Interesting how your week unfolded, getting back to equilibrium. The concept of relief is indeed what I felt after the initial day of shock and anger wore its weary, unwelcome self off. Your expression of 6+7 was right on. The shadowy face hinting of Trump, the scribbles and chaotic arrangement of shapes and colors, the barely legible writing. I couldn't really decipher it. All of that composition spelled the feelings of those two days.
I'm afraid to say I was turned off to the Letter to a Friend post. I've heard so many people talk about change, from right-wing preppers who want to hide until the radiation cools to the left-wing social justice warriors who commit arson in the forest because they want to protect the environment. The ironies whirl around my head and leave me confused and troubled. So tell me, prepper, when you emerge from your hidey-hole, what kind of new world are you going to create? Have your even thought of where to begin? And you, ardent warrior, what did you accomplish by adding fuel to the wildfires? As you sit in your cell, think about how to change the world in a more positive way rather than lighting a fuse.
We learned a lot during the pandemic, didn't we? We came out of our hidey-holes having learned new ways to communicate, to teach, to entertain, from vast distances to the people next door. Now we're returning to the old, comfortable rhythms? The moldy methods of operation? Are humans really capable of making change and making it last? Any kind of change? I don't know, Samantha. I'm confused and troubled. But I thank you for your sketches that lighten my heart and show more about "the things that don't suck."
When I saw the photo of the woman standing by the water, the expression on her face turned me cold. I couldn't read any more. If I were to walk up to her and say HI, she looked as though she would take one look at my middle-class housewife self and write me off with the sneer. It's happened before and the tone of the article verified that would happen again. Maybe the thing to change is to rid ourselves not only of our egos, but also of our labels, ones we put on ourselves as well as on each other.
Okay, I'm stepping off my soapbox and backing away slowly.
Loved reading through this comment, Sue, and glad you went on your soapbox to share. So funny how you saw so much more in my scribbles, especially the shadow of Trump. I had to search for what you saw. And yes my writing was also in scribbles but I made it harder to decipher on purpose, as those notes were more for me than the viewer. Occasionally I have to keep thoughts obscured. :) The rest, real life things that don’t suck, is what I choose for now. Maybe we will be surprised, in positive ways, in the near future. Sending you positive vibes for now.
Sorry I dumped on you like that. It's been difficult to see any kind of positive future in that result, however, it's true we need to seek our ways of contributing.
I figured you scribbled cryptically on that page. It was that kind of a day when thoughts are scrambled and hard to share with others. You are probably right that we will/may see positive surprises coming rather than the fearsome things I've imagined. I've read too many WWII novels, I guess.
Thank you for your good thoughts and your beautiful pages. They always lift my spirits.
I know you didn’t want the focus of this to be political, but Trump is not the person the media wants you to believe he is. Is he perfect? Of course not, but under his administration the economy was better and the border was secure. The country overwhelmingly voted for him for a reason.
I love your drawings so much, Sam. And your writing, of course... And I have your wonderful book. I have filled lots of sketchbooks. I've made lots and lots of art all my (long) life, but over this past year-- Nada. Because-- writing has taken center stage in my creative life. But-- I KNOW I can do both. I am hereby committing to diving into that blank sketchbook sitting there next to all the watercolor boxes and tubes and palettes I've collected over the years.. I will use your inspirational and beautiful book to get me going... Many thanks. 😊
Hi Karen, thank you so much for this message. You can do both. I wish I felt the freedom with writing as I do with drawing. Writing is much harder for me. We can both do both!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful spreads, your feelings and your thoughts. These are difficult times and it’s even difficult to express my feelings openly.
Sam, could you please share the link of the Michael’s class afterwards? What date is it? Maybe I’m in the states and can sign up for it.
oh I am sorry. Not sure! so annoying… well the date is Dec 13th at 2pm EST. Maybe put it in your calendar and if you are in the US then it will let you in. Ugh.
Thank you for all of this, Sam, and maybe especially for sharing Andrea's post. All of it was thought-provoking, inspiring, humbling. But one thing really hit me: "Never forget how alone we are not." Lovely. I'm holding onto this.
Very nicely done post, with appropriate and helpful words for right now. Thank you!
Thank you
Interesting how your week unfolded, getting back to equilibrium. The concept of relief is indeed what I felt after the initial day of shock and anger wore its weary, unwelcome self off. Your expression of 6+7 was right on. The shadowy face hinting of Trump, the scribbles and chaotic arrangement of shapes and colors, the barely legible writing. I couldn't really decipher it. All of that composition spelled the feelings of those two days.
