Thought for The Day - (Sharing) In This Cocoon

Study for Predawn Light - 18 x 24 Charcoal

Here

In this place

Darkness seems to rule

Shadows

From occasional flashes of insight

Place memory

And cognition

On high alert

I’m here

Developing

Alone

Then there are two

Not certain the roles 

Or the script to follow

Adlibbing

Improvising

To a beat

Rhythm and Blues

Jazz

And Hip Hop

Dictate the dance

And song

In this place

Two jab

And dodge

Not as foes

But sparring

Refining one another’s weapons

We’re together

But not really

Growing

Though never sure

Where we grow toward

Luminous

This safe haven

But form remains unformed

We learn

That a heart is not a solo act

And even when your step is out of sync with mine

And my drumming doesn’t match yours

We move

Strangely closer

At times

A Third party

Not a fifth wheel

But a companion

Unseen

But a presence as dense as the cloud, lights and uncertainty

Looms above

Below

Around

Bringing the beat

The lyrics

Together over time

A strange place

This soft and safe place

This place where not many find solace

They would

If they could pay the price for entry

Set up a chair in the corner

Lie in the bed

But this space is made for two

Slowly

Moving

Closer

The rhythm sounding

Concerto

And Symphonic

Moving

Closer

Thought for The Day - Where The Movement Takes Us

Detail of "Linen" 30 x 40 Oil painting

Detail of "Linen, A Storm's Coming" 24 x 30 Oil painting

I used to think I would lose me. But as I relinquish control, as I surrender, I am found...

It's simple, it is, after all, just fabric. Plain and monotone or bright and colorful and woven, it is created to cover, to drape and accentuate. But how it does it, the way we arrange it, is up to us! And the way we do it each day is an adventure!

Thought for The Day - Patchwork Tapestry

Open Channel 24 x 36 Oil painting

The Turn 12 x 18 pastels

Where are You Now 8 x 11 colored pencil

After the Dance 18 x 24 mixed media

A fragment from this memory

An unused stretch of silk that would fit perfectly in 'this' spot

Your hand

My heart

This road trip...

Parts and sections brought together with your love of ice cream over rich peach cobbler. This woven pattern of life; so big I can't see where it starts and it stretches east, west, north and south out of sight. The blue of the skies, the brown clay dirt and rocky surface are a part of this beautiful patchwork fabric. And the tears you cried when your child outgrew your "kissy" good-byes are mingled in, as well.

Thought for The Day - Playin' to The Crowd

Shaken up! 8 x 11 pencil

At some point, we all do it, we become people pleasers. No one wants to spend every second of their lives "swimming upstream." We need relationship, a sense of family and community. And yet, we are individuals, our own being with thoughts and ideas that are distinct from one another.

What we agree to be as a group or a people allows familiarity. The need for mutual agreement can seem like a force greater than the individual. But never let the crowd or community kill your individuality. Listen, first, to God as he directs your path and as necessary, follow the common consensus.

Thought for The Day - Input - Output

Expand 18 x 24 pastels

We falsely believe we are in control of our lives. We think we have the tools to manage our day-to-day tasks. But the truth is we are surrounded by millions of points of reference. Input if you will, that influence and in some cases, command control over our lives.

What you say can influence others. Choose words wisely. But what you feel, especially the charged, heated emotions sits below the surface and given the opportunity - an individual available for dumping - we spew out angry words as if it were our birthright! So, while we choose words wisely when we are calm and thinking "rationally," we relinquish control, usually on an innocent loved one. What follows for many, are apologies and promises to "never do it again" or "do better" next time.

We are influenced, we store in our heart and mind both encouraging and destructive thoughts and emotions. In a polite society, we find it necessary to remain in control, but give us the room and the space and emotions and attitudes run out of control!

So who are we? Are we in control or reckless, harmful creatures of nature? We are both; and when we learn to harness our attitudes, our fears and our love, we become vessels of glory and honor for God.

Thought for The Day - Wait, What was I Sayin?

Expectation 24 x 35 x 1 Oil painting

A whole lot

Very much

Talking a hole in your head!

Yes, telling it all, spilling the beans, chewing the fat. So much so, I catch your eyes rolling and you suppressing a yawn.

Keep it simple friends. Don't wear out family, friends, acquaintances with your words. Love, live and take care of others.

Thought for The Day - The Same

Routine

Standards

Regular

Common

Base

When your soul is restless, "normal" becomes boring. When your life lacks stability, "regular" is desired. Trained in routine, it is our basis for life. Waking up at a certain time each day becomes a habit formed and maintained throughout our lives. We find it challenging to change this basic part of our life. And when situations rise and the time we wake for work becomes "irregular," we have a hard time adjusting!

But we say we crave change, something new and different and exciting! Are you sure that's what you want? Actually, it doesn't matter because change is always in the air! Hovering over the basics of our lives, nothing stays the same. The changes we desire and those we don't constantly alter our perspective. Today, we can hardly wait for football season; in a year or so, we hardly notice it's fall!

Stability is part of our DNA; and variety is the spice of life!