Bee battle in the studio

 A bee got into the Leo Lakes Studio. Some people see a wasp, but I see a big, ugly, rusty red, flying, killing machine! You see, I'm allergic to wasp stings. If I get stung, my throat will close-up and I cant breath. I have to down a healthy dose of Benadryl and take a trip to the hospital. I normally sit in the hospital parking lot hoping that the Benadryl will kick in, usually it does. When I get back home, the Benadryl will cause me to take a long nap. The bottom line is a very bad day! Anyway, I decided that I had too many maps to do and I had to battle the wasp, which is typically the case.

I got my Ninja on and grabbed a paddle. Just about that time I spotted the big, ugly, rusty red wasp. I swung the paddle toward the wasp and missed, but did three thousand dollars in damage to a bunch of frames, just kidding. I did destroy a map box. The big, ugly, rusty red wasp got away. The rest of the day, I nervously worked on maps while keeping an eye out for that big, ugly, rusty red wasp that actually could kill me. Luckily, the next day I found the big, ugly, rusty red wasp died. 

Enough about the wasp, check-out my Lake, River, and Bay maps! Here's a few, they look great in the lake house and make great gifts. 

Lake Erie Map                                  St George Island Map

 

Russian River Map                                                     Table Rock Lake Map

You will find much waterfowl around the lake such as eagles, geese, herons and gulls. To add more interest to the map, I add fish jumping and hide a tiny mermaid to the waters. Folks love to search the waters for hidden surprises. 

If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.  We have many lake maps that will make great gifts for the lake house. 

Creative Lake Decor Ideas

Why not a beautiful canvas decor map of the lake that you love!  You are sure to enjoy a nice map of the lake or river where you have a lake house, A star can even be added to show the location.  

My maps make great gifts and will bring back memories of those trips to that favorite lake. Don't forget to look for the hidden mermaid in the lake waters and other interesting things......

Check-out these other comments from our customers.

The map arrived right on time and it was a sensational hit.  Thanks so much, this was exactly what I was looking for and was even better than anticipated. Nate

I just received the map, it looks beautiful! Thank you for helping me put together such a spectacular gift and I will definitely keep you in mind for future gift ideas. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Arrived safe and sound this afternoon and looks great!  I can't wait to give it to my parents for xmas for their new lake house.  Thank you!

I must be doing something right! I'm finally getting my ten minutes of fame, sort of. Interestingly, I got a call from, now get this.......a major studio in California. They are filming a new tv series for mid-season. They want to use one of my big lake maps as a prop in the series. It won't come out for a few months, but I'm hoping that it will be prominently displayed in the series. I will have more news about this later...... 

Paddle over to website to see my Lake, River, and Bay Maps. I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

Water Dog...

While growing up, I had a dog named Lucy. Lucy was a white, long haired mutt that had little black spots sprinkled around her coat. We took her on all our fishing trips. She was a great fishing dog and would watch the bobber for hours. When I would get a bite, she would go berserk, knowing that a fish was soon to be near.    

This dog loved the water, she would often jump in the water while we were fishing. Then, come out of the water and shake, shake , shake..... water going all over near by fishermen. 

One time, when I was swimming in the river and Lucy was up on the bank watching. I decide to play a little joke on her to see what she may do. I acted as if I was drowning and called for Lucy to save me. You know what, she jumped in and swam to me. I grabbed her collar and she dog paddled back to shore. Amazing!!! 

One of my favorite things to do with her was toss her a biscuit after she had eaten. She would be too full to eat, but would take the biscuit to a spot and drop it, while sniffing around. She would dig a 1-2 inch hole and place the biscuit in the hole. With her nose, she would push the dirt back over the biscuit until it was completely cover. Funny thing, her white nose tuned dirt brown, so you could always tell that she had buried something.    

They sure don't make dogs like they used to. Hey, check-out my lake, river and bay maps at LeoLakes.com  

Lake Humor

My Friday's Lake humor cartoon. Well I thought it was funny!

Check out my vintage style lake, river and bay maps. Makes Great Christmas Gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house owner. 

Orders are picking up during the holiday's, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Big Bear Lake Decor Map

Here's another nice email from one of my customers. Big Bear Lake is a beautiful lake located in California. 

"Hello Larry! We received the print yesterday as promised!!  It is fantastic!!  Quality is beautiful and my daughters had a blast trying to find the mermaid!  They wanted more things to find so you left them wanting more!  :)  Can't wait to give it to my parents this weekend, I know they will love it as much as I do!!  You've been an incredible, helpful, responsive seller and I've enjoyed doing business with you!  Such a pleasure to have a totally positive buying experience on line.  Take care and have a great weekend! "

The Big Bear Lake map is painted in vintage style. I add waterfowl common to the lake flying over to give the map interest. As mentioned above, I add a tiny little mermaid for folks to search for.

This close up section gives you an idea of the detail that I include. I have many folks who purchase my maps for birthday, fathers day, Christmas, lake house warming, and wedding gifts.

All maps 16x32 size and above, come with a Certificate of Authenticity, a poem, and a sheet covering interesting facts about your LeoLakes Decor Map. 

To see if we have your lake, river, or bay, check-out my website LeoLakes.com. Enjoy

Empty nester syndrome?

Our youngest daughter is off to college! Last weekend we moved her in to her dorm at Sewanee. The college is located on a 13,000 acres domain that has lakes, creeks, caves, mountains, and woods. Believe it or not, but her sister is a senior at Sewanee studying Biology. Sarah's not sure what to major in yet.

Her dorm was built in 1929 and has been renovated. It's like Goldilocks, not too big and not too small. 

It has been reported that a ghost occupies the room that she will be staying in. Luckily, she doesn't believe in ghosts.  

I snapped this picture of the campus. Sewanee is often in the top five of the most beautiful college campuses. 

It's Official, we are now empty nesters!

I paint lake, river and bay maps. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!