BUILDING OUTSIDE THE BOX...

As most of you know I am a great fan of "out of the box" thinking. I would like to share with you some architecture that I think is spectacular...by building sculptor and architect Frank Gehry who not only has stepped outside the box but seems to have abandoned the boring old box completely.

Doesn't it just make you wonder what it looks like inside the box???

IDOL HANDS...

I was busy while you were gone...with no one to talk to I had to do something...and as they say idol hands are the devils tool. Beth you have seen your picture before but in my mind it is the perfect picture to express your spirit.

Clytie girlfriend...well finding paintings from this point of view isn't easy but I think this one is pretty good.

I would be more then happy to work with your beautiful face if you would just turn around.

HALLELUJAH!!!...

IT WORKS!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES LOVER...

Between me and the world
You are a bay, a sail
The faithful ends of a rope
You are a fountain, a wind
A shrill childhood cry

Between me and the world
You are a picture frame, a window
A field covered with wild flowers
You are a breath, a bed
A night that keeps the stars company

Between me and the world
You are a calendar, a compass
A ray of light that slips through the gloom
You are a biographical sketch, a bookmark
A preface that comes at the end

Between me and the world
You are a gauze curtain, a mist
A lamp shining into my dreams
You are a bamboo flute, a song without words
A closed eyelid carved in stone
~
by Bei Dao

~

This poem is dedicated to my dear sweet husband...my best friend and lover for over forty years. We are truly Yin and Yang. It's like they said in Jerry Maguire "You complete me."

HAPPY VALENTINES DENN

Your still the one

and I Love you more...

DREAM ON...

“…He had no breath or being but hers,
She was his voice; he did not speak to her.
But tremble on her words; she was his sight.
For his eyes followed hers, and saw hers,
Which colored all his objects - he had ceased
To live within himself; she was his life,
The ocean to the river of his thoughts….”

~
The Dream by Lord Byron

~

The guy was a scallywag but mercy he could write the verse couldn't he.

GIVE ME TRUE LOVE...

Have I Given you a Valentine Lately

~

I don't believe in Valentines,

they are young and vulnerable

and hopelessly old fashion.

Valentines are for

sentimental sentimentalists,

romantic romantics,

and those who still believe in

happy endings

I am at the point in life where

I know how the story ends

And when the nights grow cold,

and so I do not expect

Lace slips,

Surprise trips,

Cherry flips,

or tender little poems

because it is That day.

Instead I want my Valentines

at unexpected times.

I want to know what you think of me in

Mid-May, March, and June.

For I believe,

My dear,

One day a year is not enough for love.

~

Lois Wyse

~

My sentiments exactly...I find holidays like Valentines Day and Mothers Day annoying because I don't enjoy receiving obligatory gifts. That is exactly what holidays have been turned in to by retail and advertising...occasions where the men in our lives feel obligated to buy us gifts...(through fear and coercion LOL) I would much rather receive a heartfelt dandelion on any day of the year then the mandatory dozen red roses for Valentines...tell me how you feel.

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY...

art by Walter Crane


She walks in beauty,
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes.
~
by Lord Byron
~

How would it be to inspire such a beautiful expression of love...

Of course if Byron were around today he'd probably belong to some rap group...yo mama mama cutetay...I love your boottay...so get it on and do your dootay.

Ahh so romantic be still my beating heart.

TO LOVE...

To love a person is to learn the song
That is in their heart,
And to sing it to them
When they have forgotten.

THE FIRE OF LOVE...

His love was passions essence - as a tree
On fire by lighting; with ethereal flame
Kindled he was, and blasted; for to be
Thus, and enamoured, were in him the same.
Lord Byron

SOME DAYS I JUST LOSE MY HEAD...

art by DSW 10

~

And think not you can
Direct the course of love,
For love,
If it finds you worthy,
Directs your course.

~
by Gibran Kahlil Gibran

BLAME IT ON YOUR LYIN CHEATIN HEART...

