There are many things I like about being a painter. I could transport myrself to wherever I want to be by painting the place. During the three long weeks of winter weather advisory in MN, I was mostly homebound. No desire to fight the slippery roads with blowing snow, freezing rain, and frigid temperature. Instead, I was enjoying the smell, sounds, and sights of early spring in Marathon Bay beach where we were last year. The beach was clean, crisp and quiet. The light was soft. My FB friends agreed that it was a good place to linger when everything else was gray around us.

There was another excuse that I was happily homebound. I am getting ready for a show! It is a fundraising event for MedSend. For 25 years, Medsend has been sending health care professionals to needy places in the world. I am excited to be a part of "Medical Missions and Art". Mark your calendar for April 4 at Rochester Golf and Country Club. I will show 12 paintings including the ones of Greece, and all the proceeds will go to the missions. www.medsend.org

As I said, there are many things I like about being a painter. To be able to be a part of something bigger than myself is another one. I was featured at 2017-2018 Investors report of St. Mary University under the heading of "Paying it forward through painting". I was connected to St. Mary University through my show at Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center in 2017 and have met wonderful people of generous spirit. If my simple gift of painting could take me to someplace more meaningful, I am compelled to be a better painter.