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Tag: gratitude

Don’t forget your umbrella!

Don’t forget your umbrella!

The Artdog Quote of the Week  I’d describe this past week as one heck of a storm–especially in southern California (with Thousand Oaks in the center of the bullseye). If ever we needed an umbrella against the disaster-storm, it’s now. But, gratitude? Really?  That’s a pretty hard ask, in a country that’s seen raging weather but continued denial of climate change, ever-deepening political divides, and seemingly more gun violence every day. This may be the season of Thanksgiving, but it’s often hard to find solid reasons…

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For the Arts

For the Arts

Day Seven: Gratitude for the Arts I suppose it is not terribly surprising that an artist, writer, and career art teacher would be grateful for something that has been such a vibrant force throughout her life, but I realized that I’ve heard very little being said, recently, about the value of the arts in our lives. I think we’re missing something important, by such an omission. There’s a quote from C. S. Lewis that I’ve seen popping up with fair frequency: “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…

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For my Family

For my Family

Day Two: Grateful for my Family We humans are shaped and often defined by our families, for both well and ill. We can inherit everything–and anything–from our forebears, including any or all of those listed below: Genetic vulnerabilities or resistances to diseases Family recipes (be they sublime–or dreadful!) Attitudes (political or otherwise) Catchphrases (do you ever hear your parent’s or grandparent’s voice coming out of your own mouth?) Childrearing practices (boy, can that be a two-edged sword! For you, and your kids!) Knicknacks (from worthless dust-collectors to priceless heirlooms) Traditions, (for holidays, special occasions, or anything at…

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3 creative ways to thank a veteran

3 creative ways to thank a veteran

Artdog Images of Interest, “with interest” Last Tuesday, I, and many of my fellow Americans voted. Whether you like the outcome or not, the fact that we have the right to vote is largely because that right has been defended again and again through the years, most especially by the men and women of the United States Armed Services. In honor of them on Veterans Day, I’ve prepared a little photo tribute. In between the pictures, I suggest three categories of practical…

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Change the world?

Change the world?

The Artdog Quote of the Week Expectations are ours to choose. Sometimes that’s harder to do than other times. IMAGE: Many thanks to Quotes Gram and the “Quotes/Wisdom” Pinterest page of Danica M. for this image. 

Counting our . . . you’re kidding, right?

Counting our . . . you’re kidding, right?

As I write this, we are one week and counting away from the most feared and dreaded election in recent memory. The news stories and commentary, and all too often our social media, email inboxes, offices and homes are rife with discord and polarization. Seems like a strange time to talk about gratitude for blessings. Yet, here we are at the dawn of November, the month of Thanksgiving. Traditionally, this is a time for Harvest, for in-gathering and coming together,…

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