Crabby indeed!

Crabby indeed!

Not me, the crab.

Blue crabs are such an iconic part of our Gulf Coast lives.

People see them when I paint them and if they're from up North they ask if they are Maryland blue crabs.

No, but they are very similar.

I don't know if they taste the same though.

I love a big plate of fried crab claws.

The broiled ones are pretty awesome as well.

I realized after posting this, I need to add the smaller legs on the underside.

That will be tomorrow for sure.

I got the call from the vet today.

Trixie doesn't have Addisons disease!

There are some other issues though that we are having to try and settle.

Her Cortisol and other numbers are high.

Possibly because of beginning kidney disease.

Such are the events surrounding a dachshund of 17.

So, no teeth cleaning for her at least for now.

With the vet's advice we are putting her on a kidney diet food.

Probiotics, and Ora chews for teeth.

Antibiotics 7-10 days per month.

She's already on Antibiotics for her wound that may have been an abscess.

I pray the Ora chews help her teeth get better.

She's still chewing quite well; they are just very dirty.

Which is confusing to me because I had her teeth cleaned within the past year.

She actually had to have one of her canines removed.

The one tooth missing causes her to sleep with her tongue poking out in the cutest way.

So far so good with her progress and hopefully health is coming back soon.

I finished booking shows for Spring of next year this morning.

I also called about camping in Melbourne, but we are still a month out from being able to make a reservation for next year.

I already have Little Talbot Island reserved and paid for almost a year in advance of the show.

Most shows have the ability to boondock in Artist parking, and we will do it if necessary.

Sometimes either the Campgrounds are ridiculously expensive, or so far away we don't even try them.

Boondocking is basically dry camping.

You use your water tank to flush the toilet, sink full of water to take a "bird bath" and brush your teeth.

All waste goes into either your graywater or blackwater tank.

You also have minimal lights.

Most artists have generators to run their campers.

We are fortunate to have invested in solar power and batteries.

This allows us to recharge phones, my square, and batteries for lights and fans.

We do it frequently when on the road.

Never underestimate large wipes used in hospitals for cleaning up.

But nothing compares to hook ups with hot running water for a shower.

Once, when coming home, we had both been cold for days.

I rented a campsite, we got hot showers, and we ran the fireplace for heat.

It was pure heaven on earth after days of being cold, wet, and shivering outside.

Such is the weather for outdoor shows.

We can never predict what will happen with weather.

We've expected warmth and got cold so bad the news centers were warning people to be aware of falling iguanas out of the trees!

We've expected warmth and had to go shopping at thrift stores hunting for clothing to wear in addition to what we had brought with us because the temperature dropped.

I've bought a bathing suit while on the road because it was warm enough to go swimming in January.

Chris only brought shorts one time, needed long pants.

I only brought one bra for a three-week trip and had to go to the store to buy two more!

We've brought cold weather gear, only to have to purchase short sleeves.

We look at the weather and pray we get it right.

Most of the time we do.

We cannot carry both warm and cool clothing as there is only so much room in the camper.

We do carry wet weather gear in the storage under the trailer.

We prepare, but as Proverbs 16:33 says "We throw the dice, but God determines where they land."

I'm just grateful to have a husband that doesn't mind tagging along on "adventures in show land".

That's enough for today.

Goodnight!

Crabby indeed! Acrylic on Shadowbox canvas, 12 x 24

Day 73 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2025