San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Welcome to my new blog.  I will focus on art and travel, drawing from 28 sketchbooks that chronicle trips, often with my beloved late husband, Lloyd.  For five years our travels took us to Italy, Mexico, and across the United States.  While in San Miguel, a quaint mountain town north of Mexico City, I wandered up the street near our B & B.  Some little boys saw my sketchbook and pointed at the wall.  I sat down on some steps and started drawing.  They were fascinated.  We communicated with hand gestures and smiles.  A lovely experience.

Ardmore, Oklahoma

My hometown of Ardmore, Oklahoma, is a sophisticated, friendly little place 100 miles north of Dallas, Texas.  A favorite activity when I make my annual July 4th pilgrimage to see my brother Mike Hisey  and sister-in-law Barb is a trip to the antique mall.  Now into downsizing, I don't load up the way I used to, but still enjoy rummaging through other peoples former treasures.

Memphis, Tennessee

Going to the Farmers Market at the Memphis Agri-Center is one of my favorite summer outings.  I especially love Peach World owned by friends Clara and Wayne Oswald.  The day I sketched there was a gentle rain that herded everyone inside so there were lots of folks from kids to elders, all looking for luscious red tomatoes, sweet corn, okra to fry, and fragrant melons.  I got a fabulous recipe for fruit cobbler.

Rome, Italy

Our first afternoon in Rome featured a bus tour.  Lloyd and I sat on the top, a great choice for viewing the wonders of the ancient city but not so good for our lungs as winds whipped up the dust of centuries from archeological sites along the route.  The sense of history was deeply moving.  The modern world was evidenced by young women in short skirts, spike heels, and motorcycle helmets riding scooters along the busy streets.  

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

I was captivated by this place.  There was a special atmosphere that made me want to stay. Reluctantly, I left late afternoon.  Dragonflies had been a constant companion to me since my husband's death in April of 2009.  I asked an elder Indian artist, a maker of fine jewelry, what the dragonfly meant to him spiritually.  He said, "Contact with the spirit world".  That resonated with me.  I'll always hold the Pueblo in a special place in my heart. 

Collierville, Tennessee

The historic Collierville Square, east of Memphis, is ablaze with color in the fall.  I sipped coffee and sketched on a mellow Saturday afternoon.  Our Memphis Urban Sketchers group was scattered around the square, everyone seeing something different to put down on paper with pencils, pens, charcoal, and watercolor.  My choices are a Micron # 3 pen and watercolors. 

Winter Garden, Florida

The little downtown of Winter Garden, Florida, is full of charm.  My favorite place is Axum, a coffee shop owned by a church.  All proceeds go to provide fresh running water in a small African settlement.  The coffee is aromatic and the pastries are divine; the purpose adds a special flavor to the ambiance.

Venice, Italy

There is something absolutely magical about Venice,  The gondolas, the painted buildings, the canals, the shops with Murano glass, and little restaurants opening out on St. Mark's Square.  I was there with my beloved so there was also romance in the air.

Route 66

Just east of Edmond, Oklahoma there is a fun restaurant, Pops, located along Route 66, a famous old highway noted in song and a television series back in the 1960s.  The restaurant featured a stark white soda bottle sculpture.  It towered next to the restaurant.  Standing for a photo next to it, I only came up to the bottom few rungs.  My friend Darlene Ash and I shared  a BLT.  Every softdrink you've ever heard of was for sale.   

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

When traveling, I sketch to remember both the place and details such as what we ate.  At Mi Casa es Su Casa, my husband Lloyd raved about the tortilla soup being the best he'd ever had.  I was adventureous and tried pecan soup.  It was interesting.  In the background, the pink spires of Parroqia de San Miguel Arcangel rose amid other colorful buildings.  We watched Chichimec Indians dance on the patio in celebration of Independence Day.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a charming city, full of history, graceful arches, fragrant flowers, and for me, my friends, Penny and Sterling Cruger.  They took me to Mission San Jose.  I could have sketched all day, but there were other places to see and things to do.  Another time maybe.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is absolutely breathtaking in the spring with daffodils, tulips, azaleas, dogwoods, and all matter of blooming shrubs and flowers.  No place is it lovelier than at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.  My son Andrew Kratzke and his wife Dina were married there in 2010, an absolutely beautiful event, thanks in large part to the lush and colorful setting.

Memphis, Tennessee

Lloyd and I often took our recumbent bicycles to Harbor Town in Memphis, so we could ride in the park adjacent to the mighty, muddy Mississipi River.  One day we joined hundreds of others to see the Delta Queen, a lovely river boat, as it made its last voyage to New Orleans.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Lloyd and I traveled to New Orleans by train with our friends Ed and Marti Itkin during spring break in March 2009.  Breakfast at the Court of Two Sisters reminded me of stories about when my mother and father went there in the early 1940s before Dad left for World War II in Europe.  I was at home with my grandmother while my folks had a bit of R & R before the long separation.  The food was delicious, probably to them too.

Memphis, Tennessee

There is a lot to do in Memphis.  Beale Street offers music, food, and a statue of Elvis.  To learn more about the famous star, take a trip to Graceland.  Living in Memphis since 1979, I've been there several times, squiring friends and family to see the mansion, the airplane, and the car museum.  Once is probably enough, but seeing the hall of gold and platinum records is worth the trip each time.

Venice, Italy

In 2007, Lloyd and I went to Italy with our friends, Anna and Harry Strong.  We stayed at a working convent in Venice, the beige brick building right of the canal.  When we left to explore each day, the heavy doors locked behind us  We had to return by 10:30 p.m. or be locked out for the night.  Our rooms had twin beds.  We loved Venice!

Guanajuato, Mexico

A day trip out of San Miguel de Allende took up to the amazing cityof Guanajuato,  spread across the hills like crayola confetti.  Absolutely charming.