Cowboy Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

'He's Not Kidding'

12 x 16  Oil on Board

Just the beginnings... stay tuned for more. 

Contact me for commissions. Laurie

 © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting:   I am working off one of my own photographs I took about a month ago.  I took some good shots of some local cowboys doing a performance. I have not done portrait type work in awhile so this is a wonderful painting exercise. Too much fleshing yellows so I have to overlay some reds and blues and purples with some raw umber mixed in.



Here is my photo I am working from. I have a ways to go, and Debbie, No no no to this green gunk in the background... ??? WHAT???

Life at the Lake:   Was watching it rain, be cooler, have strong winds, pick up big falling tree branches... painting, washing, more painting and making homemade soup and cornbread.

The Thought:   Last night as I was still painting around six, Stacey called and said, "can we skype you?"  I said of course.   Stacey has to figure out the sound issues though as we could only see them until we phoned and had sound on her end.  

Stacey, Tink and her Farm Animals

Modern internet is such a marvel...this is the best part yet watching our grand-daughter from miles away.  She is still very memorized by seeing us on the screen, so she doesn't talk to us much.  She loves to show us the animals we have been sending from the country.   We make a trip to Mt Pleasant to the Farm store and buy these collectibles from Germany. She has a big red bag she carries them around in and she always drags them to the computer when we talk.

Made me think last night as I laid in bed about skyping God.  He sees what we are doing all the time, but sometimes I yearn for that face to face conversation. My dad  always taught us to look people straight in the eye when we talk to them.  Kids always ask "what does God look like?" So what does He look like?

In the bible in Exodus 33:20 "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." (Okay, so maybe Skyping Him is not the best idea.) Through out the bible there are accounts of God revealing himself to man...but not figuratively... maybe in the rainbow, or like a brilliant light or fire, rushing waters, stars, swords etc.

As an artist I feel like I see Him  all around me all day long.  He is in the birds I hear before dawn. He is in the darkness of the bedroom.  He is in the sun as it rises and the desert roses as they open every morning.  I see Him in literally everything.   God is love, God is a Spirit, God is woven through our lives and our world; through our hearts and our souls.  God is in me and He is in you. He is power, passion, joy, sadness, laughter, pain... He is everything.

  

How would you describe Him to someone?

Laurie
 

1 John 3:2  "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

Seven in the Herd Signature Painted Pony Pull Horse Abstract Contemporary Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Seven in the Herd'

9 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: A smaller version of my larger Painted Pony Pulls.

Life at the Lake:  Nothing more but  a trip to Winnsboro to the Friends & Co for a hair cut... and then... tada....The new thing is internet and streaming NETFLIX on our Wii.   Terry loves 24 hours a  day movies on demand.  I have to remind him of sleeping too. Oh, and don't forget about the Lake outside.  Actually he mowed the rest of the lawn yesterday.  It is an acre and a half and the riding mower is needing a new tire.

The Thought:  Streaming NETFLIX, oh my gosh, what more could anyone want?  Well, I am not a movie/tv watcher, so I could list a bunch ahead of this, but your typical citizen around here would be glued to the set with a mini refrig and microwave hooked up with in reach.

 If you really stopped to think about it you have constant streaming access to God.  Do you use it? At least do you use it more than the times of trouble or need?  Our Father wants a relationship with us and if we are disconnected from our 'stream' to Him, we are not participating in that relationship.

The wedding is coming up. Justin phoned and was asking me about songs to do "their" first dance to.   He had chosen two, one I immediately smiled about and that was It's a Wonderful World...because every day was that with Justin in the house.  I also threw in two suggestions, one was Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden.   The chorus is "I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea, I want to lay like this forever. Until the sky falls down on me."

It is a song about a new relationship, a new beginning with love.  "that we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of the highest power."   ( 24/7... surrounded by His comfort, His love and His protection.)


I truly feel the power in this song and have loved it ever since the first time I heard it almost 12 years ago.   My other suggestion was George Jones, "Walk through this world with me."  It is country and western and not as powerful or as strongly link to God, but very meaningful.

So I close this blog this morning with another part of Truly Madly Deeply. Close your eyes and imagine God singing this to you...

"I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope,

I'll be your love be everything that you need. 

I'll love you more with every breath Truly madly deeply do.... 

I will be strong, I will be faithful, 

co's I am counting on a new beginning a reason for living, 

a deeper meaning too..."

His love is streaming to you 24/7. Are you ready for that new beginning?

Laurie  

"I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

 PSALM 18:1-2

Blue Boy Acrylic Glazes Equine Art Contemporary Horse Painting by Texas Artists Laurie Pace

'Blue Boy' 

12 x 12  Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: This was the first one I worked on the glazing. First it was sketching and a mono print process onto the canvas surface.(That needs practice for me) and then the glazing layers of color in a dreamy like application.

