Artist Renee Lammers

 

  "Duke" 6x8 oil on copper finished Sold.  Thanks.  

 

I decided to work more on this portrait of a friend's beloved dog.

 

 

I thought the face and feet needed more work. I simplified the background.

 

She is much more pleased with the portrait now.

 

 

Festus knows how to open the door to go to the screen room!

 

He sticks his foot out of the door.  Gives the door a shove.

 

 

And out he goes. He is safe in the screen room.

 

 

He hops in his cat stroller awaiting a ride.

 

Normally he is quiet in his stroller and patient.

 

 

Festus is often seen hanging his front legs from on top of the refrigerator.

 

Cats do this.  He has beautiful legs.  He chirps sometimes.

 

Last night was another very cold night here in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

I had the oil filled radiator heater on full blast.  I think it might have

 

been 55 or 60 degrees inside the trailer.  Festus was mad.  He hates cold.

 

I was sitting in the recliner when he leaped on me and attacked me!

 

He bite my arm hard and was using his sharp claws to slice up my skin.

 

He was sitting on his hind legs just swinging his front paws trying to get at me.

 

I grabbed him and held him close.  He settled down after a minute.  The Bob Cat

 

comes out in Festus sometimes.  Luckily he becomes a sweet kitten after a minute.

 

I told Festus, "You are a naughty kitty!"   He gave me a very angry look.  

 

Five minutes later he was purring and being sweet once again!

 

 

    Last night was slow at the restaurant.  I worked from 2-10pm.

 

We are not allowed to eat during a shift.  Eight hours is a long time to go without

 

food.   Things were going fine.  There was a party of 15 people who came in to eat.

 

The owner gave this table to Chris who is a very seasoned waiter.  The owner said, 

 

"I am going to give it to Chris. You are too new.  You will mess it all up!" in broken English.

 

Yes I agreed with him. I told him very very good idea.  One of my tables asked why I 

 

did not get the table.  I told her I was very new and I would probably get it all wrong.

 

I think she understood.  I was getting 20$ tips from my tables anyway. 

 

 

 Then a party of six came into the restaurant.  Six African Americans.  Three of them were

 

women, two small children, one teenager.  Chris turned them down.  The owner, smiling at

 

me, asked me if I could take them.  "Sure!" I said. 

 

      I tried to get their drink order.  One lady on my right said, "Coke."   No one

 

else wanted to give me their drink order.  A younger lady yelled to me, "Give me 12 oysters steamed

 

special sauce hot!  Make sure they steam them extra!"  I am getting use to people shouting out

 

food orders before drinks.  I decided to come over to her.  I said, "I better come over to you because

 

you look like you are a person in charge"  She laughed and loved this.  She started to tell me all the

 

food order for her kids.  There was three fried rice orders.  All of them were to be cooked differently.

 

I was writting all the information down.  She wanted two cooked with extra soy sauce.  One had no egg.  One

 

fried rice was to be cooked normally.  The whole order was like that.  They had dined here often.  They knew

 

what they could substitute.  They knew how they wanted everything cooked.  This was very unusual.

 

I was writing all their special instructions.  I put their order in.  I checked it all three times.  

 

I brought the food to them.  One lady was mad because her fried rice was sitting on her table three minutes

 

before her main course came out.  I asked her if I could put it in the microwave.  She kept complaininig

 

about it.  I ran to the kitchen 15 times to bring them items.  Lemons!  More Sweet Iced Tea!  Fork!  It was unbelievable

 

the things they could come up with for me to bring them!  More bibs!  More butter!  I did very well serving them.

 

Then they said they wanted three separate checks.  Since none of them ordered in a dignified manner, I could not

 

arrange it by seat when I first put the order in.  One lady was paying for her own.  She was easy to do.  The Grandmother was

 

paying for herself and the grandkids but later decided she would pay only for herself after I arranged it all.  The Mother

 

ended up paying for her kids.  The Mom was mad at the total of her bill!  99$

 

  They were not happy about the 18% gratuity.  They complained like crazy that it was on

 

their bill.  I told them there was a big sign on the front door that stated parties 5 or more would have 18% gratuity added.

 

She yelled and yelled about it.  I told her I worked very hard for them. I gave them excellent service.  They had even

 

told the owner how patient and how great of a server I was.  The owner said, "Yes and she is White too!  Very hard to get White

 

worker!"  I was shocked at this and so was the table!  They told him he had better not say something like that.  I did all of

 

the credit cards.  During the evening they asked me what my name was three times and snickered.  They asked me if I was new.

 

Yes I said.  One lady sneeringly asked, "What one day new?  Ha Ha Ha!"  No I said.  They made fun of me all night long.

 

After I gave they had paid. I said "Well that was fun!  You all had a great time?  They said, "Oh yes it was wonderful!"

 

I told them next time we would find them a more experienced waiter.  They needed someone else to take care of them.  I said

 

I would decline serving them again.  Of course the lady got mad.  She started to shout across the entire restaurant to the owner!

 

The owner came over to her.  She was standing up shouting about the gratuity.  She said something about, "Well what are

 

we going to do? Am I going to need to call the police?"  I think the owner told her for what?  You had excellent food. You

 

said she was a great server.  The sign on door says 18% added on parties of 5 or more?  What for? "   Well then she

 

just stood there with her hands on her hips.  "Can she decide to not serve us again?" She yelled this so loud that other

 

tables heard and started to laugh.  They told me good for you.  They are terrible.  They finally left.  The owner wanted

 

to know if I was mad at all their special orders?  I told them, 'No that was not a problem.  They were making fun of me.

 

They were not nice to me. I do not need to be treated like that. I can decide who I serve.  I will not serve them again."

 

He shook his head in agreement.  When I was leaving I walked to the owner, "Do you want to talk with me?"  He said,"No.

 

Everything is fine."   I told him goodnight and left.  The night was so disturbing I could not sleep.  I have to work another

 

long shift tonight.  2-8pm..maybe till 10pm.  Then I will have off work three days.  That is good.

