Ramblings and Tears.....The Good Kind

> Sunlit

Acrylic on Canvas

I've noticed in the last few years how little it takes to make me cry. I think I became more aware of this as I entered into my fourth decade on this planet. My tears are not generally related to current events and the downward spiral of the world, God knows there would be enough to cry about there.....no my waterworks are usually reserved for genuine acts of kindness....you know, the good tears.


Saturday night we watched "Remember The Titans" My eyes must have filled up with tears at least five times. I love Denzel Washington and this movie, being based on a true story, never fails to inspire me. If you haven't seen it, your in for a treat. Watch the trailer here.

Ellen's newest post on her blog Creative Laundry is just so beautifully written. She is not only a fabulous artist but an extremely talented writer. "Billions of Stories" truly resonated with me.

Check out Dumb Little Man, Create a Richer Life in 24 Hours or Less. Each point that was made in this post forced me to contemplate the million and one ways in which I am rich. Perhaps not monetarily but in all the ways that are important.........friends and family.......and in the end baby, that's all that's really gonna count.

I watched Oprah on Monday as Craig Keilburger was a guest. I have written about him before as he is the founder of "Free The Children" an organization that I have chosen to support and have for the last few years. He has also written one of my favourite books "Me To We". His organization and Oprah's Angel Network have teamed up for a program that focuses on sending high school kids to third world countries to help build schools for much needed communities. I believe I ran out of kleenex during that show. Ironically enough I found out last week that my oldest daughter will be meeting Craig Keilburger tomorrow in Toronto. As part of her Careers class at school, she and four of her classmates had to choose a charity to support. They then had to present their case to, first the class and then the school, explaining why this particular charity was worthy of a $5,000.00 donation. They chose a woman's shelter in our community which is so very deserving. Well, they won and $5,000.00 has been awarded to the women's shelter. She is now a part of the Youth and Philanthropy Iniative and along with students from all over Ontario will be attending an awards ceremony at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. Craig Kielburger will be the guest speaker and I know it will be a powerful experience for her.

See ya, I've got to go and see if we've got any Visine in the house.

Me To We

This is one of my favourite streets in Toronto.....University Avenue. Although it is an extremely busy street there is still something about it that retains a park like feel. I took a whole lot of photos on this street when we were in Toronto a few weeks ago and they will pop up in my work over the next few months. Right now I'm working on two pieces. One landscape that features birch trees and the other is an urban piece of a man sitting on the steps of the First Canadian Place reading the morning paper.

Yesterday I got a call from a woman who is putting on an art show "The Art Experience" in Muskoka next August. She is going to send me the details and I'll decide from there whether I'm going to participate or not. I will not be doing the Images Show because as I guest you can only be on the tour for two years and then you need to take a year off. Not my rules but rules just the same. This show in August will also feature four artists who also teach at the Haliburton School for the Arts which is quite a fine institution. So........we'll see.

Last night my youngest and I watched MTV (yuck) but only because there was a fabulous show on called " Me To We", ok MTV, you did a great thing. I read the book and was blown away by it last year so I was anxious to watch the program last night. Me To We is a worldwide movement of people finding purpose through living with compassion, strengthening community and making a commitment to our shared humanity. I can't say enough good things about the founders Marc and Craig Kielburger. They have been featured on Oprah's show and she has also written an essay for their book. Well the show was great and I'm so glad we watched it together. I think it had a bigger impact on her than if I had just tried talking to her about it. She immediately went downstairs and checked out their website which also features an organic clothing section (ok, she was really interested in this..........but hey, it's a start). Check out their clothing at Me To We Responsible Style .

Peace to All and have a wonderful weekend wherever you are