HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR GRANDDAUGHTER REBECCA!!!

Today marks the 12th birthday of my very lovely granddaughter Rebecca. She's now on the threshold of becoming a teenager. These are important milestones in her life and I wish she enjoys every bit of them. She's always been a delightful child, full of joy, energy, playfulness and dedication. I may sound like the typical grandfather gushing over a grandkid but this is all true and evident. I am proud of her and her achievements. She's growing up so fast I can hardly keep track of her triumphs and progress.  All I can say is "Keep up the good work, Rebecca, and today have a great Birthday! Love you very much!"

THIS MONTH I AM MARKING MY 20th ANNIVERSARY AS A CARTOONIST WITH EXCELSIOR NEWSPAPER. (2006-2026)

I started back in August 2006 and it's been a long but interesting journey.

Here are some shots of me acting as if I am hard at work at several work stations. The great advantage of being an editorial cartoonist nowadays is that you can work remotely and send your work via email. Before the internet, I had to deliver all my artwork in person every day!

 

Fake book cover! 

Nonetheless, I'm hoping someday I can write my real memoirs 

as soon as I have some interesting memoirs to write about!

No, I was never on the TODAY SHOW! However, I did visit the exhibit at Rockefeller Plaza. 

 It won't be on my resume, though!

A nice little desk at some open house I was visiting. 

This was my first drawing board. It served me well for more than 30 years until I had to give it away and replace it with a smaller and more functional desk. 

ANTONIO'S MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION!

On June 13th, 2026, my grandson Antonio Llera graduated from Middle School and started his journey into High School. We celebrated all day long and it was a memorable event for our entire family! Congratulations, Antonio on a great job well done!

THE AI VIDEO I DIDN'T ASK FOR

I received this notification on my cell phone: "You can create a video from your photo. Try it!"  So I did and this is the result:

It's quite impressive although I don't think it looks like me but since today is my Name Day (Saint Fernando), I will celebrate by posting it here.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2025!

FATHER'S DAY, 2025

This is a good moment to watch A BEAR FOR PUNISHMENT, the classic Father's Day cartoon from Chuck Jones, which incidentally, was released in 1951, the same year I was born!

So anyway, Happy Fathers Day...including myself!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALLANA!

My little girl who is no longer a little girl is celebrating her birthday today! Sending her all my love and best wishes for making my life happier and more meaningful with her beautiful smile and her unbridled love and joy. Many happy returns, my dear Allana!

BORN ON THIS DAY: OLIVER HARDY (1892-1957)

Oliver Norvell Hardy was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his comedy partner Stan Laurel in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles.  He was born January 18, 1892 in Harlem Georgia. Today, we remember his wonderful legacy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LORENZO!

Lorenzo, one of my grandsons, is 10 years old today! Here's wishing him all the best now and always!

Oh, and his birthday coincides this year with Thanksgiving Day!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY, FERRÁN!

Today we celebrate International Women's Day!

International Women's Day is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement. IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. (Wikipedia)  

My favorite women are all the Bond girls from the Sean Connery era and I celebrate all of them!

THE COMING OF THE YEAR 2024!

REBECCA'S 9TH BIRTHDAY!

Happy 9th birthday to my beautiful little granddaughter, Rebecca! 🥰😘😍😄😄🤗🍰🎂🎁🎈🎈🎈🎈🎀🎉

Happy Fourth of July!

The Day of St. Fernando.

Every May 30th is Saint Fernando's Day which is my namesake.  I used to celebrate it every year until 1973, when my son was born and I realized my Name Day was a pointless celebration, but nonetheless, I always take a moment to pay my respects to my grandfather FERNANDO LLERA MATEOS who passed away on December 9th, 1956, when I was only 5 years old and whom I still remember fondly.

Here are some historical facts about the name Fernando:

Ferdinand III (Spanish: Fernando; 1199/1201 – 30 May 1252), called the Saint (el Santo), was King of Castile from 1217 and King of León from 1230 as well as King of Galicia from 1231.[1] He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile.  Saint Ferdinand is the patron saint of Seville, Aranjuez, San Fernando de Henares, Maspalomas, Pivijay, and of several other localities. He is also the patron of the Spanish Army's Corps of Engineers, and engineers generally.

 St. Fernando III

My grandfather's headstone