February 13, 2014 In art, books, communication, creativity, design, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Peace & Love (Ah, Cupid…)

“Be of love a little more careful than of anything.”
 ~ E. E. Cummings

Week #24: 52 Weeks of Peace “Love Journal” / © Patricia Saxton

Ah, Cupid. Fickle, passionate, whose darting arrows don’t always hit the target … we celebrate you nonetheless.

I’ll admit that it’s not my favorite holiday, but I can count a few memorable, especially thoughtful, and even romantic, Valentine’s Day experiences. Unfortunately those went all wrong in the end (beware the man who writes you poetry, a friend once told me…), so I turn to the unscathed memories of shared Valentines from grammar school, or the hand-made kindergarten ones we gave to our parents, with big red construction paper hearts and white lace around the edges, filled with unabashed adoration. And those we give our own children marked with a thousand x’s and o’s.

But despite what might seem a dose of romantic cynicism, I am a true believer. In love. Love is everything. Every task we do, everyone word we utter, every hand we shake, is more meaningful if there’s love in it. Love is the root. Love is the cause. Love is the purpose. Love is all.

And so I welcome any reason to honor love,  and wish a “Happy Valentine’s Day” swarming with roses and chocolates to all husbands and wives, young lovers, old lovers, all who have ever felt the exultation ~ or the sting~ from Cupids’ arrows of desire, have felt their heart swell, their color blush, their energy soar and their selfishness cease.

And to everyone, with or without a “Valentine”, I say fill your hearts with love. Love for self, love for others, love for your pets, for your garden, for your books, for your bicycle, for your favorite chair. Even for the guy trying to make a left turn on a busy street. Raise up the heart quotient all around, and feel the peace that settles in when tension is replaced by unbridled love.

Your heart will be happy that you did.

0
0
February 3, 2014 In life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Snow Day

It always surprises people to learn that I like snow. You see, I hate to be cold. My body was built for the tropics, I’m convinced. I absolutely love to be warm and unencumbered by the bulk of clothing that winter requires. Warm is free, light and easy. Cold is a nuisance.

But, I am an appreciator of beauty, and there is something quintessentially lovely in falling snow. Purity, refreshment, a marvelous stillness, the world, and time, stopping.

I even like driving in the snow. Before the sand and plows get there. Like this morning, we were inconveniently low on a couple of essentials (milk and ice cream); I admit I got a little bit excited about trekking out where few dare to trek. (This apparently is my current version of adventure; but let’s not examine that too closely, alright?) Affirming my skill at maintaining the right speed down a hill and then maneuvering the turns “just so”. Being sure to stay in the snowier parts for better traction. Hardly anyone out and about, the roads all white, the trees dressed in their Sunday best. What can I say? It’s a winter wonderland.

And then, of course, there’s a winter fireplace. Snow outside, fire inside = cozy. And then, of course, there’s hot chocolate.

So, as I often say, if it’s going to be cold, there might as well be snow and we might as well make the best of it.

food-hot-chocolate-1.jpg

0
0
February 2, 2014 In art, branding, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, peace By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #53 / “Weekend Peace”

I cooked up this pie last year, but not sure it got served here on my blog. So here is “Weekend Peace”, and the whole of my contribution to Super Bowl weekend. Please enjoy a slice if you like.  :  )

saxton_peace.pizza

0
0