Pride Month 2021

I've been an staunch ally for the LGBTQ+ community since high school ('87 grad so... it's been a long time) and I've always believed that love is never wrong. Like, NEVER wrong... even when it isn't soft and pretty and looking like what societal labels and norms dictate it "should" be.

In 2014, my best bud asked me to be her maid of honor (again...but we really don't need to mention that) and she and her (now) wife not only arranged to fly me across the country to be there but they blessed me with the honor of taking part in what has to be the most beautiful, honest, and heartfelt wedding ceremony I could ever hope to witness. Weddings usually make me cringe more than cry but I couldn't stop tearing up on that gorgeous December day in California. I was (and am) so happy for two of the most wonderful, caring, loving (not to mention important) people in my life. My eyes well up thinking about it now. 

So, when Pride Month came this year, I wanted to honor it in some small way as the ally that I am. Julie and Deb, consider this Zentangle-inspired art yet another "thank you". Shine bright my lovelies and be forever affectionate. You are my muses much more than you could ever know.

New Post in Burnt Offerings: Hoagie Salad

Looking for a potluck or cookout recipe? How about a Hoagie Salad? Click on the picture or visit the Burnt Offerings page for the recipe! Enjoy!

Haiku [untitled]

Winter and the cold
snow bring the dark-eyed juncos.
My heart, full, watches.

Inktober 2020 - Days 1 - 3

Yes, I am attempting 31 drawings in 31 days again this year. I've decided to follow the official inktober prompt list and I'm adding a little more color now and then. I didn't follow a prompt list last year and, given that there are so many good prompt lists to pick from, I decided to go with the original.

For more information about the inktober challenge, I recommend going straight to the source at inktober.com.

Day 1 - FISH

Day 2 - WISP

Day 3 - BULKY

September Trio

little song sparrow
ever watchful for danger
eating in silence
 
peanuts and feed corn
left for a friendly squirrel
stolen by blue jays
 
crisp autumn sunrise
and brisk tea in bone china
all else fades away

GISH 2020

 For those of you who have never heard of GISH (Great International Scavenger Hunt), well... it is a (rather large) group of do-gooders getting silly for a week. See what it is all about here. Due to the pandemic, it was a bit different this year but still fun and (mostly) helpful to the planet. Below are most of my contributions for this year...

Tea-Rex

Monster/Cryptid made from salt

American politics in a nutshell

Amabie image to thwart COVID-19

Poetic Paralysis

Words hide
as the pen paints
an ever-darkening scribble
on the page.
A black circle
spirals inward taking
more white with every turn—
a hole
gorging itself on time.

[Untitled]

Clover flourishes on the verge—
a thick green carpet boxed in
between concrete and asphalt.
Its small white blooms reach skyward
silently pleading
for mercy from the mower.

EFFECT

 

A stone

carelessly skipped

creates surface shockwaves

spreading out in all directions;

silent

and yet, the beat of fragile wings

can cause ripples to rise

to tidal waves

swiftly.

Hello... it's been a while.

We are almost at the end of September and I realize I haven't posted here since June. This pandemic continues to confound. It's been a little over six months...

Greg and I are still basically self-quarantined in our home. I am working remote full time (and very grateful for my current employment). We take turns walking Atticus at least three times a day and I have gone into the office a handful of times to handle physical logistics. Besides that... a trip to the post office to drop off cards and letters... a trip to the pharmacy to pick up Greg's prescriptions... a couple of groomer appointments to keep Atty from becoming Cousin It and a drive to the park now and then to remember that there is still a world more than a couple of blocks from our front door. We are fortunate to be able to have our groceries delivered (and to be able to afford that) and it's good that we cohabitate well.

Six months.

The next few posts will feature some poetry and artwork I've worked on since June. I'll try to present more content more often... I sincerely hope you and all you hold dear are well and finding the light and love and happiness in life.

With kindness,
Lettie