You've got a thing or two to learn about me baby
'Cause I ain't taking it no more and I don't mean maybe
You don't know right from wrong
Well the love we had is gone
So blame it on your lying, cheating, cold deadbeating,
Two-timing, double dealing
Mean mistreating, loving heart

Well all I wanted was to be your one and only
And all I ever got from you was being lonely
Now that dream is laid to rest
'Cause you have failed the test
So blame it on your lying, cheating, cold deadbeating,
Two-timing, double dealing
Mean mistreating, loving heart...

~

Patti Loveless

~

I love this song especially the last stanza the cadence of the words is just great.

LOVE IS A WONDERFUL THING...

Love is a wonderful thing.
You never have to take it away
From one person to give it to another.
There's always more than enough to go around.

~
by Pamela de Roy

~

Isn't love wonderful...the more you give the more you have. What else can you give away and still have more.

~

P.S. Please say a prayer for Beth and Clytie their father had a stroke yesterday and they need our prayers...thank you.

MY TRUE LOVE...

My true love hath my heart and I have his

My true love hath my heart and I have his,
By just exchange one for another given;
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss,
There never was a better bargain driven.
My true love hath my heart and I have his.
My heart in me keeps him and me in one,
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides;
He loves my heart, for once it was his own,
I cherish his, because in me it bides.
My true love hath my heart and I have his.

~
by Sir Philip Sidney

~

Verrry interesting...okay is he gay, trans or confused?

SAD BUT TRUE...

artist unknown

~
"I see when men love women. They give them but a little of their lives. But women when they love give everything."

~

Oscar Wilde

THE INCOMPARABLE BYRON...

“…By day or night, in weal or woe, that heart, no longer free,
Must bear the love it cannot show and silent ache for thee…”

~
On Parting by Lord Byron

A MONTH OF LOVE...

LOVE
Sometimes it’s a guppy,
Sometimes it’s a slug,
Sometimes it’s a piece of cheese,
Dancing on the rug.
~

I love this rhyme it describes love to perfection...it's something different to every person. I wish I knew who wrote it.

I WILL LEAVE YOU SOFTLY...

Art: Abandoned by Luigi Nono

~
Softly, I will leave you softly
For my heart would break if you should wake and see me go
So I leave you softly, long before you miss me
Long before your arms can beg me stay
For one more hour or one more day
After all the years, I can't bear the tears to fall
So, softly as I leave you there

(Softly, long before you kiss me)
(Long before your arms can beg me stay)
(For one more hour) or one more day
After all the years, I can't bear the tears to fall
So, softly as I leave you there
As I leave I you there
As I leave I you there

~
Writers: Hal Shaper and Antonio DeVita and Giorgio Calabrese

~

These are the lyrics to one of the most tender songs I know. If you would like to hear it scroll down to my music player and click on song 104.

It was written about a man who is dying of cancer...which makes it all the more tender.

I first heard it as when I was young and have loved for many years...enjoy.

TO FOLLOW YOUR STAR...

art by Magnaldo

~
Wise men will tell you to follow your star
where ever it leads you no matter how far,
down highways and by way, along distant shores,
climb all the mountains, breech all the doors.

Sparkling bright in an indigo sky
Billions of stars stand patiently by
Waiting to show you which way to go
How do you ever know which star is yours

~
DSW 10

ROCK ME TO SLEEP...

Rock Me To Sleep, Mother
~
BACKWARD, turn backward, O Time, in your flight, Make me a child again, just for to-night! Mother, come back from the echoless shore, Take me again to your heart as of yore; Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care, Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair; Over my slumbers your loving watch keep - Rock me to sleep, mother - rock me to sleep!

Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years! I am so weary of toil and of tears - Toil without recompense - tears all in vain - Take them, and give me my childhood again ! I have grown weary of dust and decay - Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away; Weary of sowing for others to reap - Rock me to sleep, mother - rock me to sleep...

...Mother, dear mother, the years have been long Since I last listened to your lullaby song; Sing, then, and unto my heart it shall seem Womanhood's years have been only a dream; Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace, With your light lashes just sweeping my face, Never hereafter to wake or to weep -
Rock me to sleep mother - rock me to sleep!

