Uphill idealist

This image is called the Rublev Icon , and it is said by some by to be a visual representation of the Trinity. I was introduced to this image about five years ago now, and it holds a great deal of significance for me. In this painting, the three figures around the table are representative of God the Creator, Jesus the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit the comforter. I honestly don't know what I'd do if God were not in my life. While I have family members and friends that are dear and beloved to me; God is my most beloved. I'm thankful beyond words that the Trinity is always there sitting and inviting me to come join them at the table of forgiveness, grace, and love.

This is a terrible one to figure out. How do I choose? I'd have to say though, that after listening to the Decemberists newest album - I'm quite impressed. What do you think?

(Image found at Heatherwood Elementary. ) Painting...Music....Writing...Creating... Let's put it under the umbrella of Art. I love it and so did Thomas. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” ~Thomas Merton

Arts programs are in a precarious state. Literally, millions in funding are in the process of being potentially eliminated. There even is a danger of the National Endowment of the Arts to be eliminated entirely. See this excerpt from the Advocate for the Arts... This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will bring to the House floor, a Continuing Resolution (CR) appropriations package that proposes to cut dozens of federal agencies and programs for the balance of the current 2011 fiscal year (March 5 through September 30). The National Endowment for the Arts is targeted for a $22.5 million cut in the legislative proposal, and it is quite possible members of the Republican Study Committee will offer amendments to fully eliminate the NEA during floor consideration. ( From Advocate of the Arts ) Do you recall the cartoons by Schoolhouse rock? I do. In fact without this "artistic medium of teaching", I'm not sure I'd ever understood the process of a bill becoming a la...

The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun

I know hate is a strong word, but there are some things in this world that we all could do without. For me dissension or dissention is one of the big ones I'd rather not see in the world. Dissention is defined as: disagreement; especially : partisan and contentious quarreling. It's synonyms are: conflict, dis-accord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, discord, dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare. Something that propagates or leads to war and all that comes in it's wake, just needs to stop.

"Sometimes the despair of waiting can bring us low. One of the hidden gifts of this position is a change in perspective." (Page 77 The Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting) Have you ever heard the children's song, "Do you're ears hang low to they waggle to and fro. Can you tie them in a knot? Can you tie them in a bow?..." Humility is a word that isn't something that most people seek after. First of all, some may mistake humility for allowing yourself to be treated as a doormat. Humility actually is defined as: "the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc. " From a Biblical perspective humility is characterized in the following verses as: " a prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquility (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job ...

My daughter Heather and I have always been up for adventures: 12 hour road trips moving a friends kitchen supplies in a maxi van with no ac...going to picnics in Pittsburgh and ending up sitting with a famous author,...shaving-cream wiffle ball games and all those community service youth events. I'm always up for an adventure with Heather. :)

How perfect that this photo happens to fall on Valentines Day! I'd have to say that the person who's been there for me - thick and thin - is my husband Ian. We celebrate 22 Valentine's Days together this week and 19 years of marriage in June... Words don't really suffice, but thank you Ian for being so true to your promises.

Ashville General Store is one of my favorite diner/restaurants to go to in our area. This photo is of three generations of Eastman ladies all brought together by "The General" as I call it, and Arizona Green Tea. To the ladies I share this photo with (my mother-in-law Janet and my daughter Heather>) - CHEERS! I love you. Thank you for all the laughter that day and everyday.