The Muse of Memoir: Share your Story

https://youtu.be/qM2ifcWCqO0 Watch the video version using the link above. A woman arises from the mist and walks towards me. All my writing until this moment seems but mere child’s play, splashes in puddles of rain. She unfolds her soft, supple hands, not gnarled, and scarred as I would assume for one having put her hand …

A Grief Endured

I revisited a post and poem dating back to March 2, 2012 and decided to create a video version: https://youtu.be/o6Jk0_uNqJU Here's the former post: This morning I received another phone call informing me of another precious friend who has died. This is the fifth person in the last two weeks. From ages 19 to 82, …

Bird of Paradise the Wingless Bird of Surrender

I'm captivated by the Birds of Paradise that grace my garden. These lovely flowers hold special significance for me. They remind me to surrender lofty aspirations in exchange for blessings that come from living an everyday life in an attitude of surrender. Like the Bird of Paradise, the wingless bird of surrender, life plucks our …

Ambition: The Rhinoceros of the Soul

https://youtu.be/MB8i6FJSDkE Ambition is my Achilles heel—a character weakness in my animal-like nature that drives me off course. Ambition is the fly in the ointment of my spirituality—an ever-present annoyance that buzzes around my brain, convincing me to go off course in chase of another vain pursuit. Ambition drives me to obsess the future, take big …

Welcome Home

Welcome Home is my tribute to the millions of immigrants who have sought refuge and a better life in America. We welcome you! Welcome Home is a mixed media oil portrait. https://youtu.be/wuAQAUxwCuk The project began as a collage of photos from my husband and my trip to Maine. Originally, I titled the artwork "Art and Soul" …

The Seven Virtues

I came across the seven virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 during the Covid 19 pandemic. They seemed like the perfect antidote for the social unrest and animosity happening, even among families and friends as people divided over issues. These virtues stirred my heart, and I found myself longing for character traits that had eternal …

Easy Salt Dough Recipe and Valentine Hearts

As Valentine's Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to do a series of posts/videos that show how to sculpt hearts using salt dough. Salt dough is an easy, fun craft you can do with all ages. What a wonderful gift your children can give to their friends along with the traditional valentines: Select …

Stranger from Another Realm

Into the night he whispersStranger from another realmShrouded form so sweetly familiarApparition from youth I once touched Into my mind he whispersStranger from another realmUnfolding path steers my awkward stepsOnly moving forward matters  Into my soul he whispersStranger from another realmDrawing me towards immortalityI sense a presence not of this earth Often The Stranger visits us in …

Isaiah’s Portrait, Oil on Canvas

This is one of my most challenging and yet rewarding paintings. What a privilege to capture the essence of this amazing boy. Here's a short video that shows my process: https://youtu.be/lRnMpfDswTY