Though it is not what we wished for, we are propelled through a pandemic that provides us with the gift of time. It is a gift that puts us alone with our thoughts, letting us contemplate about our past and

Labor in the Woods  A few days ago, I went to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington to explore old growth Cedar trees for a picture I was painting. It seemed like a perfect way to celebrate the last

Eastern Oregon Contemplative  Oh give me land lots of land under starry skies above. . . Don’t fence me in. Let me ride through the wide open country that I love. . . Don’t fence me in. Let me be

The ability to think critically, imaginatively and creatively is core to our humanity. Yet, the way we go about thinking differs. Divergent thinkers commonly use imaginative techniques while convergent thinkers depend on logic. Lateral thinkers  use both convergent and divergent

I think that I shall never seeA poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prestAgainst the sweet earth’s flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day,And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree

Pandora’s Box The lid to Pandora’s Box is raised. Previously, a trickle seeped through holes some lawmakers tried to plug, but evil now rushes out and seemingly can’t be stopped. The pandemic flies out as nature’s way of demonstrating who’s

    Soaring by Marilynne Eichinger Roots Hold Me Tight There is a song I sing to life that has a phrase in it that says, “roots hold me tight, wings set me free.” Those words keep circling through my

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Starting a museum in my home inspired me to a career managing science museums. Since Covid-19 makes it difficult for children to explore them at will, it may be time to think about doing

High Desert Sunset The sixth painting in my Coronavirus series. In the face of protests, illness, isolation, political devisions and withdrawing from world organizations, walks though natural settings calm me. I marvel at the way it changes with the seasons

It’s Up to Us Since childhood, July 4th was a time for picnics, hikes, and evenings spent watching fire works to celebrate the founding of a nation, the coming together of thirteen independent states to form a synergistic whole stronger