tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16341003308412504762024-03-12T18:51:23.010-04:00Bristol Boredatlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-51374472799889616322012-09-18T23:34:00.000-04:002012-09-18T23:34:55.363-04:00Not Bored<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you may know, I have been tweaking <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/">my website.</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625;">There is an awful lot of advice for creatives on how to do this. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I try to listen to all of the advice and then send it through the what-feels-right-to-me filter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One bit of advice I have been putting off is migrating my Blogger blog to my website to avoid having viewers exit my website with the possibility of never returning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many reasons why I didn't want to give up my blog, <a data-mce-href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/" href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Bristol Bored">Bristol Bored</a> that I have had since 2008, .</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sentimentality, loyalty, fear of new things are among the reasons I hesitate.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The biggest reason I didn't want to switch is I don't want to lose my freedom to experiment, <a data-mce-href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/search?q=failure" href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/search?q=failure" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="failure">to fail</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I kept my blog neatly off of my nice, pretty, new website, like the pristine living room that only company is allowed to sit in. Well, if you have ever been to my house you know that I don't have one of those rooms.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So without further ado:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Welcome to <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/blog/">my new blog!</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625;">I hope my Blogger followers will join me over here along with some new subscribers. I do appreciate your support and attention over the years. Sometimes one kind comment is enough to keep me moving forward.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="color: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625;">I am going to keep <a data-mce-href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/" href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Bristol Bored">Bristol Bored</a> up for now but I'm not going to migrate the content over there.</em></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is the link to the new blog: <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/blog/">http://moiraswiatkowski.com/blog/</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope to see you over there.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks again for the support, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moira</span></div>
atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-28183959434554906622012-09-05T23:52:00.001-04:002012-09-05T23:52:32.821-04:00Moonlighting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twAwjmFowB0/UEgbhDR0sSI/AAAAAAAABEY/EQaTZmmvWcM/s1600/identical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-twAwjmFowB0/UEgbhDR0sSI/AAAAAAAABEY/EQaTZmmvWcM/s640/identical.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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School is back in session.<br />
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This means more daylight studio time is in my future.<br />
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Until then I can draw by the light of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyladd/3925787407/">the moon</a> and electric lights, not too late though.<br />
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I've got to get those kids on the bus in the morning.<br />
<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-58419611570547915212012-08-31T00:40:00.002-04:002012-08-31T00:40:51.766-04:00Get in the Game<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j7mlI3f1wI/UEA_RUgJjjI/AAAAAAAABEE/vV2kOVlxmg8/s1600/tall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8j7mlI3f1wI/UEA_RUgJjjI/AAAAAAAABEE/vV2kOVlxmg8/s640/tall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tall</td></tr>
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September is so close.<br />
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I've been keeping up my training over the Summer.<br />
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I'm ready to start the new season.*<br />
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<i>*as long as I get to go swimming in the ocean just a few more times.</i>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-62436011770452911652012-08-28T00:11:00.000-04:002012-08-28T00:17:13.249-04:00Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few years back, before I got interested in illustration as a career choice I was a painter.</div>
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I still am a painter, only now I use <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B4RNo_5oFo&feature=g-upl">pixels instead of pigment</a>.</div>
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This is one of my paintings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DJvgj_oimE/UDwy7fnNNLI/AAAAAAAABCw/QXLOVaako9I/s1600/readyw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DJvgj_oimE/UDwy7fnNNLI/AAAAAAAABCw/QXLOVaako9I/s640/readyw.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ready </b><i>18x24 acrylic on canvas</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZVRT9-jSbc/UDw7JWml3VI/AAAAAAAABDY/5sPMTq5vai4/s1600/thinkingaboutitblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZVRT9-jSbc/UDw7JWml3VI/AAAAAAAABDY/5sPMTq5vai4/s640/thinkingaboutitblog.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Thinking About It </b><i>24x36 acrylic</i></td></tr>
