Dream Art: Phase II

Diana Dream

Phase I color blocking and quick paint

Close-up

Silk Bandannas

When I went to church I wore a silk
bandanna to show modesty
before the Lord

hiding luxurious waves of amber highlights
so the worshipers could concentrate
on the gospel instead of my emerging
adolescences adorned like the Virgin Mary

humble and obedient to the God above.
Sometimes I wore a lace mantilla
but in springtime it was a pastel hat
with feathers and netting adding fashion

with patent leather shoes and matching purse
competing with the other girls
to attract the most attention

with heads bowed in prayer.

Somehow spirituality got lost
in those days when appearance
was more important than substance

but all things change and the bandannas
were discarded along with other traditions

of the church.

Heaven’s Path

She saw her brother waiting by the stone bridge
hurried bare footed across the cobblestones

took his hand as they crossed
the stream coursing through a clearing.

Up ahead she could see
familiar faces; her sister, three bothers,
her father and her mother.
She took off at a run

happy after so long
in the embrace of those 
who had been gone

too many years one by one.
A flood of conversation
trying to catch up on all the news

heaven had to wait because on this path
she met so many of her loved ones
didn’t want to let them go

but Saint Peter called
and she had to move along
but the good news

her family traveled with her
for the rest of time.  

When Antiques were Modern

They were not antiques in their day
but modern artifact of the time:
the telephone on a party line,
a refrigerator instead of an icebox,
a sewing machine run on foot power,
an automobile to replace the horse and buggy,
the locomotive improved on the wagon train,
the vacuum to replace the broom,
computers made typewriters obsolete,
and on and on with so many things.

Morality and traditions also became outdated
replaced by a different value systems.

Regular church attendance dwindled,
belief in god questioned and ridiculed,

the sanctity of the home was infiltrated
with cable TV and pornography,
seeking pleasure for pleasure’s sake
self sacrifice left for the volunteer soldier
sent to fight, not for liberty, but for corporate greed,
while the government spied for national security
but left their own house in disarray

I found a macramé plant holder out in the garage
a few beads and rope left over from the seventies

when times were simpler and less modern
sometimes I long for that simplicity. 

Landscape

Photograph taken by Aaron Rice,

Painting by drice

May She Rest in Peaches

In Memory of Bernice RIP 2013 at 92

Fall of Rome

Decline in Morality

Emperors were known for having 
lavish parties.

Political Corruption

Each throne was sold to the highest

bidder, regardless of his ability to lead.

Wars and Military Spending

The cost of maintaining an army to fight

constant battles left Rome in more of a war

state than a social state

Failing Economy and High Inflation

With increased taxes to support wars to protect Rome

and its corrupt line of emperors, the civilian masses

were unable to survive

Lack of Civilian Protection

The military was charged with protecting

but it was no longer regularly paid to do so.

Is History Repeating itself?

Happiness

Happiness is interesting, because everyone has

a different idea about what it is and how to get it. 

Here are ten suggested ways to get happy.

Exercise more – 7 minutes might be enough

Sleep more – you’ll be less sensitive to negative emotions

Move closer to work – a short commute is worth more than a big house

Spend time with friends and family – don’t regret it on your deathbed

Go outside – happiness is maximized in nature

Help others – 100 hours a year is the magical number

Practice smiling – it can alleviate pain

Plan a trip – but don’t take one

Meditate – rewire your brain for happiness

Practice gratitude – increase both happiness and life satisfaction