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

   I was doing a few little watercolor thank you cards while Festus hunted from behind

 

the screen.  I am sure there were a few lizards keeping Festus company.  His female feral

 

pregnant cat friend was trapped and brought to the humane society to be cared for properly.

 

Temperatures will be in the 30's for Saturday and Sunday here!  I am glad her kittens 

 

won't need to live in the wild.  They will find good homes for her and her kittens.  They

 

will also spay her so that it does not happen again.

 

 

Look how content Festus is laying in his chair.

 

 

We get a lot of use out of the screen room.

 

I was off work these last two days.  I painted a dog portrait.

 

 

"Duke" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

 

    The owner of Duke was very happy with this painting.  Her dog is getting very old now.

 

He is a bit blind and deaf but still has his personality.

 

 

I took a break from painting to see Festus practicing for the Circus!

 

Festus wanted to go out for a stroll.  He heard our neighbor Olga next door.

 

Olga makes a sweet fuss over Festus.  Festus needs attention!  He loves people who love him!

 

So I zipped up Festus in his cat stroller and we went next door so he see Olga.

 

We came back home.

 

 

Festus wanted to go back outside!  I never see Festus meow like this. He was determined.

 

I zipped him back up, we walked down the street, we watched a squirrel, and continued

 

back home.

 

 

More!  More! So outside we went.  We toured the whole

 

mobile home park.  We visited anyone who would say, "Hello".

 

People like Festus.  He draws people out of their trailer!

 

Back home we went.

 

 

I have never seen Festus so eager to be outside.  We went back outside to say "Hello!"

 

to Olga again.  This time I stood there so Festus could watch her work. Olga is a hard

 

worker.  She has turned this old trailer into a thing of beauty.  Festus admires Olga.

 

We spent a few hours walking around outside.  It was a very nice day.  I am glad we did this.

 

 

He was determined!

 

 

   I waitress tonight from 2pm to 8pm.  I made 188$ in tips and 7$ an hour wages.

 

I did not make any mistakes.  People loved all the cocktails I made for them. I am really

 

good at suggesting the fish bowl drink or bikini martini.  It is fun to see their reaction

 

to my drinks.  I learned how to test the drink first by using a straw.  Then I can tell if I

 

need to add more coconut rum, grenadine, or sour mix, or pineapple juice.  I enjoy 

 

waitressing.  People smile when I come up to their table.  I didn't have a single rude person

 

tonight.  Everyone was very kind.  The manager, owner, and waitresses are all very kind too.

 

I enjoy going into work.  I asked for nights only and a few less days so that I can paint more.

 

 

"Perfect Purple Day" 8x10 oil on copper  Sold today using my payment plan.  We agreed on

 

200$ down using paypal, and then payments.  I will send her the painting once the frame

 

arrives from the framers.  Festus was zooming around the trailer. He may have known there

 

was a sale happening!  Thank you!

 

 

  I purchased a Fabeware two burner for the kitchen and two pans.

 

I told Festus I can saute him chicken liver with gravy now!  He chirped.

 

I really missed being about to saute and boil things.  

 

I prefer oatmeal simmered on a burner instead of being microwaved.

 

I also installed black out curtains that are white in the front bay window and the

 

side front window for privacy, the black out feature, and it is more quiet.

 

Festus had chewed on the blinds so we threw them away.  I could see through the

 

blinds right into the trailer.   Now we shall have more privacy.  

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Tulips" 20x26 oil on copper 2500$ framed in your choice of a frame.  Includes shipping.

This is one of my favorites.

 

   Tuesday nights are slow at the restaurant I am working as a waitress 30 hours a week, 5 of their

 

6 hour shifts.  I concentrated on putting in orders in a more systematic way so if I was asked to split

 

up a check, it would be easier.  The problem is the crack neighborhood people are so wild!  They shout

 

out their order in an uncivilized manner.  Sometimes two people are giving their orders at the same time!

 

Sometimes kids are shouting their order!   If I ask for the first person on my left for their order, person number

 

four, gets all mad.  These adults act like poorly behaved kids.  Once they get mad then the games begin.

 

If they discover I am new, then even more games begin!  Just forget it all.  I will be their slave

 

to tormen.  There is nothing I can do except to just be patient and keep smiling.

 

 

Festus playing with his food last night.

 

 

I have discovered if they avoid eye contact with me then they are not going to leave me a tip.  I have found 

 

ways of engaging them using a soft voice and kindness.  They actually will look into my eyes, relax, and smile!

 

Then they leave me a 5 or 10% tip.  I know now to ignore the kids ordering and ask what the Mother wants for

 

her child.  They are in control of their food.  

 

   I had one interesting couple last night, two white drag queens.  The first one we will call 'little kitten'.  He

 

was petite, 90 pounds, very femine eyes, short hair, well groomed, long acrylic nails, wearing mens clothes.

 

The second one we will call 'polar bear'.  He was 200 pounds,  petite, short hair, sloppy, long

 

acrylic nails, wearing mens clothes.  The polar bear announced all the little kitten is getting is a half a pound

 

of shimp. He controls the 'little kitten'.  The poor guy looked down very sheepishly.  I felt sorry for him.

 

"Water with lemon!" the 'little kitten' shouted!  The 'polar bear' wanted a pound of blue crab and a pound

 

of black mussels.  'Polar Bear' ordered two entres.  Both come with corn on the cob and new potatoes. 

 

All of this comes boiled in a seasoning of their choice.  I put their order in. 

 

 

I was sat another table. I was trying to take their order while the 'little kitten'

 

was requesting sugar!  More lemons!  He was making lemonade.  "What much was a soda?"  This is going on

 

while I am taking the other tables order.  I brought him sugar, lemons, and put in orders. 

 

 

Now here is the interesting part.  The 'polar bear' likes to eat a lot of fine food,

 

treat his 'little kitten' friend to a little bit of food, but not tip

 

his waitress!  How did I handle that?  He wanted to leave me 1.26$ to round up his cash.  I said, "Oh let me help you

 

figure this all out."   The total bill is 58.75.  18% suggested tip is 10.80$.  You have here 1.26$.  Let me go get you change.