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Here is another one of my paintings from that time period.</div>
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This one was donated to the Friends of <a href="http://www.dennispubliclibrary.org/">the Library</a> for a fundraiser that took place earlier this Summer.</div>
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One day when I was on my lunch break, I checked my email on my phone. I noticed that I had a message from <a href="http://www.capecodmagazine.com/">Cape Cod Magazine</a> asking to use a photo of my painting in the next edition</div>
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(<i>I didn't scroll to the bottom of the email</i>). What I did was quickly reply, "Sure, let me know what you need." and went back to work.</div>
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When I got home I re-read the email and scrolled to the bottom to discover that they weren't talking about the library fundraiser. They were talking about using the a photo of the painting, "Ready" to be paired with an excerpt from <a href="http://www.sarapennypacker.com/">Sara Pennypacker</a>'s new book, <a href="https://brewsterbookstore.mybooksandmore.com/MBM/actions/searchHandler.do">"The Summer of the Gypsy Moths".</a></div>
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What?</div>
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I knew about the new book because I had seen <a href="http://www.thecinnamonrabbit.blogspot.com/2012/06/making-cover-summer-of-gypsy-moths.html">the beautiful cover by Julia Denos on her blog</a>.</div>
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I remember <a href="http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/gypsymoth/gypsy.htm">my own "Summer of the Gypsy Moths</a> "and I am excited to read it, along with my daughter.</div>
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Umm, OK.</div>
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I asked that the editors mention that I was represented by the <a href="http://www.escapecod.com/fine-arts.html">W.H.Lutz Gallery </a>in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/place?ftid=0x89fb3e24b90e80d5:0x7c0322909bdcb585&q=Harwich&hl=en&ved=0CBMQ3g0&sa=X&ei=pUQ8UK3fEomNxQG85YDQBw">Harwichport </a>and sent them the file with a photo of the painting.</div>
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This week (at a family party, no less) my parents had gotten a hold of the magazine.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CtgdfS0NhsE/UDw_WDtmofI/AAAAAAAABDs/FmLOK4t6_lQ/s1600/magpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CtgdfS0NhsE/UDw_WDtmofI/AAAAAAAABDs/FmLOK4t6_lQ/s640/magpic.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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When I painted this I had no idea that I would be interested in pursuing a career in illustration and children's literature.</div>
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But now, I am, "Ready".<br />
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atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-13614190246424181482012-08-22T00:25:00.003-04:002012-08-22T00:25:58.637-04:00Crowny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoYWcZ83LEA/UDRZB4dvTEI/AAAAAAAABCM/4-bM0qXyJRA/s1600/crowny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoYWcZ83LEA/UDRZB4dvTEI/AAAAAAAABCM/4-bM0qXyJRA/s640/crowny.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was early enough in the morning that I still had my robe on. I was downstairs packing the backpacks when my daughter walked into the kitchen.</div>
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She had a concerned look on her face.</div>
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She said I had to come with her. She put her little hand in mine and led me upstairs to her bedroom, to the fish bowl.</div>
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Crowny the fish had swum his last swim.</div>
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I gave my little girl a hug. She had tears in her eyes. She knew.</div>
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I had about forty-five minutes to get my daughter, my son and myself fed, dressed, teeth brushed, bags packed and out the door for daycare and work. </div>
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Now I had to squeeze in grief counseling and a funeral.</div>
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I'm not sure how but we all made it out to the garden less than an hour later with the jewelry store coffin in hand and only a few minutes over schedule.</div>
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I dug a shallow grave next to Fred the fish's resting place. I gently put the box in under the topsoil and mulch. I placed a good size granite rock over the patted down grave. </div>
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Dressed in office clothes with shovel in hand I said a prayer.</div>
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"Thank you, God for letting us have Crowny in our lives.</div>
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He was a strong, brave fish that made us happy to look at.</div>
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Thank you for Crowny's beautiful colors.</div>
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Amen."</div>
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This is the kind of thing that is <u>not</u> in the books on parenting that you get at your baby shower.</div>
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These are the kind of things that parenting is all about.</div>
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<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-54376539035223902412012-08-16T00:20:00.001-04:002012-08-16T00:20:28.343-04:00Endless Summer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jD37QuwP_c/UCxx4bTK_qI/AAAAAAAABB0/ddzoOlmPJWE/s1600/freeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jD37QuwP_c/UCxx4bTK_qI/AAAAAAAABB0/ddzoOlmPJWE/s640/freeze.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">freeze</td></tr>
