When Memories Are Better Than Reality

"Beach at Coronado, California" ©Mary Montague Sikes

It's been a few years since we last visited Coronado, California. That's where the Hotel Del Coronado is located, and, since the historic structure is part of my book, Hotels to Remember,  I wanted to revisit the glamorous site where the Marilyn Monroe movie, Some Like It Hot, was made. Of course, I loved the giant golden bow that now graces the cupola atop the iconic big red roof. The decoration is in celebration of the hotel's 125th anniversary. (I'll write more about the Hotel Del another time.)

When we arrived in San Diego and went to pick up our rental car, I was a little taken aback to be informed that the car could not be driven into Mexico. Although we had not planned to go to Mexico, it is sad to realize that it is no longer safe to drive a car in that neighboring country. On another trip to San Diego a few years ago, we drove down the Baja peninsula to Ensenada and then on to Santa Rosalita where we enjoyed a lovely lunch. During that trip, I purchased two beautiful Mexican dresses and a lovely sterling silver necklace that I still own. Sad that things have changed so drastically.

"Hotel Del" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Beach View from Hotel Del" ©Mary Montague Sikes

This week, we wandered along a walkway overlooking the beach at Coronado where we had a marvelous view of the Pacific Coast. However, the beach was crowded, and the area around it was more developed than the last time we visited.

Like every place to which we've returned, things have changed. It's lovely to have beautiful memories. Often, our memories are far better than reality.

Being Away and Catching Up is Hard to Do

We just returned from a trip to San Diego on the West Coast. It's hard to be away with the three-hour time change and keep up with my blog, I've discovered, especially with a very slow computer connection. Hopefully, I will use tomorrow's July 4th holiday to advantage and will create a new post telling about some of the trip. I'm still in awe of flying from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Coast in the same day! Photos and more tomorrow!

The Grand Canyon Stirs the Imagination of Artists and Writers

"Canyon!" acrylic on stretched canvas ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Canyon", 4' by 7', was the largest painting I had on display at Petersburg Regional Art Center. It was the last piece of art we piled on top of our final van load as we cleared out two studios and several walls from the Center over the weekend. Right now, it's sitting on the floor in front of a brick fireplace not far from where we watch television. The grand vista opens up a new dimension in that room.

As I studied the painting I hadn't viewed for a long while, I thought about the thousands of artists and writers who've been immensely inspired by this glorious and unique place. So many paintings. Artists working en plein air. Writers imagining what might happen if one of those folks posing on the canyon's edge might slip, might be pushed to their deaths far below. I wonder at the daring of the tightrope walker crossing a piece of the canyon.

Starting when our two oldest daughters were very young, we've visited the Grand Canyon many times. I worried then as they played near the canyon's edge. I always love the view from the spacious dining room of the El Tovar where one can watch the changing colors of light playing across the canyon walls.

In this painting, I used my imagination with many of the colors I chose, but I love the effect that resulted. Hidden away in archival drawers, I suspect I have some long-forgotten pastel drawings of the canyon. Color slides taken along roads and trails lie concealed inside carousel trays awaiting a show with the projector. I hope they will keep a few more years.

Our last visit to the Grand Canyon came last November. Already, the artist and the writer in me is longing to return.

Art Makes the World a Happier Place

Long ago, I discovered that art can make the world a happier place. I've always enjoyed children's art and teaching children and people of all ages to create their own art. Because art is often so much fun, I chose the theme of creating a painting a day during the month of April for the A to Z Blog Challenge.

One of my blogger friends, Chuck at Apocalypse Now, was following and asked me about using an underwater photograph taken by his wife in Honduras to make a painting as a surprise gift for her for their 12th wedding anniversary. I agreed to do it then worried as I always do with commissioned pieces that he might not be happy. The Sea Turtle turned out to be one of my favorite pieces from all the little animal paintings!

"Sea Turtle" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Please go to Chuck's blog to see what he wrote about the anniversary surprises he gave his wife. I love happy art. Thank you, Chuck!

Do You Have a Love Story That Inspires?

"Swan" - ©Mary Montague Sikes

We live in a troubled world in very disturbing and dysfunctional times. That's why romance in movies and books provides often needed escape from reality. Sporting events offer escapes as well. I grow tired of the murder and mayhem television shows. We have only to watch the 11 o'clock news to discover murder and mayhem in real life or to hear the story of a young child who drowned in a public swimming pool because no one was watching.

Last night, I viewed the 2004 movie, The Notebook, based on the 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks. The movie is beautifully done with the fantasy background of swan lake scenery at one point. The book is based on the real-life love story of the grandparents of Sparks' wife who had been married for more than 60 years at the time he first met them.

Nicholas Sparks spoke at a Writer's Conference I attended soon after his book was published. At the time, I was filled with envy for this man who had written for a very short time yet had already received a large book advance and was destined for fame. His book was released a year after the Bridges of Madison County created a stir because it was a love story.

I love this movie and that it is based on a true love story. It made me wonder how many true romance stories like this are out there. Do you know anyone with a special love story? Do you yourself have a romance that has flourished over the years? We all hear about the sad and unhappy relationships that appear to thrive in our unsettled times. I'd like to know about true love stories that inspire.