Today, we arrended a Memorial Service at Ancilla, a lovely place with "Indepenent Living" and all the stages including a very well run nursing home. Tony Zurbrugg's mother, lived there for m or 4 years and passed away reently, and she was remembered in this service.
It's just past midnight and I'm going to make this the shortest blog ever!
I'm prepared for the changes coming tomorrow. I am thinking about having a sale from now till Christmas. After I talk this over with Ward, we'l l let you know.
From Esther, OLP ("Old Lady Painter")
Monday, November 2, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
SLIPPING BACK TO MOVE AHEAD! Blog- dated October 27, 2015
Ward and I are entering a new chapter in our lives and from now forward, we will not have any set open hours, but please remember that you visitors and customers are always welcome. We treasure your interest, whether or not you purchase anything! Soon our sign will make that clear. So ring our front doorbell if you want to stop and visit us and our gallery.
I'll be working on some projects and Ward is likely to be either reading or watching TV or cooking. His food is awesome!! And if nobody answers, we are likely not home!
"Slipping Back" means that I'm gladly getting rid of the cell phone, which I've never been at ease with. For many years we have had a land phone line for our residence phone - 574-842-4350. This number is in the Culver phone book - in Ward's name, as he is a retiree of the phone company. This number will still be in that phone book, under his name, but there will be another phone number there also - Painter and Poet - and it will list our long standing gallery phone number - 574-842-8888 when the new directory comes out. Each of these phones will be attached to an old fashioned answering machine, where - you may leave a message if we are not able to answer the phone. This method is almost pre-historic - the old fashioned way, and we promise to answer or call you back as soon as we can. .These changes will show up when a new phone book is published.
We will continue to sell over our Painter and Poet website, www.painterandpoet.com. We will accept personal or business checks, but not take charges. And of course, we welcome plain old CASH! We will not accept charges, but will allow you to take home prints and mail us a check (if you don't have one with you). For purchase of originals, we will work out a time payment plan with you, if needed.
We have operated our business now for 26 years. And we will continue now as long as we are able. We've only lost money one time by trusting a customer, and that was at Plymouth's Blueberry Festival. They even gave us a fake address. Sneaky devils, weren't they?
Many people in our age bracket avoid computers - But not me!. I design and print the note cards and many of the prints we sell in our gallery. I will still use email, keep a mail list, and an email address book, and do our book-keeping on line. Our email address is Info@painterandpoet.com. Thank you all again for being our customers. We do so appreciate you! Changes go into effect on Nov. 3, 2015
Our goal is to spend more time enjoying ourselves, and also creating more art and poetry. And I want the business side to go back to being as simple as possible. We thank you for helping us continue to enjoy painting and sharing our painting and poetry with you!
From Esther and Ward Miller "The Painter and the Poet"
Ward and I are entering a new chapter in our lives and from now forward, we will not have any set open hours, but please remember that you visitors and customers are always welcome. We treasure your interest, whether or not you purchase anything! Soon our sign will make that clear. So ring our front doorbell if you want to stop and visit us and our gallery.
I'll be working on some projects and Ward is likely to be either reading or watching TV or cooking. His food is awesome!! And if nobody answers, we are likely not home!
"Slipping Back" means that I'm gladly getting rid of the cell phone, which I've never been at ease with. For many years we have had a land phone line for our residence phone - 574-842-4350. This number is in the Culver phone book - in Ward's name, as he is a retiree of the phone company. This number will still be in that phone book, under his name, but there will be another phone number there also - Painter and Poet - and it will list our long standing gallery phone number - 574-842-8888 when the new directory comes out. Each of these phones will be attached to an old fashioned answering machine, where - you may leave a message if we are not able to answer the phone. This method is almost pre-historic - the old fashioned way, and we promise to answer or call you back as soon as we can. .These changes will show up when a new phone book is published.
We will continue to sell over our Painter and Poet website, www.painterandpoet.com. We will accept personal or business checks, but not take charges. And of course, we welcome plain old CASH! We will not accept charges, but will allow you to take home prints and mail us a check (if you don't have one with you). For purchase of originals, we will work out a time payment plan with you, if needed.