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I've heard a <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23toohot">lot of complaints </a>about our <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/record-breaking-weekend-heat_2010-07-25">record hot Summer here in the U.S</a>.<br />
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I'm not ready to give up Summer.<br />
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I'm not done swimming in the ocean.<br />
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I haven't gone out for ice cream enough.<br />
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I haven't been to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkmn-ruLBGQ">P'town</a> yet.<br />
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I haven't had enough company or cookouts.<br />
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I wish those who are suffering the drought and high temperatures a break. How about temps in the low eighties with occasional rain?<br />
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Doesn't that sound good?<br />
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Please, for just a while longer.<br />
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<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-69509461857479755122012-08-07T00:56:00.000-04:002012-08-07T00:57:14.200-04:00Constellations<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FATVlgo9iiA/UCCRazghHBI/AAAAAAAAA_0/9M2FutJyS08/s1600/bounce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FATVlgo9iiA/UCCRazghHBI/AAAAAAAAA_0/9M2FutJyS08/s640/bounce.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bounce</td></tr>
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My husband and I love the Olympics.<br />
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We like to monopolize the one television.<br />
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"Mom, can I watch TV?"<br />
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"Sure, I think Dad is in there watching <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/soccer/highlights-u-s-women-edge-canada-in-extra-time-semifinal-thriller.html">the women's soccer semi-finals</a>. Why don't you join him?"<br />
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"Ugh, I guess I'll go read instead."<br />
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Win, Win<br />
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I find the whole thing very inspiring.<br />
Cheesy moments and all.<br />
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I know there is still poverty and war.<br />
<br />
But if <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/2012/top-nbc-moment-missy-franklin-dominates-200m-back.html">that teenager</a> or <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/oscar-pistorius-best-picture-ll-see-2012-olympics-115020678--oly.html">double-amputee</a> or <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/the-olympics-older-athletes_n_1693931.html">forty-year-old</a> can achieve what we didn't think was humanly possible then I can surely get to work pursuing my own dreams.<br />
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<i>Cue i<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy8IoWoRKS0">inspiring music</a> as I jog up the stairs to the art studio.</i><br />
<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-74728593295250662332012-07-31T00:00:00.002-04:002012-07-31T00:00:53.225-04:00The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2O4_rJe798g/UBdHlQNb3-I/AAAAAAAAA_c/PvhB4PpF1pU/s1600/lonely.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2O4_rJe798g/UBdHlQNb3-I/AAAAAAAAA_c/PvhB4PpF1pU/s640/lonely.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lonely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Sam - "Suzy, I love you, but you have no idea what you're talking about."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">This was the quote that stuck in my head after seeing the movie, <a href="http://www.moonrisekingdom.com/#video/0">Moonrise Kingdom</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Sam was replying to Suzy who had just stated that she wished she was an orphan because all of her favorite characters in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jNc7HuatHQ&feature=player_embedded">her books</a> were orphans.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I thought this moment was a clever way to acknowledge the overuse of orphan characters in children's literature in the context of a movie about an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i1RjfAmVtg&feature=related">orphan</a> character.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">I highly recommend you go see it in the theater while you can.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-49819497508232218822012-07-23T15:38:00.003-04:002012-07-23T15:38:30.444-04:00Back to the Future<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMKHoiMbNbE/UA2kgCEvliI/AAAAAAAAA_M/wld-bEYVPPk/s1600/carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMKHoiMbNbE/UA2kgCEvliI/AAAAAAAAA_M/wld-bEYVPPk/s640/carry.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The past few weeks have got me thinking about finding the delicate balance between planning for the future and living in the moment.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I had a full day (a rare thing in the summer) in the art studio which has me craving more. </div>
<div>
I must figure out how to get there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In the meantime I am savoring all the (many) good things in my life.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i>This week's <a href="http://illustrationfriday.com/">Illustration Friday</a> word reminded me of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANpxz-LnN1w">this Ryan Montbleau song.</a></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-85466207671762761482012-07-19T00:07:00.001-04:002012-07-19T00:07:51.889-04:00Get Out the Map<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx_IEKzlA4U/UAeDm-tZJaI/AAAAAAAAA-0/gV-vQOnVg8k/s1600/lost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx_IEKzlA4U/UAeDm-tZJaI/AAAAAAAAA-0/gV-vQOnVg8k/s640/lost.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy Summer!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It has been a couple of weeks since I've posted.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That's because it is Summer!</div>
