A Sad Announcement.

With a heavy heart I report the loss of Grandma Chatterbox. Read about it (here).

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a splendid Holiday Season. Read more (here).

 

A Dumb Idea?

This sign gave me a much needed chuckle. Check it out (here).

 

A Wonderful Mother-in-Law

Many people have difficulties with their in-laws, but I wasn't among them. Read about it (here).

 

Grandma's Holiday Apple Pies

At Christmas I received a tasty gift just for me when I was a kid. Read about it (here).

Grandma Chatterbox Update

Grandma Chatterbox is a fighter, but things don't look good. Read about it (here).

 

Just Slap on Some Paint

Mrs. Chatterbox thought painting was easy. Check it out (here).

 

Snowmageddon

Snow has finally come to Portland. Check it out (here).

 

Giveaway Winner !

Announcing the winner of my holiday giveaway. Check it out (here).

 

Murder in the Afternoon

Did a kid get murdered for what he said on live TV? Check it out (here).

What's Between Your Nose and Chin?

Is America becoming the new Holland? Check it out (here).

 

Fanning the Flames

It took a while to realize there was something curious about our new fireplace. Read about it (here.)

 

Peculiar Pictures #55 & #56 & #57

A few more Peculiar Pictures. Check them out (here).

 

Toilet Rage!

When it comes to public restrooms, women get the short end of the stick. Read about it (here).

 

Moosh-vega and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Holidays are here and like many families, mine has secret words known only to us. Check it out (here).

 

In or Out of the Box?

Are you a rule follower or do you think "outside the box?" Read more (here).

 

Vanity Plates

Have you ever considered vanity plates for your car? I did, and it didn't work out too well. Check it out (here).

 

Framed

Most people like Impressionist paintings, but you might not have ever seen one if not for this fellow. Read about him (here).

 

Straining a Relationship

I got into trouble using a kitchen tool for an unintended purpose. Check it out (here).

 

Painting Children

Most people like paintings of children, but children are a challenge to paint. Read about it (here).

Are You a Germophobe?

Are you afraid of germs? I recently met someone at war with them. Read about it (here).

 

Giveaway Update

Check out this update on my holiday giveaway (here).

 

Are You a Night Owl?

Do you fall asleep easily or are you a night owl? Read more (here).

 

Adult Coloring Books

Coloring books are no longer just for children. Read about the new trend in adult coloring books  (here).

 

The Ghost of Kilarney Park: Conclusion

Happy Halloween! Check out the conclusion of The Ghost of Kilarney Park (here).

 

The Ghost of Kilarney Park

I’d thought to make this story from my memoir The Kid in the Kaleidoscope a Halloween tradition, but I haven’t reposted it in years. I hope it helps put you in the mood for ghosts and goblins. Check it out (here).

 

Requiem for a Sandwich & Free Give-away

Soon the best sandwich in the world will be gone. Check it out, along with details on my oil painting give-away (here).

 

Announcing the Start of the Chubby Chatterbox Give-away

Today I’m announcing the beginning of my give-away. Since my goal is to increase readership, I’ll briefly mention what my regular followers already know. I was a professional illustrator for many years as well as a college art professor. The prize for this give-away is a painting I executed of a Victorian lady playing with her cat.

A few words about the prize: Several years ago I did a class demonstration on blocking in an oil painting. One of my students happened to have a greeting card featuring a painting entitled Hydrangeas, created in 1901 by little-known British artist Phillip Wilson Steer. I used it for my demonstration. Throughout history, artists have made copies of works they’ve admired—Titian copied Giorgione, Rubens copied Titian, Delacroix copied Rubens, Picasso copied everyone.

This canvas, measuring 22x 28 inches (the frame adds another six inches), was painted quickly, but I’ve always been pleased with the result. I’ve chosen this picture for my give-away because I feel it will have a broader appeal than one of the conceptual illustrations which, as an illustrator, were my bread and butter.

