Last week...

Well, where do I start? It has been a long tiring week. 

I guess it started off with a car show last Sunday.

 

Ran down Main Ave, more cars than ever.  

I am glad I am no longer judging the Fallbrook Vintage Car Show, this one would have wiped me out.

I saw a lot of friends in both the Shafters and the 5150 Ratrod Clubs. 

This is a picture of the Rat Bastard of the Rat Rod Club, Jim Ramsey, and Tom, another rat rodder, along with Dr. Neon and the legendary Wink Eller. 

Wink is the guy with the long beard, a fascinating character and holder of over 60 Bonneville land speed records that still exist today. 

Spent a long time in the hospital after a crackup. 

More about Wink here.

This is a very rare motorcycle that was next to the jewelry store.

Quite beautiful.

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I got a great call Monday morning that allowed me to buy a really good painting at a really good price. 

I made up my mind that no matter what happened the rest of the week I would be happy and feel blessed. 

Of course, those promises to yourself are tough to keep, especially when you are sitting on your hands at the show and the people around you are raking in money.

Later Monday Leslie and I went to a great Memorial Day barbecue at Dr. Neon's. Saw a lot of old friends and mishpucha.

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As I mentioned in the last post, Palos Verdes started off with a whimper and then was fairly dead the rest of the way until an old client came by to rescue me from the doldrums.

I did buy a nice early painting of Diamond Head by the National Academy painter Carl Brandien (1886-1965.)

Here are some shots of my booth.

And as always, a lively cast of characters.

I bought a black petunia at the garden sale, will try to keep it alive.

I don't think I have ever seen one.

We all went out to dinner at one of our favorite Chinese seafood joints, Seashore.

Had a great meal and exceptional lobster. 

It is nice to break bread with your comrades once in a while, lots of good vibes flowed at this meal.

Saturday was a brutal three hour packout and drive home. 

Parking at the church is scarce and I was totally whipped.

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Yesterday I had to get up first thing and judge another car show at Pauma Casino. 

I would have liked to cancel but I was a sponsor.

My sciatica and leg pain was firing at every tendon and joint and I had to sit down a couple times.

Luckily my two judge comrades carried my sorry ass when I petered out. 

The show was cool, first car show I ever judged with shade, the cars fitting nicely under the solar panels. Again a lot of cars. I must be slowing down because it killed me.

Saw my friends Debbie and Harry there.

Paul Randle, Bill, Truman, Wagman, Jeff Waldron, lot of good folks showed up.

Loved this hood mount on a rat rod.

It was a good show but I was too tired and busy judging to take pictures and I went home and slept as soon as I could.

Supposedly I will have this month off but I may need to drive to Oregon to pick up a couple paintings, we will see...