Getting There

Just LOVE driving through the megalopolis that is Wash. DC, Baltimore, Jersey, Delaware, and ESPECIALLY New York. Please allow me to have a colonoscopy instead of driving through the equivalent of a NASCAR race on crumbling infrastructure.

Horse Duty

The gentleman stableboy tends to the needs of steeds while the Memsahib is away.

Notre Dame Waterboy

Horses get thirsty. This water was ordered by the horses four hours earlier.

GQ at the Bell Stables

Richard freezes when the posing pressure is on.

Greenwich Nightlife

I snapped a photo of downtown Greenwich, either near Figaro's or Barcelona's. I think there was a hot babe sandwiched in their somewhere because otherwise what's my motivation?

The Yawn of Death

Old Guys can stay out way past nine o'clock....

The Underground Secret

The basement has been refurbished and turned into a first class billiard and pong room!

Where Beer Pong is Played

Getting the first glimpse of the Aquarium Window....

A Basement Window Well

My Patrons allowed me to beautify the window well in the basement (while the Madam was away on a pleasure cruise, of course)

Underground Bell A-Go-Go

That used to be just bland, grey concrete behind that window....

The Water Rushed In

With the window raised, one can see the trout taxidermy, the lure hanging from fishing line, and plastic plants purchased at Michael's buried in a stream bed of white gravel courtesy of Home Depot. Good thing Richard and I are confident in our masculinity because in THIS culture, two guys walking out of Michael's with a load of florals screams "What a cute couple!" Actually, some butthole DID yell this at us one night as we came out of a restaurant. I think it spooked Richard. As for me, I'm an artist and as likely to be gay as anyone.

Aqarium Window Redux

I can't get enough shots of this window....

Why Stop Now?

It looks even better with repetition....

Just One More

Fabulous! The lady of the house liked it, and suggested night lighting!

Tiger and _________ ?

No one has ever told me the name of black cat, except to say he has no personality. Tiger, on the other hand, is half-wild and totally self-sufficient. Both sleep intertwined as if lovers. They sleep ALL DAY, so I suppose I must assume they hunt all night.

Onyx The Saddlebred

This is the alpha horse, "Onyx"; isn't this a nice photo? He's not supposed to be in the back yard eating the GOOD grass, but he's a mischevious sort and bolted through the gate when he knew everyone was distracted. Onyx is a breed known as 'saddlebred', and I'm told this is the same breed as The Lone Ranger's horse, and also "Mr. Ed". I LOVE this photo.

Huh?

The Horse Whisperer is out of camera range rattling some tasty morsels in Onyx's bowl to get him to come back out of the human's yard.

The Horse Whisperer's Hand

Onyx allows himself to be removed from The Big House's landscape....

Cancer Survivor

"Emma" had just come home from surgery on a previous trip. This Spaniel has eyes that could move you to cry she's so cute. Emma is the first one out in the morning, to pee, and to bark at anything and everything.

You Gotta Love Old Labs

This is "Abby", the eldery canine on the farm/estate. She's got arthritis in her front shoulders, and needs a ramp to get up to the ground floor, but every now and again you'll see some puppy in her. She's about as good-natured as they come, and I know these labs because I've buried one after a long friendship. She lies buried in a yard in Edisto Beach, SC.

Minnie!

"Minnie" is a 35 year old former-champion show pony. She runs free on the property because she's earned the right. She's dealing with a skin problem currently, and I'll see her get up to speed and wonder where she's going. Ultimately it's to the scratchy bush in the back yard or the low-hanging limb of a tree in the pasture where she rubs her butt and scratches her sides. Minnie has a little scraggly beard, and has been ridden by a lot of cowgirls, and now she's living the high life in the care of Claudia Bell. Minnie pretty much goes where she pleases, and does what she wants. She gets the greenest grasses and landscape bushes, even the new buds on the rose bushes and the vegetable plants. A bath every now again helps with the skin....

Minnie Asleep

Minnie asked me to take a photo of her from a better angle.

The Corral

Onyx and "Cruise" are pals; If Onyx leaves the paddock, Cruise begins to snort and whinnie and carry on like he's being readied for slaughter. He doesn't like to be left alone. They're a nutty bunch. If Onyx sees Minnie going off somewhere where HE'D rather be, he starts neighing and huffing and acting like he's gonna kick Minnie's ass if she doesn't get back and remember her rank. Onyx also lets me know when he needs water by sticking his head over the fence and gingerly picking up the water hose with his teeth and flinging it around. Claudia has had to add TWO other locks on his stall door because he figured out how to open the main slide bolt.

Window Box

This is "Tiger" having a nap in the window box.

Trompe L'Oeil

No, this isn't art, this is the view down the front of the interior of the house.

La Cocina

An English kitchen!

The Dining Room

Note my painting of a Vermont Gold bottle leaning on the mantle....

The Formal Dining Room

Great at Thanksgiving!

The Front Door

Elegance is a state of mind....

With Your Back To The Front Door

"Oh, Rhett!"

"Scarlett, I think you've had quite enough laudenum..."

Part of The Formal Living Room

An impressive room, if I say so myself. I LOVE not only the portrait of Richard's father, but also the ghostly ship above the mantle....

The Living Room

The long look down the Living Room....

Gone But Not Forgotten

Mr. Drummond Bell, the Patriarch.

An Antique?

No, but a clever copy of one. Outstanding!

The Unfinished Room

Every home has a room like this, no?

What Perspective!

With our back to the "Unfinished Room", we are looking back down the hall that runs in front of the main entry door. I expect to see Tom Cruise come sliding across our view in white socks and sunglasses....