My sister, Lois, was always the artist in our family. I yearned to draw too. As the years went by it was obvious that I had no talent, I couldn't even make stick people. But the lack of talent didn't make my wish go away. One day while I was still a court reporter I visited a home where the woman had painted beautiful peacocks on her wall. I told her how much I liked them and how I wanted all of my life to paint.
"You can," she said.
"No," I said sadly. "I have no artistic talent."
"If you worked as hard to learn to draw as you did to learn that stenotype machine you could do it." I thought about that a lot.
I went home and started trying to draw. I discovered that I could make cartoon characters. Then a creative writing teacher told us to buy a book entitled "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain."
"But I can't draw," I told him.
"That doesn't matter," teacher said. "It will help you write on the right side of the brain."
So I went to the bookstore and bought the book. I started doing the exercises, went through the book and discovered that I could draw. Then I went to Front Range Community College and took painting classes. Maybe I'm not a prize winning artist, but with God's help I have a great time painting. I would like to show some of them to you. Only God can help a person who could never make a stick person get so much enjoyment out of drawing scenery and painting.
I took a couple of life drawing classes but I'm still not good at drawing people. I believe I would do better if I practiced harder.
This rooster reminds me of the one I had when I was in Junior High School. He crowed to wake up the morning.
This is Monaco park in Commerce City.
I remember hearing the song "Springtime in the Rockies" when I was just a child. We lived in California and came to Colorado on visits. I always longed for Springtime in the Rockies.
Springtime brings a renewal of life and of hope.
The pink trees come out after the lilacs quit blooming. Just like a lovely sunrise they are gorgeous to behold.
I always feel good in the springtime.
This is springtime in La Junta. The high school that I lived close to is in the middle of the picture. At the bottom is town. I still have dreams of walking down those streets.
Just over the hill top is another surprise, especially when God is with me.
In the summer of 1998 my sister, her daughter and granddaughter came to Colorado. We stayed in this cabin at San Isabel Lake. My daughter, Lorraine and her son, Bill, his wife, Kara and the kids joined us. What a great time we had.
This is the same cabin that my husband and I stayed in on our honeymoon almost 50 years ago. Bathrooms have been added, but they look the same. We stayed in one of these cabins last summer.
When I look at my pictures I see places that I have loved or would love to see. This picture reminds me of the beautiful land of Austria.When I look at my pictures I see places that I have loved or would love to see. This picture reminds me of the beautiful land of Austria.
When we went to Europe I thought the outdoor cafes were so much fun. At that time we didn't have many here in the United States. Through the years outdoor cafes have become popular. I still like to sit outside to eat.
A good place to relax.
I have an especial fascination with gazebos. I not only like to sit in them but I like to draw them, even though they can be hard.
The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is very beautiful.
A peaceful day to fish.
Birds and flowers underscore a peaceful cottage in the country.
When I was a child, each year I went to see the Koshare Indians. They are a group of Boy Scouts in La Junta. Their dances were fascinating and I have always been interested in Indians.
Each year I have admired the flowers that are grown east of Commerce City, so last summer I stopped and took pictures. I did a painting of them.
When I was free lance court reporting I drove to Castle Rock once in awhile. The drive and the mountains were so refreshing. I talked to God on the way and He took care of me.
I can't say I've ever seen a place that looked like this but I can imagine that Heaven's flowers will be 1,000 times more beautiful.
One of my favorite stories when I was a child was "Ferdinand the Bull."
The fireworks burst through the summer sky and light up the darkness, just as Jesus lights up the darkness for us.
There is a flea market across the street from us. Although I don't get there much I do like to walk around and look at all the treasures.
With its tall buildings the City of Denver fascinates me. There is a combination of the old and the new in the City.
I guess it's apparent that I love all kinds of flowers. I'm not very good at growing them but I love to look at and paint them.
This is the view from the apartment where my parents lived for awhile after they retired. They loved the windmill across the street.
I remember stopping at gas stations when we were on trips when I was a child.
This picture was made into a small diorama for the Adams County Museum and was displayed in there for several months. This is only part of the picture.
A quiet walk beside the sea.
I'd like to take a walk on this street.
And now it's autumn and the trees are turning orange and yellow. It's a beautiful time of the year.
Autumn is here once more and the trees are turning orange and gold.
The waters of the lake reflect the majestic mountains.
Although the mountains are lovely in the fall Iowa has them beat with color.
This picture reminds me of the fall colors in Iowa that I saw when I rode the bus on the way home from school
Purple mountain majesty. "God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her with a light that is bright from above."
This little circus reminded me of the small ones we had in La Junta. They weren't as big as Barnum and Bailey, Ringling Brothers but they were exciting.
Now that I live in the Denver area I don't smell the burning leaves, but I loved the odor when I was a girl.
Even though I'm old I still like to see the kids who dress up and go trick or treating.
Halloween is a fun time for the kids. Today there are many parties so the kids aren't out on the streets
I loved snow when I was a child and now I love it when I can stay in and look outside. It is so pretty.
This reminds me of the hills in Washington, where we picked apples.
It's cold out there, but warm and cozy in the cabin.
I have never been on ice skates but love to watch skaters as they glide gracefully over the ice. I have always thought it would be as much fun as roller skating.Sorry to say I don't roller skate now either.
These are the things I remember about my childhood, the yellow two story house where my Grandma and Grandpa Miller lived, the High School and the park. Bent's Fort at the top was built since I left.
I haven't forgotten the thrill of a new snow.
It's fun to shop for Christmas presents but it's difficult too especially if your loved ones live out of town.
The Christmas trees in the Malls are always lovely.
I don't go to the malls much at Christmas but I do love to see how they're decorated.
I didn't do this justice but I enjoyed trying.
Christmas is almost here!
A quiet town in the midst of snow.
I haven't been to a stock show for many years, but I'll never forget those brave clowns who saved the bullriders from harm.
A friendly Indian waves at the train.
The train goes through the mountains.
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