About the photo:

Yes, this is the original source photo for the "avatar" you see associated with this blog.

I took this at Suzie's parents' house in Galena, Illinois. It was a sad time as we were there that week for her father's funeral. I just noticed the date and recall that it was my son's 16th birthday. 

It was created by an artist in New Orleans where Betty bought it on a whim. Betty calls him, "The Smirk" and it used to hang on the side of their 'barn' or on this tree in the yard. Betty's since moved and "The Smirk" no longer resides outside, but has instead moved to an inside hallway.