Learning about unconditional love and acceptance
That is what this painting is called.
It was just a few years ago that I painted this. Started right around the same time of year. At the time wasn’t sure what was in store for us, and here we are getting ready to embark on more change.
Change.
Embrace it.
It was around this time of the year in 1998 that a little white Bichon Frise entered our home to captivate all our hearts. He joined the pet menagerie consisting of a golden retriever, a tabby cat and a guinea pig. He would try his hardest to wiggle his way into your affections. He had a way of “talking” to you with is eyes.
I had always wanted a “little” dog. One that could sit on my lap, and snuggle with me. Cody spent the early mornings snuggled up against me during my quiet time, and also had worked his way on the bed, and slept between Craig and I until he could not longer jump up.
Cody had some internal tumors that the vet and us believed were pressing on his spine that had reached a point where it was uncomfortable for him. In July, we said our goodbyes.
I know I’m not the only one that misses him.
I recently completed a watercolor of Cody in a pose that I like to remember him by. This was the best our scanner would do, but I’m sharing it with you.
You can catch some more pictures of Cody here: Dog Lessons
When I was in High School I couldn’t wait until I could pick the electives I really wanted. It wasn’t too hard to choose. We had a three “tracks”. College, Business, Vo-Tech. I knew I wasn’t going to college. Isn’t wasn’t something I ever considered. Growing up, college was never discussed as an option. My parent’s didn’t encourage it, in fact the Watchtower Society spoke against it, and it was considered a disfellowshipping offense. It was assumed that I was going to get married and stay home, or possibly work outside of the home. My sister was a secretary at an engineering consulting firm, and my parents seemed okay with that, so I figured I’d take business courses too and maybe do something like that. (For a brief time I had secret dreams of being an airline stewardess, or actress/model to go and see places. Oh, well I guess that isn’t a secret anymore is it.) 🙂
My electives involved various business classes, Accounting, German and my personal favorites of art classes and wood shop. I also tried my hand in drama and music. I looked forward to my art class every day. When I was able to, I had art class daily, and shop class daily. It was in the art class that I tried various mediums. I was fascinated at the projects that my art teacher worked on. Once she constructed a miniature house in the classroom (remember my fondness for miniatures?) Not once did I think about going to an art school, or becoming an art teacher. Please don’t think I’m saying that in a bitter way. It’s just a fact. It didn’t cross my mind. It wasn’t an option that had ever been discussed or promoted in my home. It was just the way it was. At that time in my life, I accepted it.
I loved art class. I loved to paint. Particularly with oils and watercolors.
However, somewhere along the way I stopped painting until the end of last year.
We are talking a long hiatus. Ahem, a real long time……over thirty years. Oh, my, I am getting old! 🙂
Anyway, Craig presented me with a gift certificate for watercolor classes last Christmas.
Well, let me tell you….my, how the quality of the paints and the paper changed from when I painted last! I’ve learned new things too! What a treat it has been to pick up a paintbrush again! The class rekindled the creative spark that I had put on the back-burner for far too long, or had let others discourage.
So now I am painting again.
Thanks again, Honey, for the classes, and the continued encouragement!
I hope you don’t mind if I kind of “toot my own horn”, okay, I’ll say it, “brag”….. but I’ve just taken two pictures for entry in the State Fair!
Here is what they looked like before framing.
Yep, they took two of them!
That was a good feeling.
Mondays are a busy day around here.
After the usual morning cat dance, I get up to prepare some sort of soup or meal that Craig takes downtown to feed the hungry souls that gather at Finley Park for OSS.
Last Christmas, Craig presented me with a gift certificate for some watercolor classes to rekindle my painting that I have not done since the late 70’s (I know, but I’m serious). The classes proved to be a refreshing drink to my creative soul, and for the meantime I have continued to take them. However, the class time starts before I could get back from downtown, so that is one draw back.
While I miss seeing the folks downtown, I am still able to continue to prepare the food, and so we are able to serve and be part of this blessing together.
There are over 200 people coming to the park now, which has greatly increased from when we originally started. Craig says there has been an increase in the women that are coming through the line.
Since OSS has started, some of the friends we’ve meet have been blessed by homes, jobs, marriages, and children. Dawn & Ernie are employed and have housing. Chuck is in permanent housing. Levi is married and has a child. (Chuck, and Levi will often come to the park to visit or assist, a sort of pay-it-forward).
Yes, there has been some that have been imprisoned or returned to prison. Some have disappeared. We have known some that have been attacked, and at least one that has died.
Today was an especially rainy day. Everyone was pretty wet today. The rain doesn’t care if you have a roof over your head or something to eat. People can care though.
Regardless of rain or shine (& even the occasional southern snow) every Monday this is our routine right now.
And we are blessed for it.
Monday Monday don’t go away.
Just As I Am 