Another Day, Another Year – August 4, 2022

For me today it’s another day, another year in this world. Happy Birthday to me!

I know it’s going to be a good day. I checked the Washington Post, and my name was not in the Obits column. J I know it’s an old joke, but I like it, and it’s true!

First, shout out to other people who have a birthday today. My sister-in-law, M. Dell James, and former President Barak Obama also share the same day, and I know there is more. Happy Birthday to you all!

Over the past few years, my Birthday has been a time to take stock of my life. Due to working to upgrade my website, I’ve not posted anything on my blog recently. Today is an excellent time to update all that has happened this past year.

Taking Care of Linda

Since I retired, my number one job has been taking care of Linda and her long-term illness. That part of my life has not changed. As many of you know, Linda’s health has improved so much that she is no longer in Hospice. It’s the best birthday present anyone could get. 

The best part is I have help now. Diane, a caregiver, has been a gift, staying with Linda one or more days a week. I use this time to play golf and do errands. Because of Diane, we have not had to call the PWC Rescue Squad this year. The best part is I think they like each other. Diane helped in so many ways. She takes Linda shopping or visits me at an art show. I’m lucky to have her as a part of my support system.

Golf

Again, this year I’m playing golf with my golf league on Wednesday –yesterday, I played with Mike Freeland! I’ve also played in a few VSGA one-day golf tournaments. It’s great to compete and see how I do against other golfers with similar skills.

P.B.S. Studios

It’s been a mixed year for my writer/photographer/digital painter company. I’ve published a few feature articles, including an interview and an article in AWAI Barefoot Writer Magazine (to read the published articles, check out the publication section of my website). I’m back taking online courses from AWAI, trying to learn copy and content writing. I need to feel comfortable with that style of writing before finding clients needing my copywriting services.

I’ve sold a few digital paintings, calendars, and book at art shows, and I’m adding more artwork for sale through my Etsy site. Although not very profitable (yet), the sales have been steady. Still, it’s enough to keep me excited. One reason is that P.B.S. Studios always take a backseat to care for Linda.

Look Up in Manassas

On the other hand, it still excites me as I drive down Church Street in downtown Manassas to see my banner in front of the Manassas Post Office. Remember, if you’re in the City of Manassas, look up. The city turned a digital photo painting of mine into a banner. “Dan Gibson Canoe in Sunset” flies high over the streets of Manassas in front of the Manassas Post office.

I’m always honored to have one of my digital paintings become a banner. You can purchase a print through my Etsy store. Go to the Gallery Section of my website to see the original painting. Click on the image.

Odds and Ends

Linda and I always look forward to my family’s weekly zoom video calls. We’ve always been a close family, and being spread across the country, these weekly calls have made us closer. I respect hearing their perspectives about life, our family history, and current events.

Every year I feel the need to thank our neighbors, Dan and Kathy, along with Susan, Elvan, John, and Madison have all been wonderful, assisting in different ways to help me with Linda.

Although there have been many challenges, overall, this past year has been ok. I’m still able to take care of Linda, but having the assistance of others has made my life easier.

On Tuesday, Linda and I picked up Sunshine, our newest addition to our family. After visiting the Prince William Animal Rescue (PWCAR) on Bristow Rd, a large building across Rt. 234 from the Prince William Landfill, we got a kitten.

Since losing her cat, Sarah, Linda has been “down in the dumps.” Although we still have Andy and Daisy, Linda feels like they’re my cats. With Sarah passing, and Buddy going to the giant sandbox in the sky a few years ago, she felt lost without a cat to call her own. We’ve always gotten rescue cats, so that is where we looked.

During our search, we checked out the PWCAR website. Since everyone wants a kitten, I opted for a cat that was a bit older – one year. I reasoned the cat would be litter box trained, have all their shots, and be neutered or spayed. After having the challenges with Buddy (it’s why we have hardwood floors), Linda and I agreed to get a female cat. We saw several cats that would fit the bill.

PWC Animal Rescue

We stopped by the PWC Animal Rescue building during the last week of June, which opened last winter (according to one of the employees while I filled out the adoption paperwork); the building looked modern and clean. A helpful volunteer took us back to the “cat room.” As we entered the room, a small orange domestic short hair cat was crying. Clearly, she was not happy. Upset about being in a cage. This little kitten called Sunshine won Linda’s heart in second.

According to reports, someone had brought a litter of kittens, including Sunshine, earlier that week. PWCAR estimated Sunshine’s age to be three months. After hearing those cries, my wife’s heart melted. The choice was easy.

While Linda stayed with Sunshine, I took care of the paperwork. According to PWCAR, in addition to having all her shots (including rabies and an identification microchip,) before you can take home an adoption, all cats must be neutered or spayed. PWCAR took Sunshine to Anicira Veterinary Center in Manassas, and we picked up Sunshine after her surgery this past Tuesday.

