Day 833: I need my "Peace of Mind" !

"Word", junk mail & magazine collage

It's true. I do.

I need my "Peace of Mind".

Little did Alicia Lopez ...

(college journalism instructor, newspaper editor, 

former parent, former student and friend),

know that when she gave me this gift years ago, 

a little 3 inch bottle,

she was probably saving my sanity?

I am not an addict.

I don't use it everyday, 

just on days when it seems like an uphill battle.

A tiny drop on the wrist, then smooched on the other wrist ...

and instant "Peace of Mind".  Lasts all day!

Today it was needed.

And, after many years, it appears ... 

I'm down to the last of my "Peace of Mind".

I haven't been in a mall in over a year,

but the Origin's counter can expect a customer, soon. 

88' in Santa Ana, Ca. today, no A/C, no fans!

Throw (way) Back Thursday ...

Billy Zabka, Christopher Ford, me ... Karate Kid movie (100years ago?)

A smile for Thursday ...

Day 832: Seventeen already?

"G star", junk mail collage

If you follow this blog ... even occasionally, 

you've heard about my three Grandsons ...

ages 14, 15 and now 17!

Happy 17th birthday, Jordan ... already!

Hoda, Mike and Jordan

The first child, and grandchild.

I was blessed to watch him born eighteen years ago today,
and watch him grow and grow ... and grow, ever since.

I am unapologetically biased in my love for this young man.

He is a genuinely sweet soul, smart, thoughtful, athletic,
serious but with a terrific sense of humor.

He is kind, spiritual and fun to be with.

I love you Jordan!

A smile for Wednesday ...

Day 831: Guys are harder!

"tagger", paper & acrylic marker collage on 12 x12" canvas

A friend recently said...

"you don't do many men?"

(since most of my faces do tend to be female)

I caught myself saying ... 

"Nah, guys are harder!" 

And that's true, for me.

This canvas was going to be a female ...

the start ... ugh

then a square jaw happened ... and so a new direction.

3/4 done

I like him okay, but ... "Guys are hard!"

voted

A smile for Tuesday ...

Day 830: Karate stuff ...

Jodi

Over 800 days ago ... 

a friend said "I like the art stuff on your blog, but ...

I don't like the personal stuff."

I was crushed at the time, but I lived.

Another said, she "enjoyed the family stuff, but ...

didn't get the Karate stuff?"

That's okay too.

But, it is a big part of my life. Huge.

My Mom always wanted me to pick one area and focus on it.

"Doing that would ensure great success."

I wanted to explore lots of different areas, not just one.

Maybe my success, if I have it, is diversity?

And so, Sunday was a Karate day.

The smaller of our two annual tournaments.

It takes an enormous amount of preparation  ...

a sort of dry run for the upcoming International ...

Goodwill Championships in February 2015.

That event will celebrate Demura Sensei's 

50th Anniversary teaching in America.

Demonstrations, kata and kumite competition.

Paparazzi 

All under the watchful eye of Demura Sensei ...

and he, under the watchful eye of paparazzi.

Eric

The focus, power and beauty of kata.

Jodi

Another great day in SoCal.

 A smile for Monday ...

Day 829: Hey Ginger!

"Ginger",  20 x 20" paper & acrylic collage on canvas

Ginger was delivered along with two other canvases ...

to Huntington Beach Library of Friday, 

for an upcoming and always outstanding ...

 Huntington Beach Art League Member's Show.

Which runs November 3 - 26,  2014

(Mon 1 - 9, Tues -Thurs 9 - 9, Fri-Sat 9 - 5)

Awards Reception Saturday Nov. 8 •  6-8PM

I thought you might to like to see the earlier Ginger?

We girls do need our make-up and stuff!

A smile for Sunday ...

Day 828: Everybody should have an Aunt MArtha!

Uncle Jerry, Aunt Martha, Grandma Beatty & Aunt Geneva, Santa Monica, CA

Everybody should have an Aunt Martha!

High School Graduation

Really!

Early years teaching

Aunt Martha was my Mom's second oldest sister.

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Martha

One of God's really special creations.

and one of two human angels in my life.

Aunt Vonda & Aunt Martha, Palm Springs, CA

Second oldest of the five girls, in a family of ten.
Four of the five girls became teachers.

I have memories of her from a very young age,
and throughout my life.

Uncle Jewell & Aunt Martha on the Queen MAry, Long Beach, CA

All special, tender and often funny memories.

Aunt Vonda & Aunt Martha on the way to the Rose Parade, Pasadena, CA

A smart, strong, kind, righteous woman ...
 with a wonderful sense of humor! 
A hero to me and loved by all.

Today is her birthday and I miss her so.

Even though I often feel her near,

especially when I do art work.

A smile for Saturday ...