We have operated our business now for 26 years. And we will continue now as long as we are able. We've only lost money one time by trusting a customer, and that was at Plymouth's Blueberry Festival. They even gave us a fake address. Sneaky devils, weren't they?
Many people in our age bracket avoid computers - But not me!. I design and print the note cards and many of the prints we sell in our gallery. I will still use email, keep a mail list, and an email address book, and do our book-keeping on line. Our email address is Info@painterandpoet.com. Thank you all again for being our customers. We do so appreciate you! Changes go into effect on Nov. 3, 2015
Our goal is to spend more time enjoying ourselves, and also creating more art and poetry. And I want the business side to go back to being as simple as possible. We thank you for helping us continue to enjoy painting and sharing our painting and poetry with you!
From Esther and Ward Miller "The Painter and the Poet"
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
"Boot the BOOT!!!"
Early fall is full of vibrant colors. We all enjoy Jack Frost's antics and t's enough to almost overwhelm this artist! It's my favorite time of year!!
Several days ago, I had welcome news - after a month of wearing a boot to protect my right ankle
after surgery to remove some old hardware. - I was finally allowed stop wearing the boot and I am sharing a a picture that I took looking down at the contraption!
How very pleasant it is to have my still tender footsie where I can wiggle my toes with ease. This is cause for celebration! Still have to keep my foot elevated, and am sternly instructed to "Take it easy!" Difficult for me - who always like to move from one project to another.
I've almost finished a small watercolor of a barn, and checked it now in the "light of day". It needs a zing of bright color somewhere vaguely near its center. Hot pink or orange would do the trick.Maybe even a suggestion of some old dried berries on stalks woodwork.. Kind of like "trimming" a hat or getting dressed up and deciding what, if amy, jewelry to wear. Always a bit less that you first think!
I like to try out little accents on small pieces of watercolor paper - and test by placing them on the almost finished painting to see how they work, Artistic license! I'll decide, finish the painting and try to photograph it and show it to you on the next blog!
Several days ago, I had welcome news - after a month of wearing a boot to protect my right ankle
after surgery to remove some old hardware. - I was finally allowed stop wearing the boot and I am sharing a a picture that I took looking down at the contraption!
How very pleasant it is to have my still tender footsie where I can wiggle my toes with ease. This is cause for celebration! Still have to keep my foot elevated, and am sternly instructed to "Take it easy!" Difficult for me - who always like to move from one project to another.
I've almost finished a small watercolor of a barn, and checked it now in the "light of day". It needs a zing of bright color somewhere vaguely near its center. Hot pink or orange would do the trick.Maybe even a suggestion of some old dried berries on stalks woodwork.. Kind of like "trimming" a hat or getting dressed up and deciding what, if amy, jewelry to wear. Always a bit less that you first think!
I like to try out little accents on small pieces of watercolor paper - and test by placing them on the almost finished painting to see how they work, Artistic license! I'll decide, finish the painting and try to photograph it and show it to you on the next blog!
Friday, September 19, 2014
LIFE IS ONE CHALLENGE AFTER ANOTHER !
Just over 2 weeks ago, I had surgery on my ankle - removal of some hardware put in over 30 years ago to hold my ankle together. To my dismay, some of the hardware decided to push through the skin - a health "no-no"! My protective husband bandaged it almost each day for months while we waited for an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon - now it is fixed, and I am lumbering around with a "Boot" a contraption invented to protect the foot beneath. It protects the healing wound after the surgery, and the welcome news is that with very good medical care, I am gradually emerging from one more challenge, and am plugging away on paintings "in process", and have recently finished putting together more popular prints to beef up our inventory. I remind you that our winter gallery hours are 11 till 5 on Saturdays, and by chance (when you see our open sign out), or appointment when you call us. I'm still not adept at getting messages off the I Phone, so safer to call us at our home phone 574-842-4350, where we have a very reliable answering service.
Fall is truly my favorite season. After our evening meal - whether at home, or in one of our favorite eateries, Ward drives and I ride along enjoying the scenery, and casing the area for interesting subject matter. We have our good camera with interchangeable lenses, etc. and then we also have an I-Phone, also with photo capability - I'm going to try this - as we try to keep up some with new technology.
