Oil!

Escondido: California.

I can't believe this good luck. On our way back to our hotel from a wonderful walking tour of historic Los Angeles, we drive by an oilfield. Our cabbie (who is a story in human dignity and integrity in himself) is wondering why the choked screams of delight, and simply looks over with that "of course you're sane" look.

To add icing to this deliciousw surprise, while searching for an oceanm I discover miles upon miles of refineries as well as a few USMC toys in play.

Felt like a kid in a candy shop.

Excuses, excuses!

You'd think that once school was out for the summer, I'd have time to make 1,000 drawings a day and catch up with a head full of ideas.

You'd think.

Reality is that I'm wandering around aimlessly, doing a school year's worth of assorted housework, running errands that take as much time as is available, and only to find a few minutes to stare at a blank page while all my ideas escape hurriedly.

I did find this wonderful site, Artistic Impressions of 19-th Century Industrial South Wales while thinking about yesterday's bombings and my Mom's personal history.

There ya go - it's in the blood.

O Sarum! My heart is with thee

"Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke:
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame:
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown."

"Rule Britannia" by James Thomson (1700-48)
Photo from CBC News