Evolution of Marie Antoinette Painting

First attempt in Watercolors

Second attempt in Oils... waited three years

then refined it a third time.

Painting is based on the movie, "Marie Antoinette" by Sophia Coppola

Smuggling the Virgin Mary

We walked across the border 
carrying a statue made of mud 

details were carved upon the clay 
but within contained a holy woman

her head bowed in prayer while she 
patiently waited for her release.
The border guards took a close look 

questioned the jewels upon her crown
tapped and prodded but let us resume our journey.

They watched closely while we balanced
our treasure and crossed the border.   

We hurried to a van then chiseled away
the mud releasing the ancient woman
who gasped for air. She gave us each a hug.  

My question: “Why am I dreaming
about smuggling the Virgin Mary 
across the border?”

Is there a message here I need

to understand?

Executor

I remember my uncle,
I visited occasionally
but hardly saw him
as I grew older.

He outlived his wife, siblings,
and children, no grandchildren,
I was the last survivor of all my cousins.

It was my job to execute

his last will and testament.  

He was a wealthy old codger
owned property and stocks,
I needed to go through his papers,
and distribute his assets.

An estate sale got rid of his stuff,
a Realtor liquidated his properties

and turned it to cash.  

I donated some to charity
kept some for my kids
maybe I'll take a cruise,

after his worldly 

goods are divided
before I also

turn to ash.

Evolution of Diana Dream Pictures

After hearing the dream I had to compose the painting.

Then I started adding and refining details

Finally the painting was completed.

After Diana passed away my sister Judy had this dream:

"I had my Diana dream last night...it started out with us meeting for hiking, and on the 3^rd day we couldn't find her.

After waiting and looking for her, she appeared in an open field dressed  like a "goddess", with long wavy hair, a flower headdress, and walking beside her was a polar bear and a male lion.

She smiled, looking very angelic. I guess she WAS drafted to the "big league", by-passed angel status, and went straight to goddess!

Peace at last, and coincidentally, my peace lily blossomed this morning...sweet! "

Cracker Jack

The box remains the same

a sailor and a salute
the promise of a sweet treat;

caramel corn, some nuts and a prize.
The prizes have all changed
nothing to get excited about

Don’t buy it much anymore
but still like the taste
after all these years.  

Hello Brother

"Hello, are you still alive?
I haven’t heard from you

for a month or two."

“I lost your number
so I couldn’t call
but you called me so all is well.”

Conversation is all over the place: 
family, romance and the whole human race.  

“My divorce is finally over
I met someone new, I think she’s the one.

I had a dream my ex-wife was there

but Cindy walked in and I didn't feel sad.

She took my hand, made me feel 
like her superman.”

“Kids are busy with their own lives
feel like an after-thought except 

when they need something
then they remember me.”

“Hope to visit by the end of the month,
I’ll rent a car and visit for awhile
hope you’ll be there.”

“Going to a seminar from a guy 

who says we must rewrite our stories

letting the past slip away

and starting new scripts to live a new way.”

“We’ll talk more and I’ll see you then.”

Pray for Rain

                                                               picture by Bill

“Pray for rain,”

the Bishop said

ask for intercession

from the God above

supplicate to his loving will

to let the raindrops fall upon the hill

washing to the valleys below

out through the rivers

and waterways to begin again

giving the gift  

of water to all those who

depend on His mercy

and need the rain to live.