What Planet Are You Living On?

I found a piece of home ...

2012-02-18T22:08:00.001-05:00

This image came up as a search tag for my blog? Such a beautiful painting, is it not? Wonderful illuminating vision by the artist, Elizabeth Osborne. She surely transports me right into the middle of this field of glorious poppies. I love poppies. They are so wild and free. One of my favorite flowers. I have many wonderful memories of running through fields of these beauties ... barefoot of course ... chasing after ladybugs and butterflies. This was during my days in northern California at about 9-11 years of age.

Image Source

I saw this painting and instantly felt such an overwhelming sense of peace. This scene was a piece of home for me, a piece of me ... my own personal religion. Think, this Spring I will have to drive down to California, kick off my shoes and go running through a field of poppies once again. Been awhile since I went chasing after butterflies. This will definitely be a photo capture for inclusion in my "finding my religion" photo series.

I did finally sleep and last night I dreamt of Syria. I was a young mother, living there with small children ... My dream was so very real: It was as if I was seeing the nightmare currently unfolding in the real world, in Syria, through the eyes of another. In my dream it was the French who stepped up to the plate and finally got the ball rolling with respect to actually helping these people by sending in ground troops with NATO backing. We shall see if my 'vision' comes to pass? In the meantime, I am still diligently and wholeheartedly praying for the women, children and men of Syria. May God Bless them, each and everyone, and keep them safe until the rest of the world finds the courage to finally take decisive and meaningful action.

For a Beautiful Soul ...

2012-02-12T03:10:00.000-05:00

God Bless you ... Fare thee well, sweet and beautiful soul. All will be well here in this life. Go in peace, onward to embrace you next great adventure. Carry not sorrow, nor regret, but thankfulness for blessings you were so fortunate to have shared on this leg of your spiritual journey. Somehow, I sense this is a song you wanted to hear. I had never listened to the music of Joan Baez. Thank you for the introduction. Peace, Love and Be Well, my friend. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and with your loved ones still to complete their journey in this here and now. Know that our loved ones are never truly far from us in the presence of spirit and in our hearts.

Song: "500 Miles", Sung By Joan Baez

"Love to Pinky. ♥"

God Bless the song poets who find the words for us. Your song will forever resonate in our heats, echos of the LOVE that is you.

Contraception Mandate: "Fear is not an effective choice or method for enlightenment of the soul."

2012-02-10T21:59:00.000-05:00

Today, there are no images ... only much soul searching which has evolved into words ...

I know, I said that I would be gone for the rest of this month ... focusing on images rather than words, but the current controversy over the Obama-care "contraception mandate" has been weighing heavily on my mind and my spirit. Thus, I seem to have been compelled by my spirit to find my words to speak. If you read nothing else in this post, please read at least the very last paragraph (of the initial post) ... Thank you.

Obama-care rears its ugly head yet again? This time the controversy stems from a newly unveiled aspect of Obama-care in which government has mandated the requirement that coverage for contraception medications and procedures be provided as standard provisions in healthcare coverage offered by employers. Exemptions are provided for religious institutions (churches, synagogues, etc.) whose primary function is that of religious worship. This exemption provision, however, is not extended to secondary institutions run by religious institutions such as hospitals and universities.

Naturally, leaders of religious institutions that are "morally opposed" to contraception in any form immediately took issue to this recent government mandate. The largest and loudest complainant has come from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church and other supporters of "religious freedoms" claim that government is overstepping its constitutional authority by forcing religious institutions --even at the secondary level of religious run hospitals and universities ...many of which receive government funding-- to provide for services which they find "morally reprehensible."

I suspect that the above religious institutions do indeed have a legal, constitutionally-backed argument to support their claim as outlined above. While I am opposed to government stepping on an individual's or institution's right to exercise religious freedom in any instance : I do happen to approve of the government providing for inclusion of contraception medications and procedures as standard provisions for healthcare coverage. Contraception coverage, whether religious opponents like it or not, is a vital part of women's health in this day and age. A woman being able to choose when she will have children and how many children she will have has revolutionized the lives of women and their families for the better. Women can now have careers, choices and interests beyond bearing and raising children. Contraception has also helped to greatly reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, which has reduced the number of instances where a woman would even want to contemplate abortion. I do not like that the 'morning-after pill' may be included in this contraception coverage, as I am personally opposed to abortion ... but once again it is an individual decision and also an individual freedom to choose whether or not to use contraception medications and procedures. The individual will have to weigh the moral implications, if any, of the contraception services that they personally will choose to use for themselves. I, personally, find the attempt by some on the religious right to lump all forms of contraception into the same category as abortion "morally reprehensible."

[ Side Note: The argument that women (and men) can simply go elsewhere to get the contraception medications and services that they need is ludicrous. Costs for medications and services not covered directly by primary healthcare insurance in the United States, in this day and age, are undeniably outrageous. It makes me a bit angry to hear prominent individuals dismissively claiming that individuals can get contraception medications "for free" elsewhere if these medications are not provided for by their comprehensive healthcare insurance. The news commentator Bill O'reilly, of FOX News, said on his broadcast just yesterday that birth control pills can be gotten "at any clinic [by anyone] for free." Mr. O'reilly should verify his facts before he rattles off statements such as this as fact. I was unable to obtain birth controls for free when I was in college, because I worked my way through college and made "too much money" to qualify for "free pills." My HMO insurance did not provide coverage for contraception services at the time. The $60.00 a month cost for the pills was a heavy burden for me as a struggling college student. While it is true that some low-income individuals will be able find clinics that will provide birth control pills at little to no costs, this option is not available for most moderate income earners where the cost of about $60.00 per month equates to a daughter being able to take dance lessons, children learning Taekwondo or Karate ... a child learning to play a musical instrument. These are real choices facing real people. . For me, as for many women, becoming pregnant before I finished my degree would have most likely meant that I would not have completed my degree (and yes, I was married in college). And as for the argument: "if you don't like the rules, then don't play" (go get a job with another employer or attend another university) ... In this lousy economy of the past four years the ability to "play" somewhere else has been severely limited for many.

Based on recent comments by Bill O'reilly and his surrogates (specifically, Laura Ingram): It seems to me that the "no-spin zone" of the "O'reilly Factor" has lost some of its credibility lately in neutralizing 'spin'. Laura Ingram's interview with the Reverend Katherine Ragsdale, President of Episcopal Divinity School of MA, was so blatantly biased and disrespectful. I have to give Reverend Ragsdale credit for not biting on Ingram's pointed jabs and line of irrelevant questioning in an effort to discredit this guest in the eyes of the viewing audience. Reverend Ragsdale made some very well articulated and valid points in this interview, despite Ingram's repeated attempts to derail her. I know that the issues relating to religious freedom can lead to heated discussions, but I found Lauren Ingram's behavior in this interview to be highly unprofessional. I will be writing a letter to FOX news about this interview. ]

Today, the Obama administration issued a statement declaring that religious secondary institutions (e.g., Catholic-run hospitals and universities) will no longer be required to provide the mandated "contraception coverage" as a part of their comprehensive healthcare packages. The contraception coverage will now be offered separately to employees directly from (and exclusively through) the insurance provider itself, with funding for the services coming from the government and/or savings resulting from the issurance companies not having to cover costs associated with unwanted pregnancies and additional dependents. In this way, the individual can choose for themselves whether or not they want to have the contraception coverage without having to involve the perceived sanctioning of contraception services by religious institutions themselves.

In sum, religious entities such as the Catholic Church now have their "freedom of conscience" and the additional exemption from the mandated compliance for their secondary institutions. Sadly, I suspect that even this concession will not be sufficient for the Church and other religious opponents to contraception. Constitutionally and legally --though the courts will likely have the final say on this-- the Catholic Church and other religious entities now effectively have what they wanted: the right to exercise their "freedom of religion" and "freedom of conscience." What will they do next? Will the self-righteousness of religion rear its ugly head by continuing to press for further concessions (i.e., insistance that contraception services will not be made available to the employees at their hospitals and universities under any circumstances)? Perhaps, Obama-care will wind up being repealed in the near future and all of this will become a mute point? Though, I do hope that the inclusion of access to contraception medications and services in standard healthcare coverage will remain in place or be addressed through subsequent, separate legislation. I strongly feel that the availability of contraception coverage in standard healthcare insurance is an important issue facing women and their families. I applaud the current administration for having the courage to address this need for reform even though their timing may have been politically motivated and the manner of implementation could have been better thought out before its unveiling.

While I do concede that our U.S. Constitution guarantees that our government cannot be allowed to force the Catholic Church, or any other religious institution, to provide* for "contraception services" : It seems somewhat ironic to me that religious institutions and individuals fail to make the distinction between holding a moral convinction or belief and the infliction of those convinctions upon others (e.g., pharmacists who refuse to dispense prescribed birth control pills to patients). In my humble opinion, being a former Catholic --baptized, raised and married in the Catholic faith, who had all three of my children baptized in the Catholic Church-- the biggest shortcoming of the Catholic Church, and many other religions, is their ongoing failure to recognize that the role of the Church should be to provide spiritual guidance not to pass judgment or to coerce the behavior of individuals by using fear (of social reprisal or "eternal damnation") or by withholding medical services in order to conform to the Church's standard of a perceived moral code. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use contraception should be between the individual ... the conscience of the individual ... and God. We are each of us on a spiritual journey in this life, here to make our own choices to the best of our individual abilities based upon our own experiences, interpretations, and a relationship with God, our Creator. The choices that we make directly translate into the ongoing evolution of our spiritual being and ultimately determine the state of our immortal soul. No one can make the choices for us ... Our choices have to be fully processed, embraced in the heart, mind and soul and fear is not an effective choice or method for enlightenment of the soul.

Perhaps, we would all do well to stop for a moment and consider the contraception aspect --the constitional aspect being momentarily set aside-- of this debate from another perspective: "What would Jesus do?" Would Jesus pass judgement and condemn? Is there a single direct Biblical instance of Jesus ever inflicting His personal beliefs or convinctions forcefully upon another?

*[It looks as if it will likely be left to the courts to determine the legal and constitutional definition of "provide".]

1/11/2012 ... I do not deny that the unveiling of this mandate at this point in time and in the fashion in which it was done was a politically motivated tactic by the current administration in a effort to galvanize Obama's voting base (women in particular) for the upcoming November 2012 Presidential Election. That being said, if the Catholic Church is wise: they will take their first amendment victory that was conceded by the Obama Administration yesterday and let this debate cease right here and now. The latter will effectively take the wind out the Obama's campaign sails. Then, if needs be, this issue can be taken up in the courts after the election. There is also the distinct possibility that Obama-care will end up being ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court or repealed by a newly elected Republican President. If either of the latter happens all of the debate with respect to this specific mandate and its method of implementation becomes a mute point.

1/12/2021 ... As I have said before, "It's still not about class warfare. Just like its not about a perceived moral victory" (re: Republican Presidential Primary). And for the time being, maybe it should not be about a woman's right to "pursue, Life, Liberty and happiness" by being guaranteed unhindered, affordable access to basic contraception medications and services? The politics of polarization and division have brought this country to its knees. Obama, I think, is hoping to cash in on the ongoing divisions in our country in order to benefit his re-election campaign by using the strategy of "Divide and Conquer." What we've been doing these past 3++ years hasn't been working; It's time to try something NEW! It's time for us to throw down our sticks and to extend our hands towards one another in an a concerted effort to try to find common ground so that "We the People" can save our country from its final demise. We have real issues facing our nation (as I've outlined in previous posts) and ... We need real solutions to implement that will unite us as a strong nation in order to get America back up on its feet again and stave off looming disaster. "United we stand; Divided we [shall innevitably] fall."

1/14/2012 ... While the Catholic Church and others opposed to the "contraception mandate" have argued forcefully, repeatedly, and rather dismissively that this is "not about contraception": IT IS. For the Church and its champions to dismiss the medical aspect of this legislation entirely is rather an arrogant and dangerous posture to assume ... especially in light of the upcoming 2012 Presidential Election. The contraception mandate legislation, while controversial and inflammatory in its initial wording and method of implementation, does addresses a vital problem facing women (and men) in healthcare today: unhindered access to affordable contraception medications and procedures. The Obama-care Contraception Mandate addresses access and affordability across the board for ALL employers in the United States --NOT JUST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OTHER RELIGIOUS EMPLOYERS-- in an effort to include a vital aspect of healthcare as standard in healthcare insurance packages offered by employers to their employees.

The "First Amendment" issue, now being rallied around, was a subsequent issue that has evolved from this contraception mandate legislation, but the underlying need and principle healthcare issue still remain. The Catholic Church, religious right and conservatives news commentators need to show a bit more sensitivity (i.e., acknowledgement for the legitimacy of the underlying healthcare issue) to the principle issue from a healthcare standpoint lest their words, arguments and actions further fuel the stereotype that so many Americans already have of these religious groups and thereby the Republican Party itself by default ... That is to say, that while political posturing around the First Amendment issue may rally the conservative base: the blatant and arrogant dismissal of the underlying issue (medical need) will simultaneously trumpet a timely reminder to moderates, independents and the rest of the country that they should remain fearful of any leadership (presidential candidates) coming from a political party comprised of persuasive religious factions whose actions and words, now and in the past, have caused the conservative base and its party to be perceived as being the party of "fiercely rigid inflexibility, narrow-mindedness, intolerance and arrogance [self-righteousness]."

In sum Catholics, religious conservatives and others championing the First Amendment infringement of the Obama-care contraception mandate should tread carefully. At present, your actions and words are just fanning the Obama re-election campaign momentum. I'm not saying that you do not have a legitimate First Amendment argument; I am simply pointing out the need to show some genuine sensitivity for the other side of the issue. Unfortunately, this is not simple mathematics where two negatives multiply for an end positive result. Two infringements ... "two wrongs, do not make a right."

One last thought: timing is everything.

Finding My Religion ...

2012-02-04T01:55:00.000-05:00

"When words become unclear, I shall focus withphotographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." ~Ansel Adams

"Mt. McKinley, Wonder Lake", By Ansel Adams

Image Source

The above photograph is one of my favorite Ansel Adams images. Per the quote: that is what I am doing these days ... being quiet and focusing on images rather than words. I am currently focused on taking some photos for my "finding my religion" series ...

Me doing what I LOVE : )

Peace and Love and I'll probably be back next month if all goes well. ♥

Happy Groundhogs Day Ya'll!

2012-02-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

Well the famous Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow today. Apparently that is supposed to mean another 6 weeks of possible winter? Felt like the high here in Seattle today was about 38 deg. F, so that prediction feels right ... maybe? I mean the Seattle area was hammered by days of snow totaling nearly 2 feet just over a week ago (the last of which just melted in our yard on Monday). Then I talk to my family in Texas and they tell me it is a rather warm winter there this year. That they hit near 80 deg. F. a few days ago and over night lows have been in the 60's. A friend in Massachusetts tells me that this time last year they had over 80" of snowfall by this time of year. This year, thus far, they have had only 8" of snowfall. So it seems this is the year for unpredictable, I guess. All bets are off ... Just like the Republican Presidential Primary: Expect the Unexpected.

Here's my prediction ...

"Melting Snow"

I predict that winter will try to throw one last temper tantrum, but I don't feel winter sticking around another six full weeks this year. My track record for predictions this year, thus far, has been pretty good ... but the year is still young so take my prediction for what you will. Whatever the weather: get out there and enjoy it! =) Seasons come and go ...

[Please excuse my many typos and grammatical errors in posts of late ... these days I am lucky to sleep 2 hours total on any given night. Things are starting to become one BIG blur ... typos aside though: "it's all good."]

2/3/2012 Strange weather indeed?! Just heard on the news that parts of the Sahara desert are presently receiving snow and that parts of Europe are being hit by a monster snow storm.

Miracles in Action ...

2012-01-26T01:18:00.000-05:00

I've made way too many posts this month? Just trying to contain lots of thoughts and ideas, I guess. I am feeling the need to slip away and be quiet again, so next month will probably be sparse for posts here.

Anyway, I wanted to post something today in honor of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who after appearing in person at the "State of Union" address last night made her final appearance for her current term in the House of Representatives today. This afternoon (Wed., 1/25/12) Giffords officially handed in her letter of resignation to House Speaker John Boehner. Seeing Gabrielle Giffords smiling, walking, talking and interacting with her colleagues brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes: She IS a walking, talking miracle in action. God Bless you Gabby Giffords. May you continue to heal and make enormous strides your ongoing recovery. You will be in my ongoing thoughts and prayers. ♥

"Miracles Abound ..."

Snowy clouds blanket a whitewashed winter-wonderland, Puget Sound, Seattle WA on January 20, 2012. This was my photo edit for the day on Wednesday, Jan. 25th.

Snow is Melting ...

2012-01-24T01:11:00.000-05:00

The 2+ feet of white fluffy snow that was dumped onto the Seattle and surrounding areas has begun the process of melting. The kids returned to school and normal routines today (Monday) ... though, perhaps a bit begrudgingly. Luckily, we still have a big pile of snow in a shady portion of our yard handy for snowball fights. Nothing like a snowball upside the head to put a smile back on your face again? ; )

This snow of last week was perfectly timed ... renewing, beautifying and a welcome call to embrace 'play' and the heart of being a child once again. A great opportunity for me to play with capturing snow images with my camera ... an area where I need some work. I would have liked to have had more sunlight with this snow, but that was not to be this time. I made the best of it, I think? I'm still going through my images and editing them as the muse calls me to do. Here's another one ...

"Lavender's Blue"

Guess the song that goes with this one is "Let's Dance", By David Bowie ... cause he's what I'm listening to tonight and that is the song now playing and I'm too tired to put much more thought into choosing. The universe chose? ... Funny, my favorite pair of shoes when I was little, about 3 years old ... the first pair I actually remember owning ... was a pair of red patent leather shoes. I had forgotten about those shoes.

Frosted ... A State of Mind?

2012-01-22T03:41:00.000-05:00

"Frosted Sound"

The Simon and Garfunkel song "Sound of Silence" is going through my head as I edit this photo. This photo is the frosted Puget Sound, near Seattle, Washington. For some reason this image speaks to me of a cold void of silence ... isolation ... maybe loneliness? .... Well here's the song if you, by chance, want to have a listen Song: "Sound of Silence", By Simon & Garfunkel.

South Carolina Primary ... The Fat Lady Will Sing?

2012-01-20T17:29:00.002-05:00

Haven't we had enough of the media and those with ready access tothe media (i.e., "bundlers" and political pundits) telling us who isgoing to win our elections? Everywhere Iturn the television and most newspaper sources are saying "the winner of SouthCarolina will be Romney or Gingrich." The South Carolina primary is tomorrow and thus far the "fat lady" hasn't doneany singing. Correct me if I am wrong, but thus far Newt Gingrich has NOT WON a single state primary. Mitt Romneyhas won one state primary (New Hampshire) and Rick Santorum has won one state primary (Iowa). Newt Gingrich has won NONE.

We let the media tell us who was going to win the last election --with all of the liberal bias on media coverage in the 2008 election-- and look whatwe got: four years of rhetoric in action, a floundering economy, lingering high unemployment, and Iran on the verge of becoming a nuclear power. Are the American people really stupid enough to let the media run the show again in this election????????????
Thankfully, voters in this election cycle seem less likely to convict a candidate based solely upon initial media releases and unproved allegations (e.g., Herman Cain). I do have to give Newt Gingrich credit for standing up to the media at the beginning of the last debate. Seems the American people were happy to see Newt throw the shame ball back into the media's lap based upon the standing ovation that he received.

Just recently, Fox News ( "fair and balanced" ) predicted that Mitt Romney would win Iowa with just over 50% of the precincts reporting. In the final certified count, released yesterday, Rick Santorum actually won Iowa. Granted the Iowa race wound up being incredibly close, but the latter is evidence that even with the best of intentions media doesn't always know and can't always get it right. Rick Santorum been had polling in the single digits --in the days leading up to the Iowa primary-- and he wound up winning Iowa. I know that predictions are best 'educated' guesses but, contrary to what seems to be widely accepted opinion, media predictions are often wrong and sometimes they are outright dangerous (e.g., CBS news incorrectly calling the 2000 Presidential Election in favor of Al Gore). The American public needs to keep the latter in mind when they are weighing the facts and deciding which of the current four candidates will be the best Republican nominee. Voters should look at the records of the candidates and make their own decisions. They should not allow the polling numbers and opinions of political analysts to make their voting decision for them.

I still keep hoping the American people will make the honesteffort to get the facts in this election process.That they will vote based on who they believe will be best candidate (and eventual President) forthe country. With a little bit of homework and some honest effort on the part of voters, hopefully whoever we end up sending to Washington D.C. will actually representthe will of the people. If we can't dothe latter, then our government in this country will never return to a "governmentof the people, by the people, for the people" and we will most likely wind up falling.

Instead of listening to historical data on the significanceof each early voting primary and media predictions for 'winners and losers' (based on often inaccurate polling data ... witness the recent Iowa upset): let's make our own history!

One last thought ... In the world of today, now more than ever, we must be cogent about the world at large and the threat of a nuclear Iran. The next President of the United States of America will hold the keys to our nuclear arsenal and may well be called upon to consider using them. Which of the four current candidates do you trust with the keys?

Image Source

May God, our Creator, bless and inspire all the people of South Carolina going into the Republican Primary election there tomorrow ... even if the "fat lady" doesn't truly wind up singing. I've a sneaky suspicion that this Republican Primary is going to defy all of the "rules."

1/21/12 ... Well score one for Newt Gingrich. Each candidate now has one state primary win under his belt ... save for Ron Paul. I didn't hear any "fat lady" singing. Seems to me it's still anyones race, though Gingrich really needed a win to legitimize his campaign. I've often wondered if it is fair that the same states get to go first election cycle after election cycle. Doesn't seem quite fair ... by the time the primary reaches some of the later states your candidate of choice may have decided to drop out of the race and you've had no real say in the matter. I think primaries should be held on a rotating basis so that each state has an opportunity to be among the first states to vote and impact the final outcome.

I was sorry to see Michelle Bachman drop out the race, but campaigns are expensive to run. A rightly so, Bachman took her cue from a home state (Iowa) where she had spent a lot of time and money campaigning. I can't blame her for pulling out. I guess the world is ready for a black President (which I was truly happy to see, even if I don't care for his politics), but the world is not quite ready for a woman President of the United States. Michelle Bachman is a very intelligent, informed, hardworking and articulate individual. I think she tried a little too hard to come across as the staunch conservative and instead wound up coming across as rigid and inflexible.

This was not the race for a staunch conservative. The pendulum isn't going to swing back entirely the other way this election. Too many in this country still remember the George W. Bush era with 9/11, war in Iraq, and the stock market collapse. They aren't ready to embrace anything bearing the label "hard-core" conservatism, but I think that most are willing to admit that the liberal swing of the pendulum hasn't done much good this past four years either.

The answer for "who will be the best Republican candidate" will probably have to be a conservative who is willing to embrace flexibility in order to unite this country and get us back up onto our feet once again. We have real issues facing this country (e.g., floundering economy, financial system that stills needs reforms enacted to prevent another market collapse from happening again, high unemployment, rising tension in the middle east, not much movement on true energy independence from the Middle East, and now the threat of Iran as a nuclear power in our very near future) and we need a President with a proven record for getting things done.

We need a President without the baggage of bad history (personal or political), someone who is willing to roll up his sleeves on day one, embracing conservatives as well as liberals, to get things done. We need an innovator, but also someone with a record for putting ideas into action. We need someone who will surround himself with good people and be willing to listen as well as lead. We need a candidate for President who is proud of our country and its people. God willing the voters will have the end in mind when they cast their vote to determine exactly who the Republican candidate will be. We have look beyond the election fight against Obama, with the end goal of the Presidency and the country in mind.

The score is now 1-1-1 ... Iowa for Santorum, New Hampshire for Romney and South Carolina for Gingrich. The race is on: may the best man for the country win.

[ Alright ... I am done with talking politics here for awhile. I am volunteering for the campaign of the candidate I will support. I just had to have somewhere to speak my mind. All of my friends seem to be liberal and I am now living in a liberal-minded state. I am okay with agree to disagree, but many on the other side do not seem to be. Thus, I have found very few venues for enlightened, honest discussions. Thanks for bearing with me and hearing me out : ) ]

2/6/2012 ... Why do people assume that one who has an aggressive posture, coupled with an impressive deliverance in a debate setting, would naturally make a good long term President of the United States? Obama is a very charismatic orator, with rather impressive deliverance in a debate format ... Has the latter translated into an effective leader for our country these past 3+ years in terms of jobs, national debt, true energy independence and a world free from the threat of a nuclear Iran? Be careful my fellow Republicans lest your short term goals wind up being your Achilles heel ... Do you truly want what's best for our country or to win a perceived battle? And if the latter, then what makes your agenda any more desirable to independents and the rest of the country than that of the "half-time, with four more years" being offered by the Obama campaign?

It's not about class warfare ... just like it's not about a perceived victory. It's about what it takes to get our country back up on its feet again and which candidate is perceived (by the entire country) as being truly capable of delivering in that respect.

(Think, I will have to make this a post all its own?)

2/8/2012 ... Woo-hoo! Way to go Rick Santorum!! ... You knocked it out of the ballpark last night and then then some with your 3 state sweep: I LOVE IT!! A decisive win in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado represents a widespread, broad spectrum support from middle America in my humble opinion. And I don't discount Missouri ... the fact that over 138,000 (out of 250,000 total voters) people braved the bad weather to get out and show their support for you in a non-binding primary speaks volumes ... especially when voter turnout in the entire state of Nevada (the last primary contest) was less than 50,000 voters total. More power to you in the weeks ahead, Rick Santorum. Keep your momentum going!!

I love that the American people are doing what it takes to get their own information and to think for THEMSELVES in this Presidential Primary. You aren't content to let the establishment, the political commentators, analysts and polls make your decisions for you. You've renewed my faith in the American electorate. Keep it going and God Bless!!

When Time Stands Still ...

2012-01-20T01:23:00.000-05:00

Nighttime photography, experimenting with ASA. This is 3200 ASA, so it is very grainy, but I like the effect. Of course I added lens flare to enhance the lighting. I love light play. Working on some words to accompany this, but they haven't worked themselves out quite yet.

"When Time Stands Still"

(low resolution)

This photo render fits the bill for outside the lines, you think? Feeling a bit constrained these days. So many thoughts and ideas searching for an outlet ... Hard to keep them all contained.

My thoughts and prayers are with Gov. Rick Perry who made the decision to withdraw from the Republican Primary today. Rick Perry is a good man, with an impressive record, and I don't rule out the possibility that his time as a viable Presidential candidate will yet come to pass. God Bless, Governor Perry!

Early Morning ...

"When Time Stands Still"

A subtle pause,
Gentle skip
Of Cosmic Beat
Stills the dancing of
Nature's Rhythmic Feet.
A single moment
Left endlessly upon
Itself unwinds ...
Time's Hands held
In perpetual blind.
Natural Law here
Knows no bounds.
An eerie silence
In the void surrounds.
Look deep inside
For what heeds be found.

@Copyrighted Poem, 2012. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

I happen to have a writing blog where I keep most of my "good stuff" ... my writing of poems, poetic dialogues, short stories and other fictional writes, what ifs ... This blog not open to the public at present. My need to hide has prevailed in this area. I've managed to share a few of my poems in my writing/ART group, but not many poems beyond that. I have from time to time let a few writing friends into my writing blog to explore, but a few months back I disabled the guest access account. I don't know: old habits die hard? ... The Sounds of My Silence, Echo in the refrain that is my life ...

Time to Talk Politics ... The "C" Candidate

2012-01-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

Time to take a break from philosophical pondering, photography, writing and poetry. I haven't written much about politics lately, but thatdoesn't mean I am not staying informed, watching the Republican Primary debatesand forming my own opinions. Here is myinput into an on-line political discussion with friends. The question was: "Who will be the best next President ofthe U.S. for the future of our children? And why?"

My response to this timely and thought-provoking question follows in the quotation below. These are my personal opinions. Each person is entitled to their own, but hopefully voters in this election will be informed and not just vote based upon emotion and rhetoric as they did in the last election. This election Obama has a four-year term of words and actions --as well as inactions-- that speak to what he "can do for the country."

"I agree with Kris ... Newt has some brilliant ideas,but he is so hot-headed (a quality that is NOT Presidential). He also has atendency to be arrogant and condescending. I truly wonder if he would listen toadvisers at all if he were President. A presidency under Newt Gingrich might be morelike a bull-dozing dictatorship? The words "Washington insider" cometo mind as well. But at least he would be a decisive President who would letthe rest of the world know that America is not for sale and that we won't bemessed with --nor can our allies (e.g., Israel)-- and under no condition will America tolerate a nuclear Iran. And some say Newt knows where all of the Washington skeletons are buried, as if that were a good thing?

Rick Santorum, Republican Candidate for President 2012

www.RickSantorum.com

Romney seems to have a broader spectrum appeal. He isprobably the best bet to beat Obama at this point, but I don't completely trusthim. I don't like some of the things he did as governor in MA either (e.g., "Romney-Care" mandatory state-sponsored healthcare, akin to "Obama-Care"). "Middle-of the road" comes to mind when I ponder Romney as President.On the positive side, Romney would likely surround himself with good advisersand listen to their input. Perhaps if Romney would stop beating around the bush and just release his tax returns (as all of the other candidates have already done) he could gain some valuable points on 'trustworthiness'.

Of all the candidates currently running in the Republican Primary, I like Rick Santorum the best. Rick Santorum seems young and perhaps abit lacking in experience, but I think that he would come up to speed quickly.He comes across as honest and trustworthy. Santorum's record shows that he isnot afraid of hard work, nor is he afraid stand up and fight for what he believesis best for the country. I like what he said in the last debate ... that whenhe voted against some bill mandating 'right to work' in his state that he didso not because he disagreed with the bill in principle, but that he voted the"will of the people" that he represented at the time. It was veryrefreshing to hear a politician recognize and affirm this: "the will ofthe people" ... so many elected officials seem to forget this when they goto Washington. Santorum has animpressive political record and some very sound ideas on the economy. I like his plan to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States via U.S. companies currently making products in foreign countries. I think that the latter plan would be a huge step in the recovery of our floundering economy. Santorum is conservative, but he seems to be ableto separate his personal views from what is best for country (e.g., he ispersonally opposed to birth control, but he says he feels that the right to usebirth control is an indivduals choice and should therefore be protected under the law). I think after his impressive win in Iowa ( I don't care if Romney technically won by a handful of votes on the official tally. In my book, Rick Santorum won Iowa because of the fact that he came from behind, in single digits, to a virtual win in the final count against Romney, who had been polling all along at number one and was the favorite to win in Iowa.) that with the right support, thebacking of the GOP and a bigger PR machine that Santorum could conceivably beatObama in the November 2012 election. Ialso think that of the Republican candidates currently available to voters thatRick Santorum would be the best President for the country.

In my opinion, it is helpful that the field of Republicancandidates is narrowing, because the candidates now get more detailed questions in the debates and more time to speak to each question (or rebuttal). The five remaining candidates also now have more 'air' time and effective attention from potential voters. In this way, people (voters) can see what candidates (likeRon Paul) really stand for and what they would do to help or HARM the countryas the case may be.

On a different matter, but related because it speaks to whatis "best for the country": Ican't believe that President Obama was bold enough to veto the Canadian Oil Pipeline project in an election year!?! Obama is for blowing money on 'green' companieslike Solyndra (that go bankrupt with taxpayer money) in order to achieve energyindependence from the Middle Eastern oil, but he will not support analternative option to get oil right here on our own continent? The president says he'sappeasing the environmental base, but in this economy with the rising tensionsin the Middle East ... how can any informed and intelligent person actuallybelieve that was truly his rationale? Is there now any remaining doubt? Obama wants to see American fall, thus advancing the agenda of rebuilding America in the liberal progressive image. His veto of the CanandianPipeline (if it is not overturned by Congress) effectively shoots the United States of America in both knees withrespect to our hopes of actually achieving energy independence in the near orperhaps any future. Even if Obama is not re-elected his legacy of weakeningAmerica, with this act in particular, will live on in the journal of history ... Is it too late to put the Pipeline to a vote of the people? Well, hopefully the Congress can muster the gumption and the votes needed to override Obama's veto."

I did not mention Rick Perry in my comment above. I realize that Perry is also a Republican Primary candidate; I just don't think that he is viable candidate for the Presidency at this particular point in time. Perry has done remarkable things for the economy in the state of Texas, but now is not the time for him run. Perry against Obama in this election would be played as Obama vs. the Bush II legacy and would most assuredly guarantee the re-election of Obama (and I happen to have the highest respect for former President George W. Bush, but many do not.).

In sum, I think I've change my mind about the Venn diagram that I posted a few weeks back ...

At the time of posting this chart, I had said that "C seems to be a rather empty field." That is to say, that there did not appear to be (at the time) a candidate who could both beat Obama and be the best overall President for the country. Sitting here today, I don't think that we have to compromise with a candidate who can likely beat Obama, but may not be the best President for the country. Sitting here today, I think that we have our "C" candidate in Rick Santorum.

Tranquil Offering ...

2012-01-18T03:07:00.001-05:00

"Snowy Enchanted Wood"

Today was the day for "surreal" ... Everywhere Ipointed my camera the mysterious and unexpected seemed to lie in wait. Thus far2012 is living up to my expectations that I am in for a wild ride this year.The latter aside, the unexpected can be soft, a tranquil offering ... a briefmoment of repose.

We have had snow here in the Seattle area for four days now. We added another 2-3 inches today and we are supposed to have another big snow storm blowing in late this evening into early morning. I love how snow makes everything beautiful ... a whitewash of newness and innocence. So although it has been COLD here lately ( I truly do NOT like being cold), it has been absolutely beautiful! My only regret is that the skies have, for the most part been, dark, grey and overcast. Thus, I was overjoyed today when the sun made a brief appearance this afternoon and small patches of delicate blue sky emerged ... even though the blue sky appearance was brief and fleeting. Lucky me: I had my camera on hand and out when BLUE arrived.

P.S. Know how words sometimes pop into my head for some unexplained reason? Then they rattle around in my head until I find an appropriate avenue for their escape? Well today the word "supernumerary" is rattling around in my head. Such an odd word and definitely not mainstream for me these days? Wonder where it came from? ... I looked it up to get the 'official' definition and it turns out the word 'supernumerary' is akin to 'superfluous' (another word I've had rattling around in my head of late) but with specific respect to people, parts or numbers in particular. Hmmmm ....

We Got Snow!

2012-01-14T17:04:00.000-05:00

Snow came this weekend. Wasn't expecting it until tomorrow and it came late in the day, but the kids are bundled up and playing in the white, fluffy stuff as the sun sets. My oldest has absconded with my snow gear. The kids have all grown and each one seems to have gone up the next sister's size ... leaving the oldest to fit into mine. But that's okay, I am enjoying seeing them play ... and me well, I tried to shoot some snow photos in the fading light. I was able to get one shot that I really like. Hopefully, my results will be better during morning and noon-time daylight tomorrow. I love to capture snow laying gently upon barren tree branches. A tangle of woods backs up to our house, so there are plenty of barren trees to choose from conveniently located right on hand.

We also have have a greek goddess of a snow-woman in our front yard, complete with organic carrot nose and a 'laurel' leaved crown. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow some more ... We're loving it! Thank you, Mother Nature =)

[My oldest (standing over my shoulder) says that I need to get busy and sell some of these photos. Unfortunately, it is hard for me to wrap my mind around the business aspects of selling and promoting my work? Hah, I am most certain that I have been a 'starving' artist in many a former life ... Old habits die hard? ; )]

These Feet ...

2012-01-14T03:36:00.000-05:00

A poem that evolved from yesterday's ponderings. This is a work in progress, as am I ...

Image Source

"These Feet"

1 Walk,skip, run ...

2 And when I'm lucky, dance with these feet the Creator,

3 In His infinite wisdom unto me so gifted.

4 I willwalk through this journey, myso-called life,

5 Joyfularms out-lifted on a glorious adventure unscripted.

6 Free-will our inheritance enlisted,

7 Thesefeet carry a warrior with a gentle heart,

8 Willfullyserving His higher purpose.

9 His voice ever near and endlessly heeded,

10 I aman empty vessel waiting to be filled ...

11 A burningspirit, sealed in fire, watching,waiting,

12 Listening, ready to be used as I am needed.

13 Renouncing Fear , these feet journey ever forward

14 Knowing full well moments there shall call

15 Where these feet shall scarcely find the will to crawl.

16 To my knees then will I swiftly fall, buteven then

17 Fearwill NOT rule: my will remains immune to worldly strife.

18 UnyieldingFaith in the Creator breathes me Life.

19 Myspirit calls unto Him to fill up the

20 Empty wanting that in this darkness is me ...

21 In my Valley of Darkness safe from harm

22 The Creator will me keep. With His InfiniteLove

23 And MercifulGrace, He renews a weary me.

24 Therefore, I shall not with worldly tears weep.

25 Fortifying my strength, opening eyes, mind,heart and soul:

26 He fills me up and makes me once again whole.

27 Thus renewed, these free-willed feet

28 Choose to resume His Divine Bidding.

29 Joyfulsteps these feet trace in the sands ofa so-called life,

30 Mindfullyinfused with Heaven's Eternal Pace:

31 The Cosmic Beat set with Supreme Perfection

32 Unto Nature's Rhythmic Feet ...

33 With Nature, I strive to be One.

34 So move these feet, ever forward in motion,

35 A glorious notion in aid to simple hands;

36 A pairedwill awaits: there to do as He insights.

The Shoes Make the Man?

2012-01-13T00:34:00.000-05:00

I seem to be beating this cold. It doesn't stand a chance. Doomed to fail ... It picked the wrong host. ; )

Not many images and words flowing from me these days, but I did finally sleep some. Now, I am feeling restless and need to go for a run. So that must be a sign that I'm on the mend.

Image Source

Thinking about shoes today and how I'm not a big fan of shoes. I love being barefoot ... well, when its practical and sometimes even when its not. Anyhow, I am thinking about feet ... How they carry us where we want to go. They enable us to 'pursue our dreams' in a manner of speaking. Then my thoughts skip to the saying "The shoes make the man." Do people really a judge a man by his shoes? How shallow ... to my way of thinking anyhow. Then the image of Jesus washing Peter's feet (I posted a painting of this story image from the Bible a few days back, in my post labeled "Jury Duty") comes to mind. The latter Bible story really struck a chord with me as a small child and does even now to this day.

I often have dreams where feet are a part of the dream. What does that mean? Just a few days back, I wrote a post about reincarnation and a dream I have had of late that revolves around a pair of stolen shoes. I have also had a recurring nightmare for many years where I am running barefoot through the night and my feet are being cut and badly bruised along the way ... then in the middle of the dream my feet are washed just before the real horror of the nightmare unfolds.

I know 'feet' seem an odd thing to ponder, but at times my mind has a will of its own. Although, I am quite often surprised at some of the profound places my strange pondering ends up leading me. Where will this pondering of feet ... shoes ... go? I haven't a clue. I'm off to go for a run now; I'll let you know if I reach any profound conclusions along the way.

Peace & Love,
~M

Early morning ... It is nearly my magic hour of 3:00 a.m. I seldom can sleep before this time unless I take sleeping pills which I don't like to do. Well after my run, my fingers found a movie centering around the dance of Tango. Very apropos ... Feet dance when the spirit is so moved. Our feet carry us through life and if we are lucky ... fortunate ... enough we get to dance along the way, right? It also occured to me while watching this movie, that dance is perhaps something that can bridge cultural and regional lines or differences maybe? Dance is a language unto itself and a universal language at that? Throughout the ages, and around the globe, are there not countless instances of man engaged in dance? We all share perhaps the inate ability to be moved to motion ... to dance ... when the music moves us.

I have to smile. The universe moves in mysterious ways does it not? Tango anyone?

"Haaaa-Chooooo"

2012-01-12T01:38:00.001-05:00

Thinking today: that less really is more. Fighting another cold, but my immune system seems to win out rather quickly most of the time. I truly believe that attitude is more than half the battle (most of the time) when it comes to illness with respect to colds, viruses and the like. Got some good news today ... drum roll please ; ) ... Looks like we are in for some possible SNOW ...( the wonderful white, fluffy stuff )... this upcoming weekend in the Seattle area. The kids and me are excited!!! =)))))))))))))))))))))))))

I am too foggy to post any photos at the moment. Perhaps, I will revisit this post and 'accessorize' at a later date.

Some additional food for thought ... pondering. Someone was telling me about a phenomenon of heightened awareness that sometimes manifests in certain individuals as a result of long term sleep deprivation. So perhaps, I can thank my insomnia for my "awakening" experiences? Definitely something to ponder and explore further for more information.

Okay ... "Haaaa-Chooooo" ... Going to make some hot tea and sit by the fire for awhile. Hopefully, I will sleep some tonight? Sweet dreams to those of you who are so often and easily graced by Sleep.

1/12/2012 (Hmmm 11, 22, 012 ... patterns abound) ... I am back to "accessorize", as promised. Here is a photo that I took to christen ... welcome in ... the New Year. I love the clouds up here in the Pacific Northwest. There is always such a majestic painting in the sky, so full of life ... energy ... ever unfolding. And no two cloud skies seem ever to be the same.

"Happy New Year, 2012!"

Surreal, peaceful and quiet Sunday ...

2012-01-08T18:29:00.000-05:00

Everything that a Sunday should be : )

"Bring in the Clouds"

(All of My Photographs (enlarged canvas sizes) are available to license via my Flickr website: isas_fallingstar .

Hope to have an artist website set-up soon to sell individual prints and cards.)

This was the spectacular view from my balcony today.
Joyful Sunday to you and yours. Peace & Love,

~M

The Saddest of all Cages ...

2012-01-08T02:57:00.002-05:00

Today, I am thinking about 'cages' ... They come in all shapes and sizes cages. Some are physical cages, some are mental cages ... emotional cages, self-imposed and/or societal norm cages, but to me the saddest cages of all are perhaps the ones that the imprisoned cannot for themselves see: Narrow-minded, rigid ideologies and thought processes ... When most people think about cages, I suspect that physical cages are the ones that most readily come to mind. One's body can be imprisoned tis true, but to my way of thinking a heart and mind that strives to remain open, wild and FREE can never truly be caged.

"Young Girl in a Field", By Contemporary Artist Anita Tobkes

(please visit Anita's Site to view more of her wonderful work)

Early a.m. ... A friend of mine wrote a political poem in one of my poetry/ART groups earlier tonight and I am wondering now: Are political ideologies cages? Useful tools for politicians to manipulate voters and 'the people' at large? And sadly so many do not realize that they are perhaps being used to further an unspoken agenda that IS NOT class warfare. ... Information, NOT rhetoric, is so empowering and truly enlightening ... dare I say 'liberating.'

Lady In the Water ...

2012-01-07T03:15:00.001-05:00

"Lady in the Water" is a most magical and enchanting tale ... Awakening children, of all ages living in modern day cities and suburbia, to the possibility of other worlds existing within their very own backyards.

"Moving Water", By Gustav Klimt

(Image Courtesy of ArtMagick.com)

[ This painting is a famous work of ART. The woman, sea nymph, in the movie was not clothed either and the title

of this painting fits so nicely with the theme of the movie ... moving, movement, inspiration. The human form is beautiful.]

I Love this story. My daughters are all finally old enough to watch the movie version of this story, skillfully crafted by M. Knight Shyamalan. M. Night also wrote the children's book "Lady in the Water" ... originally a bedtime story for his own children ... which was the basis and inspiration for the movie "Lady in the Water".

I watched this movie tonight with my daughters and after tucking them into bed, I felt inspired to visit ArtMagick and create an art album for this magical tale: Album "Lady in the Water". Even if your children are too young for the movie (it can be a bit scary for smaller children): they will still thoroughly enjoy the children's book; I highly recommend it.

Watch the movie or share the book with a child and rekindle your imagination, awakening once again to a belief in a higher purpose for our being.

Purple Clouds ...

2012-01-05T03:19:00.000-05:00

(Unspoken. Sounds only the Light and the Darkness ever know.)

... And so the fierce wind blows ...

"Boreas", By John William Waterhouse

(Image Courtesy of ArtMagick.com)

Eye of the Storm

Jury Duty ...

2012-01-04T02:18:00.000-05:00

My call to the New Year was ushered in by a summons to jury duty ... which got me to thinking about the word "righteousness." Righteousness (the act of being righteous ... the act of being righteous is perhaps what bothers me and not so much the notion that something could be righteous?) is a word that I have never really liked or well understood, and sitting here today I am thinking that 'righteousness' is a BIG part of what's wrong with the world today ... what's wrong with America today ... and why so many people in the world today (especially our youth) are offended by religion in general ... why there seems to be a push back against religion in the name of "separation of church and state", in the form of so-called "secularism", this past decade especially.

I think often times religious people, people of faith, have a tendency to be perceived as self-righteous and that immediately puts many of those they encounter, in daily life, on the offensive ... even before a general dialogue begins to unfold. I know many religious texts speak of a 'Righteous' God, but to my way of thinking, Our Creator displays anything but righteousness ... even though He IS by definition righteous. My reading of the Bible shows me numerous instances of God as a loving, forgiving and merciful God. The very fact that God was willing to humble himself by taking on flesh in order to endure the human experience as Jesus, His Son, speaks to Our Creator's wisdom in His willingness to embrace humility ...

"Jesus Washing Peter's Feet at the Last Supper", By Ford Madox Brown

(Image Courtesy of ArtMagick.com)

I don't know: I don't have all of the answers sitting here before me at this very moment ... This is just where my thoughts happen to be wondering this day. I'll have to see where my pondering leads? Feel free to leave me your thoughts here, in a comment, if you would like. I welcome additional insights and other points of view.

I do think that all to often one of the most basic flaws of the 'human condition' is our tendency to jump to conclusions and to judge others from a perspective that is anything but Peace & Love.

Purple Clouds: Genesis

2012-01-01T22:26:00.003-05:00

Finally had a moment to review the photos that I took at the end of my "Purple Clouds" walk a few days back. The sun had begun to set and with its setting had begun to wash away the exquisite lavender color from the sky and clouds. Once I returned back home, I grabbed my camera and took a few quick snaps before the color completely faded to indigo. It wasn't a lot to work with, but I was able to salvage one shot. The first (below) is the 'original' and the second photo is an art render that I have since titled: "Genesis."

"Purple Clouds Brood with Ominous Foreboding" 12_30_2011

"Purple Clouds: Genesis"

What do think? These clouds definitely appeared to have a will all their own ... swirling madly about in the lavender-kissed sky ... almost as if they did indeed have messages to relay. A most unusual sky on a cold and fiercely wind-blown day ... hence my write from the other night, "Purple Clouds" poem.

Who knows? Maybe these clouds just portent that mystery and magic await? : ) And on that note: Venture forth with a bold heart to embrace your new year!

Peace & Much LOVE,
~M

P.S. Today is my artist birthday ... My ceremonial observation of my day of "awakening" and rebirth. A healthy way for me to find reasons to celebrate and embrace the new year with a happy heart. So Happy Birthday to me==Isabelle : )

... And a friend's poem today reminds me that children embrace neither 'wisdom' (or lack thereof) nor uncertainty. They live joyfully in the moment. Beauty and Truth embodied in purest simplicity.

"Moonlight Reflections" At Year's End ...

2011-12-31T23:58:00.000-05:00

"Moonlight Reflections" At Year's End

... I tend to get a little sentimental and mushy on this night of the year. I'm a mix of emotions, hopes and dreams ... reflecting on the past and hoping for the future, while not allowing myself to be too rigid in my plans for the upcoming year. "Never say never" ... one of my ruling mantras ... comes to mind and this requires a certain amount of versatility and flexibility. So with Hope, Peace & Love in my heart: I wish all of you, my beloved friends, family and ALL who pass this way, a truly Blessed Year ahead, in 2012. May you experience True Peace in your lives, May Love reign in your hearts and May the Abundant Blessings of a Loving Creator richly bless You and Yours. Happy, Happy New Year!! =) XOXO

Love,
Isa

Purple Clouds Brood with Ominous Portent ...

2011-12-30T21:05:00.000-05:00

"Purple Clouds"

An evil wind howls relentlessly
In closing hours of a year
Soon to be laid to rest,
Whilst swirls of purple clouds
Brood with ominous foreboding
In vehement protest.
A speck of insignificant dust,
I wander thus below ...
A lone winter clad, cold
And weary figure
In silent observation.
Foretelling footsteps,
Tossed wildly about
By the chill of a merciless wind.
My untamed imagination
Wonders ...
What pray these portents
Do thus our way, in the new year, send?

@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

Verycool clouds there were here this afternoon/evening. Sadly, I did not have any camera with me on my walk though, so I borrowed an image that came close (though the clouds here were a bit more brooding in nature). I wish I had had my camera (didnot even have a cell phone) with me on my walk, but the fierce wind made ithard to breath and think ... let alone take photos, I suppose. Perhaps, I wasjust meant to observe and listen maybe?

Interestingly enough ... I decided to google "Purple Cloud" once I returned home and my fingers had thawed ... "Cloud" singular, because there was one lone purple cloud that seemed to be following me ... and low and behold look what I found: "Purple Cloud", a fictional write ... story, book, first published in 1901 and republished by the author again in 1920. The work is a science fiction write, with a most intriguing story line. This may just be my next read?

P.S. 1/8/2012 Early morning hours ... It occurs to me upon reflecting this night that the last line of this poem should read "our" and not "my" as originally written.

1/16/2012 ... It snowed here this weekend. Got some great photos of clouds with barren tree branches laden in snow. This particular image seemed to lend itself to purple. So I have decided to update the photo here with one of my own. This photo goes much better with the imagery of "A lone winter clad, cold and weary figure."

Here is the original photo that I had posted, borrowed from another blogger: "Purple-Dreamy." I will post it here to help promote a fellow photographer : ) It is a great photo: fabulous clouds ... fabulous PURPLE!

Image Soure: http://purpledreamy.blogspot.com/2011/05/purple-clouds.html

A Christmas Rose ...

2011-12-28T23:24:00.003-05:00

A Christmas Rose just for you: May the Spirit of Christmas still be blossoming in your heart this day. ♥

Peace & Much LOVE,

[So much meaning embodied in a simple, single red rose? And not just "love" ... Mysteries forever unfolding. A new write seems to be brewing inside of me this night.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

~Juliet, Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)]

Illumination ...

2011-12-26T03:28:00.000-05:00

I created this painted image from a candlelight photograph that I took a few months back. I haven't posted it or shared it with a larger audience until now because I wasn't quite sure where it went? Sitting here today, in the early morning hours the day after Christmas: I think it belongs here. So here it is ...

(To Be Titled)

Haven't come up with a fitting title for this painting yet ... Sometimes words alone are just inadequate, aren't they?

1/2/2012 ... Then again, maybe sometimes you just have to wait until you are ready to hear the words?

FIRE

There are old truths that breathe to life in Fire.
Past secrets rekindled in the rebirth of flame.
For all truth lies within the scope of Light
And Fire is one of the oldest elemental rite.
Thus Fire saw man through emergence
From his deepest darkest night.

@Copyrighted Poem, 2012. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

.

Joyful All the Nations Together Sing ...

2011-12-24T04:14:00.000-05:00

"Then spoke Jesus again unto them,saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me [opens his heart to me] shall not walk in darkness, but shallhave the light of life." ~John 8:12

"Joyful All theNations Together Sing: Peace & Loveon Earth"

I am but asimple, humble King.

Yet, unto me gloriousverses

Do the HeraldAngels sing.

My wealth isnot silver,

Nor is it treasuredgold ...

In fact, itis nothing

Tangible thatone can hold.

My treasureis instead

A gift of 'knowing'

Our Creator'sTrue Peace

And UnconditionalLove.

On thisjoyful night,

As Angels togetherdo heralds sing,

A jubilantsymphony of harmony

In remembranceof me,

Their NewbornKing ...

Born onespecial night,

Long ago, ina tiny manger,

Under ablazing star,

In Bethlehem,
Prince of Peace & Light ...
Know that I am a legacyof Hope,

Gifted fromGod above,

To reachforth and fill this wanting Earth

With HisEternal Peace and Love ...

The Christmasstory is just a beginning;

For Jesus'slegacy of Hope lives on

In our worldto this day when we who hear

'TheChristmas Eve Chorus' ring

Open ourhearts to receive His Light anew.

Then we sogreatly blessed, in turn,

Venture forth, with joyful hearts,

And unto a weary world His gift impart.

Hand-in-hand& Heart-to-heart,

Our unitedLights will brightly shine:

A reflectionof the Supreme Presence Divine.

Thattogether, in our own simple way,

We may simply illuminate our shared world

By spreadingthe flame of God's Eternal Peace

AndUnconditional Love burning brightly in our hearts.

United in voice, Let all the Earthtogether REJOICE!

Peace onEarth and Goodwill to all Mankind.

(Early A.M. Christmas Eve Morn ... It's late and I have yet to sleep. These words may undergo some revision after some (hopeful) sleep. God Bless!)

A beautiful Christmas Song: "Wake Up the World", By JJ Heller

Merry Christmas one and ALL!! ... "Let all the Earth Rejoice," indeed!! Open your hearts and receive the Light of our Creator this Christmas Eve and Day. Then go forth and renew the face of a weary Earth with His Peace and Eternal Love. God's Blessings be with all who happen to pass this way. May you strive keep the 'Light of Christmas' alive in your hearts throughout the New Year, 2012.

Love,
~M

P.S. I have to share that so many of my non-Christian friends have been so thoughtful in asking about what Christmas is, what it means to me, personally, and then wishing me a heartfelt "Merry Christmas" in return. The sincerity, effort and LOVE of these friends is truly heartfelt. It makes me SMILE =) from ear-to-ear and from the heart ♥ ... It gives me the greatest HOPE for this world that we all share.

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing?

2011-12-21T02:55:00.000-05:00

Image Source

We saw some snow falling tonight, but alas it wasn't real snow. Still it was neat to see : ) This fake snow falling is likely the closest we will be getting to a "White Christmas" this year, in Seattle, as the forecast is for 40 deg. F and rain Christmas Eve, with a high of 45 deg. F on Christmas Day. Some winter magic might still happen ... After all, weather forecasters are seldom 100% accurate in their forecasting and they only need to be off by eight little degrees, right? I hear that my family and friends in Texas might be in for some snow down south. Lucky them!

Image Source

Seeing this fake snow fall tonight prompted me to look into what it would take to deck out your yard with fake snow. Here is a really cool website that I found: Zigmont Magic Effects Inc. So it would seem that we could have our "White Christmas" for a price. ; ) Ah well, fun to imagine and dream ... still I'm thinking that there "ain't nothing like the real thing." Hopefully, some snow will make its way up here before winter's end. I guess, we can always drive up into the mountains if we have to. In the meantime: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. How about you?

P.S. I remember when my oldest niece & nephew and my eldest daughter were very little (ages 2-5)... I bought cans of spray snow and bags of that cotton fill for making pillows. Then, I decorated our small back yard as if it had actually snowed. I hung paper snowflakes from trees, bushes and the swing-set. I made fake snowballs out of styrofoam balls and I let the kids assemble a small snowman out of larger styrofoam balls. They had a blast!! Afterwards, we went inside to have some hot peppermint cocoa to warm up and decorated Christmas cookies. Fun times, good memories and just goes to show what you can accomplish with a little creativity and imagination. I doubt that my children, now older and wiser, would go for the latter these days? But at least we still bake dozens of Christmas cookies and then stay up all night watching Christmas movies, drinking hot cocoa and decorating cookies. Enjoy your children; they grow up so quickly ♥

Getting Back to The True Meaning of Christmas

2011-12-19T01:55:00.000-05:00

Handmade gifts from the heart are the best aren't they? You feel the LOVE that went into making them ... You feel the LOVE when you make them. : )

The materialism at Christmas bothers me a bit,but it does promote the idea of giving which is not an entirely bad thing. I try to keep my kids focused on GIVING, with not so much emphasis on the receiving part ... that is to say that they should focus on thankfulnessfor all that they have and be grateful for the additional gifts that they are so fortunate as to receive. The latteris NOT an easy thing to do in today's materialistic world, but I think that this lousy economic climate that our country currently finds itself in is helping people to refocus on the important things this holiday and Christmas season.

For example, I see many people in ourneighborhood making the effort to put up lights and Christmas decorations, when in past years they just left them boxed in the garage and did not even make the effort. I'd say that we have probably tripled the number people decorating the outside of their homes in ourneighborhood this Christmas season. This Christmas decorating trend seems to be the case in neighborhoods throughout the area as well. It always makes me smile and feel the Christmas Spirit of 'cheer' as I walk or drive through an area all lit up and decorated for Christmas. I notice more people making donations to charities as well. My oldest went to a party the other night where a group of friends and families went through a neighborhood singing Christmas carols and collected food items for a local food bank. They collected six full garbage-sized bags of food donations in just one night of caroling. Isn't that wonderful?!

Every year, since my children were very little, I have had them write down on paper (or color a picture if they are little) somethingthat they will selflessly do to help make the world a better place. Then this becomes their gift to Jesus for his birthday. I find that this project really helps to redirect the focus of Christmas and even small children can understand the concept of giving a gift to Jesus for his birthday. When they were really little my children would color pictures of them giving lots of hugsto Mommy and Daddy. Then when they were just learning to write they offered things like "I promise to really tryhard to keep my room clean, without Mommy having to nag me." Now that they are a bit older, I will see if they can come up with three things ...one of them being something that they will give to total strangers. It will be interesting to see what they willcome up with.

Well, I do hope that you and yours are enjoying the celebrations that lead up to Christmas and the other holiday traditions(e.g., Hanukah, Kwanzaa ...). May Peace& Love reign in your hearts. Perhaps this Christmas and holiday season, you will stop to offer a stranger a smile or hand in friendship? Perhaps you won't be so quick to jump to conclusions and judge others. For you see, heartfelt gestures such as these keep the 'Christ' in Christmas ... promote the Peace on Earth and Good Will towards all men. If someone can "take Christmas away from you", then perhaps you never really had in your heart to begin with? God's Blessings to all who pass this way.

Love,
~M

Do You Believe in Reincarnation?

2011-12-17T23:20:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a dream that seemed so very real that it was if you had physically been transported to another time and space? A dream where the world is all in color ... vibrant colors ... and there is texture and smell to go with sights and sounds? I don't often have dreams like this, but I have had one such recurring dream lately -- over the course of the past few months. Dreams such as these make me think that they come from experiences in one of my past lives and I do wholeheartedly believe in reincarnation.

These are two paintings that come pretty close to elements within my multi-dimensional dream. My dream centers around a stolen pair of shoes. Is that odd? ... I recall that I could also feel a gentle breeze blowing across my face as I ran playfully amongst the trees, with the patches of the sun's warming rays breaking through the treetops from time to time. So I wonder, have you ever had a dream like the above, with textures and smells that accompany an array of vivid colored sights and sounds? ... "The stuff that dreams are made of" ...

Do you believe in reincarnation? I would venture most people never ever really take the time to think on the subject and as such have no opinion (or instinct) one way or another. Let's face it, re-incarnation is not mainstream or really a topic for 'normal' discussion. Most often, I believe that because reincarnation is based upon a set of personal beliefs and experiences it is often difficult to translate into meaningful explanations for individuals outside of the immediate experience ... dream or memories of recollection. Besides, most people walk through their lives half asleep. The notion of pondering reincarnation probably never occurs to most and when it does they are all to eager to dismiss it because it is a concept that is so foreign and frightening to them (i.e., pondering reincarnation requires addressing death and one's own "mortality") ... because as yet, there is no tangible 'proof' that reincarnation is possible and does occur with regular frequency. To my way of thinking, however, working within the narrow confines of our 'tangible', concrete daily reality is so very limiting when you consider the vastness of the ever expanding universe itself ... isn't it?

I always say: "Change your perspective: change your life." Right now, I am thinking ... "Change your perspective: enlighten your life." We have centuries of history dedicated to the pursuit of worship of a supreme divinity, a God ... A creator. We take His ... or Her ... existence completely on faith, do we not? As such, would it really be such a stretch to then also entertain the notion of reincarnation? If you accept an improvable belief in God, I wonder how we would assume that He only gives us ONE chance to get it right? We are, for the most part, a stubborn and narrow-minded lot, we humans. Therefore, I should think that it would take at least a few iterations before we would begin to dissociate from a self-based focus of our lives, our world and the universe at large. Once the focus shifts away from self then (and only then?) one can subsequently begin to tread the path of enlightenment on a journey back home to our Creator.

Well, these are my thoughts on reincarnation ... inspired by a recurring dream. I do sincerely appreciate other people's perspectives, however, and I accept that some of us are further along their journey home than others. So take this discussion ... pondering ... for what you will. Perhaps, I have given you something to think about? Perhaps the unfolding of this discussion within you will be a step along your own personal path of enlightenment? Whatever the case may be: Peace and Much LOVE to those who pass this way.

[Paintings above are courtesy of ArtMagick.com: 1) "At Fosset, Under the Fir Trees", By Fernand Khnopff; 2) "April Love", By Arthur Hughes.]

12/19/2011 Early A.M. ... In rereading this very post coupled with thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas, the 'Christ' in Christmas, non-Christian religions and atheists ... and having had many interesting discussions with quite a few atheists: I am left wondering if perhaps the subject of reincarnation might be a bridge to an understanding between all of the latter? It is a rather intriguing notion to me ... I'll see where my pondering of this leads?

Poetry 'Down Under' ....

2011-12-16T16:47:00.000-05:00

A footnote just for me. I had one of my poem's read on air today, in Australia of all places. One of my newer Facebook friends broadcasts as a host on a music & poetry show every Friday night. He asked me to send him something early this morning and then he read it on the air not 30 minutes later. It was kind of cool to hear one of my poems being read out loud, especially with a heavy Australian accent. Thus far, I have only written my poems and read them in my head to myself or posted them here, on my blog, and/or in poetry forums on Facebook.

Image Source

So today literally was the first day that I actually ever heard one of my poems being read out loud. It never occurred to me that I had not done this ever ... read my poems out loud? I usually write my poems and only read them back, in my head, with my inner voice. It wasn't until this past year that I even began sharing my poems with others and I have only ever done so in written form. Thus, it was almost a surreal moment for me when I heard my poem being read aloud on air, in Australia, this morning. It really makes me stop and think ... though, I doubt I would ever find the courage to record any of my poems in my own voice? But you never know. One step at a time right?

Yes, it wasn't really until this very year that I even began sharing my poetry with any audience, other than myself (Hey, I count ... don't I? ; ). I remember in high school, I used to write poems and tape them to the wall in my closet behind my clothes for safe keeping. My mother went into my closet one day and found a few. She stayed in there reading for quite some time. When I came home from school she said that she never knew that I wrote poetry and that my poems were "beautiful." I took the 'posted' poems down from the closet after that and hid them away with my other secret writes, and my words of poetry had been hidden ever since until this past year. Truth be told, I really did not write much in college at all. After college, I stopped writing all-together ... It wasn't until about 2 years ago that I started writing poetry once again. So perhaps, I am now 'awake' and emerging?

The universe works in mysterious ways, does it not?

Do Not 'Speak', Unless You Can Improve Upon the Silence?

2011-12-15T03:09:00.000-05:00

"Do not speak, unless you can improve upon the silence."

~Quote from the Movie, "Everafter"

"Moonlight Reflections"

"Be the waves that shape the world around you toward agreater end."
~Isabelle Black Smith

I posted this quote the other day along with a photographic sceneof exquisitely large pieces of driftwood in my post titled,"Synchronicity." I amwondering now, based on a series of events that unfolded during the course of myday: If you make no waves ... always'play' within the safety of the 'lines' ... then how can you possibly shape theworld around you? Hmmmm ... perhaps notall are meant to shape the world toward a greater end?

Another thought, drifting in and out of my consciousness,was a seed planted from a line in a movie that I watched the other day: "Do not speak, unless you can improveupon the silence" [The title ofthis piece]. Well, from here my thoughtswonder toward another saying from conventional wisdom (despite my best effortsto steer them otherwise): "Actionsspeak louder than words." ... Sothen, what about 'inaction'? Does itspeak ... or speak as loudly as 'action'? Based on my observations in watching people move through daily life, Iwould argue that inaction speaks perhaps the loudest. That's my position for the moment ... weshall see if it holds. I think there issome more pondering to do upon this subject.

And such are the motions, the late night ramblings of atired mind ... Do you see now why I cannot sleep (my haunting nightmares aside)? So many questions to be explored and yet answered...

"Procession of Souls", By Louis Welden Hawkins

(Image Courtesy of ArtMagick.com)

Here follows a poem that I wrote, as my thoughts unraveled, while pondering the above notions this night ....

"Do Not 'Speak', Unless You Can Improve Upon theSilence?"

Silent mist, veil of shaded fog ...

Down sullen path do they hither trod.

The lost souls, wander on pointless journey.

A weary, disheveled band, they wander

As they once did: cyclical marching,

Innermost feeling and emotions

Safely hid, tucked deeply down inside.

Parade of Lost souls marches samely,

In ordered fashion through motions

Of a recounted ordinary life.

Lost souls afraid to speak.

Lost souls forgotten how to seek?

Lost souls mild and meek ...

Lost souls afraid to be heard,

Ever fearful of the spoken word

Lest deemed they to be absurd.

Lost souls afraid to be seen?

Lost souls afraid to truly live.

Do they pray a second chance

To them give?

Bounded by feared perception

For having breeched set boundaries

Of an accepted worldly life,

Lest to be named

Inflictors of 'needless strife.'

To them the ordered march

Would thus suffice.

... But, ah to wonder,

Inflicting chaos upon the order,

To color and boldly outside the lines ...

Such a subtlety of knowing sublime;

Alas to Lost Souls lies,

For the moment hidden:

Until, perhaps in due time

It be bidden.

@CopyrightPoem, 2011. All RightsReserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

And in closing, I am reminded of a very wise saying ... "In order to understand the living: you got to know the dead."

The Frosted Moon ...

2011-12-13T03:56:00.007-05:00

Tried sleeping, but I couldn't. Got up and saw the moon through the skylight in my bedroom. The Enchanted Moon was blazing brightly and covered by wispy clouds. The whole scene looked wicked cool, so I grabbed my camera and tried taking some snaps through the glass of the skylight. Did not use a tripod and the glass distorted the image slightly ... was also a bit dirty. So I played around with the image and smudged the clouds a bit, etc. Not great but it looks kinda cool ... Not bad for 3:00 a.m., with no sleep? Oh well, it was fun to play : )

"Frosted Moon" ... taken through skylight

[Feel free to use this image : ) Would be nice if you would link back here and give me credit. Thanks!]

See what you miss if you just blindly sleep through the night? So there is perhaps an upside to bad dreams and "insomnia"?

Guess, I'll try to finish up my latest read now: "The Tempest". The introduction was about 60 pages, but some of the info does seem to be useful in understanding the play itself. Funny thing is the play is supposed to be Shakespeare's shortest work, so the play itself is dwarfed by the introduction in the book that I am reading.
So far this play reads much easier than some of Shakespeare's other works ... for me anyway. I am looking forward to seeing the new movie that was made, in 2010, based on Shakespeare's play, also titled "The Tempest," when I am done reading the actual play. The movie stars Helen Mirren and the trailers looked rather intriguing. Here's the movie trailer if you happen to be interested.

Movie Trailer for "The Tempest" on YouTube: http://youtu.be/DDyGl2uIQ-Q

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas ....

2011-12-12T13:46:00.006-05:00

Tis the season to be jolly ... or they say, right? So today, I'll not think deep and solemn soul-searching thoughts. I'll focus on the season and being "jolly" ... "Fa-la La-la-la-la" (Did I get that right? Remember, I don't sing. Not yet anyway.) Well, it is frosty out this morning. Everything is coated in thick layer of frost. Almost looks as if it had snowed outside overnight. So very pretty! It did snow briefly yesterday afternoon. I was driving home and suddenly is started sleeting. Within a minute, the mixture had turned to snow. It snowed for a few minutes and then became a really heavy, large drop-sized, deluge. It was kind of cool, but a bit odd? Then again, I am told to expect the unusual up here in these parts with all of the "convergence" zones ... something we did not have, or did not have many of, in my native Texas. Still all this frost and a teasing of snow yesterday is making me really want to have "White Christmas." Think that's my Christmas wish. That would be so very wonderful! Here's hoping : )

If I wasn't so tired I would post a snap of the frost covered beauty outdoors right now, but I don't have my camera handy and 2 days of 2.5 hrs. sleep don't add up to producing a worthy photograph anyhow. So in lieu of my own photograph: I'll re-post the image from my poem the other day. Perhaps, I'll update with a frost photograph at a later date?

Image Source

[Such an enchanting photograph ...Dream-like Winter Wonderland.]

So what kind of happy, quasi-happy thoughts can one have when deliriously sleep deprived? Hmmmm ... my mind wanders to coffee. I'm not supposed to have coffee, but today I am making an exception and having half of a cup. I have to drive a lot today and coffee helps with my alertness and responsiveness. I amaze myself with what I can do on little or no sleep. Makes me wonder how much more I would be able to accomplish if I ever could sleep like a normal person? Opps, getting off course for "jolly" thoughts, aren't I? ... So as I sit here on a short break, I am wondering (since I actually happen to be having a mug of coffee today):

Q: Is the way one takes their coffee telling perhaps of how they approach life, or more specifically how they approach (handle) difficulties presented in their life?

How do I take my coffee? Hot and Black ... no cream, no sugar or any of that other exotic stuff that you can put into coffee. Nope, no bells or whistles for me ... I like to keep it simple and get right to the heart of the matter maybe? Well, I will have to think some more on this question. What do you think? Does how you take your coffee say something interesting about you?????

Okay to close, I will post a poem that I wrote just for fun awhile back about my love for my favorite forbidden beverage: COFFEE. Have a wonderful day and don't forget: "Tis the season to be jolly." Peace & Love ...

"Ode to Coffee"

Enticing, awakening, mind-melding, pain deadening elixir of life.

Though to my poor stomach you bring only greatest of strife.

Dark, velvety, chocolate perfection, where rainbow swirls

Often dance delicately atop your lake in absence of accessories.

O sensuous seductor, how I long to bring you to my lips, but

Know full well one sip of you would swiftly bring me to my knees.

Heavenly, aromatic blend sing of mysterious and forbidden spices.

O exalted one, your song to me it endlessly entices.

Liquid temptation in a pot, for alas I know I can have you not.

Black, no sugar, no cream ... Can't I still dream?

@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

What do think: would the poet John Keats approve? ; )

Love Is ...

2011-12-09T03:30:00.005-05:00

Image Source

LOVE IS

Love is not a person,
A place ...
Love is not a thing.
Love is not a shiny ring.
Love is not a bitter sting.
Love lies in the act
Of Forgiveness
And in the fleeting moments
That make your heart want to sing.
Love is an everyday embracing
Way of Life ....
A way through all external strife.
It's found in surrounding those
Who are present, in the moment,
On your journey through this Life
With unconditional YOU.
Love is simple.
Love simply is ...
A gift bestowed unto us from up
Above, that we may go forth
And shower this world with His eternal LOVE.

@Copyrighted Poem (to be published), 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

12/10/2011 ... Well a friend of mine feels that my thinking here is naive ... that Love is so much more complicated. I think that perhaps my friend confuses Passion with Love. Passion, in my humble opinion, is an entirely different animal altogether and a decidedly more complex one at that. I think that this poem just expresses a need that I have these days to simplify and get back to basics. I think that this poem expresses Love in its purest form: that we are vessels for radiating God, Our Creator's Love out into the world. I mean, it's as if I've been full circle with Love ... born into the light, traveled through the darkness and now it seems ... after this long and rather tumultuous journey ... that I've arrived right back where I started from. As I said a few weeks back in my post on "Rain" ...

"... I am amazed at the circular nature of life, truth and personal experiences .... that often what we seek lies at the end of a circular journey and only when we round the last of the journey do we begin to see that light and dark, supreme hope and utter despair, love and hate, ecstasy of joy and the abysmal depths of sadness often go hand in hand. We must first experience the darker one in order to be resurrected to savor the other."

And going full circle ... seeing the full evolution of Love and arriving back at the beginning is very liberating. It bestows upon you an indescribable peace and that is a good place to be. So that's all that I was trying to express in this simple poem. Sometimes, simple is all you need right?

Never-ending Quest for the Missing Piece ...

2011-12-07T04:18:00.006-05:00

Do you ever feel as if an important message ... a missing piece or part of you yet to be unlocked ... is waiting for you buried within a book, a poem, a piece of ART ... a conversation with a stranger? And you have to find it: you're fueled by an inner burning desire to experience it, unlock it, before you can move forward in your life? And sometimes, when you are fortunate enough to make the connections to unlock a missing piece: you are utterly overwhelmed by a profound sense of oneness with the larger universe as a whole.

"Descent From Heaven"

I don't know how anyone can ever find the time to be bored?! There is just way too much to see, do and experience on our quest to unlock the mysteries of this journey we call life. ... I am deliriously tired now, I should try to unwind and sleep for at least a few hours. In the arms of my angel, perhaps I will find some peaceful sleep this night?

12/12/2011 ... While driving today it occurred to me that I'm always saying "Peace & Love" to everyone. To me, those are the things that make you happy ... help you survive in life. So I want to wish those blessings for others in their own lives as well. "Peace & Love" is just my shortened way of wishing the latter for others ... or so I thought? But there might just be a bit more to this saying of mine ... Starting with my fascination with photographing cemeteries in the spring of 2010 (which my family was thought was really odd and creepy) a friend of mine pointed out that a big part of me wanted to "rest in peace" ... not to die, but to find peace for a painful part ... parts ... of my life. Well photographing cemeteries is where I happened to come across this enchanting statue in the photograph above. There is something about this statue that just speaks to me ... I keep coming back to her again and again. And today, for some reason ... tired as I was ... it just clicked that what this statue means to me and what I was searching so desperately in my own life was "Peace in Love." It's not Peace and Love as separate entities ... it's that the way to find peace is through Love. All of these ideas finally began to come together when I wrote my poem (in the subsequent post), "Love Is". Well, I just needed to document this revelation for myself somewhere. Maybe it will make sense to those who read here ... maybe it won't? As I always say: the universe (God our Creator) works in mysterious ways.

In Sum ... "Peace & Love" <==> "Peace in Love" ... So now when I say this to you, you will understand and more fully comprehend my blessing and sincerest wish for you in your life, this day and all of the days to follow.

Sunset Photography ....

2011-12-04T04:53:00.017-05:00

Some amazing, truly breathtaking sunsets here, in the Pacific Northwest, these past few days. Heaven's sweetest kiss upon the Earth before she sleeps ... Well, even if "words" elude me these days, the images are still coming. When those begin to fade, I suppose that I shall heed the wisdom of the talented Ansel Adams:

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” ~Ansel Adams

"Sunset on My Garden" (low res.)

A friend of mine says that God's wisdom flows more clearly in the silence ... Such a beautiful notion.

Peace & Love,

12/6/2011 ... I am praying especially for the people of Syria right now. Praying is a good way to fill the silence. May God Bless them and bring an end to the brutality of the current ruling regime in Syria. And may the rest of the world find the courage to speak up and voice their condemnation of this regime for needlessly slaughtering so many of its civilian population.

A Must See Film Documentary for ALL Americans: A.S.A.P.!!!

2011-12-01T07:02:00.022-05:00

A Must See Film Documentary for ALL Americans: A.S.A.P. ... Preferably before the upcoming Republican Presidential Primary Elections and most certainly before the Presidential Election in November 2012.

[Note: As usual, this is written in the wee hours of the morning ... It's now almost 4:00 a.m. my time and I have yet to sleep. I will read over and proof this tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding and patience in the meantime, but I felt the need to put this information out as soon as possible. I just finished watching this film myself (via STARZ on Demand). I strongly urge you to: PLEASE, WATCH THIS FILM AND SPREAD THE WORD!!]

What is this must see film? It is a movie written, produced and directed by Charles Ferguson (Sony Pictures) and narrated by Matt Daemon, titled "Inside Job". This movie is a detailed analysis of the Economic Meltdown that hit in September 2008. It names names, names congressional bills, shows documents, interviews key figures and clearly explains the banking practices, corruption and lack of regulation that led to the financial meltdown of the U.S. Banking Industry in terms that average citizens can understand. The primary message of this movie seems to be to inform and it lets the viewer draw their own conclusions. Further, the movie is not an outright denunciation of a capitalistic system, in general, or of a particular political party which surprised me. The belief that "Inside Job" would be biased --like the Michael Moore movies-- is perhaps why I have waited until now to watch it? I believe this movie was initially released in March 2010.

"Inside Job" shows that those responsible for the financial collapse did not suffer the devastating financial losses themselves that were passed along to their unsuspecting shareholders and investment clients. In fact, in all most all instances these executives walked away from their jobs with substantial compensation packages that were funded by a $700 billion taxpayer bailout initially signed under President Bush. And to this day banks are using taxpayer bailout money to continue this corrupt practice of "compensation." Further few, if any, of these same executives have been subjected to criminal prosecution for their part in the financial crisis and corrupt banking practices that were allowed (encouraged) to occur on their watch with blatant disregard for their lesser shareholders and investment clients. This failing to prosecute the latter executives is an enormous shortcoming of the current Obama administration in my humble opinion.

So how and why are the corrupt "compensation" practices being allowed to continue even after the financial meltdown and bailout of these large banks with taxpayer monies? Well, the Obama administration that ran its previous election campaign on a platform of "Change" and an end to "corruption in the financial industry" has done little, if anything, to enact needed change in the form of substantial, and meaningful, regulations in the financial sector. The Obama administration has refused to address "compensation" for banking CEO's and top executives and, in point of fact, this administration has gone on to appoint many of these same former failed banking executives to government positions of influence within the current administration. The Obama administration has done the latter, even when the financial oversight advisors of several European nations vowed in a 2009 (need to check this year, might have been 2010) G20 summit resolution to bring an end to the corrupt system compensation bonuses for banks' executives and employees under their country's jurisdiction.

The Obama administration has also refused to address reform in the standards rating agencies which rate investment risks for consumers. Before the meltdown, these standards rating agencies (e.g., Standard and Poors, Fisk, and ____ ) fraudulently gave many of the risky CDO's being pushed by the big investment banks (and other investment groups) misleading AAA ratings. This AAA rating of CDO's in turn led average investment consumers to believe they were investing their savings into reasonably safe ventures. What really shocked me to learn is that there was (and still is) no regulation or safeguard in place to ensure that ratings handed down by these "rating agencies" are reasonably accurate and reliable!!?!! How crazy is that???

Perhaps one of the most shocking moves by the Obama administration in the aftermath of the financial meltdown was the reappointment of Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Bernanke was the man who was in a prime position to see the writing on the wall before the economic meltdown occurred ... the man who saw the warning signs* and simply looked the other way, when he had the power to act ahead of time a potentially avert the crisis or at the very least act to lessen its far reaching effects.

The "Inside Job" film goes on to address the ripple effect the failure of several of the largest U.S. financial institutions has had on average Americans and the global economic repercussions as well. Be warned, this is a LONG film (108 minutes), with a lot of facts. For the latter reason, this film may be best viewed in multiple sittings. If you feel the need to bail on the entire film (e.g., skip out in the middle) at least skip to the end and watch the last 15 minutes. Here you will see that the invasion of the "financial powers that be" is so pervasive that our academic institutions (e.g., Columbia, Harvard, and Stanford Schools of Business) have now even been "corrupted", with professors receiving large sums of money for "consulting fees" by many of the large banks responsible for the financial crisis in the first place. And it is these academics who are often called upon by our government to give advice on financial matters affecting the nation at large.

[*2004 FBI Begins Investigating several cases of fraud allegations against the large financial institutions pushing "crappy" CDO's and Commodities Swaps (insurance against failed CDO's); 2005 IMF Chief Economic Advisor, Rajan, Report outlining dangers of a potential economic meltdown of possible global proportions; 2007 investigative reports by Sloan, Editor in Chief for "Financial Times", and other leading economists warnings of impending danger of financial collapse.]

Well, I am still trying to process all of the information presented in this film myself, but let me say that this film is well documented and a REAL eye opener. It truly makes me see that this election is a chance for an informed American citizenry to elect a fearless president who is NOT a life-long Washington insider. Someone with a consistent political record on the important issues. Someone who is well informed, articulate and has the fortitude and courage to take on Wall Street in order to enact the much needed financial system reforms and consumer protection safeguards. Second to getting our "economic house" (i.e., financial system reform, jobs and growing the economy) in order seems to be the growing threat of a nuclear Middle East (first Pakistan and now Iran), as recent media coverage will verify. We will also need a president who is extremely knowledgeable in foreign policy matters, with a clear vision for dealing firmly the threat of a nuclear Iran. We need someone for president who IS proud to be an American and is not afraid to lead.

For more information on the "Inside Job" film, please visit: InsideJobFilm.com

These days, being an informed U.S. Citizen is a heck of a lot harder than it used to be in days past ... but the information is out there; it's up you to find it and process it. The future of our country and legacy that we will leave to our children and our childrens' children depends on us. Let's not let them down!

Movie Trailer: "Inside Job" on YouTube

The Gentle Art of Blessing ...

2011-11-28T18:47:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine, Garlan, from my ART group (on FB) posted this video today. It was so beautiful, moving and inspiring that I just had to share it here with you.

YouTube Video: "The Gentle Art of Blessing"

This is most certainly the philosophy that I try to live by in my own life. The message in this video ties in nicely with the notion of a "Noosphere" as well ... the notion that we all ... all things ... are intricately connected with one another. Kind of puts the little things (e.g., lousy economy, unemployment, materialism and greed) into perspective, does it not?

Peace, Love and Abundant Blessings to all who pass this way.

~M

12/2/2011 ... These days, I find the less I "need" ... the happier I am.

Synchronicity ...

2011-11-25T18:33:00.003-05:00

Synchronicity ... a fabulous word, is it not? I wonder does life run noticeably smoother when all your pieces flow synchronously in harmony? ... How easy it seems for life events, misplaced priorities, etc. to give a jolt to that harmonious flow, resulting in the asynchronous movements of your pieces ... So you just go with the new flow, though the ride may be a bit bumpier. And you keep hope that this asynchronous detour will be temporary ... that harmony will soon be restored. You can learn and grow from your detours, right?

"Driftwood Pause"

"Be the waves that shape the world around you towards a greater end." ~Isabelle Black Smith

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music."
~Angela Monet

A Day of Thankfulness ...

2011-11-24T01:05:00.002-05:00

This world can use a day dedicated to Thankfulness ...

Thanksgiving ...

A moment's pause from chaos that is this daily life.

Today, a day of rest from outward, worldly strife.

Come together with special people on our journey.

Joined hands, bowed heads, and open hearts unite.

Conscious of thankfulness for blessings in our lives.

My youngest informs me this evening ... "You know, Mommy, the first Thanksgiving was called the 'Harvest Feast' and they didn't eat turkey either; they ate eel, fish and venison." ... So I ask her if we should give up our turkey and have fish or eel instead. Her reply, "Uhhh, I don't think so!" ; )

Here's wishing you and yours a restful and truly blessed Thanksgiving. Peace & Much LOVE to all!

Love,

Is Time Meaningless?

2011-11-20T10:13:00.003-05:00

Someone in my writing group (ART group) wrote a poem titled "Lost in Time" in which he asks ... "Is time meaningless?" Well, that's just one line from the poem, but this line really struck a chord in me and set my mind to wondering. Then a friend wrote a very insightful and very eloquent reply to the effect that time is only relevant as a path for evolution of the soul. Suddenly the pieces of my pondering fell into place ... and I knew the answer to the question:

Q: Is time meaningless?"

A: Time is relevant and meaningful to the synchronicity of souls.

"Group Soul", Baron Arlid Rosenkrantz

(Image Courtesy of ArtMagick.com)

Now that I have my answer, perhaps I can sleep?

Channeling Autumn ...

2011-11-17T22:51:00.001-05:00

I was sick last week. I still am ... Think this is the flu and its after effects, but it's all a state of mind, right? Anyhow, I couldn't take feeling crappy and constrained any longer so I took my daughter and we snuck out to the beach to photograph what I had a feeling would be the last of Autumn. It was a gorgeous day ... good for the body (even a sick one), mind and soul to be outdoors. I took some amazing photographs that day ... I still haven't gotten through them all, but here is one of my favorites. It is my daughter skipping down the tunnel bridge straddling the railroad tracks ... EJ and me call this one "Channeling Autumn." It was a good escape ... Good to "play hookie" from life and responsibility from time to time, I think. Do you agree?

"Channeling Autumn" (low res.)

When was the last time you unleashed your inner child?

BE The Change you want to see in the world ...

2011-11-17T01:23:00.009-05:00

I am loving all this activity in political arena lately. It is a healthy distraction for me . 'They' say never talk religion and politics, but those are often the most interesting subjects. I think the key is to keep an open mind and be willing to listen to the points of view of others from an honest interest in becoming more enlightened ... broadening your mind and horizons so to speak. I often try to put myself into the place of others in an effort to see where they are coming from. And sometimes, let's face it: you just have to agree to disagree ... our differences are part of what makes this world so dynamic, varied and wonderful. You can disagree with someone and still strive to find a common ground of mutual respect for one another ... it takes a bit of effort, but it can be done.

Mutual respect seems to something that is sorely lacking as the "Occupy Wall Street" movement has evolved. When you loose sight of mutual respect all you are left with is a nebulous cloud of chaos and discord at best, and in a worse case scenario you are left with violence and destruction which serves no good end. Once you start down the road of violence and destruction, you move the objective beyond free speech into revolution and potential anarchy. I have to wonder if this where the "Occupy" movement truly wants to go and if so, to what end?

I suspect that those who are calling for violence and destruction on Wall Street today do not speak for the majority, but right now they seem to be the ones speaking the loudest. Unfortunately, horrible things have been done in the name of group dynamics ... "group think" ... You don't have to look back far into current events around the world or history at large to find them. So I urge you in the silent majority of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement to speak up ... be heard ... be the lone voice of reason if necessary. One voice of reason can make a difference ... sometimes, it just takes the courage of one man ... one woman, one child ... to speak up and lead instead of merely continuing to be led.

"Moonlight Reflection"

Well, today is still early morning ... late night. So let us pause in the silence of the tranquil night, reflect, regroup and act towards a greater end. Say NO to violence and destruction and help the "Occupy" movement regain some of its credibility and direction.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Mahatma Gandhi

You know, I have to wonder if perhaps a lot of what is driving the "Occupy Wall Street" movement stems from a lack of leadership at the presidential level. It's hard to keep your morale up when you can't find work, you've got mounting personal and national debt weighing on you, your future and your children's future look bleak, our nation is no longer respected in the world as we once were and our own commander in chief is treating us as if we, the American people, are to blame for the current state of affairs in our nation ... stating that "Americans have gotten soft" ... "American have gotten lazy." Now, more than ever, I think we need a strong leader with a clear vision for the future of America and an unwavering pride in our nation. Perhaps the Republican field of candidates would do well to adopt "Pride in America" as campaign strategy? It might just give them the edge that they need to surge ahead in the polls .... Just a thought.

