I rarely enter the arena of opinion. I hold my cards pretty close. My tenets regarding everything in life tend to be moderate. I annoy the heck out of everyone. So, I generally keep my yap shut.

But when I do open my yap, it's my yap... not someone else's yap. I speak for myself. This past weekend I broke my own rule. Stepped beyond my comfort zone. I'm weary for a lot of reasons these days, but I'm especially weary of The Haters. For some reason, I think these people don't realize the hate they spew under the guise of an opinion.

So many people just post links written by others... they don't take the time to speak for themselves. They hide behind the apron of another's words and seem to think that makes everything okay... After all, they haven't written or voiced something... someone else has done it for them.

And that's the big difference. If I have an opinion and want it heard, I'll say it myself.

This weekend I posted this photo, which I ordinarily wouldn't do. It summed up an opinion, but I didn't just post the photo. I also voiced my opinion. I confess that I edited this Facebook post because I don't like to yell at people. Or do the ugly cry in public. Or stamp my grumpy feet.






This made me laugh though it's no laughing matter. *sigh*
Come on people. Close your bibles on this issue and open your hearts.


Gah. All this turmoil is so damn annoying. People!

Disclaimer: Links to thought-provoking articles are a different matter.

Sorry, I'm all over the place with this issue and not explaining myself very well.

I'm tired. I'm so very, very tired. I don't understand how anyone can justify hate as a noble opinion.

Lest you think I'm promoting myself as a paragon of perfection... OMG, I'm not. Bruce Jenner's transition to Caitlin took some mind-bending processing for me. When you get to be my age, change can be challenging. Heck, changing toothpaste flavors can throw me into a tizzy. Yet, change is here to stay. Adapting is here to stay. Accepting is here to stay.

I have a small gray stone on my kitchen windowsill. It's my Jiminy Cricket. A reminder. In white paint is written the word *First*. Who among us can pick up that first stone? Who?



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New art:





Dog Mannequin






Mid-century Brutalism Sculpture







By t-Marie Nolan


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The logistics of my days are becoming more and more challenging but I manage just fine. When additional limitations are imposed, it takes me a day or so to adjust. My sleep pattern is also way off kilter. This is frustrating but I live alone and make it work.

I'm now on 26 liters of oxygen. I wear a nose canula and mask. My life is simple, but I'm lucky because I enjoy the activities I'm limited to.


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I've started painting again. I've been spending time on my screened porch where my studio is now set-up. Even if it's 90+ degrees, the ceiling fans keep it very comfortable. I'm far enough away that I can't hear the rumble of my three concentrators. Gentle breezes and birdsong. My paintings are silly simple, but give me so much pleasure. I could paint traditional stuff, but I like my simple little ditties.






Home Sweet Home



I think my preference for simplicity illustrates why I'm drawn to Outsider Art. All artists pour a lot of heart onto the canvas, but the Outsider artist primary draws nothing else but heart. What we lack in training is illuminated by passion and letting go of ego and perhaps stepping into a childlike, simpler orbit.

When I paint, I escape from this troubled world of ours. It's nice.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love.