 

I bought him back 5$ bills only.  He grimiced.  I made it difficult for him to get away without tipping me.  He decided

 

to leave me an additional 5$.  So I was given 6.26 instead of 10.80$ tip. 'Little kitten' was so happy!

 

If I had not done something, then I would  have only been given 1.26$. 

 

'Polar Bear' was scratching off a lottery ticket. I said I hoped he won!  He actually looked into

 

my eyes for the first time and smiled!  I got a smile out of the 'polar bear' and 6.26$.  The kitten was very charming.

 

He was smiling and acting like a sweet cute kitten during the entire dinner. He was practically rolling

 

around in his chair.   I suppose he wanted attention.  He wanted love.  Very interesting couple. 

 

I did not ask any personal information but I would have loved to know more about them.  There is alot

 

of drag queens coming into the restaurant because they work nearby.  The acrylic long painted nails

 

is the thing they can't hide once they have taken off their costumes and wigs.  They are generally very

 

nice and tip well.  

 

     I made one mistake last night.  I was splitting the tab into two, paying with two credit cards, checking

 

the receipts to make sure I had the right card with the right tab, but somehow reversed the tabs in

 

the computer, and payed them with the wrong credit cards.  The manager took care of it all.  He was very

 

good not to say a word.   I paid split tabs again with success!  It is not an easy thing to do on their computer.

 

I came home with 74$ in 6 hours.  I did not wait on very many tables.  I did not get stiffed once!  

 

 

    I discovered I can serve only one fish bowl drink if I want to.  I can close out their check.  They can

 

sit at the bar and have more drinks with a different waitress.  This protects me in case they injure themselves.

 

   I have off two days to recover, stock up on Festus canned cat food, my food, ship out paintings, and paint.

 

 

Our next door neighbors have two cats who live in a new 120,000$ mobile home gifted to them

 

because the last hurricane blew their old mobile home down.  Festus likes for me to keep the

 

blinds up so he can watch his neighbor cats.  There are two of them.  The one on the left is a male.

 

The first time the male cat saw Festus, his owners report, the cat was in shock!  Big cat next door!  Yikes!

 

There is a little female black cat laying in the hammock on the right.  The little black cat was rehabiliated

 

after a hawk tried to take him.  She had puncture wounds that healed.  Festus gives a few of his cat

 

toys and bags of treats to them. He has ample supply of toys and treats but they do not.

 

 

Then there are a few stray cats that Festus chases around from the inside his mobile home and

 

screen room.  He chirps as he dashes around.  The cat on the outside sometimes gives Festus

 

mean meows.  Festus does not know hate.  

 

 

These beach photos are from my last trip to Captiva Island.

 

The weather is 74 degrees and overcast today.  I will stay home and paint while Festus

 

lounges in a chair on the screen room.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Festus was tearing around the mobile home and screen room and bathtub!

 

He was doing laps including the top of the refrigerator for great show!

 

I was watching him.  He would run past me, turn around on top of my

 

bed, run into the bath tub, spring out to his filing cabinet, leap on top of

 

his refrigerator, jump into his recliner, head out the door to his screenroom.

 

Finally he stopped and pushed out his roach.

 

"Ah Festus!  You found a roach!  Make sure you do not eat them."

 

He enjoyed me looking at his roach.  I put it into the garbage can.

 

 

Then he jumped into his stroller in the screen room..a sign he

 

would like to go for a ride.  I took him to visit a few neighbors to say hi.

 

They always come over to the stroller and talk to him. He meowed very softly,

 

one to each person.  He is still sitting inside the stroller in the screen room so this

 

might mean  the ride was not long enough and another ride is in order!

 

 

We stroll by 36 mobile homes that are on either side of this one way street.

 

Our mobile home is beyond the white one in the distance.  

 

This park is very quiet now since the dogs have been taken by the animal patrol, taken to

 

the vet, and rehomed.  I have not seen the people after they were arrested.  They

 

lived in a house behind the park.   I am glad justice has been done.  

 

 

Here is Festus beating up his teddy bear at night.  These Maine Coon cats are wild at night!

 

 

"Pretty Lady" 5x7 sold on my website.  The surprising part of this sale was the 115% tip!

 

  Festus and I had a good laugh at the tip.  I said to Festus, "Do you think tipping artists on

 

their paintings could be a new trend?"  Festus chirped.  Thank you very much for the painting sale and

 

tip!  Much appreciated.

 

 

  It has been very cold here in Fort Myers at night.  Temperatures have been in the low

 

40s.  The oil filled radiator heater has been keeping us warm.  Festus curled up along the

 

backside of my knees, under the down comforter, with his head sticking out.  He looked like

 

he was smiling in his sleep!

 

 

I asked the manager about the poorly behaved lady last night.  She said to let them keep

 

the menu if they make a fuss over it.  She also said not to let any customer bully me like that.

 

 

 

I did not mention about the waitress Mary to the manager but another waitress, Marcy, said

 

 Mary steals her tips, is lazy, bad spirited, is bossy, and a bad mother.  Marcy said she was going to

 

mess Mary up soon that she was sick of her.  I did not say a word.  Marcy is 5 ft tall, 80 pounds,

 

white, about 60 years old, waittressed for 30 years.  She moves extremely fast.  I like Marcy.

 

She helped me a lot.  I helped her too.

 

 

 

      Last night at the restaurant one lady drank two fish bowls.  Her friend had one fish bowl.

 

A fish bowl drink has 3 shots of coconut run, 2 shots of pineapple run, 2 shots of vodka, and

 

2 shots of rum, 2 shots of a blue liquor, splash of pineapple juice.   This drink has a total of 11 shots.

 

After the second drink the lady ran to the back of the restaurant and exited using the back door!

 

All of my customers gasped and told me to look out!  I asked the manager if they had paid?  Yes.