My goal for this event is to increase my readership, but this is where it gets tricky. A few years back I decided to leave Blogger to create a new site. I intended to move the Blogger Followers Widget to the new site so my posts would be easy to access on Bloggers Blog Roll, but I was disappointed to learn Blogger had changed its policy and no longer allowed their Blogger Followers Widget to be used on non Blogger sites. I ended up with two sites—the new linked to the old. My new site has Google+ but I never hear from these folks and don’t receive comments from them. For years I’ve been trying to get more than three hundred followers on the original site but Blogger keeps eliminating people for unknown reasons; I’m currently at 268 followers.

Thanks to those of you who alerted me to a give-away site called Rafflecopter, which I’ll also be using to launch my give-away.

So here’s how it will work:

The Rules

#1. If you’re already a follower and are interested in owning this framed oil painting (the prize includes shipping) just leave a comment in the usual manner and I’ll add your name to a hopper.

#2. For more chances to win, announce my give-away on your blog and provide the following link to my original site: thechubbychatterbox.blogspot.com. Each referral will land you another chance to win.

#3. New visitors need to follow me on the Blogger Followers Widget on the right sidebar.

#4. New followers need to follow the link to the new site (here) and leave a comment expressing interest in the painting, identifying Rafflecopter or the referring blogger guiding them to Chubby Chatterbox.

Hopefully, this will increase my readership and give my regular followers the advantage of having their name entered multiple times.

My goal is to conclude this promotion on December 3^rd  leaving plenty of time for the winner to receive their prize in time for Christmas. More time for delivery might be needed if a follower from Egypt or China wins. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. I’ve never attempted a give-away so I’m sure I haven’t thought of everything.

Hopefully, this promotion will be successful and more will follow. I have more than a few paintings in need of adoption.

Good luck to everyone. 

        

Rhythms of the Night

We got caught in a storm during our trip to see a show called Rhythms of the Night. Check it out (here).

 

A Dash for Survival

In Puerto Vallarta I witnessed a fight for survival. Read about it (here).

 

Hola!

We’re back from Puerto Vallarta. Read about our trip (here).

 

Back Soon and Announcing a Possible Give-A-Way Contest

Mrs. Chatterbox and I are heading to Mexico and I'm exploring the possibility of a Give-A-Way contest. Check it out (here). 

 

A Heavy Price

I made an interesting observation at the gym where I work out. Check it out (here).

 

Requiem for Civility

Shootings are taking place around our country with sickening regularity, and I think I know why. Check it out (here).

 

Peculiar Pictures #51, #52 & #53

Here are a few more Peculiar Pictures. Check them out (here).

 

Thanking Dad

My father managed to keep his big fear a secret. How about you? Did you pass along a fear to your children? Read about it (here).

 

Speed Racer

How fast did our son CJ drive a $185,000 Ferrari? Check it out (here).

 

Return of the Swifts

The swifts are here fattening up for the winter, but in a few days they'll be gone. Check them out (here).

 

The Chatterbox Neighborhood

Yesterday the weather was beautiful and I snapped a few pictures of our neighborhood on my daily walk. Check them out (here).

The Scourge of Princes

This man was feared by the great and powerful. Check out the reasons why (here).

 

An Incomplete Education

Something was lacking in the household where I grew up, and you might be surprised. Read about it (here).

 

Queen of Roads

It's said that all roads lead to Rome, but why? Read about it (here).

 

Big Boy Toy

Something spotted in the parking lot of a restaurant made me laugh. Check it out (here).

 

Motu Man

Motu Man has graced our homes since we brought him back from French Polynesia. Read about him (here).

 

Mending Holes

Grandma probably did it out of love and was happy to have something to keep her busy. Read about it (here).

Why Do Critics Hate This Artist?

Why do critics love to hate this artist? Read about it (here).

 

Growing Up in an Instant

A recent conversation with good ol’ Mom brought to mind a childhood experience when I was eight, one that rocked my little world. Read about it (here).

Tennis for Dummies

I've started tennis lessons and already I've learned a few things. Check it out (here).

 

Peculiar Pictures #49 & #50

Considering that I’ve been posting Peculiar Pictures for five years, it’s reasonable to assume I painted more peculiar illustrations than any other kind. Check out a few more (here). 

Do Women Smell Better Than Men?

Of course women smell better than men, but pheromones aside, do their noses work better? Read about it (here).