Out Like a Lion

swamp

A week ago it was 70 (F.) degrees out. 

Today it is in the 30s.

So naturally I am thinking of hot, sticky summer days.

I was lucky to grow up before the influx of Lyme disease. The forest was our playground.

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. 

Mom would say, "Stay within shouting distance." and we were free.

As much fun as it was creating our own Lord of the Flies like existence out there, I liked to go there alone.

Down by the brook was such a peaceful place. 

The always cold brook water and tall oak's canopy made it a cool sanctuary on the hottest days.

We Have a Winner!

secure prize bowl

impartial judge who wants to get back to his movie make a blind pick

Congratulations to Emily W.!!!

Emily wins the matted print but you are all winners in my book.

Thanks for reading my blog and looking at my pictures. xoxo

I am going to be making a promotional postcard of the image that was the prize. If any of you want a postcard as a conciliation prize (I know it is not as good as a lifetime supply of Rice-a-Roni), send me your address and I will put you on the mailing list.

Thank again for playing,

Moira

You Can't Win If You Don't Play

shades

"Dollar to play! Dollar to win!"

That's what the lady running the water-gun race game at the carnival would yell to travelers down the midway. I heard this several times a day when I was running the inflatable castle right across the dirt path from her. She spoke the truth and those words still ring in my ears (along with the loud bell and the Flintstones theme song that played every time she got a few players).

You, dear reader do not need to take such a financial risk to win a prize from me.

This is my 100th post on Bristol Bored!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you could win a signed, matted print of this image.

The contest closes Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 9:00pm EDT. 

Good Luck!

Update: We have a winner!

Keep on Burnin'

yield

Sticking with an idea is sometimes the hardest thing to do. 

I get tired.

I get bored.

I get sick of spending so much time with myself.

Word on the street though, is that persistence is exactly what one needs to succeed. 

Sure luck is a factor. There is always the possibility that you will be discovered at a post office in Paris. Even this form of luck requires being in the right place at the right time and having the ability to create stunning images. 

So keep on trucking, I shall.

One of the nice things about having a blog is that I can look back and see how far I have progressed or at the very least give myself points for producing a lot of images.

My reward for all of my hard work is more hard work so that I can make a career out of, you guessed it more hard work which will give me more quality time with myself.

This is my 99th blog post (not counting the painting blog).

I should probably do a giveaway for the 100th post.

Free signed print, maybe? 

Do you have a suggestion for a prize? Please put any ideas in the comments. 

#33

intention

"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills. and uses these skill to accomplish his goals."-Larry Bird

Brave

capable

You can do this.

This is not the hardest thing you've ever done.

It is not very likely that anyone in the meeting is going to throw up on you, bite you or cry continuously until you give them some breast milk.

If they don't like what you are presenting it is not the end of the world.

You can try again.

Or try somewhere else.

I know. 

You could start a new career.  Maybe you could become an orthodontist. Then you wouldn't  have to worry about the kids crooked teeth that they clearly inherited from your side of the family. You could get a fish tank and a lava lamp for the waiting room. Doctor in front of your name would have a nice ring to it.

No, no. No new career.

This is what you are good at. They are going to love you.

And if they don't?

Well you've got those people back at home and a drawing table waiting for you.

Pisces of Mind

fluid

I love to swim under water for as long and deep and as far as I can hold my breath.

There is something about the sensation of being part of the water that makes me feel as if I am elsewhere. 

Elsewhere is so quiet. I can't hear the phone ringing or someone calling my name.

No travel to the mountains or a busy city can transport you in such a way. Under the water I become another particle floating around with the fish. I am a rock or a seashell for a few moments.

The closest thing to this temporary escape is that small window of time between dreaming and being awake. My conscious self can see the reality that looms just past the dream and my dream self can see that dream world floating away as the alarm clock gets louder and louder.

I know that I must swim back to the surface for a breath of my own reality which is all the more beautiful having been gone from it.

Live in Stereo

popular

When I was a kid, I was always hearing grown-ups give the advice, "Just be yourself." and people will like you for who you are.

"Wrong!" is what I wanted to say.

The truth is, be yourself and some* people will like you for who you are. 

These people (who like you) will turn out to be just the kind of people that you want and need to be your friends. All your bad personality traits that have kept you from making friends with the wrong people are actually just a filter to keep those undesirables at a distance.

Besides, you won't want to be a jerk as much with your real friends because you love them and don't want to hurt their feelings. If you are a jerk (by accident) chances are one of your people will forgive you. 

If they don't? Well that's just another filter.

*Some is really all you need.

Happy Valentine's Day

Free printable Valentines on my website.

Click here for the page.

Painting is Messy

suspense

The Illustration Friday post  is on the Atlanticmo blog today since I painted it with actual paint.