Living Life

Living life is a journey extraordinaire through time and eternity. - A quote from my book

The journey through life takes untold twists and turns. In some ways it is good we cannot plot a path that is without any trials or pit falls, broken promises, disappointments or any other downside to the journey. Without them there would be no way to recognize the joys and pleasures we encounter. Surprises would not be known if all were smooth and even. Our joy would not be great if our sorrows were not deep. All things have a price that requires us to experience the opposites of everything in life, to know the depth of their experience. Sometimes we tell ourselves we can avoid those hard times. Often it is only avoiding what will inevitably be. Sometimes we dive into something because it is what we want and not what would be. What our lives are can only be controlled in part but we can live each day and be thankful we have it at all. Life not savored for the moment is not lived fully. Living for dreams we do not have, in fact may never have, is folly. The most wonderful times are the moments lived as they occur. They are precious. They will not come again in exactly the same way ever again.

Before we can begin the journey we must recognize that Jesus knocked first and invited you to join him and share your journey with him. If you accept, all you need to do is knock and he will answer, ask and you will receive. (New International Version. (1984). (Mt 7:7–8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.) It is not a guarantee of no hard knocks but a promise of life to its fullest.

It is time for a few of the people I follow. I have been lax in visiting of late but I want to recognize a few of those that I do visit when I can. Please leave a little love with a comment if you visit.

Annette is from Sweden and quite an excellent card creator. Her coloring is exceptional and her cards are very artistic and well done. Be sure to look at her previous cards to get some idea of how talented she is. Her skills are considerable.

Valerie is an artist in every sense of the word. Many of her pieces are her own work, not just stamps or stencils. To top that off she is also a very good photographer. I enjoy seeing all of her work and sharing. I think you will as well.

Janis is a cat lover from the western U.S. She has a good sense of humor and is a great card creator. She is out where all of the fires are right now and I am sure she will appreciate a visit and a whole bunch of encouragement. You will like seeing her cards and her photography.

All I can say at this time is Hooraaay. The painting is DONE.  I gave up trying to keep track of the hours this thing took. NO I will not be promising to finish another one of these. The detail in this is not readily apparent in the finished work but most of it was done through a magnifying glass. Here it is in all of its weary completeness.

            
Here are a few close up views of the detail work. The fine work is not as visible as I would like since some of the colors were so close to matching they gave me fits.

             

The canvas is 20" X 16". That makes some of the detail on it VERY small. Straight lines at my age are very difficult so there aren't many to be found. LOL. Was it worth it? You decide.

One more thing to share. Jill and I passed our 52nd wedding anniversary the end of last month. This is what I gave her as a rememberance.

This is the saying:

The tree has a carving in it. Here it is.

I hope you enjoyed your visit. My days are full and so is my heart. Your are all ever in my heart and in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for your visit and my God bless you all.

Remember to always Love The Details.