There is love

 

Teach Your Children

 ​Teach Your Children

Crosby, Stills and Nash

You who are on the road

Must have a code that you can live by

And so become yourself

Because the past is just a good-bye.

Teach your children well,

Their father's hell did slowly go by,

And feed them on your dreams

The one they picks, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,

So just look at them and sigh

And know they love you.

And you, of tender years,

Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,

And so please help them with your youth,

They seek the truth before they can die.

Teach your parents well,

Their children's hell will slowly go by,

And feed them on your dreams

The one they picks, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you will cry,

So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

Song writer: Graham Nash

Ryan

https://www.athutchins.com/obituary/Ryan-Foss

https://www.gofundme.com/f/college-fund-for-davis-foss?sharetype=teams&member=5518906&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet

Steven Penley

I was reading a library book the other day and stumbled on a name I remembered from a few years back. I thought I had written about this, but I guess it never made the blog...until now.

It was March of 2017 and we were living in a rental condo in Harbour Oaks on Saint Simon's Island, Georgia. I was working with Pete and he had taken on some big jobs; a cabinet build-out for a woman's clothing store, a 45 ft Red Grandis bar for the Augusta National Golf Tournament and an ongoing gig on Sea Island including art hanging and furniture moving. 

We worked long hours against some difficult deadlines, but I loved learning about finish carpentry...even though Pete rarely had me working on the "smart end of the tape measure". He is an incredibly talented person and I have learned so much from him. I even beat him at pool a few times...on his bad days.

On Sea Island, which is a 5 star, world renowned, gated resort, we never knew what job was coming down the line. We usually had to scramble to fit it in.

It was just such a rush job that we were called to at the opulent Sea Island hotel and restaurant, The Cloister. 

Our assignment was to transport a piece of art from the 3rd floor and install it in a soon to be opened Italian restaurant. And it needed to be done immediately for the opening.

We were met by the artist's assistant in the lobby. She was stressed and in a rush. She led us up the marble stairs to a guest room. The door opened and we were stunned as we took in the scene. The artist was standing in the middle of the cramped room covered in paint, hair disheveled and thick glasses perched on the tip of his nose. Dirty dishes, uneaten food and empty bottles were strewn on every available surface. He had been working for several days on a brightly colored piece of  framed canvas. The piece of art, a painting of an Italian sea side villa, was massive, over 6 ft high and 4 ft wide.

The assistant said meekly, "Steven, they are here to move your painting." He started painting more feverishly until after several minutes, he threw down his brush and walked into the bathroom. The assistant anxiously encourage us to get at it and we did...except that the piece was too big to get out the door! She went postal, flapping her arms and walking back and forth in the room like a frantic bird in gilded cage. Steven eventually came out of the bathroom and realized the predicament. He immediately grabbed  a battery operated screw gun and began to disassemble the frame. The wet paint got all over everything.

Finally we got it out the door. It was too big for the elevator so we wrestled it down 3 flights of stairs, across the lobby and into the restaurant.There were a gaggle of onlookers and staff there to observe the new art and the infamous artist.

By then, we were wise to the fact that this guy, Steve, was a big deal. He rushed into the room still covered in paint from head to toe, but had put on a blazer and a tie for the unveiling.

But the painting had not only been too big to get out of the room, it was too big to fit into the designated alcove! This time Steve stood back as Pete did his carpentry magic. Steve did jump in when Pete brought out his electric staple gun and proceeded to staple the begeezus out of the back of the canvas with reckless abandon. He was like a kid with a new toy. We were finally able to squeeze the painting into place.

 Everyone applauded and smiled and celebratory drinks were served, even to the picture hangers. The assistant rushed up to Steve and asked, "Would you like a beer...or a gin and tonic?" He thought for a moment and said, "Both". 