 

I will ask the manager if I can decline serving them more than one fish bowl drink.  22 shots is too 

 

much for anyone to safely drink.  I don't want to see anyone get hurt.

 

   Another couple had 3 Strawberry Patch drinks each.  A Strawberry Patch has about 10 shots each.

 

The wife could only put 70$ on her credit card.  The husband said he would pay for the rest.  He

 

walked with me to the cash register to pay.  I told him the balance is 22.00.  I joked and I said I suppose you

 

would like to give me a tip to right?  He said of course!  I said I would figure that out.  Tip was 13$.  

 

He said, "What?  How much was the bill?"  I told him 99$.  18% suggested tip was about 13$.  Total was

 

22 plus 13, 35$.  He was intoxicated.  I thought it was a good idea to help him figure this out.  He handed

 

me the 35$.  Whew!  I suspect one or two of those Strawberry Patch drinks is enough per person.  I will

 

ask about that too.

 

   I learned how to separate checks but made a mistake cashing out the first person, putting 70$ on her card.

 

I found the owner of the restaurant who was luckily in great spirits, and he tried to sort it out.  He refunded her

 

money.  The table had already given me a 15$ tip.  Total bill was 150$.  Tip was only 10%.  After the payment issue

 

I heard one lady ask if she could have her tip back.  HA!  I disappeared into the back until they were gone.

 

I had to pay 11$ for this table out of my pocket because of an error the owner made while paying them out.

 

I just paid him. He was so intoxicated by the end of the evening that not one word he said could be interpretted.

 

   I am still learning how to identify food that comes up for me and find the correct table.  I do not

 

see a table number on the ticket.  I try to identify the food, search through the tickets, find the table, and

 

deliver!  There must be an easier way!

 

 

   I made 122$ for a 6 hour shift.  We were busy.  Two or three tables did not tip a dime.  One younger couple

 

tipped me 25$ on a 50$ tab.  They were nice.  Several people wanted to see my paintings online and requested

 

a business card.  Most people leaving the restaurant raved about me to the manager. 

 

I tell them, "Yes we had fun didn't we?

 

You all are invited back.  You were polite, tipped well, were fun, and then I said, "and good lookin too!"

 

They always roar laughing.  They usually ask my name so they can have me wait on them again.

 

One manager said I was very good at making people feel appreciated.

 

 

I am very tired today.  I hope to start a dog portrait today. I have to be at work at 4pm!

 

Luckily I have off Wednesday and Thursday to recuperate.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I gave Festus a Tiki After Dark Tuna can before I headed off to work at the restaurant.

 

He sometimes uses his paw to test food before diving in with massive gulps.

 

He prefers to have turkey with gravy each morning.  

 

Changing the breakfast from turkey with gravy to tuna was not expected!

 

He had to do a taste test.  When I arrived home it was all gone.  

 

 

   Festus was checking out the reading glasses.  He nibbled on one of the ear pieces.

 

 

I think he was trying to read my mind!

 

 

When Festus gets this look at night I know I need to be on guard!

 

He gets buzzed up at night.  I have to be on the look out for his paws and teeth!

 

 

I gave him the bear to punish.  That works great!!

 

He sure is cute when he gets in these late night moods.  

 

He is doing better not waking me up 6 times a night.

 

He is trying to wake me up 2 to 3 times a night.   

 

Making a loud sound seems to be best to stop him from stepping

 

all over me to get attention while I am sleeping.   Many people simply close their bedroom

 

door!  Many people put their cats in a kennel at night to keep

 

them from being pests.

 

 

    I had an interesting moody couple with a baby come in to the restaurant.

 

No one wanted to wait on this couple.  Then I found out why.

 

She wanted a mango smoothie for her baby.  I had not seen one ordered.

 

I made the mistake of saying, "Do we have those?  I have not seen one ordered!

She showed me the mango smoothie on the menu. I said, "Ok!  I will enjoy making one. I love

 

learning new things".  She gave me an irritated look.  I was smiling and being genuine.

 

He wanted a Long Island Iced Tea.  I asked her what she wanted to drink?  She did not answer but

 

told me her dinner order and his dinner order and the babies.  I asked for her drink order.

 

I told her we do drinks first!  She did not want to tell me. Her husband yelled at her to tell her

 

what you want to drink. He used a few swear words and was incredibly loud! 

 

 I was grateful.  She said Coke.  I ran off making all the drinks.  The Long Island

 

Iced Tea had two shots of five types of alcohols.  That is a total of ten shots!  It only has a splash of sweet tea.

 

Then I took their dinner orders.  She would not give me the dinner menu back.  I told her I had to have the

 

dinner menu.  The owner and manager asked me twice to make sure all the menus were taken off the table before

 

the food arrived.  She said, "I want to keep the menu."  I told her if you need to see it to order more food later

 

I can bring back the menu.  They take menus to avoid them getting greasy from food.  It is not sanitary.  She said

 

she always keeps the menu.  I told her I have got to have that menu before I place the food order. I could be fired!

 

Nope.  She was keeping the menu.  In the mean time she made some wise crack about me being new. I said, "Yes I am

 

new, Let me get you a more experienced waitress!"  She said, "Oh no that is ok.   

 

 

I should have found another waitress to take over this table. In fact I will inquire what to do in the case for a next time!

 

The man did not think his Long Island Iced Tea was strong enough.  I told him it could not GET any stronger with 10

 

shots and a tiny splash of iced tea.  He did not drink his drink.  He tried to get out of paying for it.  Once you order something

 

at this restaurant it is yours.  It doesn't matter if you hate it.  You own it.  

 

I circled the suggested tip.  It was about 15$.  They did not leave me a dime.

 

 

Two siblings came in celebrating a birthday.  They were lovely.  We had a lot in common.  They tipped me

 

50% of their bill.  That is just how waitressing works.  One couple tips 0.  One couple tips 50%.  It all averages out fine.

