Well here I am, and how did I get here? Is anyone other than me having trouble trying to figuring how it's possible to be turning 60 this year? It is not until April, so I am trying to prepare myself.

I know it was just yesterday my daddy was picking me up from Mrs. Mackelree and Harrison's Kindergarten in his red convertible Studebaker. Daddy would put the top down. Cathlene Barlow and I would sit on the back and drive away waving at everyone playing like we were beauty queens in a parade.

I loved my childhood in Greenville... stunt flying with my dad and spending time with him at the private airport, Sand Oaks Country Club, Lamar Elementary and my "Ponytail" zipper notebook, the Golden Gloves every year with my dad starting in kindergarten, the skating rink, the YMCA, Queen Ann's, The Texan Theater, playing Cowboys and Indians with my cousin Harry, Star Dusters, Woolsworth 5 and 10, Limeaides at the drug store, the antique store by the rail road tracks, Saint William's and Vacation Bible School, Betty Hogue's Dance Studio, El Sombrero's, Sabine Valley, Club Lake, the Park with the big slide and gorilla, trying to catch ground squirrels in the cemetery, trick or treating on Park Street and all the old spooky houses, and the wonderful Christmas Parades with Santa at the end throwing candy!

My neighborhood...Mrs. Phafel in her wonderful Victorian Home, Park Street, the Ramsey's basement, Mrs. Brook's gold fish pond, Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Baker, climbing trees and fences with Billy Ray Hoff, Jr., Mr. Terry and piano lessons, The Henley's, Cathlene Webster, Forrest Parker, the lady across from Lamar Elem. with the monkeys, the Lockheart's and their Indian performances, Mr. Green's corner store and fudge cycles, the National Guard driving down Park Street in their military vehicles, rolling down the hill in a barrel at DeDe and Carol McClain's, riding my bike and roller skating round and round the block, and my going away party at Brenda Reeves' home.

It would take a book to tell all the stories behind the names and places of my childhood, but they all have one!

Enough for now...Next blog I will hit some highlights of my time in Dallas starting in 1964.

Cheers,
Claudia

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas,

It is hard to believe we are hurdling toward another Christmas. Ah, the time of year for "Peace on Earth, Good Will To Men". I hope that during this season we all take the time to remind ourselves of this small verse. If we keep our sites on the true meaning of Christmas it will truly be a merry one!

I have such wonderful memories of Christmas. My sisters and I in matching pajamas. The year I sneaked down the stairs and saw my big baby doll under the tree. The year I found my cousin, Harry C, and my bicycles in the attic (and showed them to him!). The year we got our titter-totter!! Christmas Eves at my grand mother Rossie's house. Yucky mince meat pies, and all the adults drinking lots of eggnog . All the wonderful smells, excitement, and pure joy. What are some of your memories?

My sincere prayer is that all of you, my friends and family, experience the love and peace of this Christmas Season.

Cheers,
Claudia

MY FIRST GALLERY SHOW

I am really excited! My first gallery show of my paintings will be this Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7:00-10:00 at Charley Mitcherson's Studio located at 405 N. Bishop Ave. in the Bishop Arts District. The show will run Dec. 3 to Dec. 27. I will only be present on the 3rd.

If you can come please do. There will be wine, drinks, and some really good local art. This is also "Jingle Bells" in Bishop Arts which is always a festive weekend and party in all the stores. Hope to see you there.

Cheers,
Claudia

Woodstock 40th Anniversary

I spent one of the most exciting days of my life on Oct. 25. It was the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock West-Fest in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I have never been to anything like it before, and will never see anything like it again. I went with my old high school friend, Matt Culmore.

The music was indescribable. Each group went on, played 3 songs, then the next group came on. You would have thought that each and every one of them was getting paid big money to put on the best performance possible. In reality this celebration was free to the public, and the performers played for free.

You name it I saw it. Great cooperation, organization, love, high energy, almost necked women thinking they were still 16, crazy outfits, super stoned people, people from infants to 70ish, a crowd of close to 100,000, and not a single fight or disturbance. It was amazing!!!! The entire 42 acts went off without a hitch on an incredibly decorated stage.