I'm afraid to say I was turned off to the Letter to a Friend post. I've heard so many people talk about change, from right-wing preppers who want to hide until the radiation cools to the left-wing social justice warriors who commit arson in the forest because they want to protect the environment. The ironies whirl around my head and leave me confused and troubled. So tell me, prepper, when you emerge from your hidey-hole, what kind of new world are you going to create? Have your even thought of where to begin? And you, ardent warrior, what did you accomplish by adding fuel to the wildfires? As you sit in your cell, think about how to change the world in a more positive way rather than lighting a fuse.
We learned a lot during the pandemic, didn't we? We came out of our hidey-holes having learned new ways to communicate, to teach, to entertain, from vast distances to the people next door. Now we're returning to the old, comfortable rhythms? The moldy methods of operation? Are humans really capable of making change and making it last? Any kind of change? I don't know, Samantha. I'm confused and troubled. But I thank you for your sketches that lighten my heart and show more about "the things that don't suck."
When I saw the photo of the woman standing by the water, the expression on her face turned me cold. I couldn't read any more. If I were to walk up to her and say HI, she looked as though she would take one look at my middle-class housewife self and write me off with the sneer. It's happened before and the tone of the article verified that would happen again. Maybe the thing to change is to rid ourselves not only of our egos, but also of our labels, ones we put on ourselves as well as on each other.
Okay, I'm stepping off my soapbox and backing away slowly.
Loved reading through this comment, Sue, and glad you went on your soapbox to share. So funny how you saw so much more in my scribbles, especially the shadow of Trump. I had to search for what you saw. And yes my writing was also in scribbles but I made it harder to decipher on purpose, as those notes were more for me than the viewer. Occasionally I have to keep thoughts obscured. :) The rest, real life things that don’t suck, is what I choose for now. Maybe we will be surprised, in positive ways, in the near future. Sending you positive vibes for now.
Sorry I dumped on you like that. It's been difficult to see any kind of positive future in that result, however, it's true we need to seek our ways of contributing.
I figured you scribbled cryptically on that page. It was that kind of a day when thoughts are scrambled and hard to share with others. You are probably right that we will/may see positive surprises coming rather than the fearsome things I've imagined. I've read too many WWII novels, I guess.
Thank you for your good thoughts and your beautiful pages. They always lift my spirits.
Trust me I’m with you. Just searching and hoping. :)
I know you didn’t want the focus of this to be political, but Trump is not the person the media wants you to believe he is. Is he perfect? Of course not, but under his administration the economy was better and the border was secure. The country overwhelmingly voted for him for a reason.
I love your drawings so much, Sam. And your writing, of course... And I have your wonderful book. I have filled lots of sketchbooks. I've made lots and lots of art all my (long) life, but over this past year-- Nada. Because-- writing has taken center stage in my creative life. But-- I KNOW I can do both. I am hereby committing to diving into that blank sketchbook sitting there next to all the watercolor boxes and tubes and palettes I've collected over the years.. I will use your inspirational and beautiful book to get me going... Many thanks. 😊
Hi Karen, thank you so much for this message. You can do both. I wish I felt the freedom with writing as I do with drawing. Writing is much harder for me. We can both do both!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful spreads, your feelings and your thoughts. These are difficult times and it’s even difficult to express my feelings openly.
Sam, could you please share the link of the Michael’s class afterwards? What date is it? Maybe I’m in the states and can sign up for it.
Hi Angie, you can click the link in the email to see details about Michaels class. It just wont let you register, unfortunately. Here is the link: https://www.michaels.com/class/sketch-and-paint-a-holiday-shopfront-with-derwent-2306267309423827152-2306062367057090768
And thank you for bringing to my attention that I forgot the date in my email. I just added it!
When I click on the link it just disappears?
oh I am sorry. Not sure! so annoying… well the date is Dec 13th at 2pm EST. Maybe put it in your calendar and if you are in the US then it will let you in. Ugh.
We’ll flying home from Minneapolis on the 13th but maybe I can watch it in the car driving to the airport 😁. I definitely sign up for it.
Thank you for all of this, Sam, and maybe especially for sharing Andrea's post. All of it was thought-provoking, inspiring, humbling. But one thing really hit me: "Never forget how alone we are not." Lovely. I'm holding onto this.
Thank you for your beautiful heart. It’s helpful to know we are not alone. Your generosity of spirit is what helps me. ❤️