~

BY FLORENCE PERCY.

~

I love this poem it reminds me of my Great Grandmother who was always so dear to me. When ever we went to visit she always made me feel loved. I don't think we ever left her house without some of her homemade bottled raspberries and her frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles.

PLEASE SING...

art by Marvin Steel
~
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.

~

Henry David Thoreau

~

This is so true...and sad it is that every person has a song to sing...but only a few find someone to listen...thank you for listening to my song...for I love hearing yours.

THE SMILE...

There is a Smile of Love
And there is a Smile of Deceit
And there is a Smile of Smiles
In which these two Smiles meet
And there is a Frown of Hate
And there is a Frown of Disdain
And there is a Frown of Frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain
For it sticks in the Heart’s deep Core
And it sticks in the deep Back bone
And no Smile that ever was smil’d
But only one Smile alone
That betwixt the Cradle & Grave
It only once Smil’d can be
But when it once is Smil’d
There’s an end to all Misery
~
by William Blake

~

An intriguing poem...What smile do you think he is talking about that puts an end to all misery?

A YEAR IN ART...PART 2...

July
May

April
~

Here are some more of the monthly pictures I painted for my kids for Christmas. June's picture is still a work in progress. I tried to do a variety of different mediums that I enjoy to keep it interesting.

I painted the May picture specifically for my granddaughter so she could have fun finding all the bugs...click on it to enlarge it...and see how many you can find.

YEARS OF SOLITUDE...

To the one who sets a second place at the table anyway.
To the one at the back of the empty bus.
To the ones who name each piece of stained glass projected on a white wall.
To anyone convinced that a monologue is a conversation with the past.
To the one who loses with the deck he marked.
To those who are destined to inherit the meek.
To us.

~

by DIONISIO MARTINEZ

TO SEE THE WORLD IN A GRAIN OF SAND...

art by Elisabetta Trevisan

~
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

~
by William Blake

~

I love how this verse and this picture feel...they seem to have the same reverence and touch my heart the same way.

PINE~ING AWAY...

art by Rob Gonsalve

Old Women Trees

The pine needles click…
Click…knitting stray wisps of wind
Into scarves of song.

~
by Dorothy Marie Davis

SAID THE SPIDER TO THE FLY...

Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."


"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"


Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"


"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."


The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --
Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!


And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
~
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
The Smiling Spider charcoal by Odilon Redon hangs in the Louve, in Paris

INVERSION...

Faded mountain silhouettes arise

like ink stains in the dawn.

Pale grey-pink sunrise wash

a landscape through chiffon.

DSW 10

DREAM BIG...

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes
'Cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide
Don't let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride
Don't show the hurt inside
Because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud
'Cause it will carry all your cares away
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself
And it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help you carry on
When the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big
As big as the ocean blue
'Cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

~

These are the lyrics to one of my many favorite songs...written by Ryan Shupe. If you would like to hear it...go to my music player and click on song 119...I hope it makes you smile BIG.

ODE TO JONI...

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

~

art & lyrics by Joni Mitchell

~

I have enjoyed so many of her songs for so long...no one says it or sings it quite like Joni Mitchell.

THE PLEASANT LAND OF COUNTERPANE...

art by Jesse Wilcox Smith
~
The Land of Counterpane

When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.

by Robert Lewis Stevenson

~

Remember the days before TVs, video games and computers in every bedroom? When you were sick you stayed in bed and played with small toys or colored or read.

I love the works of Robert Lewis Stevenson and Jesse Wilcox Smith. Their art always elicits a sort of longing in me for the innocence and simple pleasures of yesteryear...our childhood lost...Happy memories.

A YEAR IN ART..PART 1...

March
February

January
~

Now that Christmas is over and the gifts have been opened I can show you what I have been working on the last little while.

Jamie & Kalen asked me for a picture frame for there living room and wanted me to create pictures to change out for each month of the year...here are the first three months. I have really enjoyed the challenge of coming up with something different for each month and being able to work in several different mediums.

The February collage is special because it is made up of some of my Dads childhood Valentines from about 1930.

