ANGELS AMONG US

Several years ago when visiting Asheville, NC, I read the novel "Look Homeward, Angel" by author, Thomas Wolfe.  After reading the novel we visited the cemetery in Hendersonville, NC, where the beautiful angel Wolfe wrote about is located.  It was after that we began noticing the angels in cemeteries throughout the United States,  and their historical significance, art and beauty of each one.

Hendersonville, NC "Look Homeward, Angel" Statue

Angel in Thomas Wolfe's novel
"Look Homeward, Angel" in Hendersonville, NC

 So, that being the case, we started photographing angels when we had an opportunity and now we have a collection of hundreds of beautiful photographs of statues depicting angels.

This angel was in Newberry, South Carolina 

These marble statues are deteriorating and are being environmentally destroyed by the test of time.  On our recent trip to New Orleans, the opportunity to photograph angels presented itself again.  This may be the city of the most angels we have ever seen.  I will share some of our photos and hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed taking them.

While in New Orleans we visited St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 at 3421 Esplanade Avenue, specifically so I could photograph some of the famous angels.  This cemetery was established in 1854,  and the burials show immigration patterns to floods and yellow fever outbreaks.  Each one deserves a moment of study and reflection about the spiritual significance of what exactly the angel is doing.  To say they are beautiful works of art is an understatement.

St. Louis Cemetery No 3
New Orleans, La.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
New Orleans,  La.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
New Orleans, La.

An interesting sidenote is that Louisiana creole practitioner of Voodoo, Marie Laveau, is buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.  No, there was not an angel at her gravesite.

WHO REMEMBERS CHATTAHOOCHEE?

I-10 going West in Florida

This morning we left Webster, FL to travel for about the next 6 or more months - something we look forward to each Spring since we have been full time RVer's.  We are excited about the future months because we have many exciting plans, and we leave our winter domicile with many memories of the last season.  For the next couple of weeks we will be in a caravan of three motorhomes with friends, and we hope you will enjoy and make comments along the way!

Our last sunset for the season
Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort
Webster, FL

We enjoy many sunsets looking out over a ranch that encompasses hundreds of acres.  Our neighbors are certified angus cattle for the most part, but our favorite is a Welsh pony that has become special and visits several times a day.

Toby
A frequent dinner guest

 Toby, as we call him, has learned how to work the system.  He usually goes up and down the fence that separates our property from the ranch and we all feed him....carrots, apples, and he adores peppermints.  Toby has the best smelling breath in his neighborhood.  We'll miss our view, the sunsets, and yesterday we spotted a bald eagle in the field for the first time in several years.  OK, take my word for it, it was a bald eagle a thousand feet away!

Do you see that tiny little dot....well, it's a bald eagle!

Today we travelled to west Florida to stay overnight at the Triple C Campground, in Chattahoochee, Florida.  All I remember about Chattahoochee is a comment my mother used to occasionally make.  She would tell my brother and I we were going to "send her to Chattahoochee"!  I didn't realize it was the location of the State Mental Hospital, a very large hospital for severely and persistent major mental illnesses.  I didn't have a clue what she was talking about, but it wasn't a good thing!  By the way the Chattahoochee State Mental Hospital was the only State mental institution in business from 1876 to 1947, and currently has the capacity of over 1042 beds.

Triple C Campground
Chattahoochee, FL

We'll look forward to sharing some of our unique destinations.  Many of the places we'll be stopping will be for Attitude Adjustment Painting Seminars, possibly more art therapy on the road.   I promise they will leave you shaking your head, maybe laughing, but always enjoying what is over the next hill.  Hope you will subscribe to our page if you might be interested in our adventures.

TIFFIN LIFE IN OKEECHOBEE

RV THERE YET?

We're all settled in at the Okeechobee KOA at the enormous Tiffin Allegro Club Rally.  There have been so many motorhomes being driven in this place today it makes you wonder how they are going to fit them all.

This morning was registration to get our credentials and the itinerary for this week.  On Tuesday morning, after breakfast at the 20,000 square foot KOA Convention Center,  my first Attitude Adjustment painting class will begin in the converted Mail Room.  Sometimes you think of a Mail Room as a small little room - not this one.

KOA Mail Room - now a painting studio

KOA Mail Room - Okeechobee, FL

The accommodations are spacious and fit the needs for this class.   I learned today they opened the class up to everyone who is staying here - residents, renters, etc.  We'll set up early and class will be from 9 am to 11 am tomorrow, with a maximum number of 20 students.

Remember....it's FUN art...not FINE art!

TIFFIN LIFE - with a flamingo!

Our new next door neighbors are from Austin, Texas, and we have enjoyed getting acquainted.  Most of all we love their hood ornament on the front of their coach.  Steve and Claire Ray, like us, are attending their first Allegro Club Rally.  This evening, dinner is sponsored by Freightliner Chassis and the Tiffin Allegro Club and will be a patriotic tribute to all veterans as well as a contest for the most patriotic site decorations

This is ACCESSORIZING!

Patriotic Yard Decor

TIFFIN ALLEGRO CLUB RALLY - Okeechobee, FL

March was a busy and productive month.  If we are on the road, and if I have not forgotten all the art supplies I need for my class, then we've accomplished quite a bit.

ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT PAINTING CLASSES

Attitude Adjustment - It's FUN art...not FINE art!!

The Tiffin Allegro Club is hosting an RV rally in Okeechobee, FL.  When we first started traveling in our motorhome I wondered.. what exactly is a rally?  Well, after attending these rallies over the past ten years I think I can say.  For the most part, rallies are opportunities to SHARE, LAUGH, EAT AND SOCIALIZE.

Tiffin Rally Friends

Tiffin Motorhomes is a manufacturer of motorhomes since 1972 from Red Bay, Alabama.  This rally will be attended by about 350 plus motorhomes and they have planned many activities when the rally begins on Tuesday, April 4 through Thursday, April 6.

Attitude Adjustment is a FUN class .... guaranteed!

We are owners of a Tiffin Allegro Bus, and I will be presenting my national painting class called "Attitude Adjustment by Marty Whitney...it's FUN art...not FINE art" on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in three 2 hour classes.

Tiffin Life is the first of three classes in Okeechobee

The first class is a "Florida" bag which I hope will bring memories of the flamingos and birds in Okeechobee, as well as "Tiffin Life" with a palm tree.  The class will be an opportunity to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances.