May 30, 2012 In appreciation, life and the universe, philosophy By Patricia Saxton

On Being Authentic

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~ Oscar Wilde

We hear a lot about being “authentic” these days. I feel like I’m witnessing a bit of a mass re-discovery that being yourself holds water. That genuine is valued over false. That individuality, not sameness, carries the day. And in my humble opinion, if people take these notions to heart, we’re going in a good direction.

But I will (hesitantly) admit that my internal radar is measuring a slight cynicism, fearing that it’s being bandied about (almost) as if it were something fashionable. A concept du jour. Hitting the target but not the bullseye. Skimming the surface. You hear it and agree that it sounds good, but what do you really do with it?

In truth, of course,  “authenticity” is as real as it gets and is never out of style. It’s wheat grown in the open field and the stars that shine above it, it’s a homemade card or a hunk of solid gold ~  and it’s who you are, your true self, how you think, what moves you, what you do about it, how you express yourself.

It’s not glamorous or badass or cool. It’s not celebrity or dying your hair blue. It’s not about clever ways to show how unique you are; it’s about being real.

Maybe the real you is about originality, maybe even outrageous ~ but it’s not authentic if it’s contrived. You don’t wake up and say, “I think I’ll be authentic today, it’ll look great with my new shoes.” You either are, or you aren’t, no matter what shoes you wear. You know the difference ~ and others usually do too.

I think it’s a lot easier to get through life without pretending to be something that you’re not, and a lot more productive, too. So go be real. Just you, the genuine article, the real McCoy, the only you there is.

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May 29, 2012 In appreciation, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

A Beer for Frankie ~

I saw this on Facebook, and shared it there. It’s got something like a million and a half “likes” to date, all deserved in my book.

This touched me deeply ~ maybe just the very simple humanness of it. Sharing a beer with an old friend, a fellow soldier ~ what could be more natural? ~ of course that’s what you’d do, if you could. A bartender with heart who kept it there as long as she could. And seeing some of Frankie’s family members and fellow soldiers’ comments on the image, full of love. It just really brought it home, you know?

Rest in peace LTJG Toner, and all who have served us and left too soon.

From a bar near Borger, Texas: “This guy came in today and asked if it was ok if he left this on the bar.. I cried 🙁 I left it there until like 1130 tonight…. I didn’t want to pour it out but I had to. So I’m posting this pic so it can stay forever!!”

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May 27, 2012 In appreciation, art, creativity, design By Patricia Saxton

For Memorial Day (A Plethora of P’s / #23: Principles)

“Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.”  ~Wallace Bruce

– ♥ –

This one bears repeating….so, as last year, we thank you and we honor you, all the fallen  ~ for your bravery, your love, your principled, unselfish courage ~ from the wells of our hearts, with a gratitude that knows no bounds.

………………………………….
Memorial Day, 2011, 2012
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May 23, 2012 In art, creativity, life and the universe, painting By Patricia Saxton

Dear Paint

“Paint Strip 2” / © Patricia Saxton

Dear Paint,

I have missed you. Missed your colors flowing on the end of a brush; the way you make magic at my hand’s command in sweeping strokes or smart little dabs with brilliant yellows and burnt umber and sienna-tinged greens and luminous blues and vibrant reds. Your tones, creamy, rich and ripe, acquiescing to the dips and swishes of well-used bristles and merrily slathering across a nicely stretched canvas, as if to say “Yes! I’m free! Let’s shake it up!”

Sure, sometimes you get ornery, but don’t we all? Maybe, sometimes, I want you to go this way when you really want to go that way. But in the end we work it out ~ we’re a team, going where the spirit moves.

I haven’t abandoned you, it’s just been a really long pause having to do with “responsibilities”. You know, keeping the roof overhead and all. It’s most definitely not for lack of inspiration or desire. So, thank you for being patient, and I promise we’ll have many, many more years together.

I’m also pretty sure that the best is yet to come. Hang in there!

P

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May 18, 2012 In art, books & stuff, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / Week #67

Peace (~ and life ~ and beauty ~) exists, yes, even within life’s rough surfaces, craggy edges and crumbling emotions. It’s up to us to discover and allow, with eyes, heart and mind open.

“Peace Wall” / 52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #67 / © Patricia Saxton

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May 16, 2012 In art, books, branding, creativity, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?” … by the hudson and the delaware

“Night and day the river flows. If time is the mind of space, the River is the soul of the desert. Brave boatmen come, they go, they die, the voyage flows on forever. We are all canyoneers. We are all passengers on this little mossy ship, this delicate dory sailing round the sun that humans call the earth. Joy, shipmates, joy.”  (Edward Abbey, The Hidden Canyon – A River Journey)

Peace hanging out on the banks of the Delaware River, PA

New Hope, Pennsylvania

“High-Tea Peace” at The Plaza Hotel, New York City

“Bladey” runs the show at the rollerskating area of Manhattan’s Central Park, and beams his joyful spirit.

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images compiled on our special “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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May 15, 2012 In appreciation, art, books, creativity, design, presentation, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Books & Magic

“A book is made from a tree. It is an assemblage of flat, flexible parts (still called “leaves”) imprinted with dark pigmented squiggles. One glance at it and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic.”  ~ Carl Sagan

• • •

What can I possibly add to that? Except that I agree. And we humans can indeed work magic.

It helps, of course, to get the writing in front of a reader. Which is pretty easy if you’re dead and famous, or if you’re still among the living and happen to have a lot of fans. But if one doesn’t have a lot of fans yet, how do you get people’s attention; how will people know what wonderful tapestries your words have woven, what prose you’ve spun, what wit you’ve unraveled?

Ah, yes. The cover.

Many a good book is bypassed because it’s poorly dressed, just as there are those books regrettably dolled to the nines whose inner workings disappoint ~ but, by far, the latter has the better chance of some face time. Of course, you know this. Just keep that in mind, especially when self-publishing: your book’s cover should be given some serious artistic consideration, if you want your book to be seriously considered. (and, yes, I can help with that!)

In any event, the Sagan quote above got me thinking it was time for another posting of good-looking book covers. So here are some I’ve plucked from cyberspace to add to previous book cover posts. I can’t speak to their magical qualities, but the designs pass my test. See if you agree.

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May 13, 2012 In art, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Ode to Mom

She’s a champion and a warrior. She’s the sweetest flower. She’s tender, she’s tough, she’s imperfect and wise. She loves you when you’re winning, she loves you when you’re losing. She loves you whether you’re muddy or clean, too skinny or too fat, or cranky or witty or dull or smart.

She’ll hold you tight, like there’s no tomorrow, and when tomorrow comes, she’ll send you off to fly with your own shiny wings.

And as you go your way ~ and even when she’s no longer here ~ you are forever, and ever, in her heart.

…………..

Happy Mother’s Day to all us Mom’s everywhere. And remember: “If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you.”  ~Author Unknown

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May 10, 2012 In art, creativity, design, drawing, life and the universe, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Feeling Piggish

Sometimes life can feel far too serious.

So, as if pre-ordained, I was swathed by a wave of whimsy when I stumbled across this (oh so cute) picture on a Facebook Page called “Animal Story”:

Which reminded me of a t-shirt design I’d created years ago:

And that reminded me of the fun I had making my Pigs That Fly image:

Which reminded me of my favorite pig, drawn by my daughter when she was little:

Which prompted thoughts of when I was little and had carefully drawn this cool character on my school 3-ring binder cover.

And there you have it. Just some pig fun to fatten up the cheerful quotient.
“That’s all folks!”

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