For Gabriel

Our Angel Gabriel, we could not keep.

We knew you were tired

Now rest in peaceful sleep.

You Rode Off Into The Sun

But I Love You Anyway

The Hard Life

Dionysus

became one of the most important gods in everyday life. He became associated with rebirth after death. His other great lure was his idea that under the influence of wine, one could feel possessed by a greater power.

He was the god of fertility and wine, later considered a patron of the arts. That's my kind of god!
Wine is the God's best gift to mortals, shining wine. All songs go well with it, and all dances, and all sensuous lovemaking. It drains all the troubles from men's hearts....Panyassis 475 BC

Butterfly for Lisa

Butterfly having a snack at The Lake Shrine,

He was pretty brazen and flew right in front of me to get to these flowers. My camera didn't seem to bother him a bit.

Apparently, he was a hungry little sucker because he was after several flowers. Can you see him peeking out?
I love this shot! I him just as he was about to take off. On to the next flower for him..

Butterfly Camouflage

There you go Lisa, your Butterfly Magic for today

Mikey's Sprit Jump!

Below are two pictures of a Spirit Jump I did for an extremely brave little 3 yr old soldier battling Cancer. Let's hope this boosts his spirits! I know I still love Sesame Street, and who doesn't like getting mail? You can see my easel and some of my messy Art making area
CLICK ON THE SPIRIT JUMPER BUTTON TO THE RIGHT TO GO TO THE SPIRIT JUMPER WEBSITE!

Moment of Zen

Your Moment of Zen

Thai Memorial, Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Buddha Meditating Below is the gesture of fearlessness and protection, representing spiritual power. This mudra is most often seen in standing Buddhas. The Thai "Wai" Greeting.

Below; the greeting gesture is also accompanied with a slight bow. The various positions and gestures can be very graceful and expressive, show respect, authority, submissiveness happiness and obedience. The different levels of position of the joined hands shows different degrees of respect. The higher the joined hands are held in relation to the face is an indication or more respect or reverence. The wai is also used to say '' sorry '' or '' thank you ''

Close up of Spiderwebs

My Work for lifting Spirits with Cancer

My Work Area

Glass Bead Deity Necklace

Courage Dog TagAnother view of my necklace for Tara

I recently became part of this organization called "Spirit Jumpers" that links those with cancer and recovering from that horrible illness with artists who send a little something to "jump" their spirits. I think it's a great idea, who doesn't like to be thought of and when you are sick, how great would it make you feel that someone you don't even know is fighting for you and sending some love your way? My Spirit Jumpee is Tara and here is a bit about what the necklace entails.

I decided to make a glass bead necklace with several deities and symbols that I find inspiring. Also the clasp is a magnet, which is said to be beneficial against aliments. The main deity is :

Ganesha~ He is the most widely worshipped Hindu god. He is worshipped at the start of any action or venture because he is the Lord who removes obstacles. He also represents wisdom and prosperity. His hand is raised in a blessing and contains the OM symbol.

Ankh~ The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol that represents life, immortality and death. Also represents balance, male and female, zest for life, joy and energy. It is also the associated with Imkotep who was the god of medicine.

Endless Knot~ Buddhist symbol. It overlaps without beginning or end, symbolising the Buddha's endless wisdom and compassion. Also signifies the interplay and interaction of opposing forces in the dualistic world of manifestation, leading to their union and ultimately harmony in the universe. Since all phenomena are interrelated, the placing of this symbol in a gift is said to establish an auspicious connection between the giver and recipient. The recipient is goaded toward righteous karma, reminded that future positive effects have their roots in the present. This is a representation of a link with our fates, binding us to our karmic destiny.

Cross~ It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into Four Elements, or the Four Cardinal Points, or alternately as the union of the concepts of Divinity the vertical line, and the World, the horizontal line.

Buddha~ It is a symbol of the end of suffering and true peace. A source of happiness and serenity. The Buddhist philosophy that we must strive for perfection and control over our personal cravings to work for the good of all, for peace and tolerance in the world so we can begin to come to a state of nirvana; in which the soul is freed from all suffering and is a state of perfect bliss.

And of course, the Courage Dog Tag, because we all need a little courage, just like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz taught us. Plus I think a Dog Tag kinda makes you feel like a soldier, fighting your won battle like we all must do.

Let's hope Tara likes them, keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ernest Hemingway

I have seen you beauty, and you belong to me now.....and if I never see you again...You belong to me..
And I belong to this notebook and this pencil.

Above lines from: A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

I ran into a older man at a watering hole the other night who reminded me much of Ernest Hemingway. I said to him "Has anyone ever told you that you look like a handsomer version of Hemingway?" He said "No, but thank you honey!" he seemed over joyed that I made that analogy. He told all his buddies who were with him, all well into their 60's, "That gal told me I looked like a handsome Ernest Hemingway." He smiled and seemed so happy the rest of the evening.

I was glad that I could so easily bring a little happiness to him with just a few lines of conversation, much like Hemingway can make my night with just a few written lines. Where would my life be without The Sun Also Rises, or A Moveable Feast, The Garden of Eden...I could go on and on.

I love him so much I have a framed picture of him in my living room. It depicts a very young Hemingway and everyone always asks "Who is that?" to which I answer "One of the loves of my life" In fact I used to say that I would never marry anyone who had not read The Sun Also Rises!

I feel like I belong to pencil and notebook too sometimes, but I can only hope my writing has a fraction of the beauty his has.

Oh Ernest, thank you thank you for all your wonderful work!