Hello April... No Foolin'

Who loves the sun?

Something told me to stop the car, get out and snap some photos of this abandoned house that I’ve driven by thousands of times and never photographed once. The next day it was completely bulldozed. Always trust your instincts.

28 March 2024

That thing where you’re driving to work through Jockey Hollow at 6:45 AM and a GIANT turkey vulture flies across the road and SLAMS into the windshield of your car with a THUD and completely removes one of your windshield wipers in the process while it’s raining and you’re stunned as you continue to drive and have no idea how your windshield didn’t break or how the vulture didn’t end up in your car and then you get to work and decide to run to Walmart to get new windshield wipers and Tracey Platt covers a class for you and then Steve Coleman (whose birthday is today by the way) attaches the new wipers to your car as all members of the art department operate with all hands on deck to finalize frames and tags on 35 pieces of student artwork that you and Steve are going to deliver to an exhibit that the kids are participating in and did I mention it was raining the whole time? By the way I love my new windshield wipers and I’m VERY grateful to have no injuries. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE! I have no idea what became of the vulture but he owes me 45 bucks for the new wipers and thanks to all of you nice folks for coming to my TEDtalk.

Steve representing Bridge Cape Ann...

Link To Bridge Cape Ann's YouTube Channel

That thing when the Dunkin’ is also a smoke shop with a fully stocked dispensary and everyone and everything inside is moving VERY SLOWLY. The last time I was in here a nice young man offered me a free sample of edibles. DID NOT have that on my Dunkin’ bingo card.

A Boy & A Bunny (1975)

I would TOTALLY wear that outfit today. Happy Easter!

31 March 2024

My mother has once again set an absolutely elegant table for another holiday gathering. As time goes by I am increasingly grateful for family and friend celebrations, milestones and moments however large or small. Every moment counts. Here’s to a beautiful Easter weekend to all who celebrate and an abundant springtime for all.

Art / Artist • Happy Peepster and many thanks to Steve for another amazing Easter cake! This (among other reasons) is why he’s my parents’ favorite child.

Happy Easter from The Montone Family and my adopted brother Steve (who is my parents’ favorite child because he bakes, crochets, sews and cross stitches). Did I mention that he’s also a notary public? No, he really is.

White cake with butter cream frosting dyed violet

and of course Marshmallow Peeps... Steve NAILED IT!

Happy April... No Foolin'

An Autumn Album

It's been a hot minute since I've posted

but trust me, I've been keeping myself occupied.

X marks the spot where seasons set in.

Friends, flea markets, doll heads. You know the drill.

From this moment hence, this is my wacka chicka wah wah throne. 

I will not be taking questions at this time. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

Celebrated my friend Steve's birthday by 

putting together a special 1960s Eve Arden and 

 Kaye Ballard Mothers In Law memorabilia frame.

If you see this Ford a-rockin'...

Steve's house isn't festive at all. 

A La Mode

Many thanks to Steven Kroninger 

for the 1960s / 70s ephemera care package.

My 30th high school reunion was celebrated

on a lovely fall night. Great people as always.

Splitscreen 2011 / 2021:

I took the two photos at left. Karen, Cheryl and Mark

hopped on a golf cart that was being driven by a club employee 

at our 20th reunion. For the 30th, my friend Michelle grabbed the 

camera and I sat in the original driver's stead. Good times!

"Look, Montone... We're innovating!"

I'm so happy to have the classroom full of 

students again. I'll take this over staring at 

a screen any day of the week.

Billie Eilish swag that was sent my way.

New vinyl by Dover Lights and Saint Etienne

One day I arrived home to find the new Prince deluxe Welcome 2 America LP, CD & Blu-Ray box set waiting at my door. This package contains an unreleased album of new material, a DVD of one of his 21 LA Forum shows from 2011 and tour souvenirs including a program, passes and a ticket. I was very lucky to see this tour with my friend Kristen and it stands as one of our favorite concert memories ever. I’m very glad the Prince estate has continued to release new music for us to enjoy while thoughtfully reframing specific areas of his legacy with carefully curated bonus material. I know that vault is VERY deep and I look forward to hearing as much of it as possible.

"We were just mixing up some colors..."

Get on the bus. Let's go. Good things lie ahead.