Monday Mood: What Did I have to Lose?

I am sure I have shown this photo before. I had it printed and I framed it. I was going to use it in a community gallery show, then the show filled up and I brought it home and it is on the wall just inside my bedroom door. 

Every month or so I receive an email from Artomatic, a local group that when they can takes over a vacant commercial space or empty office building and turns it into an temporary art space. In the email were listings of regional events, including a call for submissions for the Graham Slaughter Biannual Photography Competition at the Dorchester Center for the Arts in Maryland.  It was interesting, but I have not had much luck in juried competitions.  But I already had the photo printed and framed, what did I have to lose? So I sent it in. 

As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day. I received an email saying the work has been accepted for the show.  I will drive over and drop it off today. How fun. 

Anytime you are thinking, I don't know, maybe I am not talented enough, my work is not that great, stop and ask yourself, what do I have to lose? Not much, take the chance. 
 

The Sunday Five: Aging Gracefully

1: What has been your "best" decade of life? 

2:What age range is middle age? 

3: What do you plan to do while you can? 

4: When do we stop saving for old age? 

5: Is the best yet to come? 

My answers:

1: What has been your "best" decade of life? So far, my 60s. I had five years of high achieving work, and now 2 1/2 years of engaged retirement. 

2:What age range is middle age? 35 to 45, life expectancy is about 80, so that is about half way. 

3: What do you plan to do while you can? Stay engaged in life. 

4: When do we stop saving for old age? NOW! 

5: Is the best yet to come? I think I have a few great years left to come. 

Please share your answers int he comments. 

The Sunday Five: Have You Ever

1: Have you ever ridden a skateboard? 

2: Have you ever ridden a bicycle? 

3: Have you ever ridden a bicycle more than 30 miles per hour? 

4: Have you ever sat and watched a skate park? 

5: Have you ever wished you could fly? 

My answers:

1: Have you ever ridden a skateboard? I tried a couple of times when I was a teenager, unsuccessfully. 

2: Have you ever ridden a bicycle? Lots and lots. 

3: Have you ever ridden a bicycle more than 30 miles per hour? Yes, it is thrilling and terrifying at the same time. 

4: Have you ever sat and watched a skate park? A couple of times. It can be very entertaining. 

5: Have you ever wished you could fly? Hasn't everyone? 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning Post: Don't Let Others Crush You Creativity

Sadly, I remember the year, we crushed my mother's creative spirit. One year, she made paper napkin rings for a holiday table. Instead of praise for her creative effort, the family found them silly and useless.  I don't remember if they actually made it to the table on the holiday. 

I am very sorry that I was a part of that criticism. I missed the opportunity to learn from this. To use it as a teachable moment. 

A few harsh words, can crush our creativity. Even the most talented of artists have fragile egos. 

There are two sides to this. 

First, always, always, always be kind. As my Grandmother told me, if you don't have anything kind to say, don't say anything. It is okay to not like someone's creative effort, but keep that to yourself. Be careful and kind in what you say. Always encourage others. 

Second, as creative people, we need to not let criticism destroy our creativity. 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, their opinion does not make your work good or bad. 

Work that is criticized today, is often seen as cutting edge brilliance later. 

Often the critic, is channeling insecurities about their own abilities. 

If your work has meaning for one person, it is great work. 

Please don't crush the creativity of others. Never let your critics crush your creative spirit. 

 

Funky Friday: Strange Farm Facts

I can tell if the barnyard is home to pigs, chickens, cows, sheep, or horses - from the smell alone.

Honeybees smell, actually they stink. In the spring on the farm we would have several hundred pounds of them in a heated garage - you buy worker bees by the pound. 

Pigs and chickens are omnivores, they will eat anything, including each other. 

Cows are vegetarians by nature, but indiscriminate eaters - they sometimes swallow wire, nails, and screws. You then feed them a magnet to gather the metal. Commercial cattle feed often has byproduct meal, in other words dried and ground-up cow bits in it to increase the protein content.  

Horses are fussy eaters and will spit out anything that feels wrong, but are unable to vomit. Their teeth grow continuously through their lifespan. When a horses's teeth stop growing they don't have long left to live. 

Most grain crops are grown from hybrid seed. Planting the resulting grain is often prohibited as a patent violation, and will often result in a plant that is unlike the parent. The seed companies have a near monopoly on the grain that is grown. 

Most seed corn is covered in a toxic coating. Animals and humans have died from eating it. 

The Thursday Ramble: A Few Of My Favorite Things

 There is a challenge in taking 10,000 photos a year, for a few decades, and painting 15 or 20 canvases a year, and buying a few things over 50 years - there is not enough wall space. A couple of weeks ago, John over at Going Gently asked his readers to send in photos of their art wall. Well I don't have an art wall, I have a bunch of art walls. A quick dash around the house with my phone yielded the photos above. 

All but two of the photos on the walls are one's I have taken over the years. Some of them are 50 years old, some very recent. All of the paintings are from the last 15 years. There is a watercolor and a pencil drawing bought in Italy about 20 years ago. One silhouette print that was in my parents bedroom for 60 plus years, one of a pair, my sister has the other one. Oh and a print that was a fundraiser for Channel 24, the now defunct public television station in Orlando. 

This is just a part of the wallscaping. There are other walls full. Some of it gets changed out from time to time, some of it has been in place for years. 

When I started the job in DC, I commented to my boss that I would bring in the diplomas and licenses and put up the wall of credibility. He said, "you don't need that, put up things that make you happy." And most of what is in the 6th photo was in my office for several years. Photos from my travels. 

The first photo, is the land of unhung art.  That pile keeps growing.  I need to go buy a couple of frames. 

My World of Wonders - July 22, 2026

 

Where have I been this week? A long walk along King Street in Alexandria, the treadmill at the gym, the pool, the Alexandria Farmers Market. A shopping run to Home Goods and Aldi. 

Who have I talked with this week? Karen and Sharon, two of Sweet Bear's nieces. My Sweet Bear. Rebecca. Susan, Ana, and Gillespie. 

What artsy stuff am I up to this week? A photo and a painting.

What have I been up to in the kitchen?  Chicken Marsala and saffron rice. Started a jar of dill pickles, made gazpacho. Fried chicken, macaroni salad.  Pork Tenderloin, mushrooms and onions, baked potato, and multi grain bread (made with a little of this and a little of that and see if it works - it did.) Started a batch of coffee liqueur - I haven't made that in a couple of years.  

What has the weather been like? Smokey - blocking out the sun, to an extent that the outside air is reported to be unhealthy for a few days, then it rained and cleared out.

What am I reading? A book about adults and play, titled PlayFul.  

What have I started planning? A friends and family visit to Florida, in mid-winter. 

Travel Tuesday: Ft Wayne Museum of Art - the Glass collection