12/7/2011 ... A friend of mine posted this in my ART group early this morning. I Think that it fits nicely with my last thoughts on pride in America ... Pride in anyone's homeland.

"Breathes There The Man"

By, Sir Walter Scott

Breathes there the man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on a foreign strand?
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.

CBS News Media Bias Revealed via internal e-mail ...

2011-11-15T06:29:00.011-05:00

My three daughters watched the last Republican Debate, on Foreign Policy, with me the other night. It was rather interesting to hear their comments as the various candidates spoke in turn. I was most impressed with my eldest's command of the issues and she's just 13. All three girls noted (all on their own) that Michelle Bachmann did not seem to be getting many questions at all. Then, I happened to come across this story that backs up what my children observed: "Michele Bachmann accuses CBS News of bias".

I think that the authors of the above story were being diplomatic in their titling of the piece. In my humble opinion, the evidence clearly shows bias on the part of CBS ...and by their own hand no less. Now the reason for this bias is another matter entirely. Was the bias merely due to the fact that Michelle Bachmann was a woman running in a field of men ... the old "glass ceiling"... or was the bias due to the fact that perhaps a segment of the liberal left sees Bachmann as a very real threat to the re-election of Obama? It is interesting to me how history does indeed repeat itself ... i.e., the 18th and 19th Ammendments to the constitution and now Obama becomes president before a woman does. Is it finally time for a competent woman to become President of the United States? I have to wonder, as do my daughters.

Image Source

I find Michelle Bachmann to be a very intelligent, articulate individual with a rather impressive command of the issues facing our nation. She is also one of the few candidates with business, government and foreign policy experience ... the "trifecta" so to speak. Bachmann's position on the Senate Intelligence committee gave her the ability to rattle off detailed facts, dates and names with an impressive command to which no one ... save Newt Gingrich perhaps ... even came close to matching. I have to wonder now if CBS's now documented (by their own hand, via internal email) intent to minimize questions to Bachmann was intended to keep her trailing in the polls by not allowing her to shine in an area where she surely excels and could have really wowed potential voters? ... Just goes to show that you can't sit back and rely on this biased media to give you the full picture: They have an agenda of their own and it isn't just to inform any longer as it once was in days long since gone by.

"C" Seems to be an empty field right now?

I believe this election primary for Republicans is about two things: 1) Finding a candidate who can beat Obama and 2) Electing the president who is best for the country and can get us OUT of this sinking ship that we are now in. The problem is, I'm not yet sure that there is candidate who meets both criteria. I think that there are two candidates who could fill the bill for criteria #2 (B), but I'm not certain that these candidates would not be able to pull off #1 (A). And I happen to think that the one candidate who is capable of beating Obama will not necessarily be the best president for the country. Thus far, I don't see any candidate falling into the overlap of (C).

I would venture to say that voters and the media have underestimated Michelle Bachmann. Let us hope, however, that voters do not make the mistake of underestimating Barack Obama and his powerful, extremely well funded PR machine. Four more years of Obama may not be what this country needs, but that doesn't mean that easily swayed, emotional and uninformed voters (wanting "more") can't make his re-election a reality.

... A side thought: My eldest thinks that perhaps Obama should put his $60++ million of funds raised for his relection campaign toward a better use by donating the money to the U.S. Treasury in an effort to pay help off the National Debt that has skyrocketed during his 3+ years in office.

Well, you can't say that we don't live in interesting times, can you?

Praying for a friend who is undergoing a life changing surgery today ...

2011-11-14T06:47:00.005-05:00

A dear friend of mine is undergoing surgery today for breast cancer today. She is such a strong and loving soul. So many depend on her and now she must depend on those that she loves. I can't even begin to fully imagine all that she must going through, but I have faith that she will find the peace and strength that she needs in God. We've never met in person, but I consider her and her husband dear friends nonetheless. I feel so helpless sometimes wanting to be able to do more for them, but I know that I can do one very important thing and that is to storm heaven with prayers and good intentions for them.

My Grandmother who passed away just a little over a year ago gave me her rosary a few years ago. She knew that of all of the grandchildren that I would be the one to carry on her tradition of prayer ... like her and her mother before her. This rosary, now my rosary, used to belong to my grandmother's mother (my great grandmother) before her. So we are now three generations in prayer and many petitions have been sent to heaven by way of these simple beads and imperfect hands. I do firmly believe in the power of prayer ... of sending my thoughts and energy, by way of the grace and power of a Creator unto another ... The power I know comes from God, not from the beads. The rosary beads are merely a tool I use to focus my mind and spirit more fully in prayer. I'd also like to think that perhaps my grandmother and my great-grandmother join me in prayer for the needs of others when I pray using their rosary and perhaps their sisters (also in heaven) join us in prayer as well.

I just finished saying my rosary for you, Beth. May God Bless you and hold you in His loving arms as you undergo this life-saving ... life-changing ... surgery. You and your husband will be in my ongoing thoughts and prayers for strength and peace. God Bless you both and ALL women, everywhere, who must take up this cross.

Love & Ongoing Prayers,

Michelle

11_17_2011 ... My photography friend posted this as his status update on Monday evening after the surgery. I wanted to check with him before sharing his words here with you. His wife, Beth, is such an incredible woman and an inspiration to others. I am so happy that she came through the surgery wonderfully and that she still has her beautiful strength of spirit and Love going strong.

Here's what my friend had to say ... "I swear to God the almighty, I am sitting here with tears of JOY. Beth is fine!!! Honestly I am crying and can barely type. I can't even begin to explain the feelings I am having now. I've been strong all day and been going on 4 hours sleep. I just got home from the hospital and as I was leaving, Beth was teaching... a student nurse how to do something. This woman is the most incredible person I have ever met. We want to thank God for everything He has given us and that includes all of you wonderful people. I have never in my life felt so much love from so many. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. We love you all. Peace, Love and may God bless you."

Will be keeping both you and Beth in my ongoing prayers, Rick. God Bless!!

12/2011 I have another dear friend on FB who also underwent surgery for breast cancer a few months back. Her positive outlook and energy are truly inspiring!! Sheila has also been in my ongoing thoughts and prayers and I have said rosaries for her as well. God Bless you, Sheila. Peace & Ongoing LOVE and Strength to you, my dear friend.

When Stars Collide ...

2011-11-13T05:14:00.006-05:00

Late night star gazing sets me to wonder ...

Image Source:"Collision of Love", By Fay Slimm

Flag of Poems ...

2011-11-11T13:00:00.003-05:00

God Bless our country's Veterans and their families this Veteran's Day 2011. The gift of service that you give our country is truly invaluable and we as a free nation are ever grateful for your service.

"Flag of Poems", By 5th Grade

My husband, who is a Veteran, and I had the privilege of attending a Veteran's Day Assembly at our daughter's school. Students presented "the Colors", led the assembly (narrated), sang songs, read essays and presented Veteran's from the community each with a red carnation after their individual introductions. Many students were proudly wearing their red, white & blue, while other students who were members of scouting troops proudly wore their uniforms. All students were actively participating in the assembly. Students who had Veteran family members in attendance were just beaming from ear to ear and all of the students were not only proud of our Veteran's, but you could just tell that they were proud to be Americans.

I have to say that this Veteran's Day Ceremony was truly moving for me. It brought tears to my eyes to see our children show such pride in our country. At a time when this country seems to be struggling so much it was refreshing to see young children so proud to be Americans and thankful for those who have served to defend our nation. There should be more opportunities ... like our school's Veteran's Day ceremony ... for our nation's children to express their patriotism. I have only the highest praise for the student's of xxxxxxxxxxx Elementary and their wonderul principal, teachers and staff. This school is definitely helping to raise the leaders of the next generation.

My daughter took the above photo of the "Flag of Poems" for me. This flag was assembled by the 5th grade classes who have just recently begun studying the Constituion of the United States of America. The students each wrote a poem about what 'freedom' means to them, then all the poems were assembled together to make this wonderful USA flag.

I hope that you and yours found some way to celebrate this special day and show your thanks and appreciation for those who serve our country. I also hope that our appreciation for our Veterans is ongoing in our daily thoughts, words and actions. God Bless the USA!!

Wounded Warriors Project

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day ...

2011-11-07T16:52:00.024-05:00

I got sunshine on a cloudy day ...

"Painted Daisy"

...Very helpful on a dark, dreary, drizzly Monday. At least the clock's hand went forward this weekend and not backwards, right? Gotta focus on the upside : ) Or as I always say, "Change your perspective: change your life." ~Me

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Shades of Blue ...

2011-11-05T05:30:00.014-04:00

Took some close-up photos of a beautiful bunch of vivid yellow Gerber Daisies that I received a few days back. These flowers were truly beautiful! They had long, long, thick stems and layers upon layers of detailed textured petals, with a fuzzy neon-green, velvety center. They reminded me of the sun shining in all of its splendor. The photos turned out okay, but yellow has always been my nemisis to photograph for some reason ... thus, I am already predisposed to NOT being thrilled with the outcome when it comes to photographing "yellow."

Still, I guess, the shots of this bunch of cheerful flowers turned out 'okay' ...That being said, the artist in me had to do more. So I did some painting on the original yellow flowers and this is what I came up with. I was in a really 'BLUE' mood today. You think that came through in my work? ; )

"Shades of BLUE ..." (low res.)

I've always believed that you listen to the music that suits your mood ... With that in mind, here's a classic song for 'blue' from the poetic Don McLean: http://pl.st/s/816439569. "The lovers cried and the poets dreamed, but not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken ... The day the music died." Love Don McLean ... rode with him in a limo once, back in college (long story) ... A truly gifted soul.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend : )

Peace & Love ♥

Nobody wins in the Blame Game ...

2011-11-02T02:31:00.028-04:00

"Bob Rumsfeld isn't concerned with solving our country's problems. Bob Rumsfeld is only capable of telling you what's wrong with this country and who's to blame for it." ~Movie "The American President"

Funny how movies often mirror real life? Well, it's been a long while since I spoke about politics here, but the time has come for me to speak once again. The blantent mainstream media liberal bias aside, I am happy that poliitical apathy in this country has finally managed to wrestle itself off the proverbial 'couch' and is presently attempting to exercise its muscle in the name of Free Speech and the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. I am, however, concerned with a lack of unified vision being displayed by this movement. I am also concerned that this movement bears many markers for having been unleashed (and presently fueled) to benefit the current administration's political end (i.e., re-election in 2012). After hours of television and other media coverage, I find myself asking: What SPECIFICALLY is it that the occupy protesters want, besides MORE?

Protesters at Idaho State Capitol

Image Source

That lemonade stand commercial comes to mind here ... You know the one where two brothers set up a lemonade stand on the far side of a neighborhood street ... Let's call them "Brother's Lemonde" (if you've seen the comercial ... skip on down to the end of this paragraph). The brothers don't put a lot of effort into making, marketing, maintaining or selling their product. Basically they squeeze sour lemons into questionable water, without sugar or ice. Then when customers come to their stand to buy a glass of lemonade, the brothers take their sweet time in serving them, choosing to complete their handheld video games before attending to customers. When the brothers finally take their feet off the lemonade table, lingering over the lemonade cups, to serve the waiting customers they overcharge for their sorry product. Needless to say, the well manicured, recipe-tested, iced lemonde stand on the near side of the street ... Let's call this stand "Mikey's Lemonde", the one that distributed carefully hand colored leaflets throughout town ... winds up doing a much better business. So at the end of the day, "Mikey's Lemonade" has a huge pile of cash sitting proudly upon his table. Mikey's money was earned through hard work, a well thought out and diligently pursued plan. While the "Brother's Lemonade" understandably has only a few measly bills and some loose change sitting upon their table. The brothers sit staring across the street at "Mikey's Lemonade" cash intake in bewildered wonderment and dismay. Not to fear though: Mikey's dad returns from a long days work and is quick to remedy 'the situation'. Dad congratulates Mikey on a job well done, then Dad takes the better half of the cash piled upon Mikey's table and gives it to the brothers on the far side of the street. The brothers are overjoyed ... they got their 'more' ... while Mikey is left bewildered. Hopefully, you see the blatent irony in this tale? Dare I say injustice? ... Not to mention a lousy model for doing business in any economy, especially a rapidly sinking one. In the United States of America, we are guaranteed a right to pursue "Life, Liberty and Happiness" ... The operative word being 'pursuit', meaning that we have to actively make a concerted effort to obtain the 'American Dream.' We should not expect to just hold out our hands and have government hand the dream directly to us.

America is swaying precariously in a rapidly sinking boat and nearly four years of "simply spending Big Government's 'MORE' " hasn't done anything to patch the holes in our boat. In fact, Big Government's spending has made a bad situation far worse, resulting in the USA's international credit rating being downgraded from its AAA rating (for the FIRST TIME EVER in the history of this country!!) to a AA rating. This new AA credit rating makes it harder for the USA to borrow additional money in the future. It also makes the interest that we pay on borrowed money ome at a higher rate (so it costs us/the USA more to borrow money). But the bad news doesn't end there: a further credit downgrade may lie in our country's future if we continue the radical spending trend of the current administration. Stop for a moment and take a concrete assessment of the facts: Four years of government spending hasn't created new and lasting jobs. It hasn't gotten our economy's stagnent wheels rolling once again. So when do we stop the madness and stop throwing good money after bad? Reality dictates that it is now time for government, and its citizens, to tighten their belts and stop asking for more! America needs to go on a serious fiscal diet and to do this we need a radical new plan.

With the above in mind, it seems to me that the "Occupy Wall Street" movement would do best to:

1) Refocus their efforts behind an organized, well defined banner with specific objectives, means and ends.

2) Clean up their act and put the "civil" back into "civil discourse." ( I mean, is having sex in public, urinating on businesses, vehicles, and public streets, anti-semetic slurs, and other violence really necessary and conduscive to the movement ?)

3) Question the sources from which funding and disent arise in order to ensure that the movement isn't being disguised and used to suit an ulterior political end (e.g., four more years of the Obama Administration's vision of "Change").

4) Realize that the wisdom of our Founding Father's still applies even in today's modern technological age: "United we stand, divided we fall." ~Patrick Henry

There is indeed an inherent strength and power in a united country, hence our country's name "United States of America."

The most coherent voice of the "Occupy Wall Street" movement seems to want the "Big Banks" to end the corruption that led to the government's having to bail out many of these same banks when the housing market collapsed late in 2008. Do these same protesters not realize that it was government's insistence that these banks loan money to unqualified buyers (beginning with the Clinton Administration) that ultimately led to the housing market's collapse, the subsequent ripple of spiraling negative economic effects, and the need for government to bail out the banks in the first place? Still, this part of the "occupy" movement at least has focus and a legitimate beef with Banks who have accepted government bailout money. The latter Banks should NOT be handing out large bonuses to executives and other employees until the government bailout funds have been repaid in full. And there are most certainly legal reforms that could (and probably should) be enacted in order to prevent some of the shady practices these banks have concocted in their market dealings that would protect the smaller investor from these market abuses (e.g., sub-prime derivatives?) in the future.

I say let's stop focusing on "who's to blame. " No one wins in that scenario. It doesn't have to be "them against us." Big, over-extended, mismanaged (e.g., Banking and Solyndra Energy related scandels) government is to blame and, thankfully, here in America we have a constitutionally ensured process known as "presidential and congressional elections" to address these wrongs. So let us, "We The People", work together to find and embrace our common ground. Let us work together to make the hard choices and sacrifices we need to make in order for our nation to rise to its former state of greatness, via fiscal responsibility, once again. Let us put an end to this maddening mantra of "We want more!" We've already borrowed against our children's and their children's futures: there's nothing left to borrow!?! There is nothing 'more' to give. We're over-extended and sinking fast. Now is the time to still the crowd's choatic brawl and listen instead to the quiet voice of reason. Be no longer led: Be instead informed. Act decisively, with united coherent voice, and demand a new, fiscally solvent plan. Find a presidential candidate that supports what you believe in and SUPPORT THEM with your waving signs and banners. Then cast an informed vote in November of 2012 towards a better end.

God Bless the USA!!

Best to you and yours,
M

(And once again, I find myself tired ... writing late at night. I'll revisit and revise after some sleep.)

P.S. 11/13/2011 A friend of mine posted this quote in one of my writing groups today. I think it applies nicely to the "occupy" movement. Wisdom from a very wise soul ... My friend writes this entry to Ghandi's quote:

"Occupy Yourself

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Mahatma Gandhi "

Ghostly Sunset ...

2011-10-31T04:06:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween ... Embrace your inner child. Pause and lighten your hearts for awhile. SMILE : ) Enjoy dressing up and trick-or-treating. Be safe. Peace & Much Love to ALL. ♥

"Ghostly Sunset" (low res.)

I took this photo on Saturday evening at twilight. It had been drizzling off and on all day. Then Out of nowhere the sky just magically came to life. I barely had enough time to grab my camera, point and shoot before God's breathtaking painting had vanished into a sullen blanket of deep indigo. Now a 'real' photographer might be upset that there wasn't time for setting up a tripod or to tweak with the camera for optimum settings ... Me, I think the ghosting effect in the tree branches (due to longer exposure time and the camera being hand-held vs. tripod) is wicked cool and tres apropos for Halloween. This capture is very mysterious and magical to my way of thinking, and you know me ... I just love it when conditions are ripe for the mysterious and magical to awaken from slumber. Happy Halloween, ya'll!

