I regret that I’m conveying this through email and social media (Facebook, Instagram and my website pbsstudios.com). Still, it’s the world we live in. Linda has a large family and friend circle, and I want to get the word out to you as soon as possible. It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Linda Katherine James Smolens on August 6, 2026, due to complications from Multiple Scoliosis (MS).
Although I didn’t know it at the time, looking back and piecing things together, I believe Linda is another victim of 9/11. Shortly after 9/11, while working for a Defense Contractor, her employer noticed that something was wrong. After a battery of tests, we were informed of a preliminary diagnosis of a slow, progressive version of MS. Thankfully, on HR recommendation, Linda had signed up for long-term disability insurance. With their help, Linda was granted full disability Medicare coverage and took early retirement.
For 25 years, the disease slowly progressed, affecting her short-term memory and the use of her legs. In the beginning, Linda hid the symptoms of MS from her friends. Over time, as the MS levels increased, she had to start using a cane to keep her balance. Eventually, she moved to a walker and then a wheelchair. About a month ago, I decided I could not properly take care of Linda. I moved her into the Tribute at the Glen Assisted Living Facility. There she would get the proper treatment she needed. I visited often, spending most afternoons because I didn’t want her to feel like she was alone.
On Thursday, August 6th, I went to visit her. When I arrived, I found her sleeping with her favorite British murder-mystery show on the TV. She passed while sleeping that afternoon. Linda had mentioned that she missed her mother and wanted to see her. Yesterday, she joined her parents and older sister Nancy in heaven.
I am greatly relieved that her passing was peaceful. I will be in touch with you in the coming days to announce a memorial service at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist (BRUU).
For the month of August, P.B.S. Studios is the Manassas Art Guild (MAG), Artist of the Month (AToM). Being AToM means I’m displaying my digital art in five stores around the city of Manassas.
On Wednesday, July 29th, I walked around with MAG President Laura Lavarnway. She’s a great artist and my mentor. I wish her well as she is having foot surgery today. We exchanged five pieces of my digital art – Laura was last month’s Artist of the Month (AToM). I’m displaying my digital art in the following stores:
The digital painting called “The Mary B” is one of the pieces of art on display.
When visiting the city of Manassas, stop by these stores and coffee shops and enjoy the treats while looking at my digital paintings. All paintings are for sale, and contact me for more information.
Ground Central
While visiting Ground Central Coffee Shop – an Artist of the Month (AToM) location – they have just expanded to include a second-floor dining area. Two of my digital paintings, along with other artists’ paintings, adorn the walls. The next time you’re at Ground Central Coffee Shop, take a walk upstairs and see some beautiful art.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that’s written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, please email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.
I hope the weather holds off, as P.B.S. Studios is participating in the sixth annual 2026 Bee Festival on next Saturday, June 20th. My art group, Manassas Art Guild (MAG), is one of the sponsors. I’ll have a selection of framed and unframed prints available for sale, along with cards and my books “Digital Photo Painting using Adobe Photoshop” And “Golf a la Cart Version 2.”
New Website Page
Although it’s a work in progress, as a promotion for my book “Golf a la Cart Version 2.” I’m in the process of uploading all my Golf Columns with photo illustrations online in PDF format for you to download. Look for the link on my PBSStudios.com home page. I’ll also have links under the P.B.S. Studios Writer tab and on the Golf a la Cart Version 2 book page.
P.B.S. Studios
P.B.S. Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that has written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and on banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, please email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.
The True Meaning of Memorial Day Weekend, 2026 Edition
I looked at last year’s column True Meaning of Memorial Day Weekend, and thought I can’t improve. With a few modification, I updated last year’s column is presented here:
Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is often associated with the start of the summer season here in America. With the TV full of stores advertising Memorial Day sales, many people have forgotten the true meaning of the holiday. A few years ago, I created this mixed-media digital photo painting over Memorial Day weekend to remember all the people who lost their lives fighting to keep our wonderful country free.
I want to wish all veterans a Happy Memorial Day. Although I’m not a veteran (I still remember my draft number, 304), many of my friends served in the armed forces. Too many of them are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall on the National Mall in Washington, DC. When I graduated from high school in 1972, the service was not a popular option – the Vietnam War was in full swing.
Still, I’m very proud of my time working for DoD. For almost a decade, I was a civilian contractor technical writer working for the group that ran the Pentagon’s mainframe computers. Working with the military personnel, I learned that this day still means something special to my former co-workers. I especially learned the meaning of Memorial Day while watching co-workers who had to deal with the life of their spouses deployed on the battlefield.
Be safe, and have a great Memorial Day. Just remember to take a moment and think about the real reason why we celebrate this holiday weekend.
