Dawn

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.
My father- in- law passed away today.
He was an extraordinary man.
I was honored to be his daughter-in-law.
Right now I am grappling with the idea that through death, one can learn about living.

Bluebird

Bluebird

16 x 20

acrylic collage

on paper

Flora II

Flora II

10 x 14

acrylic collage

on paper

Flora

Flora
10 x 14
acrylic collage
on paper

Will

Will

The constant rhythmic tick

accustomed to background beat

that once it ceases,

the silence is deafening.

A sense of calm

interrupted by a giant hand

defines the moment

when slumber cries your name.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

16 x 20

acrylic collage

on paper

Keeping Christmas Near

I never knew anyone who kept their Christmas tree up all year long.
At first I thought she needed help taking it down or that she had no place to store it.
When I found out the real reason, it made perfect sense.
She said that she wanted to keep her Christmas near.
"But why cover it up with a big white sheet?" I asked. It loomed in the corner, unlike the ghost of Christmas past, but more like a gentle reminder in disguise.
A simple unveiling would always warm her heart; revealing the times her family was together.
I often think of her sitting by the tree in all it's glory, tinsel, and lights. It's during the heat of summer, when I smile the most.
So now I have a different response to my neighbor's wreath still gracing their door in the middle of February. I am no longer frustrated by the over sized candy canes placed throughout the yard across the street. I figure these people just need to keep their Christmas near.
So I think I'll keep that one forgotten strand of lights still wrapped around the tree in my own yard.
I can easily plug them in on the days I may need a little Christmas.

Bear

Bear
16 x 20
acrylic collage
on paper

Friends

Deer
16 x 20
acrylic collage
on paper


At this stage of the game, I am finally realizing the importance of friendship. This may be because I am getting older or that I am more comfortable with who I am.
Ah, who I am I kidding?
I have no idea why this is happening.
I would like to think that I have a lot to contribute to a friendship and that I could make an impact. Advantages of being my friend include an exchange of ideas and opportunities to express emotions. I think friends should challenge each other.
Perhaps I am being too lofty in my expectations.
This dawned on me when I received an email from my dear friend in Germany.
She is going through a difficult time and mentioned that she just wanted to be with me and think about nothing.
I guess that probably makes sense, since we don't speak the same language.
I am just wondering how I could possibly sit around and think about nothing.
This really wasn't the type of challenge I was talking about.
But what are friends for?

Grazing

Grazing
16 x 20
acrylic collage
on paper

Misplaced Summer

Deer
16 x 20
acrylic collage
on paper


Somewhere in the midst of winter, she misplaced her internal summer. That invincible sunshine that warmed her more than the many layers or her new furry boots was now hidden behind a flurry of grey clouds. Her body felt like an outdated furnace unable to hold a flame.
She heard so many tragic stories about people lighting their pilot lights, she was afraid to even strike a match.
She shuddered when she remembered a girl she saw years ago. A clear plastic mask covered what was once a beautiful face. Five tiny holes remained as features on a shiny, pink plane. An image so far removed from it's origin, yet ever so present in her mind. She realized that if she didn't act quickly, she would be an igloo by morning.
With a crick and a crack she got down on her arthritic knees and struck the match. She pressed down on that cantankerous knob and reached inside the furnace. The lit match was beginning to burn her fingers, when all of a sudden a thunderous boom sent her tumbling backwards. Instinctively she checked her face.
She did it! She lit the pilot light!
Actually as proud as she was, she felt a little silly.
It wasn't that difficult.
As the warmth welled up inside her, she felt the coldness shift away.
She realized the effort required to ignite her flame was minuscule compared to the consequence.
I mean, who really wants to go through life as an igloo?