I am still working on June and August and will share those and the rest as we go along.

2010...DAY 1...

Welcome to 2010...

What's your dream?

2009 MEMO TO MYSELF...

Say goodbye to the old...old disappointments...old bad habits...old fears...old ways of being.
But remember old friends...the people who love you...good memories and lessons of the past. Contemplate the future as you want it to be. Celebrate...but do it safely please. Endeavor to change for the better...do one thing every day to make you a better...happier child of God. And have a very...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

INSOMNIAC...

art: Insomniac by Maya Kulenovic

~
Here's to those poor souls who wander the night,
whose brains won't shutdown when they turn out the light.

To those who would rather be asleep in their bed
and find themselves restless and up blogging instead.

An hour past midnight is a heck of a time
To sit here and think of a word that will rhyme.
~
DSW 09

FIRE & ICE...FROST & ROCKWELL...

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

~

Just 84 freezing days til spring...brrrrrrr

DECEMBER THE 25TH ME DEARS....

Of all the days in all the year
That I'm familiar with
There's only one that's really fun
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

Ask anyone called Robinson
Or Brown, or Jones, or Smith,
Their favorite day and they will say
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

December the twenty-fifth, m'dears
December the twenty-fifth
The dearest day in all the year
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

At times we're glad to see the back
Of all our kin and kith
But there's a date we celebrate
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

At times our friends may seem to be
Devoid of wit and pith
But all of us are humorous
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

December the twenty-fifth m'dears
December the twenty-fifth
The dearest day in all the year
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

December the twenty-fifth m'dears
December the twenty-fifth
The dearest day in all the year
December the twenty-fifth!

If there's one day in history
That's more than any myth
Beyond a doubt one day stands out
December the twenty-fifth!

Correct!

I don't hear any arguments
So may I say forthwith
I wish that everyday could be
December the twenty-fifth!

December the twenty-fifth m'dears
December the twenty-fifth
The dearest day in all the year
December the twenty-fifth!

~

Lyrics from the movie Scrooge...Mr Fezziwig Christmas party

STAR LIGHT...STAR BRIGHT...

Last night when I flipped my houselights off to go to bed...it was light outside. There was no moon or stars but because of the snow and cloud cover it was white and bright and I could see for miles. I enjoy this phenomenon so much...it's a wonderful time to go for a walk. I stood at the window for a long time enjoying the luminescent glow of the hills and the beautiful scene outside...and I wondered if this was how it looked in Bethlehem when the star shone down so bright...and that thought made my time there looking out the window into a very special memory.

Take time to enjoy the simple things they make your life so much brighter.

CEA IS FOR CHRISTMAS...

I came across this picture and of course I couldn't help but think of Clytie. Funny how when I see a heart anywhere now I think of Clytie...what a wonderful thing it is to always have your name associated with the symbol of love.
How happy I am that Clytie is still with us to remind us of the little things that matter...and also that Father in Heaven hears and answers prayers.
Merry Christmas to Sissy Cea and all my blog friends may you be blessed with good health, good friends, and good times...but most of all love.

AWAY IN THE MANGER 3RD VERSE...

Be near me Lord Jesus;

I ask thee to stay

close by me forever,

and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children

in thy tender care

and fit us for heaven

to live with thee there.

~

artist and lyrics unknown

This verse touched my heart and brings a tear to my eye.

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM 3RD VERSE...

art by Marianne Stokes

verse by Phillip Brooks

~

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him. still

The dear Christ enters in.

~

So many of our Christmas Carols have wonderful verses that hardly ever get sung...here is one of my favorites.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE...

artist Morgan Weistling

~

When the music fades into the past
as my days of life are through.
What will be remembered of where I’ve come
When all is said and done.

Will they say I loved my family
that I was a faithful friend
That I lived to tell of Gods own son
When all is said and done.

Oh how I long to see the hour
when I would hear the trumpet sound
And rise to see my saviors face
See him smile as he says…well done

You might forget my name and the songs I’ve sung
Every line and every tune
But remember the truth of Jesus’ love
When all is said and done.
author unknown