Winter Rain on the Slough oil on cradled panel 20x20
At dinner tonight I asked John what he was thankful for. He gave me a baleful look and said "Don`t start". I was kidding as I know how much he dislikes seasonal piety. But after a pause he began to list them and I was included. Such a simple thing to just stop and think of the good stuff. Yet I don`t often enough.
Once a year we`re collectively called upon to do this. Let`s give it some attention, let`s remember to do it.
When I posted the following poem in 2009 my father had recently died and my brother the year before. So had Maureen`s. I posted it again last year and now once more. She crafted this tender poem that assures us families remain families.
Thanksgiving-Rain in a Coastal Forest 2
For those families once whole with the living, my friend
Maureen Doallas has written a poem. Republished with her permission;
Thanks Given
We were nine.
We were eight.
We are seven.
We were together.
We are apart.
We were mother and father,
five daughters,
two sons:
Together. One.
Apart
In Virginia and Florida,
New York and Tennessee,
in Georgia
We were a family.
We are a family
come together
with spirit,
with ghost
Eyes looking down,
looking up,
looking out
To a hillside in Arlington,
to a headstone in Venice:
Two to make
seven into nine.
Lips pressing thank yous
on shadows of air
breathed in breathed out
paused
To save
for blessings
round tables
Together,
apart,
As one.
Copyright © 2009 Maureen E. Doallas. All Rights Reserved.
On Saturday we`ll drive south to visit John`s parents as we usually do after the holiday. We always include a visit to
Minto Brown Island. This incredible combination of nature preserve, wetlands, dog park, farm, playground and bike trails is the crown jewel of
Salem. Its good citizens appreciate it too! I`ve been here in some truly inclement weather and still found it hopping. It`s big enough for everyone and I hear it will soon be directly connected to downtown by
pedestrian paths and bridges. Our modest state capital is getting sophisticated!
Oregon dreams big. A hiking
trail is in the works to connect Portland to the coast 90 miles away! Two things unite everyone in this state no matter the political persuasion, income, ethnicity, location, age or occupation. Everyone
really loves nature and being out in it, and everyone gardens. Everyone. Walk into any nursery in April and it`s a frenzy of activity. Get this, there is an organization that will come take out your lawn, turn the yard into a vegetable garden, maintain it and give you some of the harvest. The rest going to the food bank! Thank God for Oregon, IT is something I`m grateful for!
The new painting up at the top is of Minto Brown. Here are some others, I`ve done many.
Cold Fog on the Slough oil on panel 12x12
Minto Brown March oil on canvas paper 16x12
Storm over Minto Brown watermedia on Yupo 15x20
Edge of the Marsh oil on panel 8x8
updated work for sale in my studio [38 additions]
open studio/demonstration Sat. Dec 13, 10 am to 11:30. Oil painting, which is nearly identical to my watermedia technique.
5373 Lakeview Blvd
Lake Oswego OR
97035
