Random Thoughts: Learning a new Technique

Hello everyone it has been a while since I posted, but I have been working on some arty things.  I am trying to get into the habit of acting everyday.  No one as to see it, I just have to do it.  I have also been watching some youtube videos and learning how to use some of the products I have.

In the last couple of weeks I saw a few videos on Alcohol Inks and Copic Markers. The videos were by Barbara Joggles of Joggles.com and Diana Trout, an amazing artist and teacher.   I have to tell you I am in Love.  The randomness of the effects is just so yummy.  The posts below are of glossy playing cards, Yupo paper painted with Copic Markers and Yupo Paper painted with Adirondack Alcohol inks.  What is Yupo paper you ask?  It is a synthetic watercolor paper.  It is plastic and as a result, the alcohol ink will bloom when dropped or painted on a shiny substrate.  On the Playing cards I used a combination of drippage and putting ink on a makeup sponge and dabbing on the card.  

This is just the beginning.....I feel like a mad scientist as I will be trying more ways of painting over the next few weeks.  Watch this space.....

Playing Cards

Yupo and Copic alcohol markers

Yupo, alcohol inks and doodle

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep a smile on your face and love in your heart,,pilgrim

Random Thoughts: I Forgive You

My Tears flow like a River

Dear Reader, I rarely if ever write about anything political or religious on my blog or any other social media.  The reason for that is everyone is allowed his or her opinion and I try not to put my thoughts/opinions on anyone and I do not want them to put theirs on me.

However, today I am going to write about being humbled by the happenings of Wednesday, June 17th in Charleston, South Carolina.  Nine African Americans were killed senselessly by a young man who was eaten up by hatred that he probably did not really understand.  You see his statement as he committed murder shows that he did not have a good understanding, "You have raped our women, we want our country back....."(paraphrased).  He was repeating something he had heard said by others.

We have not taken anyone's country, we are not predators roaming the country raising havoc and rapes, we are Americans who have worked just as hard as anyone else to achieve the American Dream.

There are people of all races and ethnicities who have done things (thefts, murders, a myriad of crimes) that no one is proud of.  There are people of all races and ethnicities who struggle to make ends meet,  There are people of all races and ethnicities that are billionaires and there are people of all races and ethnicities who are crying because of this tragedy, trying to make sense of it all.

Last Friday, June 19th during the arraignment of the killer, family members were allowed to make a statement.  There were a couple who did not want to make a statement and that was understandable.  I do not know if I would have been able to say anything; however, the majority stated "I forgive you."  One by one they said "I forgive you and may God give you peace to your soul."  What?????? What did they say???? Forgive, they were willing to forgive?  I immediately thought of Jesus on the Cross when he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Yes they were uttering words of forgiveness, and realistically those words started the process of bringing solace to their spirits.  Because if we cannot forgive, we will be eaten alive by anger.  Now does this mean that everything was hunky dory?  No, you see they will have to say "I forgive you" many times for it to permeate their spirit and give them peace; but at least they have started the process and that is most important.

Saying "I forgive you", will not eliminate anger, it will not erase the pain, it will not remove the shock and at times despair.  No, that takes a lot of time.  Saying "I forgive you", starts the process for the family members, the Church, the City and the Country to heal.  Saying "I forgive you", begins to negate the evil done, it pulls people together and it makes all of us think about who it is we need to forgive.

As I said, I do not normally express these types of opinions in social media; but this is my blog and this is something I need to say.  Hopefully, we as a country will begin to heal from all of the evils that plague us and learn that it is time for all of us to work together to make life better for all.

Until next week.....pilgrim.  Who know where my thoughts will lead, the flood gates have been opened.

Random Thoughts: first two weeks of June

Hello!!!!!  This post is going to be about the first two weeks of June.  For the past three years I have participated in a wonderful art project - Index Card A Day.  The fun begins on June 1 and continues through July 31, 2015.

Sooooooo here are the first two weeks of cards

Day 2 Chevron

Day 2 Carnival

Day 3 Map

Day 4 Message in a bottle

Day 5 Owl

Day 6  My kind of Taxi

Day 7 Periodic Table

Day 8 Grapefruit and Cherry

Day 11 Mango and Lime

Day 13 Blue Berry and Plum

Day 14  Black and White

It is a lot of fun working on these cards, looking at the prompt and coming up with ideas.

train station in black and white

chance to step off train for some air

beautiful scene from the train

The pictures above were taken as I traveled home from Michigan.  I love the train and this year I took the Southwest Chief which winds through the midwest before making a right turn into northern New Mexico and rolls through Northern Arizona.  In order to get to Las Vegas area, I detrained in Kingman Arizona, and took the shuttle to Las Vegas.  

Random Thoughts: Prom and Graduation - where did the time go?

Hello, hello dear reader, it has been a while since I wrote a post.  I have been on vacation.  I went to Michigan to spend time with my daughter and her family and attend the graduation of my grandson Kellen Michael Harris.  Kellen graduated from Dwight D. Eisenhower High in Shelby Township.  It was a really great time.

Kellen getting ready for the Prom

Kellen and Mom fixing pocket square

Kellen and baby sister Lauren

Kellen and the grandma's (Glenda and Mary)

Memories of the Prom

After graduation by his sign

Getting ready to leave for graduation

Kellen and Lauren

Time flies by so quickly.  I remember when he was born and now look at him, getting ready go to college in the fall.  He will be attending Michigan State University and plans to major in Secondary Education specializing in French.

We had great conversations about life and goals.  Cooking lessons on the best way to make chicken noodle soup and just laughed at silly things.  Lauren and I cooked pork chops.  The times were very special and I will cherish them always.

That is all for now dear friends more later.

Random thoughts April 26 to May 2

These photos represent what I call best of.  One was taken in Zion National Park and the bottom two are waterlogue app renditions o two photo's I have taken.

Last week was really a busy week, Bible Study, last day of Religious Ed, Pastoral Council Meeting and then Silent Retreat in Alhambra, California from May 1 to May 3rd.

Time goes by so fast.  I had a lot to do, post cards to make for a swap, Mother's day cards to make that I wanted to get into mail by May 5th; packing for two trips and continuing my purge of the house.

I really enjoyed the Retreat because it allowed me to slow down and just think and listen.

I will write more about the retreat next week.

Until next week, be well  pilgrim