RFG Stories - Emilio Gonzalez Art Show by Susan Dawson isn’t something I thought I’d ever say, but it happened. The wonderful people at Thrive Pilates in Flower Mound offered to host a show for me as a new artist and client of their gym. It was a lot of work but so much fun. About 30 guests joined us to see what I’m up to in my “outside work” time and enjoy the 24 paintings I displayed. The theme was “New Beginnings.” I chose it because I’ve been doing Pilates for about 8 months and began painting only a few months before that. You can start something new no matter what your age! What will you start new before 2027? Well, Mateo (18) (our youngest) is settled in for his freshman year at Texas Tech, an d Sharon and I are in the “honeymoon” period of the Empty Nest season. It is a little quieter on the home front, and the fridge is a little lighter. Our grocery bill has significantly decreased, but I sure miss feeding all his football buddies from time to time. My financial advisor will probably tell me to add those savings to my after-tax investments...wink, wink!! Mateo is doing well and settling into his dorm. He has a slew of new friends and has taken up Jujitsu to scratch that competitive itch. He is really enjoying the college life and his new sport; he is pretty good at it too. After he completes his degree, he may be the most dangerous CPA in the West.