Golf a la Cart Book Version 2 Update
Now available on Amazon.com, in digital and paperback formats, my new book “Golf a la Cart Version 2: Selected Adventures on the Golf Course.”
From 1990 – 2010, I traveled, took photographs, played golf courses, and wrote articles for regional golf magazines. “Golf a la Cart Version 2” is a book containing a selection of golf travel articles. Version 2 is the expanded version of “Golf a la Cart” with better typeface and more pictures. Chapters include golf courses in Williamsburg, Virginia; Myrtle Beach; Jamaica; the Piedmont; and the Maverick Golf Trail.
“Golf a la Cart Version 2” also contains articles and columns I wrote about the golf environment. Subjects include Golf Etiquette, Senior Golfer, Being a Guest at a Country Club, LPGA is Better (LPGA vs PGA), Play it Forward, Going Home (to play golf), Golf with Jack (my father and my beginnings in golf), and Tiger Woods 2.0.
P.B.S. Studios
P.B.S. Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that has written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and on banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital paintings are for sale, and you can purchase them online through my Etsy Store.
My book, “Creating Digital Paintings,” is also for sale. It’s a revised, updated, and expanded version of the 2019 publication of “Photo Painting using Adobe Photoshop.” It’s a hands-on, practical guide that shows you how to create a digital painting from a photograph or freehand.
I don’t know how I got included in the group “Beloved Cat – Grief & Support Group for loss of your beloved cat.” It might have been, being a cat lover and who has lost multiple cats through the years, I can understand the feelings of member posts when their “Cat “Crosses the Rainbow Bridge.”
I know I responded more than once when I read about a members’ cat’s passing away. To reply, I came up with the phrase, “So sorry for your loss. As a fellow cat lover, I feel your pain. Just know mine and other cats are waiting for her on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.”
As a digital artist, I’m always looking for a special reason to create my art. Something to get the creative juices flowing. “Cat Crossing the Rainbow Bridge” is a result of all the posts I’ve read about member cats passing away. Those stories became the inspiration for my latest digital painting. Since I’m a cat lover and have lost multiple cats, I wanted to create a memorial to them while creating a painting that features the Rainbow Bridge.
“What Club Would You Hit?”
Did you see my “What Club Would You Hit?” On Tuesday. since the beginning of 2026, I’ve introduced a new weekly column. “What Club Would You Hit?” combines my digital paintings and photographs of golf holes with an essay discussing the golf hole in question. I provide history, the designer, and other interesting facts including how I played the golf hole.
The digital paintings and photographs are used as an illustration in my book, “Golf a la Cart Version 2,” now available on Amazon or by contacting me. The digital painting or photograph is also available as a digital print at my Etsy Store. To purchase a print, go to the pbsstudios.com Golf Photography Gallery Section of pbsstudios.com.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writing, photography, and digital painting company that has written and published over 100 articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and on banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, please email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.
From the P.B.S. Studios Promotional Department – During April, I’m my art group, the Manassas Art Guild (MAG), Artist of the Month (AToM). Being AToM means I’m displaying my digital art in five stores around the city of Manassas.
On Tuesday, April 7th, I walked around with Lisa Stewart, a lovely young lady who is unfortunately leaving the area for sunny Florida – good luck, I hope you find happiness in your new area. Lisa was last month’s AToM. We exchanged five pieces, putting up my digital art in the following stores:
Ground Central Station Coffee Shop
The Things I love
Black Metallic
Jirani Coffee Shop
The Art Factory (inside the Art Center)
When visiting Manassas, stop by these stores and coffee shops to enjoy treats while browsing my digital paintings. All paintings are displayed on my website, pbsstudios.com, and are for sale. Contact me for more information.
“What Club Would You Hit?”
On Tuesday, since the beginning of 2026, I’ve introduced a new weekly column. “What Club Would You Hit?” combines my digital paintings and photographs of golf holes with an essay discussing the golf hole in question. I provide history, the designer, and other interesting facts, including how I played the golf hole.
The digital paintings and photographs are used as an illustration in my book, “Golf a la Cart Version 2,” now available on Amazon or by contacting me. The digital painting or photograph is also available as a digital print at my Etsy Store. To purchase a print, go to the pbsstudios.com Golf Photography Gallery Section of pbsstudios.com.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writing, photography, and digital painting company that has written and published over 100 articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and on banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, please email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.
Since the beginning in 2021 when I started blogging on my website pbsstudios.com and posting on Facebook one of my annual subjects I cover is the flower 2026 Flower Explosion at our house, It’s starting (again) this week. I see this year’s blooms getting ready to burst open.
