Interposing an original floral abstract painting with one of the texts from the original series describing the many ways peace can be discovered, created, nurtured, and experienced in our every day lives. …… Long may peace grow and thrive in our hearts and minds.
“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Seems that summer was only lazy when we were little. School was out, one day spilled into the next in a stream of endless popsicles, watermelon seed-spitting, some bike riding, swimming and even a touch of boredom.
Now that we’re all grown-up and responsible, many of us yearn for a few lazy days where neither work nor bills nor laundry makes demands.
Yearning may serve a purpose I suppose (like fueling the fires to change things up), but if we look around, we can also find inspiration at every turn. A day off here and there, a simple walk, even just conjuring up a lovely, breath-of-fresh-air mental image can supply new vigor to the withering workaholic who “must go on”! Not as effective as a month by the sea, I admit, but effective nonetheless ~ so that we can be more like the sail that labors best.
Happy Birthday USA!
In May 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. A year later in 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, establishing an official flag for the new nation:
“Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
However, between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to reflect each new state. This broad span of time without specific guidelines resulted in many design interpretations – which in a sense also reflects the deeply rooted sense of freedom so cherished by Americans. The expressions were rich and proud, eventually evolving into the flag we pledge allegiance to today.
Carrying that theme of evolvement forward, in 1986 I discovered a beautiful book by Kit Hinrichs, called “Stars and Stripes” – a compilation of exceptionally creative American Flag images created by some of the finest graphic artists of modern time. I found it absolutely delightful, and a great tribute to the creativity and talent that abounds amongst us – and the creative freedom we’re able to enjoy in this great land of the free and home of the brave.
Below are just 13 samples of the many ingenious designs from that book honoring our American flag. Enjoy!
all images copyright of creator
proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.
A moment of quiet reflection, please, in honor of the Potato ~ a humble, understated vegetable of enormous natural value.
Glamour evades the Potato; it isn’t particularly pretty and doesn’t dress-up for attention very often ~ but oh! the versatile delight it possesses! And so, I pay tribute and celebrate this near divine offering from the Good Earth.
It’s hard to imagine a life without potatoes. This is especially true if you’re Irish, I suppose, but we all enjoy their many variations. Red potatoes, golden ones, brown ones, white ones, sweet ones. Mashed potatoes (lumps or no lumps?), baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes, roasted, fried, french-fried, sautéed, grilled, boiled (I even like a raw slice now and then), and of course, potato soup, potato salad and potato pie.
Potatoes go with almost any meal (except maybe ice cream), and as if it couldn’t get any better, aside from their yumminess they’re jam-packed with nutrients.
Some spud facts: Potatoes contain no fat or cholesterol and minimal sodium. What they do have is natural fiber in the skins, vitamins and minerals and great flavor. A six-ounce potato contains 2 grams of highly digestible protein, almost as much as half a glass of milk, making it a great foundation for a whole meal. One potato has more potassium than a banana, and is a great source of both vitamin’s B and C. And, as a nutritious carbohydrate, your muscles and your brain will thank you for fueling them, saving your heart and other vital organs from trying to do that extra work.
Viva La Potato!
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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 and we’ll also post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)
June’s been a rough month. Think I’ll grab a handful of these. Because after all, as Charles M. Schulz so eloquently said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” : )
When I first started in the industry, I took some teasing about my love for purple. “New design, Pat? Is it purple?”
No, not everything was purple, but it’s an awesome color when used well ~ and nobody does it like Mother Nature. Here’s more evidence of its fabulousness:
hyacinth
iris
iris
iris
iris
can’t remember what this is called
petunia
How can you not love purple?
Celebrate life today…!
http://youtu.be/auNSrt-QOhw
Peace has been traveling far and wide! Thank you for sharing these fabulous images of “52 Weeks of Peace” from around the world!
“Graduation Peace, Love and Happiness”, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Peace graces a spring garden in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Cheers! ~ in Johannesburg, South Africa
Antananarivo, Madagascar
“Peace Out” for the summer from an Athens, Ohio house that holds a treasure chest of memories for 9 college guys.
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!)
“Dream big. Work hard. Think for yourself. And love everything you love, and every one you love, with all your might.”
~ David McCullough, Jr., English teacher, from his Wellesley High School Commencement Speech
Wise words. Inspiring words. Yet apparently McCullough’s speech to the 2012 graduating class of High School seniors caused a fuss ~ because, in the speech, he told the students that they were “nothing special.” But if you listen (and I recommend that you do), many of you, like I did, will wonder what the controversy was all about.
Are we so coddled and inattentive that we get sidetracked by dissecting the minutia of a few phrases without hearing the full context of truth and wisdom?
Maybe the shame here is that it took the raising of eyebrows to make it to a broader audience. It’s outstanding. Bravo, well done!
If you want more on this, there’s a great editorial write-up about this video here.
