IF : Hot Air Balloon

The debate continues! Click here.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Sharpie, acrylic and colored pencil on very cool paper

Animal Wednesday: Stuffing Ourselves

This is my friend's Italian Greyhound, Tay. (Mateo) She had this red ball that she loved more than anything else. When it became nothing but a flattened piece of rubber it became a choking hazard and had to be taken away. Do you think any of us could come up with a ball even close to the specialness of that one? We never did. Luckily a move to a new home took her mind off the ball and her one-toy obsession was a thing of the past.

I chose her as my Animal Wednesday model today because of the way that ball is stuffed in her mouth, reminding me of all the people who'll be overindulging tomorrow! I'll also be having Thanksgiving at her house trying to avoid her big, brown pleading eyes. No Tay, go lie down. I may have to tell her to go find 'red ball' so we can eat in peace :)

HAW to all of you, and blessings to my friends who will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Cactus Monday : Winter Hat

Curious?? Look here! Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Emma's Opinion

This is Emma. (click on her name)

She's an SPCA rescue of the Chihuahua type

and she has an opinion about everyone and everything.

In my opinion, she's right most of the time.

I love my little girl!

paper bag from Trader Joe's, colored pencil, no.2 pencil and collaged words for

Illustration Friday's prompt: opinion

Click to enlarge my little pup!

Deuce Awards!

I received two more awards from the generous and talented Soulbrush!

The first one is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing...that's the general idea. Wow, I really appreciate being put in that category. I'm beyond flattered!

The Lemonade Award is a whimsical way of thanking people for the blogs we enjoy, I suppose. So...thanks for this one too!

Soulbrush nominated almost every single person on my list, that stinker, so what I'm going to do is ask you to help yourselves, every one of you. You all deserve these awards and many more for the support and encouragement you continue to give me. You truly buckle my knees sometimes.

So go ahead, grab the awards and pass em' along! Where would we be without each other? xoxo

Cat's out of the bag...Six more random facts

I was tagged by the delightfully clever Connie to come up with six random facts about myself. I promise not to have this list be as serious as the previous one!

1) I only have time to read for pleasure at bedtime and I fall asleep after one or two paragraphs! It's been years since I've finished a book. That's just wrong!

2) I'm an old-fashioned letter writer. I love sending pretty cards in the mail for no other reason than to make someone smile.

3) I make friends easily. My husband jokingly calls me "the second coming of Oprah!"

4) He also calls me the pied piper because of my "animal magnetism." :)

5) Whenever there's a disaster on the news the first thing I think about are if any animals were involved. I can't help it.

6) I love warm, sweet corn on my salads. Mmmm!

If you'd like to participate, follow the rules on Connie's blog or do what I'm doing, just tossing it out there for those who want to play! It's always fun to hear more about our friends!

Animal Wed-Zen-Day

Deep breath in...

Exhale,

Repeat 3 times.

Feel better now?

Peaceful Animal Wed-Zen-Day my friends :)

Seven Similar Things

I came across a wonderful fellow blogger's post who listed seven random things about herself. I was amused by the fact that I could relate to all of them in a similar but non-exact way. That inspired me to come up with a spin on the old
"Seven Random Facts" theme just for fun! Please join in if you can relate to what we've said by putting your own spin on things. You're all tagged by your own choice. No pressure, just let it fly!

So the thing you need to do is first read KJ's post, then compare my similarities!

Here goes...

1) I live out of a laundry basket. I don't have enough dresser/bureau space to put my clothes away.

2) On a related note, we lack closet space in this tiny duplex so many of my clothes don't get hung up. But if I'm being completely honest here, all I have to do is give away the clothes that don't fit me even though I swear they will one day soon and then I will have PLENTY of room in the closet.

3) Nature is my church, kindness is my religion.

4) I'll give away nine cents of every dime I have but please don't ever take advantage of me.

5) I grew up poor in inner city Boston in the 50's and 60's. Those were not good times. My parents drank every paycheck and most often we were without heat, food or electricity. My mother would cover us with coats on top of blankets. I could see my breath and hear my teeth and bones chatter. My body would ache from the shivering.

6) I was arrested at age 14 for shoplifting. I was a little runt always trying to be accepted by the wrong people. They were stealing the latest, coolest outfits and I was stealing Christmas presents for people I loved. I was busted for ten dollars worth of merchandise. I also remember having cardboard inserts in my shoes that night because it was winter and I had holes in my shoes. The mother of my friend came to bail her out and forbade her to hang out with the likes of me anymore. My father left me in jail that night to teach me a lesson. That's the most profound and loving thing he's ever done for me.

7) I didn't have a senior prom, or a junior prom. I was expelled from school at the age of fifteen for circumstances beyond my control at home. Instead of helping me, the 'powers that be' labeled me. Thank God for my probation officer who stood by me and knew I was a good kid in a bad situation. Forty-four years later we are still very close. I went on to get my GED at age 25 and even did a bit of college until I ran out of money. I learned more in the school of hard knocks, and really, I think I've done okay.

Please join in if you wish! I really like the voluntary aspect of memes. I know my answers were a bit of a downer, but I look at those memories as a reason to celebrate where I am today.

Tribute to Little Ava

I had to say goodbye to another sweet patient today. You can read about her here and leave comments for her mom, Iva, if you wish.

Thanks, everyone. xoxo

Cactus Monday: Floundering in the West

No matter how many times I've been to the desert, it always amazes me when I see those silly fish fly by. I mean, where are they going and what's their hurry?

Happy Cactus Monday Cactuteers!!

A Yearly Treat!

I'm so excited!! Yesterday I got my yearly treat in the mail. I've been getting this book every year beginning in 1988, which makes this my 20th edition! It's a feast for the eyes and the spirit. I even entered one year but my work was lost as well as my favorite photo of me and my cat, but I digress. It's chock full of illustrations from published as well as non-published artists covering every imaginable subject and medium. If you've never feasted your eyes on one, order one today! You can get it on Amazon.com. You just may be inspired to enter for next year.

Okay, gotta run! I have a book to indulge in now :)

Oh, and check out this really, really cool giveaway!

IF : Pretend

Our lives are only limited by our imaginations or fears.

Now get out there tiger, and live your dream!

For Illustration Friday : pretend

acrylic and colored pencil on bristol board

Animal Wednesday : Here chick chick!

There's something about chickens that I really like. Their eyes fascinate me for some reason, and I love the different patterns of the many varieties. They make wonderful painting subjects, especially if they sit perfectly still in the studio and don't poop on the floor. Ha ha ha!!

Happy Animal Wednesday, or HAW to all you regulars!

Doodley Cactus Monday!

No rhyme or reason. Just a'doodling away in my new Moleskine enjoying my morning coffee!

HCM fellow Cactuteers!

IF : Wise Advice

There are many people out there who don't have anyone. No one to share their stories with. No one to eat dinner with or to sit on the porch steps and chat with. No one to comfort them when they're feeling sad or lonely.

Most times all these folks need is just five minutes of listening with an open heart. Someone to tell them there are better days ahead. Someone to encourage them and show them why it's worth getting out of bed in the morning.

Be that someone. Be inspired to change someone's life with a simple kindness.

Your life will be enriched tenfold.

Cactus Monday: Senita's Big Day!

Here's a little card I made for Soulbrush's cactus, Senita. She's getting married today to Cowboy Joe! I know, who the heck ever heard of a cactus getting married, but they reproduce somehow right? Well then, why not a big fanciful wedding celebration? Let's go! (click here)

Please stop by the other Cactuteers places to see how they celebrated! You can find their links when you stop by at the wedding.

What a Happy Cactus Monday this is!!