Reasons I love Texas--part 2

Jerry and Cathrina Clark

Three years ago, or more, I think, my brother Jerry "commissioned" a watercolor painting of the Cathedral of St. Francis in Santa Fe. Since then he's given me snarky comments at reunions, etc., about not following through. 
Hey, it's his fault, he didn't give me a deadline. In fairness, I tried...multiple times...taking photos on site, studying other photos and paintings, and failing, time and again. And, in fairness, he made it difficult. He wanted it big, and he wanted a night scene, with snow. 
Jerry and his wife Cathrina live in Lubbock, where they've constructed this beautiful Santa Fe style adobe home that stands out from all the "Dallas style" cookie-cutter brick semi-mansions around it. It's beautiful. The decor is distinctly New Mexican.

Brothers

We grew up in New Mexico, and haven't figured out how to get back on a permanent basis. Families and careers are in West Texas and Oklahoma, thank you. We are distinctly New Mexican--the place is inside us.
That made painting El Catedral Basilica de San Francisco de Asis...the accomplishment of Archbishop Lamy--daunting. You can read a fictional account in Willa Cather's "Death Comes for the Archbishop."
But, I kept trying, and this week, after having it framed at The Great Frame Up in Oklahoma City, delivered--afraid they wouldn't like it. Sigh of relief, they love it, and we hung it. We love New Mexico, and Jerry and Cathrina are more reasons I love Texas.
And before and after, Jerry and I played Scrabble, just like our folks and uncles did long ago in Albuquerque. I think we split.