Bob in the Whiskey Flats Day Parade

Bob rode his Penny Farthing Bicycle in the Parade in Kernville, CA on Feb. 14. Why it is called a penny farthing bicycle I don't know. Guess we'll have to ask him. The town used to be known as Whiskey Flats and in 1890 was changed and moved to the present location and called Kernville. Every year they have a big parade to honor it's beginnings.

Mind Garden

This is taken from a fascinating book I read, My stroke of Insight," by Jill Taylor. "Regardless of the mind I have inherited, once I consciously take over the responsibility of tending it, I choose to nurture those circuits that I want to grow, and consciously prune back those circuits I prefer to live without. Although it is easier for me to nip a weed when it is just a sprouting bud, with determination and perseverance, even the gnarliest of vines, when deprived of fuel, will eventually lose its strength and fall to the side."
As an artistic person, I view my mind as a garden, a sacred patch of real estate, that God has entrusted me to tend over the years of my lifetime. As an independent person, along with my genes and my environment, I can paint & decorate this space within my cranium as I wish and be the kind of person I want to be.

Art Class, etc

Went to Art Class today and finished this picture of Virg fishing on Lake Foster in Sweet Home, OR. I also finished up the flower below. We used to call them mother-hen & chicks. I'll probably work a little more on Virg fishing. It's been pretty cool here in the southland desert. We've had rain but there is lotz of snow in the mts. Sure pretty to look at.



Bob called - He says he and Toni are going to be married June 13. Cynthia is graduating from Linn-Benton the last of May and Scott graduating from Arizona State, somewhere around the 1st couple weeks of June. Busy time of year for the family.

Hope everyone has a nice happy Valentines Day

About Maukie

I want you to notice Maukie. He is the fiercest, cutest cat ever to terrorize your mouse pointer. Move your cursor and Maukie will follow. Scratch her head and she will meow. Rub her tummy and she will purr.

Creative Callings

We need to remember that we are all created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed. ---Maya Angelou

I think the creative process is not about creating something else; it's about the process of creating who I am. It sure leaves you wide open to write your thoughts and feelings in a blog where all can see and read....I don't always know who I am myself. When you write you delve deep into your truth and it makes you very vulnerable in print. It's like wrestling with angels.

I crave visits to art galleries, antique stores and shops that feature hand painted anything. Color seduces me from everywhere. I like bright colored clothes. I go wild in fabric shops and boutiques. Nature is magnificent. Art can change your soul. I think of creating something as a gift back to God......a sort of thank you to him.

My fun Art Friends

My own paintings

I selected a few pictures to share with you. Painting is a hobby and pastime. I love to get together with friends and paint and listen to music. I love to play music while I paint.

Are Americans inadvertently becoming lonelier? Am I the only one who seems to be among people all the time but still feel lonely? There seems to be a spreading malaise of social disconnection - decrease in the number of meaningful conversations we all have with one another. Is this a disturbing trend or is it me? I thought it was just me, that I couldn't think of anything to say that amounted to much. So many seem to want to go it alone. Our contemporary lifestyles of overwork and busy-busy leaves little time for personal relationships; the shame of feeling left out causes me to not articulate my loneliness, even to myself. The new communication technologies-internet, cell phones, etc. for all their beelike exchange promotes a disembodied, hollow quality that staves off intimacy. It's very hard to really get to know someone. It's so easy to slide into gossip but we don't really get to know one another -- just surface talk. Is it fear? Maybe I'm afraid to let someone know who I really am. I'm afraid or not sure of myself? Oh well, just musing .....or a senior moment.

My bossy dog.......Murphy.
He loves to go to the doggy park and play.
He walks well w/ Virg with no leash.
He loves to eat and do tricks for treats.
He loves to bark and growl at people.
Loves to sleep on the couch and bed.
He's a real sweetie pie.
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How do you pronounce the 'g' in bologna?
It's "boloney," you silly thing!
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I've been reading a book, My Stroke of Insight, about a lady who had a stroke. She was a brain surgeon and it's really interesting to read her thots and feelings about it all. It resonates so dramatically with me because she had to relearn everything and could sort of program a whole new mind. Very interesting.
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For most of us, the phrase "living in uncertain times" is a big uh-oh, way of expressing the fear that something bad is around the corner. But when you think about it, all times are uncertain....even the good ones. When it comes to life's unpredictability, I've always thought you have two choices: either greet each day afraid of all the things you can't control, or open yourself to whatever might be around the bend. Sure going to be interesting to see what happens in Washington and the oval office. But every day brings new opportunities, new invitations to see what the universe has in store for us.
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The Beast Within it's been tailing me for years---depression, a hot temper, an irresistible urge for cupcaakes---appearing here and there, with no rhyme or reason or so it seems. I would like to track it, tame it, and vanquish it forever.