#310 City Bling

Portland is getting the holiday spirit on - its bling.

 I can see the bling, but don't usually feel it because my annual

"do I really believe in all of this stuff" 

mind debate kicks in like clockwork every year

right after Thanksgiving.

But then, every year the internal war ends. In a draw.

Nothing wins, no one looses. 

 I simply walk out into the night, look up at the stars on the eve

and report to the universe that I believe. 

I don't know exactly what I believe quite yet - I'm only in my late 60s.

I just stand there small in comparison,

but big and brave in song and let it rip.

I BELIEVE!

Then I go back indoors, climb into bed and forget the whole debate until next year.
It is a peculiar holiday tradition.

#309 Thanksgiving 2017

 

For me, Thanksgiving is always a time to express gratitude. A not so small part of that gratitude is unapologetically for stuffing, one great American side that I only make and eat during this holiday.

I am grateful for a lot of other things too, of course - family, friends, a warm bed at night, health, a society that still needs my work, and food enough to keep me standing and able to put one foot in front of the other.

I'm also grateful for people who come to this country from all over the world looking for those things, and also freedoms they don't have where they're from. They are always a reminder to me that we as individuals are only as well off as the community in which we live, and if they have an alternative to stuffing, I can honestly and with gratitude declare with hand over heart, that I would be open to it.

Thanksgiving 2017 • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $250

308 Blame It On The Moon

To say the weather has been looney lately would be a gross understatement. And when the weather gets looney, so does the rest of the planet. But when we humans get looney, we are the only ones, I think, to blame it on the moon.

Humans have been blaming the moon on everything they can get away with blaming it on, from mental instability and generally bad behavior, to bodily breakdowns and uncontrollable physical aggression. As far as I can determine, only tides and Wolfman have the right to blame the moon.

Fortunately, science has debunked a lot of the moon lore out there. But for those whose brains refuse scientific proof, even though they do seem to understand and accept the scientific existence of their own brains, the moon will continue to be a major source of blame for just about everything they refuse to take responsibility for.

Blame It On The Moon • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $250

#307 What Was Is No Longer

Whoa - that was fast! What was, is no longer in a short 24 hours thanks to a big wind that blew my leaves, and my painting, clear to the coast.

I painted this last week figuring I had some time before the landscape flipped. Having no expectations and being flexible aren't new concepts, they're part of staying in the present. I made a mistake thinking I had more time.

What Was Is No Longer • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 12" x 12" • $250