12:23:00.002-06:00

Thanks Rex for having Marian and I up to hunt at your famous Christmas Place Plantation and Hunting Club. We really had a wonderful time and made more hunting memories that will last a lifetime!

Relaxing After The Hunt

2011-02-03T09:04:00.004-06:00

Rex, Camo, Mark, Bobby and Trigger relaxing after a great meal including venison.

Hershel, with his neighborhood friend, Dorothy - Trent working on cleaning his muzzleloader.

Trent getting his muzzleloader ready for the morning hunt.

Ta Dah!!!

Marian, Trent and Rex discussing the morning hunt.

Sunday Morning Hunt @ Taj Mahal

2011-02-02T11:53:00.002-06:00

The Taj Mahal stand that Marian had taken a picture of the day before.

Once inside I took some pictures of the spectacular view. Below is showing that I had a place to put my gear. There was also another one on opposite side. A really nice stand to hunt out of but no deer walked out.

Rex was hunting out of the Levee stand across from me near the road. No deer!

Rex was ready to end the Sunday morning last hunt.

Relaxing after the end of the hunt for the season.

Hunting Near The Elbow Stand

2011-02-01T10:14:00.003-06:00

I took this picture of myself while hunting on the ground near the Elbow Stand. I could not climb into the stand so I positioned myself nearby and set my ground blind up to hunt. Saw no deer but could see where Marian was in the Taj Mahal stand in the far distance after daylight appeared.

Hogs have been seen coming from the left side of the woods.

Sun's up and it's a beautiful day to hunt.

Marian zoomed in with her camera from the Taj Mahal stand to get a picture of me standing up. If you click on the picture you can see the Elbow Stand to the right on the tree. Marian and Rex saw several does and a nice size buck from this stand last season running across the opened field towards the Levee Stand on the far side. The stand she was in was not erected until this past season.

Hunting @ Christmas Place

2011-01-31T12:14:00.002-06:00

Deer coming out of the woods to get something to eat.

Marian and I had a very nice weekend at the Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club northeast of Vicksburg near the edge of the MS Delta. Our friend, Rex, of Deer Camp Blog, invited us to come up and try one more last shot at getting a deer with a primitive weapon or a chance at a hog with my .270.

A feeder was set up behind the camp and we enjoyed watching the deer walk out with a nice buck coming in to get something to eat. We really had a great time and will be posting more pictures of my last hunt of the 2010-2011 deer season.

Code

2011-01-19T23:22:00.000-06:00

38SGNV8XGVUW

My New Hunting Knife

2011-01-17T19:03:00.004-06:00

Myself, with Billy Foster

Billy Foster is a knife maker here in Vicksburg and we have become good friends. Recently, I had him make me a knife with a mammoth handle, that I picked out, with a Damascus steel blade. Today I went to his workshop and picked it up and it turned out really nice. Below are some pictures of my "NEW" junior bowie knife that I am really excited about!

My initials on the Damascus steel blade.

A Mammoth handle.

email: fostersknives@att.net

My Nurse Candy

2011-01-16T12:33:00.000-06:00

This is my nurse, Candy and I, taken in our living room by my wife, Marian. Candy comes to see me once a week to keep me in line and to check my vitals. I also have to take a B-12 shot every two weeks. She works for Amedisys Home Health here in Vicksburg and is a very good nurse and friend.

My New Camera

2011-01-13T18:24:00.002-06:00

I recently purchased a camera exactly like my wife, Marian's, at a pawn shop for $80 bucks. It is a FUJIFILM, Fine pix S1000, 10.0 Mega Pixels with 12x optical zoom. She purchased hers at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago. I have been wanting a camera like hers and just could not pass up this opportunity when I saw it. I can now take pictures while sitting on my deer stand or whatever I want. It has opened a whole new world for me and I am enjoying it. Here are a few shots that I took recently.

Our cat, Allie!

Picture of our bungalow cypress home.

Marian, took a picture of me...

...and I took a picture of her.

Bloom Fountain with the historical Old Court House Museum in background that stood during the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863.

In tonight's paper was a picture of this showing the ice slowly melting from the Greek goddess Hebe's feet as temperature began a slow march from the weekend low of the 20s. Bloom Fountain on Monroe Street was built in 1927 after Vicksburg resident Louis Bloom willed money to the City of Vicksburg.

Greek Goddess Hebe

Eilley

2011-01-09T17:15:00.000-06:00

Our great granddaughter, Eilley, in Santa Fe, NM.

My Allie Cat

2011-01-08T20:50:00.003-06:00

Our next door neighbor,Tricia, moved away and gave us one of her cats because she could not take the cat with her to her new apartment. So my wife, Marian and I took her in. Allie is three years old and has settled in with us and our peek-a-poo dog, Katie, in the past eight months. Yesterday, was a really balmy day and we decided to sit outside and enjoy the day. Allie was on the patio table joining us and checking things out. Here are a few pictures that Marian took of me with Allie. She also sleeps with me and gets in my lap when I'm watching TV. She is my lap cat and I love it!

Myself, Robert "Bob" Phillips

50th Year Reunion Info

2010-11-10T16:40:00.000-06:00

Double click to view.

My Granddaughter's Wedding Day

2010-09-18T11:07:00.001-05:00

Today is my Granddaughter, Jessica's, wedding day and Marian and I want to wish her much happiness in her new life with Braddock. Jessica lives in Santa Fe, NM, but getting married where his family is located. They will both be making their home in Santa Fe. We wish we could be there for their wedding but unfortunately we can't. Together we wish them much happiness and looking forward to seeing them in Santa Fe sometime this year or next. We both love you very much and can't wait to see the pictures of your wedding from the family. Happy Wedding Day Jessica!

Happy Birthday Jess!

2010-08-19T22:20:00.001-05:00

Today is my granddaughter, Jessica's "Jess" birthday. Jess lives in Santa Fe, NM and Marian and I want to wish her very Happy Birthday and wish we could be there to help her celebrate her special day. We love you!

My Friend Rooster

2010-08-11T09:46:00.001-05:00

After we left our friends in Water Valley, we went to visit and stayed overnight with some more friends in Van Vleet near Okolona, MS. Marian took this picture of us in front of their home Monday morning. (Read all about our visit on Marian's site)

Rooster made Marian and I a turkey caller and he's adjusting it.

Jake

Turkey caller Rooster made for us. He just sprayed lacquer on it to finish it out and letting it dry. It sounds great!