VIGNETTING

The technique of vignetting, a term used in oil painting, which means to shade off gradually into the background, blends the oils and mixes the colors nicely. The artist loads an ample amount of paint to the tip of each brush and then strokes the brush in a crisscross fashion across the canvas. Although the colors blend beautifully, as the light hits the canvas at different angles, to my way of thinking, the technique sometimes looks rather artificial.

Tonight, however, as I was admiring the beautiful sunset and thinking how wonderful it would be to have such a large canvas on which to express myself, I noticed bold strokes of color which crisscrossed and remarkably resembled the technique of vignetting. Splashes of color--Alizarin Red, Cadmium Orange and Yellow, Moss Green, and hints of Sepia--dotted the horizon. I imagined a gigantic sable paint brush dabbing and stroking against the canvas of the sky. What Technicolor! What technique! What splendor! But with each passing minute, the hues and texture of the sky morphed and gradually the sun lowered behind the mountain leaving only a hint of color and the faded memory of Chinese White, Payne's Grey, and a dab of Thalo Blue. The Technicolor sky was almost gone but the Great Artist's impression of vignetting left a lasting memory of beauty. What a marvelous sight!

AMERICA, THE VISION

Carl Sandburg once wrote, "I see America, not in the setting of the sun of a black night of despair ahead of us. I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God. I see great days ahead, great days possible to men and women of will and vision."

I, too, see America in "the crimson light of a rising sun." I see America as a land where precious freedoms are preserved through the united efforts of honest men and women. I see America ripe with opportunities where those with great expectations and enterprise may take flight; where those willing to work hard and to be inventive may achieve their vision; where dreamers and visionaries lively with imagination may reap the reward of abundant success. I see a land where individual rights are protected and where individual voices may be heard. I see a land rich in optimism and a land enveloped with hope.

Sadly, I also see America filled with elements of despair. I sometimes see America as a land where those in high places with their swanky suits and high-priced ideas, corrupt and self-serving, a cancer to society, flourish at the expense of the common man. I sometimes see America where greed is common and honesty is rare. I sometimes see America where the eyes of indifference turn away from poverty, neglect, and abuse. America is an interesting contrast of "blight or bright;" and where you live, in your neighborhood, or in your mind, dictates the America that you see.

And yet, and yet...

I know it is a land which can be filled with exceptional goodness. It is a land which can be filled with high morals and values. It is a land where freedoms reign supreme and where patriotism runs deep.

As a school girl, I had the unique privilege of having those precious feelings of patriotism embedded deep within my heart. At the old Sandy Elementary School, a patriotic devotional was held faithfully each morning. I loved the devotional and held it with the greatest of respect. Each day, it began with a magnificent rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword; His truth is marching on...."

And then the teacher would say, "Class, please stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance." Standing at attention with hands over heart, the Pledge would be recited. Eloquent, meaningful words of Abraham Lincoln then followed; and finally a prayer was given. It was simple, yet powerful, and most memorable.

Thoughts of patriotism and thankfulness course through my mind at the very sight of the American flag. The opening cords of the National Anthem will cause emotional feelings to well up within my bosom. How blessed we are as a nation to have the right to stand tall with the conviction to do good and to have the ability to make a difference. How blessed we are to have the right to choose good over evil. How blessed we are to have a nation founded by our forefathers whose ideals, purposes, and design aligned with Deity. Yes, I embrace the thoughts of Carl Sandburg that we are, indeed, a blessed nation where we may "see America in the crimson light of a rising, sun, fresh from the burning, creative hand of God."

MY CHILD

...the creation of the stars in the
Milky Way
pales in comparison
to the creation of you,
my child...

SONJA--ANGEL EYES

My first child, Sonja:

"...her hair flying this a way and that a way in the wind..."

ANGEL EYES

Sometimes when I gaze at those angel eyes
I think I am looking at Eve,
or is it Mary, or Heavenly Mother
that I think my mind conceives?

No, its none of these that my mind preceives
but someone who is fair and wise.
Sonja, my child, it is you that I see
when I gaze at those angel eyes.

Sometimes a small glimpse of what you will be
comes forth in an admirable way;
When you tell me you love me or say that you're sorry
or help me with work through the day.

And, sometimes I see the woman you'll be
by the way that you comb your hair
or when you whisper sweet secrets to me
or by the things that you share.

Sometimes I wonder, "How can this be so.
Did you really choose me for your mother?"
But when I see those eyes look at me
I know that we each chose no other.

ALEZA--FAMILY SECRETS

My second child, Aleza:

"...how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?..."

FAMILY SECRETS

A certain little girl of mine
keeps me breathless most the time.

Telling stores short and tall
Family Secrets--one and all.

"Why, Uncle Brent should be in jail.
He stole a kiss and winked as well."

"Aunt Loraine's a kangaroo.
She's got a baby coming due."

"Grandma, dear, 's a silly goose.
She drinks some stuff to make her loose!"

"Aunt Cheryl's beard's in a funny place.
Not on her chin, but above her face."

"Mommy's a pirate with treasures of old.
Her teeth are filled with silver and gold."

But Gramp's the smartest of the lot.
He reads the paper while on the pot."

Yes, Family Secrets are fun to tell
and Aleza sure can tell them well!

SPENCER PONDERS THE THEORY OF GRAVITY

My third child, Spencer:

...I'm gonna shoot for the moon but I'm sure I'll hit the stars...

SPENCER PONDERS THE THEORY OF GRAVITY

His eager mind thought and thought
as he laid in bed one night.
He could not hold his young mind back
as his many thoughts took flight.

"I wonder what is going on--
up in the sky," said he.
"And just exactly what is this force
known as gravity?"

So he gathered all his science books
and he studied night and day.
His mind absorbed many wonders
and his study became his play.

Is it up or down? I've just got to know.
And he pulled plans from his pocket.
"I'll get me a can of super fuel
and I'll fly me an awesome rocket."

Never mind that the fields are very dry
And that fires can be dreary.
'Cause, this gravity's got me puzzled
and I've got to test my theory."

So up he shot that high tech "rock"
And it came down in a flury.
"Why gravity must be down, not up,
'Cause it landed in a hurry!"

AUTUMN--BEAUTY INTERTWINED

My fourth child, Autumn:

...her reason--motherhood
...her season---motherhood
...for pleasin'--God

BEAUTY INTERTWINED

Beauty that's outer
dazzles the eye.
It shimmers, it sparkles,
it shines.

Beauty that's inner
catches the heart.
It's gentle, it's warm,
it's kind.

But the beauty that's fair
and considered most rare
is the beauty that's intertwined.