We had a large number of people show up to play "Purple Haze" in honor of Jimi Hendrix who was the head liner at the Woodstock 1969, but we did not break the Guinness World Record. It did not seem to matter to anyone. We had such a fantastic time with everyone playing with the band that consisted of Vernon "Ice" Black, Leon Hendrix, Riki Hendrix, and some other kicking guitarist that I do not have the names of. There were many families that came out together to play. It was great!!! Yes, I did it! Ok, not like most of the guitarists there, but I played as hard as I could go and laughed my head off.

The highlight of the day for me was meeting Artie Kornfield. He was the organizer of the original Woodstock of 1969. I was star struck! He is a music god. If you get the chance "google" his name and read about his career.

Please look to right side of this blog, and you will see the links to the pictures on my flickr.com account from the day. I wish you could have all been there. It was an EXPERIENCE!!!

Just a few of the bands: Edwin Hawkins Singers (Oh Happy Day), Country Joe and The Fish, Ray Manzarek of The Doors, El Chicano, The Chambers Brothers, Jefferson Starship, Gregg Allman Band, Denny Lane of Wings & The Moody Blue, David Denny of Steve Miller Band,Prairie Prince of The Tubes, Diana Mangano of The Jefferson Starship, Narada Michael Walden (drummer), The Family Stone (minus Sly), Vernon "Ice" Black, John York of The Birds, The original cast of Hair, etc.......

Cheers,
Claudia

FESTIVAL

Reminder...THE PEACE FESTIVAL is this Sunday, Sept. 20, in the Bishop Arts District from 2:00-8:00. Artists, crafters, and vendors of all kinds including "Green" will be selling their wares. There will also be bands playing through out the day. I will be selling my paintings, crosses, and t-shirts.

Mighty Fine Arts Gallery will be having an art show Saturday, Sept. 19 from 6:00 - 9:00. It will feature one of my friends, Wendy Medley's crayon art. It is not what you are thinking "crayon art". It is an amazing process that she came up with using crayons as her medium. A beautiful must see. Mighty Fine Arts Gallery is located at 419 N.Tyler St. just south of Davis in North Oak Cliff.

You still have a month to make your plans to be in San Francisco for the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock on Oct. 25. Artie Cornfield, the organizer of the original Woodstock is spear heading this one, too! You will not believe all the bands that have signed up for this free event. You can see some of the names by going to http://www.2b1records.com/woodstock40sf/. Check back Oct. 1st. Many of the larger bands cannot be listed until 30 days prior to the event because of contractual bindings. You'll flip over the completed list at that time!!

Cheers,
Claudia

PEACE FESTIVAL

I am excited to be participating in this year's "Peace Festival" in Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. It will be an all day street event with tons of booths including crafts, natural goods, paintings, food, bands, and featuring "Green" lifestyle. I will be selling my crosses and paintings. The date is Sept. 20th. It will be a lot of fun, and something interesting to do!

Bishop Arts District is a wonderful area at Davis St. and Bishop St. This is a group of store fronts that have been there since before World War II. The trolley used to run from down town Dallas over to Bishop Arts. It has been revitalized and is full of great shops, galleries, and restaurants. It has a happy atmosphere that is contagious. You will love it!

Some great places to visit when you are in Bishop Arts District are "The Artisans Collective", "Fetesh", "Zola's Vintage Clothing", "The Soda Gallery", "Eno's" for great pizza, and "Tillmans" for smores you make at your table. Drive just a few blocks further down Davis Street, and go to "From The Ends of The Earth" a wonderful Fair Trade Store.

Cheers,
Claudia

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY-A little late....

I wrote this to give you for the 4th Of July. Hope I am not too late! My wish is that all of you had a wonderful time with your families and loved ones.

"THE MIGHTY GIANT"

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

The darkest of black approached your shore,

and put through your heart its evil sword.

With a cry of victory they joyfully announced,

for killing the Giant was their holy reward.

Woe unto them with their dark screams of power,

blind thirst for blood had covered their vision.

They misjudged the Giant with Her mighty strength,

she rose with a vengeance denying their mission.

A lesson should be learned when attacking the Giant,

her people are strong, resilient, and undaunted.

Her history is blessed with victory and protection,

for God is Her master, and She the anointed.

America you are beautiful,

God has blessed your sweet soul.

You have risen from the ashes,

with no enemy to reap his toll.

by Claudia Sullins

Count your blessings this day and all the days you have in this wonderful country of ours.

God Bless America,

Claudia