My new house?

I just sold a condo that I've had for many years and to save the capital gains tax I'm going to exchange it. I had to identify three properties to exchange into. Here's one of them, the most likely.

I've put an offer on this house and am now trying to get approved for a loan. No easy task.

There are a lot of things I like about it but a few problems: no air conditioning; a very, very long way to the main road to get the paper, mail, and take out the trash;

the green color (can easily be changed); lots of big eucalyptus trees threatening to fall on the house; no garage.

BUT the good things are: the most fantastic view which you can enjoy from several decks; a beautiful swimming pool which Nancy says she'll pay for the upkeep of because she's the only one that will use it. She doesn't have a pool at her house;

a nice office area with a fireplace and built in bookcases (here seen from the nice kitchen);

a cute little living room with a beautiful view;

A living/dining area (with another fireplace) that I'll be able to mess up while keeping the other living room clean for whenever a guest happens to show up.;

 Also 2 nice bedrooms each with a bath and a deck. Downstairs there are two more rooms and a bath. These could be guest rooms or maybe later, a small apt.
The grounds are very nice and have some beautiful trees (that aren't threatening to fall on the house).
There are two storage sheds which will partially take the place of the missing garage for storage.

Should I buy it if I get the loan?

War is hell, but.....

Small Works Show at the Brandon Gallery

I got two things accepted in the Small Works Show.

A collage and a Zentangle (below)

I was very surprised to have a Zentangle accepted. I wasn't sure how galleries felt about Zentangles.  I went into the gallery today and noticed that it's been sold. Another surprise.  A wonderful surprise!  I wonder who bought it. I think I'm going to be sorry to see it go.  I don't always like my own artwork but I did like this. The birds were drawn on pages from a Japanese book.

Nancy Kreile, Amanda Fisher, and Nancy at the opening.

Signs from the Rally To Restore Sanity

A few photos from the Rally To Restore Sanity- Washington, D.C.

It was wonderful! We had a day to visit some of the great museums. Not nearly enough time, of course. The rally itself was fun, funny and inspiring. So nice to be in a crowd of over 200,000 like-minded people.

Nancy and Connie, my traveling companions.

The subway crush. 

At the airport for the trip home.