He sat down on the bench, a drink in each hand, as people watched his every move. So I grabbed my Coors Light, sat down next to him and engaged in a conversation. He was talkative, not standoffish and he told me about his life, his recent divorce and his children. He asked me about myself and was interested in my story of traveling the country for the past 10 years. 

Steven Penley. A very talented, quirky, truly nice guy.

---

 

 

Steve Penley was born into a family of musicians in 1964 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Penley family moved to Athens and then to Macon where Steve graduated from First Presbyterian Day School. Steve continued his studies of art at The School of Visual Arts in New York and at The University of Georgia.

After college, Steve was working odd jobs while painting when his talent was recognized by an attorney and art enthusiast, Robert Steed. Steed’s friendship and patronage helped Steve connect with many other clients and grow his business. Penley quickly gained recognition for his bold brush strokes, vivid colors and historical icon paintings.

Steve’s notoriety quickly increased and now he is one of America’s most celebrated artists with works exhibited worldwide. Steve has created many projects for Fox News, major companies such as Coca-Cola, AirTran/Southwest, Kaiser Permanente, as well as several U.S. Presidents.

Penley has authored several books of his own and illustrated books including several authored by Coach Vince Dooley. He has received a number of awards and honors for his talents and has donated countless paintings to charities and organizations in his community and state, as well as across the nation. He especially considers it an honor to be involved with numerous organizations that benefit our service men and women as well as our veterans.

Steve is proudest of his role as a father of three very talented artists and musicians: Lyall, Abbey and Parker

Aunt Marge

6/16/39 - 8/1/20

Marjorie Ruth (Goodwin) Swett

SOUTH PORTLAND – Marjorie Ruth (Goodwin) Swett, 81, of South Portland passed away on August 1, 2020, at her home in the presence of her loving family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Marjorie was born in Casco to her parents Nellie (Pillsbury) and Carlton Goodwin on June 16, 1939. She was educated in South Portland schools and graduated from South Portland High School which was located in the building now known as Mahoney Middle School. After graduation she worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company during the days of party lines. Marjorie married Glendon Swett on June 13, 1959, and raised four children. When her children became school age, she worked for the South Portland School Lunch Program until she found her dream job at Cross Jewelers. She worked for Cross Jewelers for 30 years until she reluctantly retired due to failing health. Marjorie was a longterm, involved member of the Elm Street Methodist Church until it closed. She loved the challenge of crossword puzzles although she admitted she sometimes cheated. As a lifelong Mainer, she waited patiently through each winter with great anticipation of opening the family camp on Watchic Pond. Her happiest days were those of large gatherings of family and friends with plenty of food and laughter.Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Glendon Swett, her parents, Nellie and Carlton Goodwin and her brothers, Robert Foss and Frank Foss. She is survived by her sister, Beverly (Goodwin) Cloutier and her sister, Priscilla (Goodwin) Ware and her husband Joseph Ware. She was loved by her four children, Jani (Swett) Kinder, Glendon (Rick) Swett, Julianne Swett, and Joseph Swett and his wife Melissa Swett. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren, who will miss her greatly, are Joshua Kinder, Brittany Swett, Ashley White and her husband Macgregor, Dylan Swett Bullinger, Andrea Kinder, Allison Swett, Nicholas Kinder and his wife Becky, Joseph M. Swett, Jessica Haskell, Madison Haskell, Mitchell Haskell, Sarah Kinder, Julia Swett and Bradyn Swett. She was blessed to have time to spend with her great-grandchildren, Grant and Ivy White and Jack and Juliette Kinder. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2020. A graveside service and burial will be private. Due to Covid restrictions and challenges, a celebratory gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Southern Maine Hospice and their angels Kiersten and Nancy, and to the New England Cancer Specialists. On line condolences maybe expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Southern Maine Hospice

Regis and Kathy Lee

Last week Connie mourned the recent passing of TV personality, Regis Philbin. Made me remember a story I had posted over 8 years ago. Here it is again...

http://gdfoss.blogspot.com/2012/01/pure-technicolor.html