More Art, Observations and a Couple of Rants

I have to apologize to Pam at yoborobo.blogspot.com. She sent me the most adorable dolly, Alice, I won in her last giveaway. I have a couple of other wonderful little sweet stuff I have won during the past years from our wonderful and talented Pam. I love her art and her sense of humour...it's evident in her work.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I haven't really felt too creative, but I'm slowly coming out of the artistic fog and getting into doing more. That ugly art I mentioned is coming out pretty darn good, thanks Anne! I just might make more of those. As soon as I'm done, I'll post in here and you be the judge. I did create a little something for my sweet man's first grandchild who is graduating from h.s. this weekend in the Houston area. She will be attending Baylor U. in Waco, TX in engineering...the kid has "brems!!" She once called me and wanted me to help her with a novel she was reading by Ayn Rand!!!! Holy Moly, Ayn Rand in her sophomore year!! I still haven't had the cajones to begin "Atlas Wept." Anyway, guess who became the student and who became the teacher during that conversation!!??? I digress, but I made her a candle stick doll of Baylor's mascot, an American Black Bear....his name escapes me right now. I was planning on giving him a full set of teeth, but after making several attempts to add those damn canines, I said the hell with the teeth, I'm painting those babies in!! Anyway, he turned out pretty good, the only detail that bothered me was that the mascot's got blue eyes. Now how many American Black Bears out there have blue eyes??!!?? Ok, maybe we'll never know because most of us won't stop to check out eye colour if ever confronted by one!! My hubby told me his grandsons actually put their fingers in the bears mouth and realized he had teeth!!! LOL



As said in the Monty Python programs, "Now for something completely different." The other afternoon after taking a break from a few chores, I sat down and turned on the boob tube (did any of you back in the 70's see that movie??) and was struck by a train crash...not really, but that's how it felt. Ever seen "Toddlers and Tiaras?" I was dumbfounded by these people, the parents of these little girls...what's wrong with them??? Many will go into complete financial ruin just to keep those little darlings dressed in the most obnoxious outfits fit for a hooker standing in front of the public library!! And speaking of hooker, these children are prompted to dance like an exotic dancer by their rather stout, unattractive mothers out in the audience...what schmaltz!! Ya think these parents are living vicariously through their children??? Many of these little darlings actually throw temper tantrums if they don't win and some parents storm out of the auditorium because they're little beauty wasn't even a runner up. I know there's money involved and many of these parents are putting their winnings away for college, but at what price to the child?? So, if anyone is involved in these contests please give me your views.

This is sort of a rant/observation, but you know me by now...I love tracking!! LOL We had our first book club gathering last night at one of my favorite pizza places. To refresh your memory, we read "The Shack," by Wm. Paul Young. Out of 8 of us, only 2 of us gave it a one...didn't like it. My friend El (anthropologist by day and lead singer in a Goth band by night) and I found it a bit too preachy, plus there was all these references to Creationism, which I am not. What's wonderful about this group of old and new friends is that we all don't agree politically or religiously, but we all respect each others views. We live by the words of Voltaire, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Sooo, I mentioned that the last 150 pages were probably the most interesting, especially the section on "perception." Recently, it was brought to my attention about a blog concerning someone's perception of me. So when I came across this paragraph about perception it got me thinking....ok, I'll quote it from the book:

"...Paradigms power perception and perceptions power emotions. Most emotions are responses to perceptions-what you think is true about a given situation. If your perception is false, then your emotional response to it will be false. So check you perceptions and beyond that, check the truthfulness of your paradigms-what you believe. Just because you believe something firmly doesn't make it true. Be willing to reexamine what you believe. The more you live in the truth the more your emotions will help you see clearly..."

And so I have reexamined my paradigms, and this person's "truth" and still found it false, but then, I'm the negative subject matter. I'm not taking it personally since her emotions are wired differently than mine and her truths are her truths, not mine. I don't live in certainty, who does, but I know I love what I'm doing, who I'm loving and who I pray for constantly for peace of mind where ever that takes them. I live in the "now" as authentically as I can and just try to be as good as I can be...can't ask for anything else. Sounds kind of simple, but I discovered I like simplicity, like Thoreau (however, I still haven't lived my life so simply that I almost starved to death)...there was too much conflict and tumultuous moments in my past and I'm just glad it's all over and can sleep nights knowing I tried my best, even though for some, that's not enough and therefore blame me for my short-comings that they believe affected them and their lives. All I can say is "move on." Just be happy and authentic, "To thine own self be true," even though you have to question your truths sometimes. Well, next month is my turn for book club; we'll be reading "The Witch of Cologne," by Tobsha Learner. It's just a good read about a Jewish midwife, Lilith and love!!

Well, that about does it for me. I'm thinking I'm going to have a giveaway here soon. I'm not celebrating anything like the number of followers I have...I've even lost a couple, or the number of blogs I've distracted or bored you with, just because!! Details coming soon. Peace out.