SNOW REMEMBERED

A friend recently e-mailed about the new snow which had just fallen on her mountains. Hers are the Cascades and the Siskiyous. She lives, of course, in the beautiful state of Oregon. And her mountains are uniquely breathtaking. But, then, so are the ranges near where I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I loved snow....back then. I still do, but I prefer to see it from a far distance....or even just in a photo.


Later that day, I pulled out a new canvas with no clue what I was going to paint on it. As I often do, I asked my paints........

"Who wants to come out and play?"

Alizaron Crimson was the first to put up her hand.

As you can see, 'something' tall wanted to live on the right side of this canvas. But what?

I asked for the next volunteer and ultramarine blue responded and suddenly, I knew what wanted to become a painting. I was remembering snow.....but seeing it from a comfortable distance.

Greens came out next and together, we made a spot, which still feels warm, from which to get a perfect view of those cold, cold mountain tops.

This is:

SNOW REMEMBERED

22 X 28

I am so grateful that I don't have to deal with snow and ice covered roads where I live.

I am so grateful that I can create snow where I want it....in a painting.

I am so grateful, already, for the good food we will have tomorrow.

I am so grateful for PEACE, JOY and LOVE in my life.

I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends which the internet has allowed me to know....

One of whom, inspired this painting.

ALMOST HOME

14 x 18

Where ever you are this Thanksgiving, I hope your heart feels at home.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!



HOW TO BE GRATEFUL WHEN LIFE SUCKS.

We've all been there, down in that dark valley where it seems that everything about life just sucks.....


when all we seem to be able to think about or talk about is our troubles, trials and tribulations.....

....when all we want to do is hide....and cry..........

We can choose to stay in that dark valley......

or we can decide to climb out of it, into the light.



Here's how.

Finish this sentence.



I am grateful for ________________.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

And repeat some more....on a daily basis.



If you can't find something to be grateful for, let me make some suggestions.

You are breathing.

The earth is still spinning on its' axis.

The sun is still shining...whether or not you can see its' light at the moment.

You can taste your morning coffee and it is good.

You have food to eat and the ability to chew and swallow it.

You have a bed to sleep in at night.

Get the idea?

The truth is that even if it is only such simple things as these that you manage to be grateful for, IF you will write the words....begin with five times.....every day.....the strangest and most glorious thing happens. You will begin, very soon, to find even more things to be grateful for. Do this, faithfully, for a month or two and it will become a habit. Continue doing it and one day you will realize that your life has changed. You have come up out of that dark valley and you are standly firmly in the light!

I began this practice a couple of years ago. Since then, I've had some times which would have, in the past, put me fully into that 'life sucks' mode. Once in a while, I almost go there again....but my gratitude muscle is so strong now that I don't have to think about it....I just use it. It's almost as automatic as taking my next breath.

It was my experience which led me to write that little bit which appears ALWAYS on the home page of this blog. If I could give but one gift to anyone it would be that they learn to BE GRATEFUL!

I double dog dare you to try it!


You WILL be blessed.

IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!

It's been two whole months since I posted my last blog entry.  I can't believe that!  But, it's true.

I am going to try to be more diligent about keeping my blog current.  But I doubt I will go back to daily entries.  That turned into a job...and I'm retired....don't want no stinkin' job!  LOL

I have realized though that I miss these 'visits' with my friends, so I'm going to try to get back on track.

What have I been doing?

No surprises here.  I've been painting. 

And here's the  proof!

That blob is my waste paint.  I've been collecting it in an ice cream container for about the last 4 months.  I do this so I can properly dispose of it...eventually.  Someone, however, suggested a call it a paper weight and try to sell it. 

Somehow, I don't think anyone would shell out any cash for this.  Besides, it's not really very heavy because there's lots of air space in it, so it wouldn't make much of a paperweight.  I do find it interesting...and, for some reason, a little comical looking.

It has taken a whole lot of paintings to produce this much leftover paint.

I will try to show you what I've done since our last visit here on these pages.

I spent some time trying to learn to do  portraits.  That was great fun but probably the most difficult paintings I've ever attempted.

This is the way-too-cute son of one of my family members.

And this is the gorgeous daughter of a very dear friend of mine.

I've also done portraits of a couple of beautiful women.

This is my cousin.

And this is a very special internet friend.

Naturally, I'm still doing my favorite thing to paint....landscapes of this beautiful desert along with some 'different for me' still-lifes.

Maybe I'll show you those next time.

I know many of you have already seen these as I've posted them on my facebook page, so this hasn't been much of anything new.  Sorry about that. 

I'll try to do better next time.  ;)

I remain eternally grateful for the wondrous joy that painting has brought into my life!