Portrait Painting of Me by Jerry Merrill

Wonderful portrait of me by Jerry Merril.

Here is a painting of me playing guitar created by artist Jerry Merrill, Rodman, NY. He painted it from a photo of me taken back in October while I was playing guitar at the Orion Art Gallery on Mullin St., Watertown, NY. Jerry revealed it to me and others at Orion Gallery during their Christmas Party on Dec. 14. I was very honored that Jerry took the time to paint me. I am also impressed with the result. I truly feel he captured my likeness. I was blown away by it. Jerry and I have been friends for quite a few years. I really got to know him when he took some guitar lessons with me. Jerry is quite a prolific painter and also a talented sculptor. 

Jerry Merrill shows photo his portrait of me during Orion Art Gallery Christmas party.

Corrections Officer Academy Graduate and More

 Friday December 20, 2024.

Grandson JJ with his kids at academy graduation where he became an NY State Corrections Officer.

Grandson JJ Walts graduated from the NY State Corrections Officer Academy in Albany, NY.  I got up at 4:00am to drive his mother (my daughter) from Watertown to his place in Adams so she could be there by 5:00. She went with his girlfriend and their 2 kids to the graduation ceremony, a 3 hour drive. 

A great buy at the Runnings store in Watertown. 

The Runnings store on Arsenal had a great sale on 1/2 inch Dewalt battery powered impact wrench. It was $199.00 including case, battery. These tools normally go for $350.00  I've been wanting one for quite some time and at this price I jumped on it. Merry Christmas to me. 

A chicken chimichanga for dinner at Jeb's in Lowville, NY. Absolutely delicious 

At 5:00 pm I drove my son T to Lowville where he needed to pickup his car that had been in the garage for repairs. Celebrity Brother Al went along. There was wet snow roads most of the way. We stopped at Jeb's restaurant in Lowville and had a great dinner. T & I each had chicken chimichangas with side of beans and rice, lettuce. It was most excellent. Al had a fish dinner.  Got back home to Chaumont about 9:00

Snowman Christmas decoration outside Jeb's restaurant in Lowville, NY

Snow, Wind, and Power Outage today in Chaumont, NY

 

Snowy scene in Chaumont, NY today. View of my neighbors place from our backyard. 

Awoke to very high winds today, strong gusts at times. Blowing snow and new lake effect snow carried by the winds. Thought we might have a tree or two blow down, but that didn't happen. However about 8:15 this morning our electric power service went out. It came back on around 10:30. This afternoon we decorated our Christmas tree. 

Our Christmas tree, decorated this afternoon, Thursday December 12, 2024

I Take 11,000+ Steps Shoveling Snow, December 2, 2024

 

Clay St apartment house during lake effect snowstorm.

I shoveled snow at our Watertown apartment houses after the lake effect snowstorm dumped about 4 feet of the white stuff in the city. This would bee the big storm right after Thanksgiving Day. I spent three hours at Clay Street cutting through the snowbank and clearing section of te driveway. Then I went to our Franklin St place where I helped my daughter S shovel section of her driveway. I spent better than an hour there. It was satisfying work, great outdoor exercise. I truly enjoy it. My iPhone recorded that I walked 11,979 steps this day. 

Clay St. snow shoveling Dec.2, 2024

Clay St. snow shoveling Dec.2, 2024

Clay St. snow shoveling Dec.2, 2024

Our Franklin St. house,  Dec.2, 2024

Daughter S shovels snow, Franklin St., Watertown, NY.