 

For my 6 hour shift I made 144$.  24$ an hour is great.  I don't count the 7$ hourly because that goes to the government to

 

pay for the income tax on the tips.  

 

 

I kept very busy doing more than my share of side work.  Mary does not seem to do side work.

 

I have lots of strange negativity and bossing coming from a 20 year old, mother of two, single parent,

 

waitress Mary.  She loves to tell me what to do.  That is fine.  I just tell her what the manager asked me to do.

 

She just looks at me with her mouth open.  She makes a big fuss when I make a mistake. Tonight one of the aluminum trays

 

containing remanents of a seafood boil fell out of the bussing cart onto the tile floor upside down.  She said, "How did that happen?

 

I told her it just slid out.  I said I would clean it up, not to worry.  She yelled, "Oh no now we need to go get a mop and mop it up!

 

She looked around to see if there was  a manager within ears length.  I cleaned it up and said no need.  

 

Later I asked her a question about what went in the Long Island Ice Tea after the 2 shots of alcohol and she starred at me

 

for a full minute.  I asked if she heard me?  Repeated it.  She starred. I figured she was not going to help.  Said to her, "No worries".  

 

Left.  I found the manager and he told me.  Mary will be trouble.  I know how to deal with her though.  

 

 

    I made only two small mistakes.  They were corrected quickly by the manager.  I put in an order on another table's ticket.

 

He showed me how to switch it without any problems.  I had one kids chicken wing instead of a kids chicken nuggets.  I had

 

one extra shrimp boiled dinner come out that I had not ordered.  We think the cooks just accidentally made an extra.

 

All and all they said I did better.  Everyone is very nice to me except Mary and the owner who was luckily not there!

 

 

   I hope to discover how to manage a moody lady.  This does not happen during the day...only at night.  I probably

 

need to ask a manager how to deal with Mary.

 

 

  "Keukenof Garden Memory" 20x26 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

Monet rolling around on the ice.

 

 

 

Monet, Lily, Poppy, and Lady Violet, sunrise, below zero, Sandy Point Beach.  Photos taken

 

by Robert.

 

 

 

 

"Winnie and Hobbs" 8x10 oil on copper Sold. Thanks

 

    I have been working on this painting for the last few days.  It is rewarding when

 

someone's dogs are painted well.  They are appreciative of all the effort.  This painting

 

took me 25 hours to finish.  I am pleased with the painting.  I am very glad she approves too.

 

   Winnie, the miniature pincher on the left was rescued in Texas.  A lady found her covered

 

in ant bites, standing on a street corner next to an alley.  Now she lives a very happy luxurious

 

life with Hobbs.  They look very happy together in that

 

gorgeous leather chair!  It was a pleasure, slightly stressful, and a challenge.

 

   I was nervous having to pay 475$ for the lot fee, 30$ for water, 45$ for electric, and 300$

 

for my car payment.  Festus and I have relocated to a mobile home in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

I decided to work at a waitress.  I have worked for five nights now.  The restaurant offers crabs, shrimp,

 

crawfish, lobster, mussels, clams, soups, salads, full bar in a very clean large restaurant.  Each night

 

I have made a few errors like accidentally putting in two calamari orders.  The owner is a four foot tall,

 

broken English speaking, Asian man.  I am trying to describe the owner of the restauant so you

 

can picture him in your mind.  The staff claims the owner is bi polar.  He gets abusive.  When I accidentally

 

put in two calamari orders, I gave them both to the customer, and asked to pay for the extra one.  The

 

owner launched into a tirad and said yes good pay for it.  Each night I make a mistake that really is not

 

too bad..but it is a mistake.  Sometimes I put the food into the computer wrong.  Sometimes I forget to

 

put the main course in after the appetizer is out.  Once I forgot to take a table's order because they were placed

 

out of sight around the corner. 

 

    Two nights ago a table of 5, African Americans, aged 20 came in to eat.  The manager asked if I could handle them?

 

I said, "Sure!"   Right away I realized something was wrong.  They were all shouting out orders.  They wanted

 

their sweet tea in styrofoam cups.  We were out of sweet tea.  So they decided on lemonade.  The food orders

 

kept changing.  They were all talking at the same time.  They were laughing and making fun of the 'old lady waitress'.

 

"Don't order too much or she might fall down trying to carry it out!"   I walked back into the kitchen and asked

 

the manager to take their order. I told her I would take the food out.  I told her they were being abusive.

 

The food came out.  Manager took the food to them.  I walked by, they were shouting, "Can we have more shrimp?

 

I want to order more shrimp!  I need more lemonade.  I want this.."  I walked off ignoring them.  Walked by

 

again.  One girl said, "Someone threw up in the woman's bathroom."   I told the manager I was going to go clean it

 

up.  While I was in the bathroom, the whole table bolted out the front door!  I came out of the bathroom.

 

The manager asked me if they had paid.  I said no.  Manager said, "They are dining and dashing!"

 

She ran out of the door in pursuit of them!  I attended to my tables.  She came back inside.  She told us

 

they sped off, one girl fell out of the car as it was going 40 mph (two of those girls were pregnant),

 

 they almost ran the manager over with their car, they stopped

 

and let one girl out, she wanted to pay for her dinner only because she saw the manager taking a photo of their

 

license plate.  The manager made her pay for the whole ticket.  She had already called the police.  Sadly my 

 

gratuity of 18% did not get put on the bill as if automatically should have because it was a table greater than 5 people.

 

The bill came to 200$ or so. 

 

 

The federal government taxes all waitresses a percentage of the entire bill to pay for the

 

tax on the supposed tip!  Some people only tip 5$ a table no matter how much their bill costs.  The 5$ in this case would

 

cover the   TAX   of the tip only.  Waitresses get 7$ an hour for their labor in addition to tips.  Most of the 7$ goes to pay for 

 

the tax on the supposed tips.  I hope people understand this and start to tip their waitress properly.

 

So far I have averaged 100$ a shift in tips.  I have had some extra ordinary tips.  The shifts are from 12pm to 4pm..4 hours.