Puppy Dog Tails, Frogs & Snails ...

2011-10-28T07:01:00.048-04:00

That's what little boys are made of ... So we're told. What about little girls? Sugar, spice and everything nice? Hmmmm .... I wonder? Which always gets me into trouble. Anyhow, here is a late night, free-form, headache mixed with reminiscing about playing dress-up as a kid write. I had quite the active imagination. Still do ... Just ask my kids ; ) This was just for FUN: it may need some revising after sleep.
I'm working on a formal structured write for All Hallow's Eve, but things have been so crazy here lately it seems unlikely I will finish by Halloween. In the meantime, enjoy this one just for FUN : )

Image Source

"Dress Up"

Escape into a world of buttons, ribbons, chiffons, lace and bows.
Slip into characters of heralded imagination unlimited mind sows.
Enter a whole new world of possibilities, hope embracing dreams ...
To be master of a world where nothing is quite exactly as it seems.

Here sky is no longer a limit, as imagination unfurls infinite domains.
In imagination's world nothing need remain the same, boring or germane.
Daring put imagination to the test, boundaries lie at visioneer's behest.
Select some attire. Adventure begins! Off to North,South,East orWest?

Leather chaps, an old pair of riding boots, a tattered, worn cowboy hat.
A red bandana tied round the neck and a tin foil star that's where it's at.
A broom for horse sets the course for adventure in the Wild, Wild West.
Lassoing steer bed post with pink jumprope proves a challenging quest.

Throw off ratty old cowboy hat and dawn a pirate's filthy garb instead.
A patch over eye, a dagger in boot, red bandana tied about the head.
Sleeping bed becomes a pirate ship, bedsheets billowing, wind-filled sail.
Dreaded captain's holding at the helm, in search of treasures to prevail.

Compass made of batteried alarm clock steers through ocean's dread.
Follow map, "X" marks spot lying in a cave upon ocean's swirling bed.
Sun sets on treasured find:envisioning ways to spend loot'll blow yer mind!
Seems a more gentile adventure's calling: visit Antebellum South rewind?

Time to shop with pirate loot.Trying on ruffled fashions sure is a hoot!
Floral bonnet tops head, while ringed hoop skirt makes it hard to scoot.
Beaus with Belles, Rhett and Scarlett wonderfully waltz wall to wall.
Alas clock's stroke midnight finds Scarlett on her way to yet another call.

Shed satin slippers to zip some leather zippers becomes a clever spy.
Seems sheik of Tanzanir has 'misplaced' his city's sacred Golden Eye.
Pink jumprope helps scale foreboding walled fortress of evil rival sheik.
For deep within his palace lies the treasured object of mission's seek.

Metal baton becomes a deadly blade, aids in battle toward palace heart.
Left-right slashing, blades of guards clashing, leads path to treasured part.
Mission accomplished, places Golden Eye into Tanzanir Sheik's happy hand.
Super-spy needs no thanks, silently she's vanished like passing desert sand.

Next unwind with celebration on the town, dancing till all hours of night.
Pretty Modern Princess emerges wearing beaded, flowing chiffon-white.
But beware: this Modern Princess needs no saving or silly bejeweled tiara.
In fact, this princess is a downright handful, with vivid untamed imagination.
To have any chance of keeping up, you'd best buckle up and hold on tight!

@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

I just realized that today marks the birthday of another feisty lady: Lady Liberty. Today is the 125th birthday of the United State's Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty is a symbol of vision, lovingly cradling her fire of Hope for all her countrymen's dreams ... imaginings with intent. Happy Birthday, Lady Liberty!!

Image Source

Apparently web-cameras with amazing views of the Statue of Liberty have been enabled to allow never before seen view of and from the statue. I'll see if I can find the link and post it here for you. Okay, found it! Here's the link to the Statue of Liberty live streaming web cams. Enjoy!

Another photograph from my walk along a deserted beach at twilight ...

2011-10-26T02:20:00.003-04:00

"Emergence"

(Location: Puget Sound, WA USA)

"I delight in my imperfections, for without them there would be little point to this journey."

~Isabelle Black Smith

A walk along a deserted beach before twilight ...

2011-10-23T21:33:00.009-04:00

I don't think this is my poem ... While walking along a deserted beach at twilight this evening, with my camera, I came upon this lone figure fishing in the waters of the Sound, with slow, methodical, determined intention and these words just came to me. Perhaps, this is the fisherman's poem?

(Location: Puget Sound, WA USA)

"Alive"

I welcome it ...

If hurt permeates

Trickles deep,

Deep down inside.

I welcome it ...

Even while fearing

Its power to split

Me open wide.

I welcome it ...

The hurt,

The pain,

Processing

the feelings.

I welcome it ...

Even if the entire

Experience leaves Me

Once more reeling ...

I welcome it ...

Because at least

I know that

I am still alive.

Hardness has

Not settled here

And somehow

I will survive.

@Copyrighted Poem, 2011. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

All that is heard need not be spoken ....

.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Turkey affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. I have several photography friends who live and work in Turkey. I am anxiously awaiting to hear that they are all doing okay ... Ati, Tahsin, Bekir, and Fikret.

10/27/2011 I have heard back from my friends in Turkey and thankfully they are all doing okay. I am so thankful! I will continue to pray for healing and recovery for those who were not so fortunate.

My Favorite Paintings for Autumn

2011-10-20T19:34:00.014-04:00

I needed a distraction today, so I decided to browse through some wonderful art images on the ArtMagick.com website. In keeping with the theme of Autumn (from my previous posts), here are some of my favorite Pre-Raphaelite paintings for Autumn. I enjoyed listening to various selections from Bach, performed by Lara St. John, while assembling this album. Hope you will enjoy as well. There is a poem that accompanies this ART album ... though this poem has not shown itself to be worthy of harvesting as yet. Perhaps, I will post it here at a later date?

"Autumn", By John Atkinson Grimshaw

Click Here to Link to My Art Album: "Autumnal Dance"

Song: Bach, Concerto No. 2 Allegro Assai, Performed By: Lara St. John*

Assembling this album while listening to classical music makes me miss opera. I have not been to an opera for quite some time now. "Carmen" is now playing. I have not seen this opera. Perhaps, I'll summon my fairy godmother and she will allow me to attend?

Now onto more solomn thoughts ... Of course, I am well aware of events transpiring in Lybia this day (with the rebel forces finally cornering and brutally ending the life of their country's former dictator), but today is not a day to dwell long on solemn things for me ... as I have my own personal issues to contend ... Perhaps tomorrow I will process these world changing events with greater contemplation. In the meantime, God Bless all the peoples of Lybia. May the people of Lybia come to embrace and implement true democratic ideals as they work to reshape their country and government.

*[I will not be enabling the music link for the Bach piece mentioned above. I would love to share some of my favorite music here on my blog, but the music industry is just making harder and harder to do so "legally." So, I give up! It's not worth my time and effort to try anymore. I've shut down my mp3 storage site. If someone else knows something I don't about sharing music, please enlighten me. You would think that sharing music would generate a broader audience for artists and boost sales? But I guess some people abuse shared music and find ways to copy and download the music for free. Even if most people don't copy and download music illegally, the music industry seems to have vice grip on all music. Even if I own a legally purchased CD or album and I rip a copy of a song for use in mp3 format it may not be legal since I am "altering the format of the music" (e.g., I did not purchase the song in the original mp3 or other digital format). And it seems as if you have to live in a foreign country in order to illustrate and create a video using a song on youtube.com. So sad ...]

1/27/2012 ... Very strange. I have been thinking about opera these last few days and one night --when I did perchance to actually sleep and dream-- I even dreamt about attending an actual opera. Well the next day the opera fund raising committee just happens to call. How strange is that? Is this the next form of mass advertising: psychic messaging? ; )

The Film Industry's Dirty Little Secret?

2011-10-19T03:43:00.013-04:00

I have been watching a lot of foreign films lately ... French films that is. I am watching these films in an effort to improve my French which has gotten a bit rusty these days. A few days ago, I stumbled upon a French Romance-Thriller titled "Anthony Zimmer", released back in 2005. The mystery-spy thriller is one of my favorite genres, so I uploaded the movie and begin watching. The descprition for this movie wasn't very extensive, so I really didn't know what to expect ... but as the movie began to unfold the storyline looked very familiar to me.

About 20 minutes into the "Anthony Zimmer" movie, I figured out that this movie was basically the same storyline as the recently released blockbuster movie staring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, "The Tourist." I couldn't believe it? ! Granted there were a few variations, but basically the story was the same. Actually, I think I found the storyline and characters in the French film to be a bit more believable and exciting. The setting was different too: The French film is set on the French Riviera, in Nice ... "The Tourist" (American version) was set in Venice. Instead of a boat chase along the canals in Venice there are some amazing car chase scenes in the French film.

<==>

These two movies being essentially the same got me to wondering just how many other blockbuster American films had been so blatantly base-lined off of French and other foreign films? Well, I'll be sure and let you know if I come across any other copycat films.

I have to say, the French do make some pretty impressive films. Another recent favorite of mine (also a "chick flick") was "The Princess of Montpelier." The costumes, setting, and cinematography in this film were beautiful. The acting was decent and I could really relate to the free-spiritedness, yet intelligentence tempered with level-headedness of the main character (the princess), Marie. And yes, I had silly tears in my eyes while watching this one ... but don't tell anyone ; ). So if you're if you're in the mood for a good foreign film, you might want to check out the latter two titles. Let me know if you have other foreign film suggestions; I'd really appreciate the input. Let me know if you stumbled across any other copycat films as well. Happy film watching ... next best thing to escaping into a good book. Enjoy!

10/20/2010 Found another pairing ... "La Femme Nakita" (French) and "No Way Out" (American). There are bound to be more .... you think?

11/15/2011 ... Okay, to be fair ... I noticed while inadvertantly catching the end of the movie "The Tourist" on television late last night that the movie did credit the original move "Anthony Zimmer" with being the baseline for the movie "The Tourist" ... But this honorable mention was burried on like the very last page of credits, after the song credits and listed in very tiny print. Still, they owned the source ... so that is something.

12/20/2011 ... Just watched another action-thriller, newly out in theaters (but also available on demand for a small fee): "The Heir Apparent" . I don't even have to write a review because another individual, Matthew Stechel, sums up this movie rather nicely in his review:

"The Heir Apparent won't be the most memorable film you've ever seen...but it was a well done enough action film of the "old school" french variety that will play very nicely on TV in years to come. Sleek enough to hold your attention and telling a story that doesn't insult your intelligence but won't really tax it either--the movie works well enough while its going, but once its over you'll either have trouble believing what you just saw, or you won't really care what you just saw--you'll just wanna see another movie asap.

Requiring a daring man of action to save the day but really just a continuing series of action sequences barely held together by a continuing storyline (ironically not unlike district b-13 which while an awesome movie is much much more of an example of "new school" french action film that's more in vogue right now.) The Heir Apparent is supposed to be more of an old school french action movie--like this could've easily been made with jean paul bellmondo in the 70's.

Largo Winch is the adopted heir to the CEO and founder of this gianormous company--when the ceo is found dead--its up the adopted heir to find out why, who, when, and if possible save the rest of the company. (Largo is a guy who loves breaking out of places--you see him as a kid running out the window of his bedroom--he hates being cooped up in one place...naturally a break out of jail sequence is included here, but with the nice twist that largo really really doesn't want anyone to help him with it....he's also apparently fiercely independent which just makes you wonder why he's doing what he's doing but no matter.) Anyways the bulk of the plot is basically Largo being recruited by the board of the company to do whatever he can to keep the company from being swallowed up by its main competitor. (this requires basically getting the majority of stock in the company back from the guy who owns the competitive company, but of course there's so much more to that then just going up to the guy and making him hand over the shares of stock) That's really all you need to know---anything else is stuff that comes up throughout the story that you just kinda roll your shoulders and go with--otherwise you'll have too many questions and to question what's happening here is besides the point.

Some of the action scenes are pretty cool...and the lead actor has an appealing what me worry? attitude that matches the tone of the movie perfectly. The reversals and double reversals that happen throughout the movie don't really add anything besides obstacles for the main character to hurdle over--but hurdle them he does, and well. Kirsten Scott Thomas appears but adds nothing except maybe a sense that something significant is supposed to be happening here, but its pretty clear its not. Ummmm the movie was entertaining enough--like it was fun to watch, but after an hour or so it gets kind of dull, like you start to wonder what the point is, why is Largo Winch so perfectly willing to be used by his father's board members when he himself has no interest in running the company at all anyways---there are flashbacks of him talking to his father that are meant to give depth to largo's character but only serve to remind us that we could be watching a much better movie if Largo could just somehow get out from his father's company's shenanigans. Anyways--it was an OK movie--but there were hints that it could've been something more. As it is its not bad, its actually pretty fun to watch but i'll prob forget i saw it in a day or two." (please see IMDb link above for more info)

Apparently there is also a sequel to this movie titled: "The Burma Conspiracy." So if you like the film "The Heir Apparent", then know that another follows.

It was kind of neat to flip through the list of movies that some of the other actors have done. For instance, I knew that recognized the character "Naomi" ... She was the Princess of Montpelier (in the movie by the same name) that I had mentioned in my original post. The list of movies also gives me other ideas for additional French/foreign films that I may want to watch in the future.

Autumn: Love this time of year!

2011-10-18T20:05:00.056-04:00

Autumn is my favorite time of year ... my favorite of the four seasons. I love the crisp cool air, the brisk breeze that softly rustles through the changing leaves and spirals a few choice pickings down onto the eagerly awaiting ground, weaving a glorious blanket of color that when raked together is just heavenly to jump into. You're never too old for leaf jumping, right? I love the dazzling display of vibrant, earthy colors, the fact that pumpkins become ripe enough to harvest and enjoy: from carving to baking goodies, making soups and toasting seeds with loads of salt ... YUM!! I love the smell of fireplaces burning seasoned wood ... the way that smokey seasoned smell winds its way into the crisp clean air. I love hayrides, bonfires, roasting marshmallows, sipping hot apple cider and warm buttered rum ... And, of course, there is my favorite holiday: HALLOWEEN!! I love any legitimate excuse to act like a kid again. = )

"Autumn walk at twighlight"

What a glorious time of year! I hope that you and yours are enjoying your Autumn thus far as well. We've already put the Halloween decorations up. Our front porch and yard are bursting at the seams with Fall & Halloween decorations. The cooler weather has set in this past week and our leaves have begun to change colors. It's so beautiful up here right now: I just LOVE IT!! I hope to find some time and energy to get outdoors to capture some of this year's fabulous Fall foliage on film soon.

"Three Scary Jack-o-Lanterns Be We!"

(Pumpkins carved by my three children last year.)

I just received a letter and wonderful package of Halloween goodies from a talented photography friend now living in Arizona. (Thank you, Jana! You are so sweet and thoughtful : ) Jana sounds as if she is missing the wonderful display of Autumn that the Northwest puts on this time of year. I do recall that the desert doesn't change much during the Fall season. So with this in mind, I am posting few of my favorite Autumnal photos from last year: These are for you, Jana. = ) Peace & Much Love coming your way from the Pacific Northwest. ♥

[11_25_11 photo deleted. To view goto my Flickr site via link on main page. Thanks!]

"Autumn Breeze"

[11_25_11 photo deleted. To view goto my Flickr site via link on main page. Thanks!]

"Indian Dance"

Lastly, here is a link to some of my favorite tunes for the season ...

Zombie Cheerleader's Halloween Playlist

P.S. My Autumal photos displayed above, along with other photos, will soon be for sale on my artist's website (TBA). And if you happen to have a spare moment, please check out Jana's wonderful photography at her website at: Jana's Mystic Light Photography. There you will find an impressive array of greeting cards, calendars and other quality stationery items.

And if you happen to have a good recipe for pumpkim soup, please leave me a comment. I have yet to find a recipe that I like. I love pumpkin soup!! Thanks in advance for your help : )

"Can a Man Learn How to Be Romantic?"

2011-10-14T17:42:00.013-04:00

So someone asks ...

Image Source

Hmmmm ... Not sure I want to be the one to answer this one. So I will defer to the "experts" on this particular question. You see, it just so happens I received a link to this slide show in my inbox yesterday: "19 Secrets Women Wished You Knew." Even though the intro says for "men only", I read through it and this set of tips actually has some really great and insightful advice. So if you happen to be a guy who feels lost in your dealings with women maybe this slide show will give you some much needed direction?

"19 Secrets Women Wished You Knew." (source WebMD).

Keep hope and take heart in the fact that half of the time we women don't honestly even know what it is that we want ; ) And let me close with this thought: Flowers are NOT superfluous! There is nothing quite like a sweet smelling bouquet of beautiful flowers to melt your lady's heart. You don't even have to spend a small fortune. For example, some of the grocery store bouquets are not half bad if you take your time in looking through them. I happen to love wild flowers as well ... knowing that someone took the time to walk through a field and pick flowers just for me is one of the best gifts of all : ) Don't be afraid to ask for help in selecting your bouquet if you have any doubts. Add a bottle of nice wine and you're well on your way to a romantic evening already. ♥

P.S. Click on the "Image Source" for the above photo to be taken to another blog where you'll find a rather engaging read on creating the perfect "evening for two." [ Please excuse my many typos and unusual word choices??? ... I have been sick these last few days with fever and as a result my words are all mixed up and I'm not thinking too clearly. A fever for me is like having a few glasses of wine. Think I've fixed most of the typos now and the link under the photo is working once again. Just trying to be of some help as a new weekend unfolds and help out a friend. Peace & LOVE : )]

Color your WORLD ...

