POST # 100!!!

Wow I can't believe it's aready been 100 posts! When I started this blog, I never thought I would actually be able to keep posting weekly. This post is dedicated to the person encouraged me to start a blog:
“There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend”

 jennifer@nolaagallery.com

http://www.gallerygirljen.blogspot.com/

Check out her art, it's full of color and whimsy. I have several pieces by her that seem to cheer up my living room.  She's amazing and her work is great. So....

Thank you Jen for getting me to do this blog and helping me to focus more on my art!

Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art

New Shots from Woodlawn Cemetery

Faded Memories and Beauty

When I saw you today

My heart strings yanked your memory from

the overlooked and disregarded shelf of my mind

And though it was dusty, it was still there;

All the laughter of our school days,

Like faded construction paper.

The old pictures of us,

 long yellowed with age,

The cobwebs could not hide its beauty;

or the scent that enveloped me

 the way your hugs used to

Smelling like the ocean and sprinkled with sand.

It all made me wish I could go back,

Every time I have failed to stop myself from glancing behind,

You have been there.

Though now we both no longer feel the same inside

and whatever feelings we had for each other

have long since died

You have your new life and friends now

As I have mine

I know we can never go home again,

but

You will always have that place in my mind

On the shelf filled with

Faded Memories and Beauty

Work in progress:

By Me

We Are Happier Together

Though no one else remembers the past that scared our hearts

I know,

And you will never forget.

And that will be enough, I guess.

At least together we can have truth

Which no one else seems to share.

I know how you lived,

Alone, Broken, Lost

And I know you hate self pity.

You know me,

Wounded,

How I was never enough (or so I was told)

What does it matter if it was never true

When her ruler measures me still

We are both so damaged

You and I

Yet through the fragments

We found laughter in each other

Even if Laughter makes the sadness worse when

it inevitably comes

Just like it's so much darker when a light goes out

Than if it had never shone.

You toss your head and laugh

For that second I am with you,

Everything is perfect

We are happier together

We radiate light

Keeping sorrow and darkness at bay as long as we can

Hold tight; Against the shadows to this moment

And your breath

By: Me

Truth

Something told to me by an old convict who spent his life in prison:

"You can do alot better in the Truth. The best game you can play is No Game; because the Devil always trick himself. Control must be in order and order must be in Truth. And when in Truth you can face the problem as it is, not through distorted judgements. We alone effect ourself. There is no one, no we, unless we make it, redeem it and come back in grace with Truth. One lie and forever and Truth goes on and on without you. People that lie have no honor. Keep your honor and you keep your soul."

I Will Remain

I must not Fear.
Fear is the Mind killer.
Fear is the little Death that brings total obliteration.

I Will Face My Fear

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past me,

I will turn to see Fear's path.

Where Fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I Will Remain

The Scream by Edvard Munch

Words by Frank Herbert

Depression and Fear Are Gone

What Now?

I was devastated when they said my depression had lifted. What shall I do now, I wondered, when opportunity accosts me in the street?
Depression had always been my escape route. ‘I can’t do that’ I would mournfully sigh, reaching for my bucket of Prozac ‘I’m depressed’, and opportunity would bother me no more. But the depression has lifted. The ace up my sleeve has been ruthlessly removed. I am completely fucked! .....Andre Jordan

‘I’m leaving’ said The Fear, dragging his suitcase into the hallway.
‘Does this mean I shall be fear-less?’ I asked.
‘Not quite’ said The Fear, ‘Apprehension has decided to stay’.
I smiled, wished The Fear well, and watched him nervously open my front door.
‘Maybe see you again’ he almost smiled, as he headed for the waiting taxi.
‘Maybe’ I said, not wishing to be rude.
 And then he was gone.
I closed the door, took a deep breath, and smiled [apprehensively]....Andre Jordan

What I've learned

I know how you feel Andre! But I guess it is like the alcoholics say, One day at a time. Sure Fear is gonna come visit every now and again, but at least he won't be the doubtful guest he always was; staying too long, eating your food, reading your books and ruining your art with his ever watchful stare. Even when you tried to avoid him or tried not to see him, there he was, like the person you never want to sit next to on a plane. And though you held your breath and tried not to stare as Fear made his way down the aisle, deep in your heart you just knew - you just knew - a matter of course, that he’d sit next to you. But now you realize that you can get up and change seats, and leave Fear behind.  Fear will wave at you from where he is, sitting with his best pal Depression, but they won't join you, not unless you wave them over and invite them to be by your side. Fear and Depression will be there, but only for the next poor soul who wants to take comfort in their company.