February 8

When I was a kid, during the summers my dad served as a quartermaster on an army base. My family lived on the base’s campgrounds for those three months every year. Over those ten years, we went from a tent, to a pop-up camper, and finally, a 24-foot trailer. As a child who loved to be outside, wandering about, this was a great life. 🙂

Other kids, coming with their parents, would stay just a couple weeks. There was one summer friend, though, Julie, whose dad also served the whole summer. Julie taught me many campfire songs, including this one:

If I had the wings of a turtledove (turtledove),

Straight to the woods I would fly (I’d fly).

There to remain as a turtledove (turtledove),

There to remain ’til I’d die. (I’d die).

That’s the way I remember the song, anyway.

I find it funny that every image this day conjures a song.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

When I am open,
in rushes the whole lit point.
I am free again.

2020

I often paint in silence. I still see the music, though, that I was listening to as I painted this borage flower.
Music: Paul Hindemith – Symphonic Metamorphosis

Borage, I’ve read, is associated with courage.

Courage inspires change.
This commandment I give you:
Love your enemy.

2021

“Always there is the persistent need for some deep inner assurance, some whisper in my heart, some stirring of the spirit within me—that renews, re-creates and steadies. Then whatever betides of light or shadow, I can look out on life with quiet eyes. God is with me.” —Howard Thurman, *Meditations of the Heart, p. 48*

“Seven Years of Wonder” is a daily look back at my creative journaling posts since 2014. I began this journey on Feb. 11, 2021, and hope to continue through Feb. 10, 2022. What am I learning about my art and faith journey thus far? What has remained constant? Where have I been changed? How is this impacting present and future art-making?

A deep bow of gratitude to you for keeping me company on this journey.