Well, I am in the middle of an Historical Event. Today is the inauguration of President Donald Trump.  The entire election process was more violent, divisive, controversial, and just plain ugly, than any previous election in this country. And, there he is: the center of all that, and now at the center of the American Stage, as the Chief Officer.

I am not entering into any debate. It has been nasty enough. What I would like to do is express my feelings about the State of Things. I am by nature optimistic. And we need optimism. I also have faith in God, and an absolute assurance that He is watching over this country and its people. And we need faith. I recognize that Divine help created the United States of America in the first place; and that the price for His continued support is to serve the God of this land. We need to live the Christian principles and values that will earn His blessing. Most of us are not evil. Most of us still try to do good and be good. That is why I have hope. And we need hope. We need goodness.

Even though this new chapter may be alarming, I refuse to be alarmed. I believe that I can find peace. Optimism, faith, goodness, and hope are stronger than fear. And we need not be overcome.

Well, it's been awhile since I posted anything here. So, you may assume this new bit is significant. There are some things Steven and share that keep us bonded beyond the ordinary--if anything that bond two people can be called ordinary. This one, however, is one that connected us from almost the moment we met: Books/Literature. We both are pretty passionate about reading. We always have been. It is why I would have been an English Teacher, if ever I had gone to work full time. It is why Steve was excited to teach first grade. It is something we both focused on in our family. We read to our children, took them to the library, and bought books and more books when almost nothing else was affordable. When we moved to Springville, we decided to name our house--BOOKEND. And that says it in a nutshell.

So, when we learned about The Little Free Library system, we were enthused and excited to create one. It took nearly a year, but here it is! Our good neighbor, Mark Johansen did the building. Another good neighbor, Russ Hatfield built the brick pedestal. Steve painted it, and Friday, October 3, 2014, we held the official Open House to introduce it to our neighborhood. We have rarely been so excited about anything. And this was something to be excited about. About 30 people came in response to our invitations. But now it is ready for business. Anyone, anytime can take a book, bring a book, trade a book. There are books for children and books for adults and everyone in between.  It was a fun party, but the real fun is just beginning.

Seasons...of the year, of life, of perspective...are on my mind today.  When Summer sheds its rhythms and changes color and flavors we call it Fall.  It is a fall of sorts.  That's what the leaves do.  And the days "fall short," as well.  But when I think of my life, now, I, too "fall" into some interesting parallels.  Yes, my body sags, my skin folds into wrinkles, my energy certainly falls short of my needs.  And I feel a general nostalgia, a gratitude for my personal harvest of relationships, accomplishments, and knowledge.  But this is all quite a mix.  Like Autumn, there are good days, sunny, colorful beautiful days with crisp, cool air that  makes me want to walk and think, and notice things.  But there are also gloomy days, gray with achy muscles, plodding through metaphorical puddles.   I can't make up my mind about it.  In fact, making decisions is rather harder than it used to be--about anything.  I am not exactly in a slump; but I have slowed down.  And it is harder not to whine about the issue.  This is all pretty pathetic, I know.  But just think what "winter" will do to me!

Realizing a Dream

Moving to Utah was a "dream come true" in many ways for me.  I'd like to reflect on just one:  art opportunities.  For someone like me, with health issues and limited energy, developing my artistic talent often takes a back seat to the regular duties of life.  But, at least living in Springville, aka Art City, there was the momentum and encouragement to  move forward in becoming better--even to becoming professional.  There are so many artists in Utah.  I have met big names, such as James Christensen, Greg Olsen, Michael Coleman, Robert Barrett, Gary Kapp, Brian Kershiznik, Liz Lemon Swindle, Robert Marshall, Al Rounds, J. Kirk Richards, Linda Curley Christensen and others with only slightly less glowing reputations.  But the biggest thrill has been to have my art hang in the same exhibits as these stars.  Several times, I've been accepted into the Springville Museum's Spiritual and Religious Show, which takes place every fall.  It's an honor to hang in that premier showcase for Utah art, any time.  However, the most elite exhibit is their annual Spring Salon, which attracts up to a thousand entries each year.  One of my greatest hopes has been  to have my art included in this exhibit.  I've entered every year, since moving here, without getting in.  Until this year!  Can you imagine my thrill to finally see my name on that list?  It is

a label of success!  I bawled all day...and now and then ever since.  It means someone with clout and critical savvy found my painting to be good enough for this prestigious event.  Oh I know the jurying process is subjective, political, and influenced by all kinds of things over which I have no control.  That's why I keep entering after years of rejection.  The hope, the possibility is always there.  Finally, it has happened, and I am on a cloud.  The annual Art Ball, which is the official opening reception of this exhibit, has always been a signature event for me.  This year, it is, a tiny bit, in my honor!  This is the painting that won me this thrill:  "Joyful Noise" 9 X 12 pastel.   And it couldn't have a better title.

A Solo Show for Linda

My experience at the Scera Center for the Arts has been interesting.  The staff is willing but not especially professional.  Nevertheless, some success has come from the exhibit there.  They provided refreshments, nice background music and a great facebook page to advertise the reception.  They don't seem to mind me calling about details that need doing.

It's always a treat to have friends support my art exhibits.  I love seeing people respond to the various images.  Nothing is more gratifying to an artist than the compliment of someone wanting to take a painting home.  People are fun.  Even if they don't plan to buy; there is a reaction to the art worth seeing.  I have to remind myself that EVERYONE isn't an art enthusiast or art-educated.  It's been fun, indeedy.  Yup. FUN!

My Obscession

I suppose we all have to be reminded, from time to time, that our own particular passion may not be as all-consuming to someone else--even someone else who loves us. My art tends to shape my self-esteem, my time, my perspective and my conversation. As I write in my journal, I find that days are measured, events marked and seasons colored by what is going on with my art. If I sell a piece, the world is a happy place. If I win a prize, it's hard to talk about anything else for days. My children and grandchildren try to be patient with it. My husband is particularly supportive. But even those loving bodies must surely get worn out with this fetish, and long for something else to gently push the art-talk into a closed closet. My visiting teachers are required to hear updates on exhibits, share opinions on the work-in-progress and attend receptions. The neighbors, the relatives, fellow volunteers at the MTC, oh, virtually EVERYBODY with whom I associate, gets an unending dialogue (maybe monologue is a better word) on the subject. If somebody actually ASKS me about my latest project or exhibit, I'm in heaven. So. I'm just offering a big "THANK YOU" to all those who put up with me. And also, an apology for being so single-minded. I do care about people, world affairs, the weather, your vacation...and oh, could I paint that?

Pride Goeth...

I've been pondering the parallels between our day and Nephite history. This ancient people struggled with prejudices, just like we do. They had attitudes of entitlement and superiority, which are at plague levels in our society. The solution has always been repentance, humility, and charity.
Testimony can exist side by side with the oddest hangups. It's not enough to know gospel principles. Believing means changing. But most of us have a hard time identifying our own flaws. I think, once a person "sees" his/her error, the desire to repent follows. Most of us want to be good. Especially, we who are trying to keep baptismal covenants would choose to keep all the commandments, in principle. The challenge comes in recognizing the practical application.
I see very fine people falling short in ways that are surely unintentional. They are the first to offer the funeral potatoes and help with the humanitarian project. But they are spiteful and hotheaded in other settings.
In the political arena, their attitudes are frightfully extreme, lacking reason or tolerance of any who don't conform to their preference.
This narrow perspective is very "Nephite." It smacks of pride, a serious disorder of the spirit.
Now, what really worries me, is the likelihood that I'm suffering from the same disease and don't see in myself what is blatantly obvious to others. Sobering.