Started the day at the Junior’s Diner near Audubon Park in Orlando having breakfast with, cartoonist, Charles Treadwell; former Orlando Sentinel editorial cartoonist and comics historian, Jim Ivey and, long time friend of Jim and I, Craig Zablo. Pens and paper got drawn all over. There’s Craig with a drawing I drew.

I made a number of stops along the way. Here’s cousin Martha Bisplinghoff and, friend, Shawn Anderson.

Later met with a bunch of friends back in Audubon Park. The plan was to meet at Stardust Video there, but when I had called them about a group gathering, they failed to mention they were basically closing the palce for an in-house play. Above it Rich Scott, James Saunders, Ken Culotta and Cindy Mackey.

Above is Robert Baurle and Ken Culotta and the Christmas tree at O’Stromboli, where some us went across from Stardust Video. Also, above, are some excellent cookies given to me by Rich and Cindy. They are home made by Cindy. Thanks, Cindy!

Here’s a page from the sketch book of the subjects we tossed about during the Socrates Cafe, a group discussion of issues. This month we covered questions of what intimacy is, what is wrong and what listening is. Below is a photo of part of the group, that was much smaller a few days prior to Christmas.

Headed out to Brevard County on Saturday, December 10th, and got all sorts of things done! First, got to drop off some Christmas cards to folks in the area and visit and camp out over at, my friend, Jim Fern’s house (Thanks, Jim) the night before which better prepared me for this busy day.

Went up Merritt Island to it’s northern point for the Sams House Open House. The homes and area was well decorated for Christmas and activities for everyone were everywhere.

The Sams House is part of the Pine Island Conservation area and is the earliest still standing home in Brevard County. It’s pine log construction has withstood many a hurricane since it’s 1875 construction and be well maintained today. The Sams family built a newer home at the site in the 1950s. Both are open for touring with a guide or can be self guided with interpretive exhibits. Yes, this was a Swampy’s Florida stop for me. Thanks to Ray Osbourne, local Brevard County historic advocate, for giving me the heads up about this event!

My next stop was in Palm Bay at The Shack Restaurant where I met with Fay Brewer, her daughter and art teacher friend, Janene. Fay’s daughter had a school assignment to interview a cartoonist and I was the subject. At the end of the interview, I created a drawing illustrating things Fay’s daughter likes to do, which I’m holding in the photo above.

I wrapped the day drawing a plethora of individuals at a corporate event in Melbourne for five hours non-stop. See the photos below. I later returned to Jim Fern’s home ready for rest!!!

Did this illustration of a fishing alligator catching a bass between Friday, December 2nd, and Saturday, December 3rd. Began the illustration at the First Friday event in Downtown Lakeland in front of The General Store. Finished it while at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City the next day. I wasn’t sure what I was going to illustrate at first and then my author friend, Bob Bass, stopped by with his new book about fishing bass and I knew what to draw.

I first sketched out the drawing in pencil on watercolor paper. Then i went over that with ballpoint pen.

Next I added the watercolor. As I painted i was thinking I wish I had slid the gator a bit farther back. The two do look a bit too close.

Finally, I went over the illustration with a dark grey Pitt brush marker. Now it goes off to the printer to make prints of.

Just wrapped the 5th Swampy’s Florida coloring book: A Florida Cracker Christmas. It debuts Friday during First Friday in Downtown Lakeland at The General Store. Rob will be there to sign books from 6pm to 9pm to sign books. Rob will next be at the Christmas celebration at the Florida Pioneer Settlement in Dade City and their Christmas event also signing books.