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<br /></div>
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In our neck of the woods this is the time for more of everything.</div>
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<br /></div>
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More work.</div>
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More play.</div>
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More food.</div>
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More family.</div>
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More friends.</div>
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More drink.</div>
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More sunshine.</div>
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More swimming.</div>
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More ice cream.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The only thing there is not more of is time in the art studio.</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, arty things have been popping up like flowers that I planted in the Spring.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was a featured illustrator over at the fabulous <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2378">Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Blog</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I donated a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/156027967866164/">painting</a> for a fundraiser at my local library.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Another <a href="http://moirart.blogspot.com/2008/11/ready.html">painting</a> got the interest of a local magazine.<br /></div>
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I added some more images to <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/moira-swiatkowski.html">Fine Art America.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I updated <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/">my website.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
And I did some watercolor painting with my five-year-old niece.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's to more.</div>
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<br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-81764270874334626542012-06-26T01:33:00.000-04:002012-06-26T01:33:07.012-04:00Be Not Afraid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">space</td></tr>
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<br /><div>
I went to a funeral today it was t<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5e6IN_YbwM">he music</a> that gave me the most comfort.</div>
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</div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-90264717571021828842012-06-18T22:32:00.000-04:002012-06-18T22:32:29.378-04:00Fear of Success<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYjCSjlgPmI/T9-G5Gg1_kI/AAAAAAAAA-I/kp7sLt_MOLI/s1600/secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYjCSjlgPmI/T9-G5Gg1_kI/AAAAAAAAA-I/kp7sLt_MOLI/s640/secret.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">secret</td></tr>
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I mentioned a few weeks ago on this blog that, "<a href="http://atlanticmo.blogspot.com/2012/04/failure-is-option_24.html">failure</a>" is my new favorite word.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm going to go ahead and make it the word of the year now that we are about half-way through 2012.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been working hard to fail my way to the top. One of the keys to failure is trying to succeed.</div>
<div>
Which means I have to do my research to find out what successful people do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've been listening closely trying to hear their secrets.</div>
<div>
Here is what I have heard so far:</div>
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<br /></div>
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1. Work hard.</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Have confidence</div>
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<br /></div>
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3. Do the work you love to do.</div>
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4. Hang around with supportive people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
5. Get out of your comfort zone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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6. Work hard.</div>
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<br /></div>
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7. Don't be afraid to fail.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Is that seven? Did I just write a book?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Anyways, back to the drawing tablet. I have some failing to do.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i>P.S. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIHx9CYPgQo">This</a> is my new theme song.</i></div>