We do not have "spell check" on this blog setup, so please excuse me if I goof on spelling. Ward takes me to the library every few weeks, where I check out books on CD's - and I listen when I am doing repetitive things , so this listening does not reinforce spelling as well as "reading" from the printed word. Today, I finished hearing "The Daring Ladies of Lowell" by Kate Alcott. an exciting mystery about life for residents and cotton mill workers in a New England town - setting is around 1830. A good "listen" my substitute for a good "read".
Friday, September 5, 2014
34th Wedding Anniversary
It's the 5th of September, and Ward and I celebrated with an exceptionally good dinner at the Cerulian Restaurant located on a canal off Winona Lake. We had a waitress snap a photo of us, and I had hoped to transfer that photo to this blog. Alas - can't seem to get that done.
Yesterday, I had surgery on my right ankle - to remove a protruding rod that was put in almost 25 years ago. A serious health risk. Glad that is over, and will be happy when recuperation is complete.
Am looking forward to getting back into a good routine. You can count our being open on Saturdays from 11 till 5, but otherwise we'll be here by chance or appointment. And since I am still not really adept on our I Phone, please email us at info@painterandpoet.com or call us on our home phone - 574-842-4350.
I have finished sketching in outlines a number of paintings - and as I finish them, I plan to post them on our blog. Two complicted originals are almost done - will also post photos of them after they have been delivered to the purchasers.
Now I'm going to post this (before I heat a wrong key) and will write again soon!
Esther
Yesterday, I had surgery on my right ankle - to remove a protruding rod that was put in almost 25 years ago. A serious health risk. Glad that is over, and will be happy when recuperation is complete.
Am looking forward to getting back into a good routine. You can count our being open on Saturdays from 11 till 5, but otherwise we'll be here by chance or appointment. And since I am still not really adept on our I Phone, please email us at info@painterandpoet.com or call us on our home phone - 574-842-4350.
I have finished sketching in outlines a number of paintings - and as I finish them, I plan to post them on our blog. Two complicted originals are almost done - will also post photos of them after they have been delivered to the purchasers.
Now I'm going to post this (before I heat a wrong key) and will write again soon!
Esther
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
First Blog of 2012
When we first arrived here - just before Thanksgiving, I was always talking about going back home - which meant Culver. Now when we are at the Culver house, I find myself saying - "maybe it's time to head back home."
About a week ago, Darlene came to visit, and she took several pictures of Ward and me, so I am posting one of them. It was very cold and we are in front of our Winona Lake home, and soon I will post some more inside shots, so you can get a better idea of where we now live.
Randy is working on web site changes, and those will soon be finished. In the meantime, our phone numbers are land line residence phone: 574-372-6339 and our answering service is working there. Our Painter and Poet Gallery cell phone number is 574-842-8888. If I don't return a message you left there, please call me back on our land line. I confess - I'm having trouble learning how to get my voice mail messages. I know, I know - you say it's easy. Well, let me remind you - I grew up on a farm where my Dad plowed with a team of horses - and we had no electricity and no running water (and an out-house). How can anybody expect me to be a fast whiz on a cell phone? C'mon, Give me a break!
About a week ago, Darlene came to visit, and she took several pictures of Ward and me, so I am posting one of them. It was very cold and we are in front of our Winona Lake home, and soon I will post some more inside shots, so you can get a better idea of where we now live.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Second Blog of the Day - Our mailing address
Dear "All of You",
Just opened our mail, and there was a nice Christmas card addressed to our Culver address with a message inside that they "hoped we would receive this at our new address", so thought some of you might like to have our new mailing address. Here it is:
Ward and Esther Miller
1415 Avalon Court
Winona Lake, Indiana
46590
Back to unpacking just one more box. Fortunately, we have an attached garage with room along one side for open metal shelving and several roomy metal enclosed cabinets. Those areas are fast filling up and many of the boxes are simply labeled "memorabilia". I feel as if it will take us 5 years to sort all of this out, but it is comforting to know that we can take our time, to pitch, save, give away or sell.
