Black Friday Birthday Blues!

When working in retail, a person's chances working on "Black Friday" is 50/50.  Being that a person's birthday would fall on Black Friday, I haven't done the math but know that mine did.
   I guess its fitting because getting older goes with black and one tends to get blue too.
   Now that everyone has gotten older in my family and since its just the kids and I, birthdays come and go without notice to me.  Of course Thanksgiving is the day before, everyone at work asks me if I am cooking a turkey?    Still I am not sure because my family is having the celebration on that following Saturday.  Maybe I will just sit home with the kids and watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV and relax or just visit my folks.

   Friday will come and go, I will be another year older and working while I do it but whatever I will be wearing Black!

Lifting Boxes Of Stilllife

Typically when  an artist begins the journey into the creative realm, it begins with basic shapes of still life.  This involves a nice piece of cloth and fruit.  Years ago when I worked for Big Bear, I got used to lifting boxes everyday to put on a cart and stock the shelves.
Back in the prep-room, I find myself lifting a box of four watermelon to cut up in various different appetizing ways.
Probably not much can be said for that feat; I am sure many have lifted heavier but for me it was difficult at first but I am getting used to it.  Boxes of cantaloupe and honeydew melon, pineapple, strawberries, basically, berries in general have been my version of weight training.  Oh yes the salad bar adds just a little more.  They were right, fruit can make you healthier both inside and out.

In my mind I can set up my own little "Still Life" example to paint, as much as I do during a day.  I always go over my day's work in my head the night before to help speed up my process.

I am sure it would make a wonderful work of art!

Halloween Out-Christmas In and Where's Thanksgiving?

There for a while I was doing artwork on a day to day basis but since I started my job, I have put it aside.  Most of my "Off-Time" I spend home with my kids , my cats and my dog.  I have to admit I dose off in the chair watching the news.  So again my artwork has taken a "Back-Seat".  I haven't felt much in a creative mood since my daughter's eating disorder.  The last painting I was working on was a fall scene.  There it sits on the easel.
Where I work is only about five minutes away, like most people I listen to the radio whenever I am driving, and like most people I have my favorite stations.  I was surprised to find them already playing Christmas music.
In the seasonal isle at Krogers, there are Halloween items marked down, tucked in a corner.  The rest is all Christmas.  Its no secret that Thanksgiving gets forgotten about except for words in an occasional greeting. More money made the better, I guess. Thanksgiving really is the warmest Holiday, I mean, its a time for kindness.  Spending time with everybody, is better than just eating turkey.
I remember growing up my favorite part of Thanksgiving morning was the smell of the kitchen.  My mother would get up early to put the turkey in the oven so by the time we were up the tantalizing smell would be making its way around the house.
My dad would have The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on in the living room. Anymore, its "Black Friday" that gets all the media attention.
It makes me sad sometimes how things change, seems like some people worry more about what is hanging in school that have "Christ" in the painting.  Honestly, never mind that it is a form of expression from an artist.  Every other of artistic work or entertainment is protected by the law "Freedom Of Speech."
I guess in short, Thanksgiving just doesn't fit in.   It quietly comes and goes but  I still  believe in Thanksgiving as a day of love and remembrance for family, friends and others who have blessed our lives, Thank You!

Pass On A Smile

A famous painting '"Mona Lisa's Smile" has brought wonderment to all that has viewed the masterpiece. Can a smile be contagious?   I believe it can.  Whenever I am out doing my errands or working, I always smile. I have notice that most of the time if you smile at people they smile back and why not.  It feels good and makes others feel good as well.

Many folks I know don't smile too much in the morning and I remember when I worked at Big Bear I used to come in at seven in the morning to work in bulk foods.  The bakery was right next to my department and to make it more friendly in the morning, I used to smile at my co-workers who would later ask "How can you be so cheerful in the morning?"

I would shrug my shoulders and say "I don't Know" and truly I didn't know why I smiled other than it made me feel better.  Since I have gotten older, I usually have to have a cup of tea or coffee before I feel good enough to smile.  Back when I worked for Big Bear, I was in my twenties, so maybe my energy level was much better.   Anyway, I still find myself at seven in the morning with a big smile for my co-workers.

I always get told I have a nice smile, but never nice teeth, I wish I got told that, its such a nice thing to say about how well a person takes care of their smile.  Its nice too that a smile can bring more joy than spoken word sometimes.  I have found that some days I don't feel like talking but don't want to ignore those around me, so I smile.  Its funny, I am a quiet person who gets accused of "Smiling Too Much."

I like the movie "Patch Adams" a true story of a man who became a doctor longing to break down the barrier of patient-doctor relationship.  He was accused of "Excessive Happiness."

If expressions are conveyed be a simple gesture of a smile, a wink or maybe just a touch of a hand to show an act of kindness to a fellow human soul then that's ok.  It in of itself is a masterpiece as well.