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<br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-79481750534590458072012-06-11T23:40:00.001-04:002012-06-11T23:40:24.075-04:00Some Some Summertime<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zorcCElrhS8/T9a178v380I/AAAAAAAAA94/eJmvoJMDRt4/s1600/shiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zorcCElrhS8/T9a178v380I/AAAAAAAAA94/eJmvoJMDRt4/s640/shiny.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shiny<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know there are still a few days before the official Summer Solstice and school isn't even out yet. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, I've got my beach sticker ready to slap on the old <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~az47193d/images/Passat%20wgn%20-%20Dawn%20Road.jpg">beach wagon </a>and I am <u>so</u> glad my favorite season is shining down upon our sandy shore.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy to be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOYhCO70AQ8&feature=related">here</a>.<br /><br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-9369358479944605612012-06-05T00:48:00.001-04:002012-06-05T00:48:51.581-04:00Home Run<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAeSOK89B2c/T82JUcsTXCI/AAAAAAAAA9o/93CGU5Pl_kc/s1600/hurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAeSOK89B2c/T82JUcsTXCI/AAAAAAAAA9o/93CGU5Pl_kc/s640/hurry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hurry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Grace (the girl in the drawings of the past few posts) has been roaming the woods for weeks now.<br />
<br />
Grace has been happily exploring. Her actions have been inspired by the "topic of the week" on the <a href="http://illustrationfriday.com/">Illustration Friday</a> website.<br />
<br />
She was at home in the forest, comfortable. I could have kept her out there for a while. There are endless possibilities in a playground of trees and wildlife.<br />
<br />
My ten year old daughter has been watching her progress.<br />
<br />
Last week my daughter said, "The next picture should show her home. I want to see where she lives."<br />
<br />
I think she wanted me to prove that she did have a home.<br />
<br />
The "topic of the week" is "hurry".<br />
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Hurry home, I thought and sent her on her way.<br />
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<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-63400269511129568992012-05-29T23:55:00.000-04:002012-05-29T23:55:42.315-04:00Same as It Ever Was<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbw_ALQJH50/T8WS0TWT6DI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/k_rcxTZ-jZ8/s1600/faded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbw_ALQJH50/T8WS0TWT6DI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/k_rcxTZ-jZ8/s640/faded.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">faded</td></tr>
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Spring comes late around here.<br />
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Last week it was 50 degrees and drizzling.<br />
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I was starting to regret my decision to put my parka away for the season as I sat on the damp bleachers of the misty Little League field.<br />
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The next game I went to I had short sleeves, sandals and was worrying about getting a sunburn.<br />
<br />
My favorite part of the late Spring is the green.<br />
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Sometimes you don't know how much you miss something until it comes back.<br />
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The color of the new leaves and grass are so bright it hurts my eyes.<br />
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This weekend my tired, grey little town was full of people and traffic and cookouts and noise.<br />
<br />
It happens every year.<br />
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It is still a surprise, just when you think it will never come it does.<br />
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Makes me realize that the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1wg1DNHbNU&feature=related">same</a> old can be new again.<br />
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And so can I.atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-13503142518659895752012-05-22T22:30:00.002-04:002012-05-22T22:30:49.670-04:00Wide Awake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnFwn2SRb7Q/T7xLp_jVwwI/AAAAAAAAA80/N_v-pAWUrOY/s1600/sight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnFwn2SRb7Q/T7xLp_jVwwI/AAAAAAAAA80/N_v-pAWUrOY/s640/sight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is all real.<br />
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It is all a dream.<br />
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<br />atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-33715588290407314692012-05-15T00:33:00.001-04:002012-05-15T00:33:33.908-04:00Mrs. Rice and the Brats of NIHM<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx5wa1_IXnI/T7HRWg9zbnI/AAAAAAAAA8c/4HVUGrm0r_U/s1600/kernel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx5wa1_IXnI/T7HRWg9zbnI/AAAAAAAAA8c/4HVUGrm0r_U/s640/kernel.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kernel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week.</div>
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This always makes me think of the teachers who made a difference in my life.</div>
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One teacher came to mind this week when I was showing my daughter, "<a href="http://newberryproject.blogspot.com/2007/09/mrs-frisby-and-rats-of-nimh-1972.html">Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.H.M.</a>" at t<a href="http://www.dennispubliclibrary.org/">he library</a>. </div>
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My daughter asked if I had read it. I had not.</div>
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My fifth grade language arts teacher, Mrs. Rice read it to me and our class.</div>
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I wasn't that big a fan of the fifth grade. </div>
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Art class with the beautiful <a href="http://profiles.lesley.edu/spotlight.php?iSpotID=1133">Ms. Fisher</a> and Mrs. Rice reading aloud made it bearable.</div>
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I had a second thought about Mrs. Rice this week when I was thinking about "kernels" in the woods.</div>
