Painting of Thom & Lisa

Here is an example of my "Rag Doll" paintings. I did this a couple years agoThis shot is too bright to really see the painting, but you can still see the real Thom and Lisa, who the dolls were painted for.

Arlington West

These Fought In Any Case by Ezra Pound

These fought in any case,

and some believing , "pro domo" (for homeland) in any case....

Some quick to arm,

some for adventure

some from fear of weakness

some from fear of censure,

some for love of slaughter, in imagination,

learning later.....

some in fear, learning love of slaughter;

Died some, pro patria (for one's country)

Non "Dulce" non "et decor" (not sweet and not fitting)

walked eye-deep in Hell

believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving

came home, home to a lie

home to many deceits,

home to old lies and new infamy

usury age old and age thick

and liars in public places

Daring as never before, wastage as never before.

Young blood and high blood,

Fair cheeks and fine bodies;

fortitude as never before

frankness as never before

disillusions as never told in the old days,

hysterics, trench confessions,

laughter out of dead bellies......

I took these pictures of Arlington West a couple years ago and just found them again. I wish I could say things were different now and that Arlington West should serve as a reminder of what we went through....sadly we are still losing our soldiers over seas. I hope the world turns and things get better, but what I hope for most of all is that all these young men and women are not forgotten because we as a free society are in debt to them forever for their sacrifice. Our feelings on the war do not matter when it comes to our veterans. DO NOT mistake the war for our warriors.... please treat them with the dignity and compassion and above all with thanks!

Ohio Cemetery

Here are some of my favorite shots from one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Ohio. If anyone is interested in purchasing any of my prints, I will be putting them up on Etsy soon and I will be adding lots more pictures soon. I hope you all enjoy these shots as much as I enjoyed taking them.

I loved these tombstones, with just one tipped over... Here is another great stone, it was so small and simple, reading just Thomas. For some reason, it is one of the stones that most caught my attention.

James Dean Live Fast, Die Young

"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe
he was a great man." ~ James Dean

Words can not express just how much I love this man! There was a time in my life where you could not turn your head whilst sitting in my room and not see a picture or poster or something with James Dean's name or face. I had this very high slanted ceiling and I even once had a painter come by for an estimate on how much it would be to have him paint Jame's image on my ceiling. (Unfortunately at the time I was a teenage and it would have cost me over $300 an hour) In fact when I met my husband I told him "James Dean and I are a package deal, love me, love James" Lucky for me I am married to the most wonderful man in the world who likes old movies and deals with my James Dean neurosis.

"You can't show some far off idyllic conception of behavior if you want the kids to come and see the picture. You've got to show what it's really like, and try to reach them on their own grounds"~ James Dean.....

James how right you were! I think the reason you are so loved is that you identified with the angst we all feel as youths. You brought to light the struggle, the broken heart, and the disillusion of growing up to realize, as Bukowski said that "The dark is empty; Most of our heroes have been wrong" But not you James, you are my hero and you were right. You taught all of us who love watching you act and who grieve for you even now that we must "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today"

Shot of the James Dean Memorial sign and I on the way to Cholame in California where James had his fateful wreak. This was where he made his last stop. James will never be forgotten and will live forever, not only in his movies, but in the hearts of those who relate to and love him. I wish I could have met you, James but I will settle for knowing your talent and appreciating you, not only as an actor, but as the honest person you were. Your fans are dedicated to never letting you fade away.
The only greatness for man is immortality. ~ James Dean

James, you are immortal and you are great!

Rita Hayworth

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate

Thy Eternal Summer Shall Not Fade

Nor Lose possession of that fair thou ow'st

Nor Shall Death brag Thou wand'rest in his shade...So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and gives life to thee....William Shakespeare

We are all tied to our destiny and there is no way we can liberate ourselves. ~ Rita Hayworth

Then final resting place of the gorgeous Rita Hayworth with flowers and a small "Thank You" note from yours truly. She was so beautiful and one of, if not the ultimate pin up! In fact her picture in Life Magazine in 1941 became one of the most requested wartime pinups. The image sold over 5 million copies! Her beauty went far below skin deep as Rita's soul and heart were as beautiful as she was. I love how glamorous she was and how she used to coyly say "Darling" when speaking with the press. Rita was quoted saying "All I wanted was just what everybody else wants, you know, to be loved." Rita you are still loved, even today.

The Night Does Not Wish To Come

The Night Does Not Wish to Come

So that You can not come

and I can not go

But You will come with your eyes

burned by the Rain.

The Day Does Not Wish to Come

So that You can not come

and I can not go

But You will come thought blinded

by Darkness

Neither Night nor Day wishes to come

So that I may Die for You and for me.......

I wrote this poem so long ago that the scrap of paper I wrote this on has yellowed with age. To be honest I only remember writing the ending of the poem and then misplacing it and forgetting about it only to have it resurface. It has since become one of the works I am proudest of. Even if the only commendation is in my mind, I love this poem

Bela Lugosi, My Immortal Beloved

One of my first loves and school girl crushes. Yes I know, I was one morbid school girl. Can you blame me for being smitten when you look at these shots of Bela in his youth? He's so handsome! Bela knew just what he did to women, he once said "To Win a Women, take her with you to see Dracula"

The Classic shot of the immortal Bela Lugosi.

"Death, the final, triumphant Lover"....Bela Lugosi

I left my Bela some flowers and a note reading "Bela, What sweet music you made. Love, one of your Children of the Night". I'm sure all who know Bela know the reference, but as a refresher, it is from his legendary role as Dracula. "Listen to them, Children of the Night. What sweet music they make" Bela had such great insight and was so eloquent in his speech. I remember seeing a quote by him where he said "Love the actor, for he gives you his heart!" Bela, my dear it was an even trade when I watched you act, you always had my heart.

"I've never met a vampire personally, but I don't know what might happen tomorrow" ~Bela Lugosi

I have yet to meet one also Bela, but at least I got to be near you! Here's a picture of me "on top" of my Immortal Beloved.