PAINTING STUDIO After Thanksgiving On The Road Again by Stephen Craig Rowe

.     Thanksgiving was simple, quiet and nice here at the Painting Studio with a simple menu of roasted turkey thighs, tenders, dressing, candied yams, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie and a few glasses of good cheer.  Of course the day after was a repeat of the same menu with a few glasses of good cheer.  On Thanksgiving day I made and took some calls with family and friends then visited some folks on Facebook including my son Adam who recently signed on for three more years in the US Army.  He is taking some leave time in December and I hope he will be able to visit Peoria.  When I talked to him on the phone the other evening he seemed up for the idea.  He was walking on base at Fort Riley, Kansas and I could hear the wind howling on his cell phone.  A day or so after the winds were here in great force.  All in all it was a good Thanksgiving weekend.
     On Monday I am on the road again to  Danville and Indianapolis for an annual colonoscopy and should be back home late Wednesday afternoon or early evening.  By the time I arrive in Danville and am admitted to lodging the library will  already be closed but maybe I will be able to get online at the local community college.  I should have plenty of time to get online in Indianapolis on Tuesday because I do not have any appointments that day and check in at the hotel is not until 3.  The scope will be on Wednesday morning followed by an early afternoon review with my surgeon and then a long ride home.  Will keep busy visiting nurses, Dr's and other caregivers that I have come to know over the past few years and there is always someone who needs help with something or other in a Veterans Hospital.  In the mean time as ever be well.
Stephen Craig Rowe

PAINTING STUDIO Trans Siberian Orchestra In Peoria, Il., The Last Rose And Falling Back by Stephen Craig Rowe

The Trans Siberian Orchestra event at the Peoria Civic Center on November 6th was an extravaganza that welcomes the holiday season with good cheer, a message of hope, history, light, fantastic light show, more than awsome music and the chance for me to visit with some dear friends.  The entire experience was a joy as it should be.  After a few familiar numbers the band performed some new works that all hope to hear more of in the future.  Though brief my meeting with Al Pitrelli the band leader-lead guitar and his wife Jane the keyboard artist was very warm and friendly.  Al mentioned something about a road trip after the tour, perhaps  in the spring or summer for a visit here.   Because of the tight tour scheduale there was no time for them to visit Jim’s Steakhouse or the Painting Studio.   Do hope to see them in the spring or summer.

My buddy Chef Francis and I arrived at Jim's Steakhouse around an hour and a half before the show to allow time for a libation or two before the event.  The Steakhouse was very busy and rather than order a cocktail I caught the owners eye and said, " Tim, what do you need "?   See if you can get me a table in the lounge for a party of ten and I was off looking for table cloths, silver, napkins and such.  Nodding to guests in recognition while trying to set up tables.  Then Tim needed a party of six, a four top, a party of nine and a deuce.  Though fast and furious I felt quite at home and did my best to set the tables and seat the guests.  It went well and was pleased to play a small part. 

Sunday and Monday afternoon I started taking down my little rose garden and getting the small plot ready for winter.  It is not a big job but it is important to me and there are feelings involved when doing so.  I don’t exactly talk to the roses when I cut them back, but perhaps in a way I do for they have given me so very much visual and poetic pleasure.  This afternoon was excepetionally warm and I finished cutting them down to near the root bulb and then turned the soil with the spade to give them a good winter rest before taking my afternoon walk.  The sun was warm enough to make me smile.

As ever be well,  Stephen Craig Rowe

PAINTING STUDIO and The Trans Siberian Orchestra 2010 by Stephen Craig Rowe

It is that time of year again and the Trans Siberian Orchestra will be performing this Saturday November 6th at the Peoria Civic Center.  Have two tickets for the 8 p.m. show and am very glad to be attending this event.  Can’t wait to see Al Pitrelli the band leader-lead guitar and his wife Jane Mangini the keyboard artist after the show.  As most of you know last year prior to my surgery I put out the word for you not to send flowers.  Due to the busy tour scheduale Al and Jane were not able to keep up with my blogs and sent a beautiful bouquet to my  hospital room.  It really made me smile and brightened up my recovery and stay.  Before and after the show I will also be at Jim's Steakhouse in downtown Peoria.  A review of the performance, visit with friends and photos will be sure to follow in my next post.  In the mean time, as ever be well.  Stephen Craig Rowe