Phenomenon

IF's prompt this week is Phenomenon. I had always thought Love was just that. But Mother love is truly a wonderful Phenomenon! I remember back in my design class at school our teacher did mostly lecturing and mentioned that there was no other love like a Mother has for her child. I was 18 and I thought at the time I was truly "in love" with my boyfriend and pushed aside his words as just silly, how could I be more in love? Well a few years later I found out just what he was talking about! When my Daughter was born I was head over heals, Mother animal protector love for her. From the moment I saw her and held her in my arms I was a goner. Nothing was ever, if I could help it hurt her or make her unhappy. Well that was silly, we need some emotions in our life and disappointment and some unhappiness make us better people. She is now a grown woman and I still crazy in Love with her and her brother, born a few years later. It is indescribable and will always be the most wonderful part of my life. I enjoy the time I have here on this Earth and try to make the best of all things that happen to me and my family. Ups and downs I find the love I feel for my Daughter and my Son and now my Grand kids indescribable. Of course I do Love my Mother and Sister and nieces but it is different! I don't have to explain it to anyone that has Children or to Fathers that feel the same way but I can't speak for those special Men. So I keep that love in my back pocket as I travel this journey. It gives me roots and a warm feeling deep in my soul. So here's HUGS all around and especially to those that haven't yet experienced that ultimate LOVE....yes it is true my teacher was right!

Here is my newest post for Illustration Friday. Prehistoric is the topic and I designed this little dinosaur with bright and beautiful colors. He is an up to date animal even though he is a dinosaur. That is what I try to be as I age. Up to date, sometimes it is hard when aches and pains hit and you would rather stay home and draw than attend a function. I sometimes feel been there done that is my answer but then I have to remember that it is new to my Grand kids and they deserve a Grandmother that is fun and eager to do things with them. That is when I feel ashamed and grouchy.So like this little Dinosaur I will be colorful and fun and smile even when I am dreaming of my comfy bed waiting for me. I know that isn't being in the moment and enjoying everything the best I can....But sometime I can even be tired and sometimes I can wish to remain home. But I try to not do it to many times as if they get used to me not being with them they won't care! So as the Holiday festivities start I will put on my best mood and stop and remember how fast life goes by. And remember that it just seemed like yesterday that my kids were little and I was doing the same thing. I will will also be thankful that I can attend these things and really, really be happy for these little moments in time as THEY really do past by FAST!

This bear couple are enjoying themselves as they dance just the two of them alone in the moonlight! I was in Jamaica many years ago after my marriage of many years fell apart. My Mother took my Sister and I and my Sister's future husband for a short vacation. I spent time while there with the hotels diving instructor and hanging with the locals. I vividly remember one night at a local bar the reggae music was playing, and rum and coke was being served in small old fashioned coke bottles with bowls of ice on the table. Sorta of a do it yourself drink. There were mosquito coils burning under the tables and the air was sweet with the sent of flowers. I was dancing with no one in particular as reggae doesn't require a partner and for one, just one small second I thought "I could stay here and not go home". Of course my children and family were home but home as I knew it was no longer there. I savored every moment and tried to remember how it felt just at that moment. I sometimes go back to that time and make black beans and rice, drink rum and coke and think about that cute diving instructor in his leopard speedo's. What a vacation, what a time I had. It wasn't my last great time and I know it won't be my last as when you savour the moment whatever is happening you can remember it over and over. I'm Savouring my Thanksgiving and laughing at some of the moments my family and I laughed until I thought I was going to cry. My 16 year old niece is a good subject to tease and takes all most all of it with a smile and a laugh. It takes a good person to laugh right along when being teased. I like to think we are helping her to be able to deal with all the creeps of the world and in case it ever happens for real she will be able to snap back and go on without crumbling. As their are mean people everywhere. Turkey leftovers are on the menu, I wonder how they go with black beans and rice, and just where did I put that Rum and coke. Please excuse me I have to go..........

Almost Thanksgiving....