 

Or the night shift is 4pm to 10pm ..6 hours.  I do not paint at all if I do the lunch shift.  It is more laborious.  I paint all day

 

before I do the night shift.  I will try to do the night shifts.  

 

 

   Waitressing is incredible exercise.  I have been enjoying walking for 4 to 5 hours a day.

 

I love talking with all of the people.  I have been missing social interaction being an artist.

 

Waitressing seems to be a very good fit for me.  

 

 

I caught Covid on New Years Eve at the Sundial Resort.  I remember

 

one man sneezing next to me while standing in line.  Then two days later I sneezed once.

 

I had a sore throat.  My head hurt.  My stomach hurt.  I sweated for five days or so.

 

I did not feel like I had a fever.  I was nausea once..that shocked Festus..who knows

 

all about that!  He ran to the restroom to see.  He felt bad for me.  I was eating 

 

normally but I lost 10 pounds. I had a blistery rash on my knee for a few days.

 

I started to have chest congestion.  The thing

 

that was the worst was terrible left hip or kidney pain.  I took a lot of tylenol and

 

musinex.  Also I felt dizzy.  The whole thing lasted for two weeks.  I am still coughing a little.

 

I think I have recovered.  I am triple vaccinated. This is the second time I have caught covid.

 

   Tomorrow I will share Robert's sunrise, below zero, Sandy Point Beach, dog photos with you.

 

They are incredible. Here is my favorite.

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Festus needed behavior modification training for one day only.  

 

He is so smart.  He picked up on the changes right away.

 

What was he doing wrong?  He was waking me up 6 times a night being Mr. Affectionate!

 

If I did not need to paint or drive a car getting absolutely no sleep would be no problem.

 

I went to sleep.  An hour later he was making his way to my bed to do his first wake up!

 

I let out a loud scream!  He ran down the mobile home like he was on fire.

 

An hour later.  He was fast asleep.  I walked over and poked my finger at him a few times.

 

He gave me an irritated sleepy look.  Why are you waking me up?  I kept poking him to be

 

annoying.  Then I went back to sleep.  An hour later.  I woke up.  Found him asleep.  I woke 

 

him up.  I used my finger to poke him gently a few times.  He again looked at me with an

 

irritated grimace.  A few hours later.  I woke him up.  Talking with him and poking him softly.

 

He did come to visit me an hour later but he did not wake me up.  He layed down at the corner

 

of my bed watching me.  The next night he visited me once.  He did his usual kneading, purring, putting

 

his paws on either side of my head.  Laying on my head.  Poking me with his strong feet.  He did this

 

for ten minutes.  Then he left me alone all night.  Last night he visited me as I went to sleep.  Then he

 

came quietly, jumped up on my bed, and slept near my side without waking me up.  In the morning

 

he found me, noticed I was awake, and put his paws on either side of my face.  He purred and kneaded

 

my head.  Strange how intimate a cat wants to be.  He was looking sweetly into my eyes. I think he understood.

 

He realized I needed to sleep.  

 

 

There was one more behavior modification that needed to be addressed!

 

Late at night Festus gets a little wound up.  He likes to attack me.

 

He pretends like he is a Bob Cat.  He wraps his strong arms around my 

 

leg as I am walking by.  Then he bites my leg!  Another time I went to pet him

 

while he was lounging in the new recliner.  He grabbed my arm and bit me.

 

I told him, "No!"   Then I looked at him for a minute.  Then I petted him and told

 

him to be very nice.  I found his big white teddy bear.  I told him, "Beat up the bear!"

 

I gave him his bear.  He put his paws around the bear and bit the bear a few times.

 

I told him, "Good boy."   I understand he is an animal.  Some say a Maine Coon cat is

 

part Bob Cat.  I believe it!  Cats can be trained.  They are very smart animals.  

 

 

Beating up his bear.  Festus is a very good cat.  He is very quiet. He chirps very lightly to

 

communicate a few times a day. He will meow loudly if he thinks I need to do something

 

right away.  He is quiet. I am very grateful of this.  Some cats can be extremely loud meowing

 

all of the time.  Festus has good manners.  We are very good friends.  

 

 

I play for an hour with Festus.  I bring out toys.  He likes his bird in the cage toy.

 

I also swing around a few toys to catch his eye.  I take him for long walks while he is safely

 

secured in his cat stroller.  He loves this the most.   He is a very happy cat.  I am very

 

glad we could work on those two issues together with success!

 

 

 

"Rapture" 20x26 oil on copper sold.  

 

I was fortunate to find a new home for this painting in New York.

 

I will let her make payments for this next 6 months or so.  

 

She has purchased paintings from me before and I trust her.

 

I am working on a few dog paintings at the moment.

 

Good night!

 

 

This would make a lovely painting!

 

 

 

 

 

"Walking Along Captiva Island" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Frame and shipping are included in the price.

 

Here is a painting I did in my Winter studio a few days ago.  

 

A friend mentioned to me, I needed to straighten out my horizon line where the water

 

meets the sky.  I always thought the vanishing lines would create a diagonal.

 

I checked my photos.  The image I used to paint this painting was slanted because

 

I had not held the camera straight!  The horzon line was straight.  I corrected the painting.

 

 I am grateful to learn something new!  So thank you.

 

I also appreciated the fact that she wrote to me privately.  Much appreciated.  

 

 

   I saw this rainbow a few days ago.  The colors were brighter than usual.

 

I do not think I ever noticed purple in a rainbow before.

 

 

I drove to Captiva Island on Sunday to paint the path I had been admiring.

 

I have visited this area four times just to figure out how I could paint this scene.

 

Finally on Sunday I marched into Captiva Island's library.  I talked to the

 

desk assistant.  She referred me to the landtrust owner.  I explained how I 

 

needed a parking spot at the library to paint.  She thought I wanted to paint

 

on the beach.  No I said, what captivated my attention was the Chapel and the

 

path to the beach looking back towards the library.  She thought I would try to

 

sell paintings off of my easel.  No I said, that hardly ever happens.  I sell my

 

work online.  She was amazed at this information and repeated the words all online.  

