I made the trip to the northern part of Okeechobee County to pick up Sandra, who’d been backpacking with friends for the past four days across the vast southern prairies of south Florida. I picked her up at the Fort Basinger trailhead where the sketch above was drawn.

We drove into the city of Okeechobee and got a New Years dinner at the excellent Lightsey’s restaurant. Above is a sketch of the fish that floated around and watched us from the tank beside our table. Below is the head of the wild hog posted on the wall above dinner crowd.

Took my father to a doctors appointment and to the left is the water fountain there.

Later I wandered to a bookstore and was fortunate to find a slew of action adventure books with the kind of covers I love. Lots of painted covers by incredible artists. Of all the books I picked up NOT EVEN ONE credit could be found for the artists. It’s incredible how artists were treated. Though, artist credit hasn’t changed that much in 40+ years.

Today the only painted covers you find are sience fiction paperbacks and some western novels. Even Harlequin has gone to photography.

Publishers ‘Hard Case Crime’ are trying to bring the painted cover back. Here’s a link to one of their latest books with a brand new cover by Robert McGinnis!

The one above is by Robert McGinnis. I understand he painted the covers for this series. The two below seem like they are by McGinnis also, but with no credit I only can guess.

Another three finished. I’m working on a project set in mostly California. To get better in the mood, I selected three set in the state. Unfortunately, all three were not the best reading I’ve done lately.

We had my father up at our house for Christmas. I drove him home today and took the long way. We went through Downtown Leesburg, Tavares, Mount Dora and into Orlando. We stopped at one of my favorite spots, Beefy King, for lunch. To the right is a sketch of the cup holding a yummy orange creme milkshake.

We made our way to the Webber Center at Central Florida Community Center in Ocala for the annual set up of the Ocala Model Railroad Historic Preservation Society. Click here to learn more.

Click here for photos at Genuine Florida.

 One of the best things about Christmas are the cards I get drawn by friends. Here is a collage of some of the cards to the left.

Sandra and I made a holiday visit to our dear friend, Lucile Fair. We had a great time with her. She told us a story of she and her Grandfather shopping at the Geurnsey store on West Church Street in Orlando and how he taught her what a ten-penny nail was. As I listened it occurred to me that here was Lucile, soon to be 101 years old in one month and two days, speaking of her Grandfather who was alive during the Civil War. Sandra and I later marveled at being able to touch so far in the past with such ease.

We went from there to pick up my father and head back to Ocala. Along the way we stopped at Venetian Gardens and wandered through their wonderful light display. Above is a sketch of a different kind of light at the park near a cypress lined lake. Below is Sandra and my father at the “North Pole”. To see more Christmas lights from Leesburg, click here to see them at ‘Genuine Florida’.

I got together with some buddies at Tony Romas in South Orange County. Ken Culotta, Robert Baurle, Marsha Eaton, Marsh Moreno and Greg Gray all got together. I’m sorry I didn’t get a photo. Marsh did do this drawing in my sketchbook of a new endeavor of his - Theatre work. He’s been rehearsing for a small stage show travelling Central Florida.

Below is a sketch of bells Robert Baurle was handing to everyone.

This piece of art is an unfinished part of a project I’m working on.

Vince Guerrera hosted our annual Christmas to do. It was at his home in Clearwater. Here’s a pick of gatherers. From Left to right, “Chainsaw” Chuck Machewski, Vince Guerrera and Danielle Shockley. Behind them is John Stevens, Ann Sabo and June Sabo.

Later we got together with my brother, Jeff, in Tampa. Below is Sandra and Jeff.

Here’s a sketch of Jeff eating.

Guess what I did today? This event being a bit different. It was in the area where I was born and raised of Orlando. A couple of fellow helpers of Orlando Remembered were there like Bobby Duncan and Hartwell Conklin (below). Hartwell was instrumental in the expansion of the media in Florida from the development of WESH, WFTV, WDBO, televising the U.S. conquest of space to his P.R. duties with the Sentinel Star. Above is Howard who ran in Orlando  the well known Champagne Color, which handled everything involving film.