2011-10-12T20:53:00.007-04:00

Drizzly afternoon with nowhere we have to be, so kids and me decided to change things up. We pulled out some old paint pens ... most of which had begun to dry up ... and each decorated an old piece of clothing. I chose a pair of well, well worn blue jeans. These pants are so faded and worn they are almost white. Good use for something you would otherwise likely throw away and we had fun. Word of advice: make sure you have a well ventilated area to work in as the paint fumes get heady. Maybe that's why we were giggling so much? Maybe that explains my strange patterns ... I don't know? I was going for a flames and falling star motif.

VIP Note: there is a toxic warning on these if ingested, so this may not be so great of a project

to do with small children. There may be non-toxic pen choices out there?

Well, this is as far as I got on mine before the paint ran out. We will have to make a trip to the store to restock on paint pens so I can finish. FUN to create and paint = ) Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that I am doing fine ... slowing down and reconnecting with the more important things in life these days.

The kids have named these "Mom's Circus Pants" ...

Wonder if they will be seen in public with me if I wear them???
Maybe, I'll finish painting these and be a Hippy/Flower Child for Halloween. : )

Here is the t-shirt my middle daughter made ...

A great RAINY DAY project! = )

Spend some time with your kids: they help put perspective back into your life.

Later P.M. ... Discussion at dinner. The girl's have now moved beyond these being mom's "circus pants" ... should I tell you what they dared to write down the back of the right leg? ; ) Well the flames on the back are big clue. Too funny ...

Farewell Mr. Jobs ... Your light will continue to shine and inspire for generations to come

2011-10-05T19:52:00.016-04:00

Today the world has lost a visionary genius ... an innovator and technology pioneer ... a great man who has truly made a difference in this world. Farewell, Mr. Jobs, Your light will continue to shine and inspire for generations to come.

Steve Jobs, 1955 - Oct. 5, 2011

Image Source

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently ... they're not fond of rules.... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things ... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do." ~Steve Jobs

Apple's official statement and info link for emailing condolences, memories and thoughts: http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/

"Remembering Steve Jobs Across the web"... via WIRED magazine

Timeline of Steve Jobs in Pictures

The Noosphere ... (pronounced "no" + "spehere")

2011-10-02T18:49:00.004-04:00

I've been pondering the notion of "belonging" this past week or so ... what it means to "belong" and where do I "belong" ... true belonging vs. socially accepted norms and definitions for belonging. ... And I'm always looking for patterns, connections and associations in every aspect of my life, almost on a subconscious level ... it's just an integral part of who I am, so it should be no surprise that I stumbled upon this link to a youtube video about the "noosphere" ... a concept that until today was totally foreign to me, but it fits rather nicely with my ponderings of late. As I always say, "I am an empty vessel waited to be filled" and thus it follows that I am always searching, listening, exploring and pondering the world around me. I love it when I make a connection such as this. Well watch for yourself and see what you think ... and thank you to whoever it was who entered "Richard Doyle" as a search topic on my blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFY5KIkzSmA&noredirect=1

This video also makes me feel better about the internal struggle that I often have going on between the artistic right-side of my brain battling with the logical, analytical left-side of my brain ... the artist vs. the engineer. Maybe my struggles give me a better ... a unique ... perspective on the world?

Texas A&M Defects to SEC for 2012 Football Season?

2011-09-30T16:20:00.005-04:00

Why talk politics when you can talk football? Well, college football anyway ... Just heard that the "Big 12", which only has 10 teams this year (but they are not the "Big 10" ... that is another conference, which happens to have 12 teams this year?) will loose yet another team at the end of the season. You see, it seems that Texas A&M is defecting to the SEC at the end of this football season, and the SEC voted to let them in?

I'm sorry, being a U of Texas graduate and having worked with a rather arrogant individual from Texas A&M: I AM NOT a Texas A&M fan!! Quite frankly, I think the SEC is going chew Texas A&M to pieces. And while I will be all too happy to see this chewing on Texas A&M, I feel for the "Big 12" conference and U of Texas in particular. I mean, the UT and A&M rivalry is a fundamental part of the university cultural fabric in Texas. Now after decades of mostly good-natured and spirited rivalry ... this university rivalry will just be gone? Something is just not right about that!?! Granted UT and U of Oklahoma still have their rivalry, but somehow that's just not the same. Know what I mean?

I have sneaky suspicion that Texas A&M is going to come crawling back to the "Big 12" with their tail between their legs ... that's my prediction anyhow, psychic that I am (I could be wrong ;) And of course, I shall immensely enjoy seeing Ken's team (my adopted team), the U of Florida "Gators", "whoop up on" Texas A&M. I may just have to throw a BIG party for that game.

My Next Book Purchase ...

2011-09-28T11:30:00.019-04:00

You're never too old for Dr. Seuss, right? ... Well, I just heard on the news that they are releasing a new Dr. Seuss book. Apparently this will be a collection of previously published stories in magazines and other literary publications. The new book will be titled, "The Bippolo Seed & Other Lost Stories." It will be published by Random House and will also be available for iPad (hopefully for iPod too ... if images are included).

(Image via wired.com)

Here are summaries of the seven stories from Oceanhouse Media’s press release (via wired.com)

The Bippolo Seed, a mischievous, greedy cat leads an innocent duck astray;
The Bear, the Rabbit, and the Zinniga-Zanniga, a single eyelash saves a rabbit from an insecure bear;
Gustav the Goldfish, a boy overfeeds his pet fish, causing it to outgrow its surroundings;
Tadd and Todd, identical twins in search of their individuality;
Steak for Supper, Seussian creatures follow a boy home hoping for a steak dinner;
The Strange Shirt Spot, a boy who can’t seem to get dirt off of his shirt and everything else around him; and
The Great Henry McBride, a day-dreaming boy fantasizes about his career choices.

I just love Dr. Seuss! ... He was the inspiration for each of my children to learn how to read. I remember lying on the floor with my oldest when she was just 2 months old reading "Green Eggs & Ham" to her. That book would stop her crying when nothing else would. I read it to her so often that I could recite the entire book from memory ... very useful for crying baby on the go ; )

Dr. Seuss took me and my daughters on such magical adventures from rainy days, with "The Cat in the Hat", to far away foreign lands, with "Oh the Places You'll Go" (my personal favorite). I loved the short story "What Was I Scared of?" too ... And reading and watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (narrated by Boris Karloff) became a family tradition in our household. I can't wait to pick up a copy of this newest Dr. Seuss treasure! Happy reading ya'll: Share the joy of reading with a child = )

.

Night Vision ...

2011-09-24T01:49:00.013-04:00

"Night Vision"

One of the search tags for my blog today was "scary psychedelic black and white pattern." Well, I don't know if this fits the bill or not, but it made me think of this photo I had just finished processing. So here it is ... maybe this helps? This image is finished in IR.

I posted another really cool photograph that was shot in near IR on my Flickr site. In the latter photo, I darkend the sky, added some clouds and a moon to give a nighttime silvery reflection in a pond. It turned out pretty cool, I think. There is a link to my photo site under the links section of my blog. I also have some foggy photo captures there too (another search tag this day), but I am still perfecting shooting in fog. I'm not really happy with what I've done thus far. Someone suggested shooting with a polarizer? I haven't tried that yet, we don't get much fog over the summer months. Hopefully, some wonderful foggy weather will be on its way here for the month of October.

I want to shoot in a cemetery with fog ... think that would be tres cool. And I did finally find someone to go into a cemetery with me at night for some far IR photography. Just need to locate the costly IR film now and make sure the Cannon 35mm I have is in working order. I'm excited!

A Poem Written By MY Youngest ...

2011-09-22T11:32:00.003-04:00

A poem written by my youngest. Erynn is just 10 years of age, biologically speaking. Spiritually speaking she is an old soul. I learn so much from her on a daily basis. She is very wise, yet generally abundantly joyful. Sometimes, I have to wonder where her insights come from? I think we are going to enter this one into a poetry competition for a national magazine for her.

Image Source

"I Sit ..."

I sit on the day where my solomn parents once played.

I sit where nothing made sense.

Knowing I am no match for what I have to face.

The days keep coming by.

I sit where my life was broken.

Please take a moment to visit the photographer's site for the above photo. Dorothea Lange is so very talented. Her work is stunning and thought provoking.

There is a light within that will not be extinguished ...

2011-09-21T03:01:00.004-04:00

We are none of us ever completely forsaken, I think ...

Light filtering through a water glass on the counter ...

Not bad for a cell phone shot, eh? I did nothing to stage this ... just set my glass on the bathroom countertop and this is what I happened to see. Light seems to do strange things around me?

What struck me as odd about this lighting effect is that the glass was just a plain, smooth water goblet. It had no seams, etching or intricate glass cuts. And it was only 1/3 of the way full with room temperature water ... no ice. Thus, the source of three almost angel-looking patterns of light was/is a bit baffling to me? Oh well, you know me: I love the mysterious and unexplained.

...

Have since done some post processing on this image in order to unlock the ART within.

"Visions"

Hasta la vista Facebook ...

2011-09-21T01:44:00.012-04:00

Image Source

Sigh ... Facebook is giving me grief now?! Connecting on Facebook is just getting to be toooooooooooo much. They are implementing all sorts of changes these past few days. Don't get me wrong ... change can be good in small doses, but they are changing too much at one time in my opinion. It's overwhelming, disconcerting and confusing!!

The final straw for me is the Friends "Sneak Peak" Preview Window. In this window you can view ticks of all of your friends current whereabouts, posts, comments, likes, etc. ... all in real-time. You can see where every body is, what they are saying and doing: voyerism made easy. Think one friend hit the nail right on the head when she said this is "stalker enabling." You know me low-key, mysterious, private ... lurk in the shadows. Yeah, this is not going to fly for me. These changes are just too much for me to deal with right now. I need less stress ... NOT more?! I think it is time to deactivate my account and let Facebook flesh it out with the people. I'm going to take few weeks off ... a "sabbatical" of sorts. Maybe I'll reactivate when the Facebook renovation dust settles???

I will miss my writing, photography and other ART friends, but it is what it is ... Hopefully, these friends will still be there if and when I reactivate my account. So for now: Hasta la vista my dear Facebook!

[9/24 Side NOTE (Early, early a.m.) ... My daughter has a FB account. Her account has not undergone the changes that my alias account has? Nor has my small, family only account. My artist/alias account must be part of a select set of test subjects to preview and out the featured changes? I did switch to "English U.K." for FB and that worked to temporarily reset my account to the old FB format for a few hours ... then the new changes were once again reinstated. I even tried "English (Pirate)." That was a laugh! I did not know they even had such an option until pressed to look. I do miss the interaction with friends and fellow artists on Facebook, but the downtime is doing my stress levels (and health) a world of good thus far.]

Late Night Painting ...

2011-09-16T19:33:00.014-04:00

Five days of little to no sleep ... Late Night painting. I took a baseline candlelight photo that I have of a castle votive from England. The rest is painting. Not brilliant, but I think it turned out okay. Good way to kill waking hours late at night when I am too distracted and tired to read or write.

"Castles in the Sky"

Are castles in sky better than castles made of sand?

Well, I'm working on a poem that is a tribute to Jimi Hendrix and his "Castles Made of Sand".

I'll post it if I finish and it reads well.

....

Candlelight Photography ...

2011-09-16T00:00:00.004-04:00

Experimenting with candlelight and long exposure photography ....

"Escape ..." (re-sized)

(All of My Photographs (enlarged canvas sizes) are available to license via my Flickr website:

isas_fallingstar .

Hope to have an artist website set-up soon to sell individual prints and cards.)

This wine glass makes me think on a recent write I composed for a friend about 'escape into alcohol' and his assuarances that he had everything under control. I titled this poem "Control". Makes me think now ... Escape Control ...

...

"The Kiss"

2011-09-15T11:59:00.000-04:00

A stunning visual delight in this video ... Such beautiful imagery and cinematograhpy set to the magical piano of the talented Philip Glass. Enjoy!

"The Kiss" ... YouTube music video By, IlSignoreNeroo

http://youtu.be/QcmsoYLjVXk
...

Brooding Skies ...

2011-09-13T12:15:00.004-04:00

Can sometimes open weary eyes ... A beautiful low-level clouds display at sunset.

"Brooding Skies"

... Do you ever get a song stuck in your head? How about a word ... words? Well I had two words weaving in and out of my conscious thought this day (who knows, maybe in my subconscious as well ... perhaps where they first came to life?). The two words were: melancholy and superfluous. An odd combination? Well, didn't think I was melancholy, but sometimes I feel superfluous ; )

Anyhow, these two words rattled about in my sleepy, sleep-deprived head all day. Was not until making dinner this evening, while sipping on a nice merlot, that I was finally able to weave these two words into a short write and thus set them free ...

Melancholy thoughts, seeping forth unconsciously.

Stir melancholy words, weaving brooding tapestry

Now pouring out of me.

Saving grace of the melancholy write:

Words are not bled superfluously in deepest, darkest night.

@Copyrighted Poem: Isabelle Black Smith, September 2011.

What do you think? Should this one remain titleless? How about "Superfluously Melancholy"??

We remember ...

2011-09-11T03:30:00.002-04:00

Our Spirit will not be broken. We remember, with Love and Hope for the future. God Bless the U.S.A.!

World Trade Center Reborn (via History.com)

...

2011-09-07T23:26:00.005-04:00

...

Reflecting on 9/11 ... I think that perhaps,

"We live in Black & White and Dream in COLOR."

~Me, Michelle ... Isabelle Black Smith

http://pl.st/p/22478255115 (Aerosmith, "Dream On")

Do you dream in Black & White?

2011-09-02T04:11:00.006-04:00

Well, my last post left me feeling rather vulnerable. I haven't been that honest ... here or with myself ... in a very long time. Any bets as to how long I leave the last post up before I hide it? ; )

So anyhow, this is me putting up some cover. And truly, I am wondering: Do you dream in Black & White? My dreams often resemble and old movie ... the sepia film. Sometimes they are black & white, but with elements within the dream that are various colors ... usually a primary color like red, yellow or blue and ocassionally I'll get an odd color like green, purple or orange. How about you? I'd really like to know.

In keeping with dreams, a Facebook friend of mine has inpired me to spin my alias character off into a fictional short story. I've started the intro and the idea seems rather intriguing. I might just see where I can take this tale ... (a whole new spin on zombies?) ... that is if the task doesn't take away too much from my other writing endeavors. It might just be a fun diversion?

9/2/2011 ... Thought for the day. Have your kids ever said to you, "Mommy, it hurts when I do this [poke themselves in the eye or something]?" ... And you laugh, lovingly of course, at your kid and smile. Then you say, "Well, then don't do that silly!" Your child then smiles up at you as if you've just bestowed some great wisdom upon them. Well, I wonder why we, as adults, forget so easily our own advice ... "If it hurts (stupid) then don't do that!!?!!"

The Need to Share?

2011-09-01T19:06:00.011-04:00

The need to share ... that is the subject of my ponderings for the day. Logging into to Facebook for my daily lunchtime foray, it clicks in my mind today for some peculiar reason, that Facebook is about sharing. Sharing thoughts ... ideas, hopes & dreams, pains & heartaches, personal triumphs, challenges, and more often than not sharing a SMILE and happy times. Sometimes it's about shared passions, photographs, art and words woven into art. But fundamentally Facebook is about sharing ... And so I begin to wonder: What compels people to want to share ... to open up ... to be exposed, vulnerable? Is it perhaps easier for people to "share" because they are 'hidden' away behind a keyboard and isolated screen? Are people more open and revealing on Facebook than they would otherwise be in their real, daily lives? Is Facebook helping people to truly "connect" or does it, in truth, disconnect them from the real world? Well, I suppose the answer depends on the given individual and how they "use" Facebook ... that is if you happen to subscribe to the notion that people "use" Facebook and not the other way around. Remember: two sides there are to every truth ...

Arthur Hacker, A Quiet Cove Girl Canoeing

ArtMagick.com

Following the logical progression of exploring the "need to share", I reflect upon my own need to share ... I wonder, do I have a compelling need to share? Should I take a long hard look in the mirror or simply choose to walk right on through to the other side of my 'Looking Glass'? Well, walking through the glass would just be avoiding the issue so I'll not go there today. I'll stay on course and navigate further into the deep murky waters. Taking a first pass at this pondering of my own personal need to share, I would have to say that I have perhaps the opposite of a need to share ... I have a need to hide. I am a very private person. Life's lessons have taught me to be wary, distrustful, and observant. I seldom feel the urge to post a photograph or poem, sketch or snap of my latest jewelry creation. In fact, rather the opposite seems to be my case. I have to force myself to share. I much prefer to ponder, to question, to explore, to try to understand this journey that I am on ... the reason for my existence in this here and now. I find little satisfaction in sharing beyond the fact that it seems to keep the friends on my list from dropping like flies. Sharing makes me feel vulnerable and vulnerable scares the hell out the me. Luckily, I've found a work-around ... I use an alias. Kind of like here ... I'm me, but who I am is not written in black & white. Still, I truly do enjoy experiencing the sharing of others. I admire others for their ability to be open and give so freely. So perhaps in that respect Facebook is good for me. Perhaps, Facebook is teaching me "how to share"? ... How to open up, how to be seen without feeling the need to quickly run away and hide? Maybe some of life's painful lessons can be unlearned?

So what about you? Where do stand on the need to share? Are you an open book? Are you guarded and cautious ... Are you above sharing? Are your interests in sharing self-serving? Are you attention seeking? Do you receive as well as you share? Some food for thought, maybe?