Fall officially began Monday (9/22) and I couldn’t be more hopeful for cooler weather to come our way soon. As I write this the weather forecasters are showing possible storms headed this way soon. We continue to monitor and have a plan for food, water, etc. so we can stay in.
Continue reading “It’s Officially Fall – Super Excited!”
Okay. Extreme heat is insane. But extreme heat mixed with high humidity (and a crazy high dew point) is dangerous. Drink lots of water. Stay in the shade if you have to be outside, and don’t overdo it! Personally, I’m taking myself back to a cooler time in the mountains (even though I am in Charleston) if only via a photo, it will help a little.
Continue reading “Taking Myself Back To A Cooler Time…”
Sunrise. Sunset. I love them both equally. How magical it would be to have an amazing view of one or the other. “If I had my druthers” as my MIL will say, I’m not sure which I would pick. I love a sunrise. I love to pop out of bed as I did in this image above. But, I also love a sunset. We were visiting…
Continue reading “A Sunrise Treasure!”
This is a photo I took a few years ago – a stunning location on top of a mountain (5,000′ elevation) in Western North Carolina (WNC) – Waynesville specifically. The nicest staff, guests and the best food, views, and hiking in the world. Wishing we were there…
Continue reading “Wishing we were there…”
Almost all of us have witnessed the endless images of destruction from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. Helene came onshore as a Category 4 hurricane near Cape Fear, FL on September 26, 2024 – a few short days ago. From there the devastation continued through Georgia, South Carolina and Western North Carolina… In Charleston, Helene passed as a tropical storm from quite a distance away, but the wind effects felt stronger and lasted longer than some hurricanes in recent memory.
Continue reading “Western North Carolina – Thoughts on Helene…”
This photo was taken (by Steven Reinhold of The Appalachian Adventure Company on vacation last year. Sunrise hikes are my favorite. Hop out of bed with a guzzle of coffee and be on your way.
Continue reading “Happy Anniversary To The Love Of My Life!”
Exquisite, right? These gorgeous pink blooms are rhododendrons – this photo was taken last year about this same time. Absolutely breathtaking! The mountains make such a beautiful backdrop, don’t they?
Continue reading “NC Rhododendrons – Stunning!”
“Manitou Meadow” by Michael Baum
Image: MichaelBaum.com
Michael Baum is an extremely talented artist located in the Manitou Springs area of Colorado. I was happy to find Michael on Facebook. Another artist had commented on one of his paintings, which is how I saw his work. Ahhh, the magic of Facebook, eh? I later saw photos that Michael posted of the fires in Colorado. It broke my heart… so much devastation. Evacuating, coming home, evacuating… some not coming home to anything at all… Can. You. Imagine? Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone dealing with this and to those who are fighting it… As I write this (Friday, June 29) I see that there was a break in the heat (down to the 90 degree temps and the wind was down to 10mph, which allowed firefighters to begin to get an edge up on this massive fire. I pray that continues. HERE is the link to Michael’s photos and first hand account of what’s happening in his area. So far, his house is OK…
Here’s a blip about Michael from his website – you can tell he’s a nice guy by his bio alone!
“Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1950, my first home was a trailer traveling from Oklahoma to Ohio, where my family settled. I was always drawing or painting (dinosaurs mainly). Most years, we would take driving vacations to Florida or Michigan, or go camping at the local parks. These experiences are among my fondest memories and set the course my life would take.
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, I attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, studying psychology, anthropology, and art. In 1973 I earned a BFA in fine art.
I came to the West over 30 years ago, drawn by its spectacular landscapes. I pursued thelandscape in art through a variety of styles and media, now working exclusively in oil.
I love getting out on the road and exploring the country, being overwhelmed by its grandeur and amazed by its subtlety. I love painting the landscape, whether I do it right there on the spot or
later back in the studio. It is a wonderful challenge to try to recreate the essence of a place with paint and canvas.”
Michael Baum specializes in contemporary representational paintings of the western and southwestern landscape.
He is represented in many private, corporate, and public collections nationally and internationally.
Michael lives and works in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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