Summer Art

One of the things I love most about summer is the chance to teach watercolor classes to kids. I divide up by age group and model the methods for the kids to create a complete project in each class. The kids love it. It's so satisfying to see them light up with the pride of accomplishment. Their parents are always impressed. I had some first-time participants this year, that were so enthused that their parents rearranged birthday parties in order for the kids to come back the next week. This nest image was done with a group of 9-11 yr olds. the southern Utah landscape I did "one-on-one" with a 13-yr old girl that has been a repeat student for several years. That I may produce a marketable painting is a bonus to the project. Everybody wins. And this year I also am working with a couple of adults who discovered the chance to develop their talents. Great fun! Art is so therapeutic, for any age.

Death Penalty

I'm going out on an unusual limb, here, and stating my view of capital punishment.
1. If guilty of rape or murder, and guilt is proven beyond a doubt, I believe the criminal should pay with his own life.
2. I don't approve of years of prison, appeals, and other nonsense that cost the taxpayer thousands of dollars and only mocks justice. Even when the perpetrator has "learned his lesson" or "changed his ways," justice demands retribution. When life is taken or forever altered, the only way to compensate is to give a life in return. If repentant, the person is in a better position to meet his maker, but not in a position to skip the consequences of past choices.
3. Death should be humanely delivered. But the criminal has forfeited his rights by the choices made, and is not qualified to balk at the methods or timing. And the timing should be "the sooner the better" once absolute guilt is established.
The End.

Magic

Yup, there's something magic about a new baby. These pictures are worth a thousand words. Look how eloquent!

Megan Makes Her Move

She's beautiful (we can tell by looking at her). She's smart (we can tell by the way she has her brothers already in total subjection). She's clever (we can tell because she came after 3 older brothers were in place to spoil her). She's wonderful (we can tell by the way her grandmas grin when she looks at them). She's a Paulsen (we can tell by her gorgeous dark hair and expressive eyebrows). And she's loved.

Special is the Right Word

I spent some time this week at the state Special Olympics. Our Taylor was competing in several events, which is reason enough to rejoice. But I had some sideline experiences that I hadn't anticipated.
Taylor is pretty mobile, and has a happy, normal life. Her passions can be pretty focused sometimes, and that stubbornness not always accommodating; but she is generally a delight. And when she wins a race or tosses the tennis ball further than the rest of her peers, her joy is breathtaking. It was important to be there with her for her own triumphs. But the surprise was to experience the spiritual high that this group of athletes brought to that stadium. Their combined attitude was palatable, inspiring, and incredibly touching. The trick is finding the word for it. Grit, maybe. Pure, determined, unadorned will-power. No strings attached, except maybe the ones that connect them to heaven. It rained all over Provo, Fri. But not on that stadium. It was close enough to smell. But that place stayed dry.
Dozens of volunteers assist in this event. And I can see why. It's heady stuff to be among these remarkable people. It's simply a blessing to be their friend. And I am one lucky girl to have one call me Grandma.

Cinderella 2010

In the story, the Fairy Godmother arrived in a timely fashion to magic up transportation, a classic ensemble, complete with shoes that will hurt the feet in no time, and a time limit. But, for some reason, we think Cinderella is a lucky thing and deserves her prince because of all the drudgery she's performed slaving at home. Well, my story differs in significant ways. I gave up drudgery years ago, but what I do still qualifies me for a magical night. And my Prince arrived in a timely fashion to provide me a stunning ensemble (but I wore comfortable shoes), transportation and a time limit ('cause High Council meets early Sun. morning). So we went to the Art Ball, and I saw droves of princesses who seemed full of confidence and poise (even in their ridiculous shoes), and quite a few princes (though many escorts were only prince apprentices), and several Fairy Godmothers (most of them wielding cameras to record their particular princess in her ball finery). And the clock went ticking by...while we watched the princesses dance, admired the remarkable art (the ball is held at the Art Museum, after all, and is in celebration of the Spring Salon), and relished the gourmet buffet. We left well before midnight, but felt quite satisfied. And best of all, I took my prince home with me. And I got to keep the dress, too.

We know how to Party

Alan and Shannon invited us and Alan's parents to join them in a trip to Arches National Park to celebrate his birthday. Neither Steve nor I had been there, before. What a spectacular place! I came home with nearly 200 photos; and that doesn't count the 60+ that Steve took on the other camera. I felt as though we'd hopped onto another planet. I can hardly wait to start painting this unique landscape. But the true fun was being with family. We had a grand time. The weather was perfect. The hiking was so worth it. The joyful memories far outweigh the noisy nighttime neighbors in the adjacent campsites. But next time (and I'm sure there will be a next time), I'm staying in a motel.