Since not many may not see this...

This picture that is posted began about a year ago featuring a nude model in the abstract. It's called "Blowing a kiss" and you may see that a bosom appears quite naturally juxtaposed a bit off-center. That would be the only consideration for not posting this picture. If you are a puritan, perhaps this is not your cup of tea. That is understood. Not that it is suggestive or provocative, because it is. The image is designed to evoke that base male response, lust. The bosom is the central focal point and meant to be unapologetic and explicit. The pursuit of beauty, like the truth, will contain it's opposite. Lust may fuel the drive, but a connection of the heart is the aim. The pursuit is to arrive with an understanding of that obscure of desire.

For the best view click on the image itself.

Curious as a cat

It's been well over a year since I have posted on this blog. In fact, I thought it would have been shelved by the Blogger™ at some point. Today is April 13th and as a nation are in the midst of a horrible pandemic known as the coronavirus. Many have lost their lives, and this is a worldwide malady. You would have to be living under a rock to not know what's been going on from all sides. Everyone is going inside and staying away from everything. People are more informed than ever, but now more isolated. This is a challenging situation. Many who are not at their jobs are getting a lot of things done, that doesn't require that they ride somewhere and perform the same mind-numbing tasks that have been required of them for years. Others are discovering the comforts of being around their families and pets for a change of pace.

In Chinese calligraphy, the symbol for Crisis is the same as the symbol for opportunity. This is a good approach to the unsetting nature of a virus that we don't know when and if; will end. It has been said that this time is our new normal. In actuality, there is nothing normal about this, except in the way we choose to see it. Getting closer to the God of our understanding is perhaps the best way to proceed on a day by day basis. Projecting too far in the future can only create unnecessary anxiety and worry. Worry is disloyalty to the God of my understanding. Disloyalty equals a lack of trust. Trust has to be a daily or even hourly investment at this point.

I find that prayer and meditation will center me and keep me at the moment where I belong. Doing the next right thing is what is the only thing that is required of me. Sometimes the next right thing to do is eat, sleep, go for a walk or even do the laundry. It is hardly ever required that I indulge in the useless emotion of worry. Nuff said

Funny as it may seem...

A few years ago, there was a web site which featured a variety of musical artists who would answer questions from fans who posted videos of themselves asking any question. Naturally, whoever the celebrity was could pick and choose whatever question they wanted to answer.

So when I saw the opportunity to ask Mick Jagger a question, I immediately got on the computer and turned on my video cam and created the video which you will see here.

As a teenager, listening to the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, I was intrigued when some of these guys would go off to distant lands to explore other cultures, practices, and religions. The Beatles went to India to learn about transcendental meditation from the Maharishi. Mick and the Stones went to record "Exile on Main Street" in Haiti and had the opportunity to learn a little about Voodoo down there. This prompted my question, and when I learned that my question got answered, I logged on a went back to the site which offered this opportunity.

Mick seemed a little taken aback when he was asked if he "Studied Voodoo in Haiti" but graciously answered my question as best as he could. Enjoy!

Christmas Eve 2018

The year went by so fast, but I don't have to tell you that. Is it that we circle the drain faster as it eventually empties out? Whatever the case, I am still trying to do the best I can with the time left on this planet. My wish is for everyone to be happy, joyous and free this Christmas. My hope is for a healthy world of love, peace, and respect for life in every form. Generally speaking, our birth and our expiration date are pre-determined. Who among us would like to admit that they know when they are going to die, even if they did? Was Aldous Huxley the only one who made such an accurate prediction of his own death? (albeit without attempting suicide). The question is ponderable and makes the argument for reincarnation curious. If one is reborn, at what point would that cycle expire? Does infinity expand or contract... or both? Inquiring minds want to know. (Geez, is this particular blog boring or what?) I rest my case.

Well into the Fall

Here it is, October 14th and the air is cool and dry as the winds are expected to pick up again today, just like last year around the time of the fires. I pray to God that there will be no natural disasters until we at least get an opportunity to rebuild after the last one. This not only goes for the fires but for the floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, typhoons, earthquakes and whatever else could bring us to the brink of collapse. The world seems to be in dire straits more every day. Without sounding too hyperbolic, the entire world is undergoing a massive upheaval. The reason for these events may not be readily apparent but are becoming clearer to everyone with the eyes to see and the ears to hear. We must come to rely on the power of God every day to guide and direct us. We need peace and serenity on this earth, while there is still hope. Most of all, our leaders must realize that pride does cometh before the fall. Trusting the process, following your heart and allowing beauty to manifest itself, is the way.

Summer Flies by

Wow! You blink and it's gone. I see that my last post was back in June and so much has happened from that period until now. Fires, fires, and more fires. Naturally, the news media, fake or otherwise, has provided more than we ever need to know about Trump, Global warming, and the Kardashians. Today the temperatures have dropped a bit and Fall is definitely in the air. Tonight I'll be attending a drumming circle with some friends at a house in St. Helena. The full moon was last Sunday, but there should still be plenty of light available before the coastal breezes and fog come rolling up over the Mayacamas.

Truth be told, my summer has been rather uneventful, except say for my sister's 50th wedding anniversary. That was really a great occasion. My nephew arranged the whole affair and went so far as to rent out a nice building in Napa next to a golf course. The extended family came from as far away as Washington State. Although I didn't stay long, the day has proved to be the highlight of my summer.

Around 3PM that afternoon I took my grandnephew to see the Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton play at the Concord Pavillion. We got there early enough to beat the traffic, but not the heat. It turned out to be a fantastic show and Liam enjoyed it immensely. Peter Frampton opened and played a set that included all his covers. Steve Miller followed with Frampton jamming with him later in the show. Liam could appreciate it from a guitarist point of view. He has been playing the guitar for quite a while now and it has become his new passion. By the end of his first concert he was walking on clouds ( not to mention all the weed that was floating around in the air). Liam is at an age where he needs a lot of male guidance and support, not to be blindly exposed to all the worldly temptations. I just hope that the kid meets others like himself so he doesn't spend too much time alone. The show ended around midnight and we were back at his hotel around one.

Today I am back to painting rocks and getting ready for the weekend markets.What the heck, it keeps a roof over my head and food in my belly.

Smiley Faced Dog

The picture of this puppy was snapped just in the nick of time. She is only three months old and is a bundle of energy. Outside in front of the Whole Foods Market in Sebastopol is where we met. I think her name is Belle. The eyes on this dog just blew my mind, so naturally, the iPhone got whipped out in short order. Her owners were very obliging, as it is certain that I wasn't the first person to inquire if a photo could be taken. Naturally, If I had stuck around, the licks and the leash would have entwined us all.