I'll tell all of you a secret (and I guess then, it will not longer be a secret): Some of the memorabilia boxes were packed when my mother died in 1988 (24 years ago). Wow! Our Painter and Poet journey began in 1989, and I've been more fascinated by enjoying our wonderful art "trip" with all of the hard but enjoyable facets of envisioning, then making the painting and poetry come to life, then marketing, traveling, etc. etc., than I was by delving into the contents of those boxes - they moved along with us -
to our first condo, then to our peaceful log cabin, then to our recent beloved Culver home with attached gallery, and now on to our retirement condo - a peaceful and secure haven. I'm sure this new spot, without the gallery, the matting and framing, and with other people responsible for many of the tasks we tried to do for ourselves, will give us an easier life with more time to create and to relax. So the journey goes on..........
Ward hung a Christmas wreath near our front door, and our 45 year old nativity scene (from Marshall Field's catalog) is in its year round place, an antique commode right next to our front door. Later this next week, we will put up a few old favorite Christmas decorations.
from Esther
Just opened our mail, and there was a nice Christmas card addressed to our Culver address with a message inside that they "hoped we would receive this at our new address", so thought some of you might like to have our new mailing address. Here it is:
Ward and Esther Miller
1415 Avalon Court
Winona Lake, Indiana
46590
Back to unpacking just one more box. Fortunately, we have an attached garage with room along one side for open metal shelving and several roomy metal enclosed cabinets. Those areas are fast filling up and many of the boxes are simply labeled "memorabilia". I feel as if it will take us 5 years to sort all of this out, but it is comforting to know that we can take our time, to pitch, save, give away or sell.
I'll tell all of you a secret (and I guess then, it will not longer be a secret): Some of the memorabilia boxes were packed when my mother died in 1988 (24 years ago). Wow! Our Painter and Poet journey began in 1989, and I've been more fascinated by enjoying our wonderful art "trip" with all of the hard but enjoyable facets of envisioning, then making the painting and poetry come to life, then marketing, traveling, etc. etc., than I was by delving into the contents of those boxes - they moved along with us -
to our first condo, then to our peaceful log cabin, then to our recent beloved Culver home with attached gallery, and now on to our retirement condo - a peaceful and secure haven. I'm sure this new spot, without the gallery, the matting and framing, and with other people responsible for many of the tasks we tried to do for ourselves, will give us an easier life with more time to create and to relax. So the journey goes on..........
Ward hung a Christmas wreath near our front door, and our 45 year old nativity scene (from Marshall Field's catalog) is in its year round place, an antique commode right next to our front door. Later this next week, we will put up a few old favorite Christmas decorations.
from Esther
Still in the Midst of our overwhelming move!
Hi friends -
Had hoped to be posting by now, but realty has set in, and we continue to pack, tote, and unpack - with an occasional half day off to recuperate. Shortly before Thanksgiving, I tore a tendon in my left wrist (the good news, -it was not my right hand), so am being careful and doing lots of sorting but very little lifting. Am in a fiberglass cast (waterproof) and very light weight. Relatively comfortable.
We had planned to be moved before snowy weather - the furniture and heavy boxes in our final major load was put in place about 20 minutes before Warsaw's first snow of the season - no snow in Culver. Excellent accidental timing.
Most people here seem to be kind and friendly. Our next door neighbors dropped in several days after we began sleeping here - they brought some good cookies, and a warm welcome. Tomorrow we are going to a Christmas dinner at the community building for Robin Hood Condos - dinner is being catered by Grace College.
My drawing table is still buried in boxes, but our limited edition prints are safely in order on shelves along the back wall of my studio - thanks to expert and careful handling by Chris Chambers. As soon as that area is in order, I'm determined to get a brush in my RIGHT hand- I can feel it twitching now. We'll soon take some photos of our condo to share with you. Trying to port our 842-8888 land line to our "waiting to be programmed" cell phone. As of now, the safest way to call us is on our home land line - 574-372-6339 - or email a message to us at info@painterandpoet.com
After we have our new cell phone set up, we will disconnect the Painter and Poet land line in Culver, and will have the cell phone programmed to receive messages. We'll then immediately post our correct and active phone number for Painter and Poet. Thank you all for your patience during this transition.