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I remember <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sYP4jW-4PU&feature=related">pig nuts</a> (hickory nuts) were fun to open when the outer husk got dry enough. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I also remember going out and collecting about a hundred acorns an crushing them on a rock in an attempt to make acorn pancakes just like the boy in, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/0525450300/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all">My Side of the Mountain</a>", which Mrs. Rice also read to us.</div>
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I barely got a tablespoon's worth of acorn flour, so I never made the pancakes.</div>
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I did get a love of books and an appreciation of teachers.</div>
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To all my teacher friends,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Remember that you are making a difference, if fact the little things you do could make all the difference in the world.<br /><br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-74973170223809507402012-05-09T23:33:00.000-04:002012-05-09T23:33:04.433-04:00Grace<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmhb1YUfbZk/T6s1NybeuDI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3P3RwD1rLRQ/s1600/hitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmhb1YUfbZk/T6s1NybeuDI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3P3RwD1rLRQ/s640/hitched.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hitched</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes the right thing to do is to not try to figure what the right thing to do is.<br />
<br />
Keep on moving forward.<br />
<br />
With Grace.atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-78792452621290104712012-05-07T12:40:00.000-04:002012-05-07T12:40:05.739-04:00Summer is Coming<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We really only have two seasons on Cape Cod. </div>
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Winter is almost over and soon it will be Summer.</div>
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This means I will have less time in the studio. My office job hours will increase and the kids will be out of school.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I love Summer, but in order to make the most of it I need to spend the "Spring" getting as much done in the studio as possible.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have been<br />
working on my website,</div>
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tweaking my portfolio, </div>
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working on some book dummies,</div>
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reading, </div>
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researching,</div>
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sketching.</div>
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I have also been doing these other creative things:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gOrycEXKuA/T6fudK2jRiI/AAAAAAAAA78/nqIebwn3kWs/s1600/watermelon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gOrycEXKuA/T6fudK2jRiI/AAAAAAAAA78/nqIebwn3kWs/s640/watermelon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a mailbox that I painted for the <a href="http://habitatcapecod.org/2012/03/youve-got-mail/">local Habitat for Humanity fundraiser auction.</a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxmIZ8DCiCc/T6fuLvgOw5I/AAAAAAAAA7s/MeOtbsvDb2Q/s1600/36fincolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxmIZ8DCiCc/T6fuLvgOw5I/AAAAAAAAA7s/MeOtbsvDb2Q/s640/36fincolor.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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I did <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/posters/">another poster</a> for an Off-Broadway play.</div>
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The play is written by <a href="http://awecreativegroup.com/">Amy Witting</a>, directed by <a href="http://www.bricken.org/bricken/Bricken.html">Bricken Sparacino</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.onemanhamlet.net/onemanhamlet.net/one_man_hamlet.html">My brother Michael </a> (aka the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKUFoqfCzV4&feature=relmfu">father of awesome</a>) is acting in it.</div>
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Teacher Appreciation Week is here.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbOEjHnECSQ/T6fuxTnnaYI/AAAAAAAAA8E/IPZ1fkWH9TE/s1600/teachcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbOEjHnECSQ/T6fuxTnnaYI/AAAAAAAAA8E/IPZ1fkWH9TE/s400/teachcard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Go to <a href="http://moiraswiatkowski.com/downloadalicious/">my website</a> to download this free coloring card and show the love.</div>
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Speaking of Love!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2esunFanKE/T6fuYnRzrxI/AAAAAAAAA70/8-IP_77-f_o/s1600/earthcake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2esunFanKE/T6fuYnRzrxI/AAAAAAAAA70/8-IP_77-f_o/s640/earthcake1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My daughter, who can and does run creative circles around me made this cupcake for her fourth-grade science project to demonstrate the Earth's layers.</div>
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Mmmm, magma.</div>
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<br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-48300306332124817292012-04-30T16:10:00.000-04:002012-04-30T16:10:25.643-04:00Down the Rabbit Hole<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYU02HjDq7E/T57lfYyt_UI/AAAAAAAAA7g/nC5hv3bxBhU/s1600/jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYU02HjDq7E/T57lfYyt_UI/AAAAAAAAA7g/nC5hv3bxBhU/s640/jump.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Feeling a bit like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANNqr-vcx0">Alice</a> today.</div>
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<i>'</i><i>Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?'</i></div>
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<i>'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.</i></div>
