Quarter Peeled Oranges

It doesn't seem like 8 years ago that I made a new friend.  I had recently taken up drawing; he had taken to poetry. My cause was totally enjoyment and relaxation; his was emotional survival.  

He lost his wife after a long battle with breast cancer. Recording memories and thoughts about the love and life together was "prescribed" as a way to grieve, and perhaps preserve her memory for children and grandchildren.  It was to become more.  It turned into beautifully touching poetry.  All who read it , often after wiping a tear from the eye, suggested he should have it published.

I was given the opportunity to display my art in 2010 at a "First Friday Art Walk" event on the Square of Marietta.  My first "art exhibit", imagine that!  A mutual friend invited Bruce to "get out of the house" and come along to at least look at my art (moral support, I suppose, for both of us).  

I sold my first piece of art that evening then, days later, received an invitation to stop over for a cup of coffee on his front porch and discuss collaborating on a book - of poetry and illustrations, ultimately to be titled Quarter Peeled Oranges, ultimately to offer support to women battling breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The picture shown is from the book, but also where I sat while being touched by his first "reading" from Quarter Peeled Oranges.  This month I'll add more illustrations from this book.

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