Between early April and early May, our home becomes a florist delight. For the past few years, I’ve written a column on the subject of our flower explosion. The funny part is it still stands. Each year I read the previous year’s Flower Explosion column, Once again, I don’t think I can improve my feelings for the front of our house at this time of year.
We have a multitude of flowers that bloom at different times during this period, making the view out our front door exquisite. The funny part is we didn’t know about the flower bushes in front when we purchased the house 25 years ago.
2026 Flower Explosion Rite of Spring
It’s the rite of spring when the bare trees of winter allow you to see the neighbors change quickly. Like magic, the buds start to grow at the end of March. The trees transform our house into a canopy of green during April, a shaded, secluded oasis.
First to arrive are the tall red tips with their purple flowers. They announce the coming of spring. Then it’s the azalea show, starting with white azaleas by the front door and baby pink on the east side of the driveway. The baby ruby red roses make their appearance to break up the azalea string. The grand finale is the enormous azalea bush in front of our house. When it blooms, it displays a monumental amount of pink azalea flowers.
Because of their beauty, I go out and photograph the flowers each year. Over the years, I’ve probably taken over a thousand pictures of the flowers in my front yard. Here are a few images from my collection of flowers blooming. As this year’s flowers bloom, To see more examples of my photography and digital painting work, go to the Gallery section of my website. Enjoy
“What Club Would You Hit?”
On Tuesday. since the beginning of 2026, I’ve introduced a new weekly column. “What Club Would You Hit?” combines my digital paintings and photographs of golf holes with an essay discussing the golf hole in question. I provide history, the designer, and other interesting facts including how I played the golf hole.
The digital paintings and photographs are used as an illustration in my book, “Golf a la Cart Version 2,” now available on Amazon or by contacting me. The digital painting or photograph is also available as a digital print at my Etsy Store. To purchase a print, go to the pbsstudios.com Golf Photography Gallery Section of pbsstudios.com.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that’s written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.
Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, Please send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.
That was the email I received from Hewlett-Packard (HP) Customer Support Department on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Sherman, set the wayback machine to Sunday, March 8, 2026. Those who are of an age will get the joke! I was in my home office, starting to write my first draft of my weekly golf hole column. MS Office Outlook notified me of a new email in my mailbox. It was for a function of the neighborhood women’s group called the Garden Club. They had sent a notice of their next meeting.
Being a good husband, I attempted to print the email. During the printing process, the small screen on the front showed an unusual message, “System Failure.” Over the next hour, I attempted several steps to clear the error message. I turned off the printer. I unplugged the printer from the Power Strip. Nothing worked. The screen still showed “System Failure.” Because life happens, I had to leave the printer error message for the next day.
Contacting HP Customer Service
On Monday, March 9, 2026, after going through the same testing steps. I still had the “System Failure” message. I first tried to contact HP through the computer website. At first, I tried to use their AI Chat, which suggested the same things I had already done. The AI Chat finally told me to contact HP Customer Support. It took me a while to navigate the phone tree, but eventually I spoke with a young lady (I’m sorry I didn’t write down her name). I found out that I was past the one-year warranty period (it ended last fall). Still, I had a printer ink support contract that extended the warranty. The printer was covered. She was very helpful and determined that she could not fix the issue remotely. It appears a Firmware download did not work correctly, causing the system failure. The result was that the system failure had locked the entire printer. I could not even move the printer’s ink system to remove the ink cartridges. Once again, my life required my attention, so I had to end the call. Before ending, the lady gave me the case number.
I called the Customer Support Department on Tuesday morning and provided the case number to a different tech. After trying a couple of tests, the other customer service rep did not see any of the tests in the notes; he determined the printer was defective. By the end of the phone call, I was informed that a replacement HP OfficeJet Pro 8132e All-in-One Printer would be shipped that day and that I should have it on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Replacement Printer Arrives
Being skeptical, “I’ll believe it when I see the printer on my doorstep.” However, on Wednesday evening, I found a large box from HP sitting on my doorstep.
On Thursday, March 12, I opened the box and found the replacement printer. I spent the morning setting up the new printer and went through the activation process. Soon, my laptop recognized the new printer, and I was able to print the meeting notice.
I spent the rest of the morning packing the old printer into the same box as the replacement printer that had arrived. After securing the box with tape, I attached the return to the HP shipping label. On Friday, March 13, 2026, I went to the local FedEx office and shipped the old printer back to the HP Customer Support Department.
Acknowledgement of HP Customer Service
We always hear from friends and on social media about people having problems with a company when trying to get a problem fixed. I want to acknowledge that the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Customer Support Department was very professional. They recognized the problem and provided a resolution. I could not have asked for better customer service.
lthough I’ve used many HP computers & printers throughout my career, both desktops and laptops, my “work” printer in my home office has always been an HP. For years, I had a very old HP OfficeJet Pro printer to print my black-and-white text documents. In 2024, I finally replaced that printer with the HP OfficeJet Pro 8132e All-in-One Printer. Now I have a new version of the same printer. I hope this printer lasts as long as the OfficeJet Pro printer.