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<i>'I don't much care where -' said Alice</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>'Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'</i></div>
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<i>'How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.</i></div>
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<i>'You must be,' said the Cat, 'or you wouldn't have come here.'</i></div>
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<i> Lewis Carroll - "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"</i></div>
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<br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-56332896872904686132012-04-24T13:55:00.001-04:002012-04-24T13:55:49.706-04:00Failure is an Option<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2UNxaypoC8/T5bWmEj5ScI/AAAAAAAAA7U/YjGETdFeFLs/s1600/heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w2UNxaypoC8/T5bWmEj5ScI/AAAAAAAAA7U/YjGETdFeFLs/s640/heights.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Failure" is my new favorite word.<div>
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<div>
Now before my mother can say, "Moira, don't be so negative." let me explain.</div>
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Being successful is the American way. The story we are told as children is to work hard, follow a good plan and you will have success.</div>
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So, as we get older we do this by going to college or learning a trade or getting married, etc.. </div>
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We quickly learn that these things do not always end in success. This makes some of us a little more hesitant about the next plan we lay out for ourselves. </div>
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We want that success. </div>
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Time marches on and those of us who are afraid of failure get safer and safer in our choices while continuing to lower our self esteem and our expectations in the quest for contentment.</div>
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<div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFEjcvIRMDo&feature=related">Yoda</a>'s famous quote, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ4yd2W50No&feature=related">"Do. Or do not. There is no try."</a> will lead many to "do not".</div>
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<div>
I stumbled upon a web show called, <a href="http://failureclub.org/">"The Failure Club"</a>, produced by <a href="http://morganspurlock.com/">Morgan Spurlock</a> and created by Philip Kiracofe. I've always liked Morgan so I gave <a href="http://screen.yahoo.com/episode-1-welcome-to-failure-club-27284740.html">the first episode</a> a try. I was hooked into the whole concept right away.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is a quote from <a href="http://failureclub.org/">the website</a>, that explains the basics of Failure Club.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"In Failure Club, members learn to defy the fears associated with ‘failure’ by pursuing seemingly impossible goals that they set for themselves. From the outset, failure is not only a highly probable outcome, it is the desired outcome. Only through embracing the reality of failure can its’ societal stigmas be stripped away and replaced with an inspirational alternative."</span></span></div>
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So, I have developed my own failure club up here in the art studio. Party of one.</div>
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I am working very hard at failing, even harder than when I was working at succeeding.</div>
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I am aware that all I have done is changed a few words around. </div>
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Fear is the really the big motivator when it comes to "Do. Or do not". I know that.</div>
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Take fear of failure off the table though and my path seems a little less ominous.</div>
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May the force be with you.</div>
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<br /><br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-16779966504586007452012-04-16T12:16:00.001-04:002012-04-16T12:32:00.169-04:00Drawn TogetherIt is school vacation this week. Rather than skipping <a href="http://illustrationfriday.com/">Illustration Friday</a> this week, I had the kids join me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJeplgxSIE/T4xEBbBUPOI/AAAAAAAAA60/j2emZibxNbE/s1600/puzzledvince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJeplgxSIE/T4xEBbBUPOI/AAAAAAAAA60/j2emZibxNbE/s640/puzzledvince.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P is for Puzzle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is the boy's effort done in pencil. I was impressed by how quickly they came up with ideas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-t-YAi7UmM/T4xEG0qz1iI/AAAAAAAAA68/RDoFMUoW5FE/s1600/puzzledmaria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-t-YAi7UmM/T4xEG0qz1iI/AAAAAAAAA68/RDoFMUoW5FE/s640/puzzledmaria.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puzzle Head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is the girl's picture done in true modern fashion on her Kindle fire. She is not only quick with ideas but with execution.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bA1KfhgqRY/T4xEMkxMNEI/AAAAAAAAA7E/HEUP-j0x5l4/s1600/puzzled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bA1KfhgqRY/T4xEMkxMNEI/AAAAAAAAA7E/HEUP-j0x5l4/s640/puzzled.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">puzzled</td></tr>
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I finished mine last. I thought "puzzled" was a good one for tax day here in the U.S.<br />