 

I told her how I could drop off my 50 pounds of painting equipment, drive a mile,

 

pay 40$ for a parking fee, hike back a mile, and paint for four hours, then hike back

 

to my car, pick up my painting equipment, and drive home 45 minutes.  I told her

 

I doubted I would have any stamina left by the time I arrived to my painting spot to

 

actually paint!  She realized I really did need a parking spot.  I said it would proably be

 

a one time favor.  She said, "Well ok as long as it does not become a habit."  I went to paint.

 

This is the spot I chose.  Notice in the sunlit areas how it looks a uniform white?  The colors

 

in the sunlight do not show up in photos.  That is why I wanted to paint on location.

 

 

"Captiva Path to the Library and Chapel" 8x6 oil on copper 450$ framed

in your choice of gold or black with gold.  Shipping and frame are included.

 

   Here is the plein air painting completed on location.  The ocean was behind me.

 

It was a peaceful place to paint.  The painting looked a little expressionistic.  I realized

 

the subject looked very wild like a Florida jungle.  It seemed appropriate.

 

I really do not know how I could have painted it more tame.

 

I showed a gallery owner nearby who was very impressed and said she 

 

and the other owner might consider having me as a guest artist.  Who knows?

 

 

I relocated to Turner Beach parking lot.  Found a nice place to paint near beautiful Terns.

 

How lovely.  I really did stand there just appreciating their beauty.

 

I was close to them.  They did not mind.  

 

 

"Captiva Island At Golden Hour" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

I sat very close to the ocean to paint this study.  

 

 

My loyalty to Festus always makes me leave the beach early before the sunset so I can

 

feed him another can!  His appetite is much better here in Florida.  I leave him a bowl of

 

dried food but I know he would love a can of turkey with gravy cat food!

 

 

I thought the patterns in the foreground were unique.

 

 

The photo of the scene had very little color but in reality there were many greens in the

 

water with light pinks and golds where the sunlit hit the water.

 

 

Saturday and Sundays are great at Captiva and Sanibel for umbrella photos as long as it

 

is not windy.  Windy day.  Not as many umbrellas.

 

 

Robert shared these photos of the dogs.  Temperatures were well below zero in Maine.

 

The dogs still love to go outside.  

 

 

Poppy loves to carry a big stick!

 

 

They really do have fun.

 

 

I could never be outside below zero with the dogs like Robert does!

 

He is much more hearty than I am.

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Sanibel Glow" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping and

frame are included.

 

 

"Oldie But Goodie" 8x6 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Frame and shipping are included in the price.

 

 

Festus was happy sitting in my studio chair with a new toy, canary in a bird cage.

 

I decided to drive to Captiva Island since it was a cooler day.

 

 

The colors of the ocean were unbelieveable on Captiva island.

 

 

The air temperature was 73 and the water seemed to be about the same.

 

 

There were a lot less people on the beach because of the wind and cool air.

 

 

I walked along the highway to see all the different views.

 

The road is lined with gigantic expensive estates.  

 

Each house has a path to the sea.

 

I can tell many of these paths were done professionally. 

 

Some were left to nature like this one.

 

 

Some of these paths were in the c shape or z or s shape.

 

I enjoyed today so much.

 

 

I was able to get very close to a few brown pelicans.

 

They have silver eye color.

 

I can tell they are very sweet by the look in their eyes.

 

Festus would have enjoyed meeting these big birds.

 

 

 

 

I decided to drive to J.N. Ding Darling Refuge.

 

The White Pelicans were there.  

 

Dramatic clouds.

 

I have 200 photos to inspire new paintings!  Good night.

 

 

"Red Umbrellas at Captiva Island" 6x8 oil on copper  Sold. Thanks.

 

 

   I have been working on this painting for two days now. 

 

I am glad it is finished.

 

I liked how it turned out.  

 

 

Robert sent me photos of the dogs playing in fresh snow in Maine.

 

Lady Violet has the favorite ball.  Monet also has one of the balls in the snow in front

 

of him.

 

 

They love playing in the snow.

 

 

They only received a few inches of snow.

 

Perfect amount!

 

 

Lily is such a cute little character.  I miss them all.

 

Thank you Robert for all the dog photos.

 

Good night.

 

"Wintery Somesville Bridge" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Frame and shipping included in the price.  

 

 

"Summer Memories" 10x8 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with

gold.  Shipping and frame are included.

 

 

Festus loves to take a nap in these old shimp nets.  

 

The weather is just perfect here in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

Festus spends all day long in his screen room.

 

 

What a hungry boy!

 

 

Most evenings Festus enjoys a stoller walk.

 

 

Festus admiring a neighborhood cat.  He has invited this cat inside a few times.

 

The cat has always declined his offer.

 

 

I discovered a solution to a problem.  Festus likes to chew on blinds, cords,

 

and cardboard.  I purchased a bag of dog chews for him. I put one in a filing cabinet.

 

He enjoyed chewing so much!  He spit out the product onto the floor.

 

I could tell it just felt good to bite into something to sharpen or clean his teeth.

 

 

Just be careful it is all nautural. Some of these products have sorbital and can cause

 

problems if cats digest too much.

 

 

Maine is expecting a snow storm tomorrow.  This is Pemaquid Lighthouse.

 

 

Sanibel Island from a few days ago.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

   I made big progress on this 20x26 oil on copper painting of roof tops in Stonington, Maine

 

from Church Street.  I liked this design.  I will use the plein air study to complete the painting once

 

this layer has dried.  I used my 1.50 reading glasses to paint.  I found myself painting more slowly.

 

The edges seem better using the reading glasses.  I wish I had started to use them a few years ago!

 

 

  The bathroom is looking nice with a gifted new shower curtain from my neighbor.

 

I will probably not be attacked by Festus any more while taking a shower!

