The Shriners

Hear, hear! Let The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine meeting begin! There will be much food, wine, merriment, and later on, a parade in tiny cars just down the street from the convention center!

I have met a free mason once on a trip and proceeded to bombard him with questions about it. As a member of this ancient order, he was not allowed to disclose the nature of the meetings (but assured me it was nothing like Eyes Wide Shut). He did, however, mention many charity work and tons of funerals he had helped organize and attend. The shriners is an appendant body to Freemasonry but stresses more on fun and fellowship as well as charity work. As soon as you pop a fez on their head, put them in a miniature car and let them loose in a hotel lobby, you know you have a party on your hand!

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Island Girls

Hello! I’m back from the two-week kayaking/camping trip in Australia’s glorious Hinchinbrook islands! Being so close to Mother Nature had me gasping in wonder from time to time. However, the biggest surprise was coming across several small island girls who seemed to delight in popping up in the most unexpected places!

I first saw Leola hiding behind some shrubbery at Zoe Falls. She was a bit shy at first, of course, but was immensely curious about a group of kayakers splashing around in the waters.

Leola and her pals BiBi and Kitta invited us to their beach for a cocktail.

They were quick to point out that although South Zoe Bay was beautiful, it was also filled with crocodiles.

They popped up again to offer us some refreshments at the top of Zoe Falls.

There were no shortages of coconuts at Nina Bay.

I was fortunate to visit their coral garden at Coombe Island when we pulled up there.

It seemed that they were most at home at the Hinchinbrook Eco Resort, where we spent hours spalshing around at the pool and resting up after days of kayaking and hiking.

Thanks, girls, for showing us a great time! I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they have followed us back to civilization!

A Little R & R

It’s time to put down the paintbrush, pack up the dry bags, hop into a kayak and paddle in the Coral Sea. That’s right, Miss Irene is taking a much-needed holiday break. Maybe I will encounter diminutive island locals in my travels…you never know!

See you in two weeks!

It's Business Time

This set was inspired by one of the musical numbers by Jemaine and Bret of Flight of the Conchords—“Business Time.” Although, from the way these boys turned out, they probably won’t get past the first date, never mind getting down to business.

Norman doesn’t mind picking you up at your house. He’s got an extra bus pass just for you!

If you don’t want your date to know where you live, Sherman is more than happy to meet you in front of his favorite shop for a little spending spree. His job as a senior tech guy can certainly let him buy you an entire gallon of gravity!

If shopping is not your idea of a date, why not enjoy some miniature golf with Herman, who comes equipped with an armload of gifts—a balloon on a stick, a teddy bear, and a giant bottle of your favorite perfume!

The boys are always up for a triple date at the Forbidden Planet where they will read to you their favorite graphic novels and re-enact the entire Star Wars movie with the action figures. What more do you want out of a date? Will you get down to business with these boys?

Curiouser and Curiouser

Oh, you know it’s only a matter of time before I buckle down with my brushes and do some damage with “Alice in Wonderland.” There are just so many zany characters and scenes to choose from, but I manage to narrow it down to just a few.

First up is the Mad Hatter and his tea party—with Alice, the Dormouse, and the March Hare in attendance. Then there’s Alice taking advice from a blatantly stoned caterpillar. Of course, there’s Alice herself.

The back of the Mad Hatter doll depicts the famous “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” riddle, and the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat” song the Dormouse sang.

Some details on the Alice doll.

This was an interesting set to paint, even with all the teeny weeny elements that’s gone into it. It actually drove me a little mad painting all those teacups. But it’s all right. It’s like what the Cheshire cat said: “We’re all mad here.”