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Have a great week everyone.atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-33460504781395539532012-04-10T13:15:00.000-04:002012-04-10T13:15:39.735-04:00Achtung Baby<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCdq3r2hA7A/T4Ri1_JM-tI/AAAAAAAAA6o/SS-nP0z2Y7s/s1600/vocal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCdq3r2hA7A/T4Ri1_JM-tI/AAAAAAAAA6o/SS-nP0z2Y7s/s640/vocal.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vocal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have a lot of things on my to-do list that are crying for attention.<div>
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The taxes must go this week so that will be one less voice from the choir.</div>
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I can go to the art studio to get away from the low moan of the dishes and laundry.</div>
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The illustration related projects are getting noisy though. </div>
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I must remember that all I have to do to keep these babies quiet is to feed and change them.</div>
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There might be some crying along the way. That probably just means I need a nap.</div>
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<br /><br /></div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-16376570260863183162012-04-03T17:20:00.002-04:002012-04-03T17:20:49.588-04:00Remember the Whale<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no7dxvRjRIk/T3tQujGgo_I/AAAAAAAAA6c/g-CWE9bG0_I/s1600/return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-no7dxvRjRIk/T3tQujGgo_I/AAAAAAAAA6c/g-CWE9bG0_I/s640/return.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">return</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spring does not come springing back around here.<br />
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It takes a while. </div>
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We are hopeful though. </div>
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Just because it is too cold to eat my breakfast on the porch doesn't mean it won't ever be.</div>
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So, we look for other indications that Winter has in fact ended. We look for things to come back.</div>
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The daffodils, the crocus, the microscopic buds on the the trees, if you look close.</div>
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The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udm2YjKPKsE&context=C46daf6eADvjVQa1PpcFMrM9XOQvVVVZt5eKHULhRkIyRF23nid5Y=">whales</a>, the <a href="http://www.whoi.edu/ospreycam/page.do?pid=41115">osprey</a>, the <a href="http://www.whoi.edu/ospreycam/page.do?pid=41115">alewives</a>.</div>
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The rabbits come out of hiding.</div>
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The parking lot at the grocery store has a lot more <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv2wD30D03Y&feature=related">Lincolns </a>with Florida license plates than it did a couple of weeks ago.</div>
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Hope.</div>
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I have also been looking for signs of hope in my illustration journey.</div>
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It is hard to know if I'm going in the right direction, doing the right things. I, like just about everyone else feel like there isn't enough time to get done all the things that I want and need to do. </div>
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This past Sunday I got the signs I was looking for from a few unexpected places*, including a Catholic Nun, Jonah (as in Jonah and the whale) and <a href="http://www.oprah.com/own-master-class/Oprah-Winfreys-Master-Class-Quotes/6">Oprah.</a></div>
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I will gladly grab on to all these bits of hope and soon I will be sipping coffee on my porch with the sun shining.</div>
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*<i>not including the new season of Game of Thrones- that is really all about Winter.</i></div>
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</div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634100330841250476.post-28002773779956721722012-03-27T12:42:00.000-04:002012-03-27T19:01:40.304-04:00Out Like a Lion<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inR3g_pZZeg/T3HhloLhT6I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/P6oi34jRAiM/s1600/swamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-inR3g_pZZeg/T3HhloLhT6I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/P6oi34jRAiM/s640/swamp.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swamp</td></tr></tbody></table>A week ago it was 70 (F.) degrees out. <div><br />
</div><div>Today it is in the 30s.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So naturally I am thinking of hot, sticky summer days.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I was lucky to grow up before the influx of <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Lyme/">Lyme disease</a>. The forest was our playground.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We had acres of woods back behind the house with a brook running through it. It was a great place for the whole neighborhood to congregate. We were hidden from our parents kitchen window view by the thick cover of foliage. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Mom would say, "Stay within shouting distance." and we were free.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As much fun as it was creating our own <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_B0Npgpriy3E/SoxCs_5vU9I/AAAAAAAABtI/NMj2sgDayrE/s1600-h/LordoftheFlies_painting002.jpg">Lord of the Flies</a> like existence out there, I liked to go there alone.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Down by the brook was such a peaceful place. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The always cold brook water and tall oak's canopy made it a cool sanctuary on the hottest days.<br />
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</div>atlanticmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10876956812297529149noreply@blogger.com3