Sneaky snake is eyeing Shena Queen of the Jungle's Mango she has picked for lunch. He has slithered up the tree and is contemplating how to take a BIG bite out of the fruit. Perhaps he will take it all, who knows?..... It is Wednesday and Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Our group has gotten quite small and it will be different from usual. We have always had our family and a few others that need a place to hang their hat for the day. But I guess that is good that all are planing their days and don't need to be here. I feel the empty Holiday nest coming on and I'm sure I will miss the confusion and noise. But why miss it? I will try my best to keep up the tradition and be rowdy and busy and eat until I hurt. Mother is seeing better, my kids are well and my Sister and her Daughter will be with me. I think we can fill the bill and celebrate all we have to be thankful for...... I'm still redoing my workspace and finding it hard to relocate all of my Stuff. Just not enough room, it has been fun like seeing old friends when I open a basket and find things I have forgotten about. So have a warm and safe day and I hope you have alot to be thankful for, I DO.....

Surgery was a success!

I just wanted to let those who were so nice to comment on my Mother's eye surgery that she did fine. She was a bit confused as she is always, but came through with flying color.s Off to the Doctors for a follow up visit and then she can take it easy for a while. Glasses are next and then I have done all I can to make her site better. She used to paint and draw but hasn't for some time. I hope now that she can see better she will be inspired to get back into creating. It is hard for her as most of her friends have passed away. And she was never a self starter so it is harder than ever to get her inspired. I totally understand as many days I have to talk myself into doing some things. Mostly housework...that is a dirty word as far as I'm concerned! I start to do things but then I glance at my workspace and geeee why not, I can take some time to create something, it won't take long....tee hee and you know the rest! I now have IF topic Sneaky in my head so no time for housework....always something, kinda like loosing weight....I don't think about it until I need to swim or hot tub it.....not a pretty site. But in the long run I'm just glad all my parts are working and I'm thankful everyday for them fat or not!!!! Have a great weekend sucess

IF Burning

We all think we can burn the candles at both ends when were are younger and we were probably right! But now as I age a bit my candle needs to be lite on one end for fear I will catch on fire. Tee hee.....We start this week with kids still not wanting to go to school and Doctors appointments for my Mother with cataract surgery on Thursday. It will be her last and the last chance to see better. She is a bit confused so I'm not sure weather she really knows how much better she can see or not. But we had nothing to loose with the process so why not? Feels like fall with a slight wind blowing with a chance of showers this weekend. I'm still moving around STUFF in my loft and don't know if it is reproducing on it's own while I sleep. I'm inspired to paint using a little different figure and of course caught up in the color and patterns of the art work. Thinking of making cardboard stars covered with glitter for presents this Christmas as people tell me that they still love the ones we gave them many years ago. The kids enjoyed making them and the youngest wasn't around the first time so I think she will get a big kick out of doing it and giving them. Thanksgiving next week I have sooooo much to be thankful for and will have a small gathering here with all the goodies. I hope you have a wonderful day and have a lot to be thankful for. I am especially thankful for the ability to create and paint pictures that tickle people's fancies. Nothing calms me more than getting into my work, the world and my small problems disappear. That is Great if only for a moment. So here is my wish for you this holiday season. Moments that take you away from the ugliness of life and in that moment I wish you calmness and the sense that it will be alright! Even if you are not sure it will be. Enjoy those moments.....

Dancing Sea Turtles!

I painted this while the fabulous site Ripple was still going. I didn't get a chance to post it. I thought it might be on target for the topic of Afterwards. I know we are all hope full that the damage done after the oil spill will be able to be regenerated. These little Turtles are not alone in their dance..... All is busy on my end and my Cat wants to sit on my lap as I try to type in this post. She now as given up and with a discussed look walked away. I love her very much but after a night of sleeping with her, she needs to give me a little time to get some thing done. Anything.... I am redoing my living space, as I live in a loft with many, many things. I suddenly feel taken over by all my STUFF and am weeding out some of the not so loved things. I will put them in storage as I know I will find the need to be the clutter Queen again. Weather is colder today, we fluctuate from the 90's to the 60's it is amazing we don't all have colds from the drastic changes. ...but all is well but busy and always changing.......