Hope you all are on schedule to welcome Santa. Peace. from Esther
Had hoped to be posting by now, but realty has set in, and we continue to pack, tote, and unpack - with an occasional half day off to recuperate. Shortly before Thanksgiving, I tore a tendon in my left wrist (the good news, -it was not my right hand), so am being careful and doing lots of sorting but very little lifting. Am in a fiberglass cast (waterproof) and very light weight. Relatively comfortable.
We had planned to be moved before snowy weather - the furniture and heavy boxes in our final major load was put in place about 20 minutes before Warsaw's first snow of the season - no snow in Culver. Excellent accidental timing.
Most people here seem to be kind and friendly. Our next door neighbors dropped in several days after we began sleeping here - they brought some good cookies, and a warm welcome. Tomorrow we are going to a Christmas dinner at the community building for Robin Hood Condos - dinner is being catered by Grace College.
My drawing table is still buried in boxes, but our limited edition prints are safely in order on shelves along the back wall of my studio - thanks to expert and careful handling by Chris Chambers. As soon as that area is in order, I'm determined to get a brush in my RIGHT hand- I can feel it twitching now. We'll soon take some photos of our condo to share with you. Trying to port our 842-8888 land line to our "waiting to be programmed" cell phone. As of now, the safest way to call us is on our home land line - 574-372-6339 - or email a message to us at info@painterandpoet.com
After we have our new cell phone set up, we will disconnect the Painter and Poet land line in Culver, and will have the cell phone programmed to receive messages. We'll then immediately post our correct and active phone number for Painter and Poet. Thank you all for your patience during this transition.
Hope you all are on schedule to welcome Santa. Peace. from Esther
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Saturday evening - BIG SALE is progressing!
We are still having the BIG 50% OFF SALE on all prints! New extended hours: 1 PM till 6 PM, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, & Sun. Our sale will continue until Nov. 12. The walls are getting more and more empty, but many nice bargains remain. Christmas is coming!
After we move, Gail's Shop here in Culver will be selling our prints. And we also will be selling un-matted prints on line. www.painterandpoet.com
Ward and I are sad to close our little Painter and Poet Gallery and will miss our wonderful friends and neighbors in Culver, an amazing small town. But we do look forward to our new home at Robin Hood Condos., where we will have a more stress free life and the help we are likely need as we age. If curious, check out their web site: www.gracevillage.org
After we are settled in our new digs, I will be setting up my membership in Daily Paintworks, a very active site where many artists sell their originals. And I am looking forward to working on many of the commissions some of you have requested - I will have the space and the time to paint, paint, paint! For the next few weeks, our email address and phone number will remain the same, and we will be posting on this blog www.painterandpoet.blogspot.com to let you know of changes.
Once we are settled there, we will be sending a card to each of you on our active mailing list, giving you our new address and phone number and details on how to contact us.
Now I must get back to packing. Looks like many of our "memorabilia" boxes will be unopened and transferred to shelves in our new garage. To you who have moved in the last few years, does this sound familiar?
From Esther and Ward
After we move, Gail's Shop here in Culver will be selling our prints. And we also will be selling un-matted prints on line. www.painterandpoet.com
Ward and I are sad to close our little Painter and Poet Gallery and will miss our wonderful friends and neighbors in Culver, an amazing small town. But we do look forward to our new home at Robin Hood Condos., where we will have a more stress free life and the help we are likely need as we age. If curious, check out their web site: www.gracevillage.org
After we are settled in our new digs, I will be setting up my membership in Daily Paintworks, a very active site where many artists sell their originals. And I am looking forward to working on many of the commissions some of you have requested - I will have the space and the time to paint, paint, paint! For the next few weeks, our email address and phone number will remain the same, and we will be posting on this blog www.painterandpoet.blogspot.com to let you know of changes.
Once we are settled there, we will be sending a card to each of you on our active mailing list, giving you our new address and phone number and details on how to contact us.
Now I must get back to packing. Looks like many of our "memorabilia" boxes will be unopened and transferred to shelves in our new garage. To you who have moved in the last few years, does this sound familiar?
From Esther and Ward
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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