It’s only been a few days, but things are going great overall. We found out Sunshine can jump onto the bed, negotiate the stairs, and is litterbox trained. The only challenge is Andy and Daisy. They’re not thrilled about Sunshine. Although they are both larger, they don’t want anything to do with Sunshine. They’ve taken to living in my basement office. It will take some time for them to adjust to Sunshine, our newest family member.

P.B.S. Studios

P.B.S. 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 paintings are for sale through my Etsy store or from me. Please send me an email to psmolens@pbsstudios.com Payment is arraigned through PayPal, check, or credit card through my square account.

Sarah Smolens (2010 – 2022)

It is with a heavy heart today that I announce our cat Sarah Smolens (2010 – 2022) went to the big kitty box in the sky early this morning. Our little one-eye wonder was Linda’s constant companion.

Sarah was a gift from Ms. Tammie Trbovich of Orlando, who rescued six kittens from the local shelter. Sarah was the runt of the group, being born with only one eye. However, her positive attitude immediately connected with Linda. Although we had four other cats (Sophie, Sugar, Spice, and Buddy) at the time, Tammie brought Sarah to Northern Virginia, and we added her to the mix.

During Sophie’s last days, she became a foster mother to little Sarah. When Sophie passed on, Sarah took over the job of staying with Linda. Since then, Sarah has been by Linda’s side, comforting her as she faced her medical challenges.

Portrait of Sarah

The attached image is a digital painting I created of Sarah showing off her beautiful and colorful markings. This portrait and the painting of Linda and Sarah on the couch that I recently shared are two of my favorite paintings. To see these and other digital paintings, check out the digital painting gallery section of P.B.S. Studios website

Thank you, Sarah, for taking care of Linda. You were an essential part of our family. Although you will be missed, it’s time for you to be reconnected with Sophie, your foster mom. We love you!

 

 

 

 

2022 Version “Can You Find Me?” Banner Contest Final

Earlier this month, I posted an image showing this year’s banner hanging in downtown Manassas, VA. It was a close-up of the banner. The post called the 2022 version “Can You Find Me?” banner contest called for people to walk the streets of Manassas and find the banner. I even provided a hint – telling people the banner was located within a couple of blocks from the Harris Pavilion. During yesterday’s Artist Inventory Art Show, I had a flyer asking, “Can You Find Me?”

 

Now it’s time to reveal the location of this year’s banner. The banner is located in front of the Manassas Post Office. Manassas resident Celia Benz was the winner of this year’s “can you find me” contest. After seeing the flyer, they walked around the town and found the banner hanging up in front of the Manassas Post Office. They showed me a picture. For finding the banner, Celia won a print of the banner suitable for framing.

 

 

Art Inventory Sale Yesterday

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Art Inventory Sale yesterday. I showed my latest digital paintings and photographs as a part of the Manassas Art Guild (MAG). Those who stopped by saw some terrific art done by local artists.

In addition to the digital paintings, I had for sale, my book, “Digital Painting using Adobe Photoshop,”  If you didn’t make it to the art show, stop by my Etsy Shop, where you can purchase a selection of my digital paintings.

 

 P.B.S. Studios

P.B.S. 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 textbooks 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 paintings are for sale. Please send me an email: psmolens@pbsstudios.com, payments are arraigned through PayPal, check, or credit card through my square account.

 

 

2022 Flower Explosion Begins

It’s happening again. In the next few days, the 2022 flower explosion begins. The flowers in the front of our house begin to bloom between the middle of April and May. During this period, the view out our front door is exquisite. The funny part is, we didn’t know about this flowered front when we purchased the house 24 years ago.

We initially saw the house on New Year’s Day, purchased the home in January 1998, and moved in February. That spring, we got a huge surprise. All these different kinds of flowers bloom. The house provided us with a beautiful wedding gift (May 9). Since that first spring, mother-nature has welcomed us each spring with an orchestrated display of flowers.

 

Rite of Spring

It’s the rite of spring where the bare trees surround the house at the end of March, where you can easily see the neighbors. Then, like magic, the buds start to grow. 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 baby pink and white azaleas. The baby red roses make their appearance to break up the azalea string. The largest bush in the front of our house is the monumental azaleas bush. When it blooms, it’s the grand finale.

Because of their beauty, I go out and photograph the flowers each year. Over the years, I’ve probably taken thousands of pictures of the flowers in my front yard. Here are a few images from the previous year’s bloom. As this year’s flowers bloom, I’ll take more pictures and provide a follow-up blog entry. To see more examples of my photography and digital painting work, go to the Gallery section of my website. Enjoy

Art Inventory Sale Saturday

These images are some of the new pieces I’ll have for sale at the Art Inventory Sale next Saturday, April 23, from 1-5 PM at the Harris Pavilion in downtown Manassas, VA. I am a Manassas Art Guild (MAG) member, and we have a stall. Please stop by and see some terrific art done by local artists.

In addition to digital paintings for sale, I have my book, “Digital Painting using Adobe Photoshop,”  If you can’t make the art show, stop by my Etsy Shop, where you can purchase a selection of my digital paintings.