 

I had been using a very sheer plastic shower curtain that Festus took great pleasure in!

 

He would sit on the sink.  Then he would use his claws to attack me through the shower curtain.

 

I only bled a few times from his claws.  He must have seen the 1960 movie, "Psycho".

 

Animals are very impressionable.  Their TV content needs to be monitored just like people.

 

 

  I bet you are wondering, "What am I looking at?"

 

This is my beautiful new Serta queen mattress surrounding by two inch thick roofing insulation

 

boards.  Today I unboxed the platform bed and installed it under the mattress!

 

Festus and I will be sleeping off the ground now on a wonderful new mattress just as he

 

imagined.  The air mattress just did not fit his needs.

 

 

The walls are thin in this trailer or all trailers.  Fort Myers is a busy city.  Fireworks

 

and loud music play at night on holidays.  There were five chihauhau dog barking

 

most of the night and early morning and day!  They dogs have been rescued and have found new homes. 

 

There are no dogs barking any longer here. 

 

The roofing insulation boards really help me get a good nights sleep!

 

It is very quiet here most nights except for holidays. 

 

 

    Here is the platform bed.  

 

 

Festus ate a bunch of cans of cat food today.

 

He also ate an entire smoked chicken thigh!

 

He wanted to try turnip greens.

 

He ate about two tablespoons of greens.

 

This is good!  He seemed to have extra energy today.

 

 

Playing with various toys.

 

 

 

He loves to sit on top of the four foot tall refrigerator.  That filing cabinet below is a favorite

 

place to take an afternoon nap on a hot day.

 

 

He was running through the trailer carrying his white teddy bear.

 

Then he leaped up on top of the refrigerator with his bear.

 

 

I looked over to find him taking an afternoon siesta!

 

 

 

 

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I decided to attend Sundial Resort's Rock n Roll New Year's Eve Event.

 

The whole thing cost 90$.  They allowed guests to come early.  I arrived at 1pm.  I took photos of their

 

beautiful white umbrellas on the beach.  I swam in one of their four pools.  I ate sliced smoked

 

brisket, smoked salmon (I should have smuggled Festus in!  He could have eaten at least a pound)

 

 capers, mashed potatoes or cauliflower, lox, macaroni and cheese, 

 

a oatmeal cookie, wonderful chocolate cupcake with light cream icing with gold flakes, and a 

 

salted pretzel dipped in white chocolate.  I was home by 9pm.  Festus was happy to see me.

 

They had a band on the beach.  They were playing music by the pool.  They had games.  I helped

 

two kids out with a scavenger hunt..with my car keys and a cup.  I enjoyed seeing beautiful dresses. 

 

I loved watching the kids dancing.  One teenage boy had a stack of five slices

 

of smoked brisket and was quickly walking to his table.  He kept his eye on the beef the whole time.

 

I might have stayed later but I hiked and took over 300 photos of the beach from 1pm till 6pm.

 

I think I tired myself out before the event even happened!  I have not been out celebrating

 

New Year's Even since 2005.  It was fun.  I drank Diet Coke and water.  I am not a drinker.

 

For some reason since I have been here in Florida, I have been going to sleep so much earlier.

 

I am not sure if it is because I can sleep the whole night or it is all the Florida sunlight.

 

 

 

I saw a flock of Terns, Gulls, and Crows!

 

 

There were a flock of about 50 crows that landed on the beach.

 

Their arrival made the Terns nervous.  Such a strange thing to see a flock of Crows.

 

I believe they call a flock of crows a murder.

 

 

 

 

Here is part of the Sundial pool area.  They closed the pool and beach area at 3pm to get

 

ready for the party.  

 

 

I have been dreaming of seeing the Sundial's white umbrellas at the beach.

 

Sundial Resort is on the Middle Gulf Drive on Sanibel Island.

 

I believe there is a beach parking area on Gulf Drive but it costs a lot.

 

Then there would be miles of hiking to get to the Sundial.

 

 

 

Selfie on Sanibel Island.

 

 

I must have walked for miles on the beach for hours!

 

I was pleased to have exercise, sunlight, and fresh salt air.

 

I discovered it is the visual beauty that I loved more than anything.

 

Everywhere I looked was just stunning.

 

 

The beaches were packed full of beautiful umbrellas and people in some areas.

 

 

The water was so pretty.

 

I prefer the Gulf side.  

 

 

Sundial's white umbrellas.  They were difficult to photograph.

 

The area was very congested.  I was not expecting them to be arranged so compactly.

 

 

The sun became stronger as sunset approached.

 

 

The scene almost looked like a black and white photograph.

 

 

Royal Palms are everywhere.

 

 

 

Captiva Island might be the best location to view a sunset.  

 

The sun went down way in the distance on the right behind the buildings.

 

I enjoyed the whole day.

 

 

Here is where the Rock and Roll event took place.  

 

All the tables were full of people.  The event was a success.

 

People were still coming in as I was leaving early at 8:30pm.

 

The party was suppose to go on until 12:30am.

 

 

Festus was funny that morning before I left.

 

I gave him two cans of Fancy Feast Turkey and gravy.

 

He ate it in a few gulps.  I gave him a big can of Core Chicken and Turkey.

 

Down the hatch!  I opened up two cans of Reveal tuna.  He ate it like a champ.

 

I opened one more can of Core Chicken Pate..not his favorite..but today ate it fast.

 

I was impressed!  Never in Festus's history had he eaten 6 cans of cat food so quickly.

 

I filled up his bowl with Core dried food.  Made sure he had spring water in his bowl.

 

Festus prefers to drink out of the shower.  

 

I put the airconditioner on 75 degrees.  I turned on one light.  I said good bye.

 

When I arrived home at 9pm, Festus was chirping a lot, and fireworks filled the sky.

 

I gave him another can of Reveal Tuna.  He gobbled it down like he had been starved.

 

I asked him if he had a hollow leg?  He chirped.   We stayed up watching the fireworks.

 

Happy New Year's Eve!  This year is going to be great!  Chirp!