P.B.S. Studios
P.B.S. Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital paintingcompany that has written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve had my work displayed in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, and commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), as well as on banners.
I’m sorry, I have not communicated much over the past couple of months. I’ve been busy working on a couple of projects. I’ve been working on the Gallery Section of my pbsstudios.com website as part of the P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project
Part One of Phase Two is Complete
I’m happy to announce I’ve completed the first part of the second phase of the P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project. As I said in my previous posting, the Second phase had two parts: upgrading the Gallery Section of the website, which included updating the presentation of my photographs. The Gallery section is where visitors can see my digital paintings and photographs. Updating the Gallery Section of pbsstudios.com was more complicated than originally planned. I found that the gallery program I used had limitations I could not overcome. I had to rewrite every webpage in the Gallery Section to use the WordPress Gallery program. In many cases, I expanded the written content to provide more information about the webpage gallery.
As of today, I completed that part of Phase 2. The second part of Phase 2 of the P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project is to link a selection of images from my Gallery Section to my Etsy Store. When visitors click on the selected image, they are redirected to the image on my Etsy Store. I’ve already started linking the images. I’ll let you know when that process is completed as part of Phase 2 of the P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project.
P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project Phase 3
Phase 3 of the P.B.S. Studios Website Upgrade Project is to review a selection of articles. After having the success and enjoyment of laying out my book, “Golf a la Cart Version 2,” I’m going to create and upload additional articles in PDF format to the website.
I’ll be documenting my process here on my blog with regular posts. Sorry, that’s what a retired technical writer does – we document everything! Look at pbsstudios.comGallery Section and let me know what you think of the changes. Use the contact page and send me an email. I’m not looking for development assistance ads. I like the challenge of figuring out how to utilize WordPress on my website.
“What Club Would You Hit?”
Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been posting a column called “What Club Would You Hit?” every Tuesday on my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Based on photographs and digital paintings, I describe a golf hole where I took the photograph, asking the age-old question that golfers are challenged with every day: “What Club Would You Hit?” The column provides the location of the golf hole, some history, and what I was thinking when faced with the challenge of hitting the golf shot.
I’m happy to say, people are starting to notice this feature, and I’m getting some nice comments.
“Golf a la Cart Version 2” Book is Available
“Golf a la Cart Version 2” is available from Amazon my Etsy Store. or directly through me. Order books from me and you’ll get a special discount. To get more information, read a sample minnie book or view a video about “Golf a la Cart Version 2” click on the pbsstudios.com link.
PBS Studios
PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that has written and published over 100 articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and on banners.
Check out the updated gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale. You can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or selected image online through my Etsy Store. For more information, contact me through my Contact Webpage at please email me at pbsstudios.com.
What club would you use? You’re standing in the left center of the fairway on the 16th hole at Kingsmill Resort’s River Golf Course, looking at this approach shot of 142 yards into the mild but gusting wind of the James River at the famed Burwell’s Landing.
The 6,831-yard, par-71 The River Course is the crown jewel of Kingsmill. It is rated one of Virginia’s best golf courses. It has hosted 38 PGA and LPGA tour events, most recently the Pure Silk Championship.
Initially designed by the late Pete Dye in 1975, the golf course contained all the standard Dye attributes, including railway ties that divided the 16th fairway. Pete Dye was coming into his own as a golf course architect. He was entering the stage of his career – and an age of golf – when course difficulty was considered a paramount virtue (from the tips, with the original Course Rating: 73.2; Course Slope: 136). The rolling topography along the James River lent itself perfectly to Dye’s penchant for visual deception. When players can’t see the ground between themselves and their targets because of swales or valleys, yardages are much harder to estimate. And in the 1970s, laser rangefinders weren’t a thing yet.
2004 Pete Dye Redesign
In 2004, Pete Dye and his crew came back in and redesigned the River Course layout, making it player-friendly. That didn’t make the golf course any easier. According to the yardage book, the rating /slope is now 74.7/139. For example, he took out the railway ties on the 16th hole. Now, any golf shot on the right side of the fairway slopes downhill toward a long bunker. There is a historical marker behind the green that describes how the first English settlers in North America landed near the escarpment above the wide James River that is now the elevated tee box of the par-3 17th hole. Those settlers moved upriver a bit further, to Jamestown, where ships could anchor closer to shore. Looking down the river, you can see a graveyard of old naval vessels in the middle of the river.
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