Life at the Lake: Yesterday was Sunday and we made church and then home for scrambled goose eggs.  Yes, you read right, scrambled goose eggs.   I posted a picture above showing how the goose egg stacks up against XL eggs. Those other eggs are not small ones, but large ones.  The front left egg is actually a green egg.  Color is off in the picture.  Different kind of hen laid those.  The goose egg is snow white.  It is equal to at least two regular xl eggs, or three L eggs. I cannot eat a whole one.

  

The Thought:  Do you remember as a kid all those stories our parents told us? I know I didn't pass some of them on to my kids because they frightened me too much.  Especially the one about the wolf blowing down the houses of the three little pigs.  We had just moved to Texas and tornadoes were quite scary to a 4 or 5 year old.  There was also the Henny Penny story about the Sky falling... and Terry thought I should add about the cow and the spoon and the moon, but that is not the direction I am going!

First of all the three pigs and the wolf were in a book from 1843 entitled Nursery Rhymes and Nursery Tales byJames Orchard Halliwell-Phillips. Such a frightening story for little ones as it is about three pigs growing up and finding it is time to leave home and they are out in the scary world fraught with danger and negative things surrounding them. ( I assume there might have been in Dallas.)   The first pig builds a house of straw. When the wolf comes he blows it down and eats the pig.  The brother of that pig, pig number two, builds a house of sticks.  Again, the wolf woke up hungry and in one good breath he blew down that house and had pig for supper again.  The third pig built his house of hard bricks. When the wolf shows up and finds he can't blow down the house, he attempts to trick the pig by scooting down the chimney, but the wise oldest pig put a pot there and as the wolf descended the pig covered the pot, lit the fire and had the wolf for supper.  


I was told there were many versions of this, one in fact where the first pig runs from his blown down house to this brother's stick house and when it is blown down they both escape to the brick house.  This avoids death in the story making it more palatable for little ears and minds.


The Sky is falling is the Henny Penny (aka Chicken Little)  story where she runs around after being hit with a falling acorn, convincing everyone in the forest the sky is falling and they must escape and run quickly away.  All the woodland friends believe her and they follow her. (We all know chickens run around in circles, right?) So the foxy is at the end of the line slowly devouring the woodland creatures... all the way up to eating Henny Penny.  Again there are different versions of this one too.


In the Goose that laid the Golden Egg, the couple with the special goose was surprised with the eggs of gold laid daily. Their greed day after day convinced them they should kill the goose and get a massive amount of gold from the inside of her.  Of course when they did that, she was just a normal goose inside...there was no gold.

What are the moral of the stories here?  In the pig story once you get past all the violence, I think the message is a good foundation and walls for life is the best. Trying to hurry through things is not the strongest way to prepare for life.  

In the Henny Penny story, I was blown away by one of the Wikipedia answers that if you want to accomplish destruction, convince the dumbest person of a happening and they will convince the intelligent individuals. The intelligent people know the dumb person is too dumb to make it up. The other moral is to have courage, not to be the 'chicken' but to have courage when that acorn falls on your head. Don't listen to everything you hear. Seek the truth.

In the Goose story is a bit easier to think about with the moral of that story.  Greed destroys people and their lives. Secondly, you should think before you act and do something stupid. Third, when you keep wanting and wanting you end up with nothing.  

In life we must learn to be content and thankful for what we have at this moment.  We need to plan ahead when we can and we need to build good foundations in our lives with God.  Trusting Him we would know the sky will not fall on our heads, and if the wolf is at the door, God will surround us and protect us. As far as the Golden eggs?? I would rather have my eggs scrambled golden yellow. They are definitely healthier that way.


Laurie

"But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:49

Tide Coming In Abstract Contemporary Ocean Seaside Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace

'Tide Coming In

9 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: Thick palette knife oils that frame up pretty nice for that special niche that needs color.

The Thought:  Don't shoot a hole in the boat.  


I truly do not know where that came from.  Sometimes I refer to a hole in the boat and if you can't tell me where it is, the boat will go under with both of us on it.  That is usually the speech saved for the child that has done something wrong and won't admit it.  The unconditional love thing that we both go down in the boat together, or we work it out together.


I try to convince them it would be so much better if they told me where the hole was in the boat so I can help them repair it... then we get to keep sailing along in life. 


The obvious thing is we often shoot the hole in our boot all by ourselves.  Sometimes we cannot imagine things going right so we basically sabotage ourselves from finding happiness or success.  Again that is us limiting ourselves, not God.  He made each of us perfect to do what was in His plan.  We developed our own agenda's that started the conflict.  For some reason we often do not feel deserving of good things in our life. 


Stop that right now.  You are deserving of happiness and good things. You are deserving of not being stressed out, of having abundance around you and enjoying life. Get out of the way and quite hiding the hole in the boat. It has to be fixed or you will go under.  You actually have happiness right now if you learn to be content with what is in your life instead of focusing on what is missing in your life.  


God is good, all the time God is good.

Laurie  

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Mariya's Pink Pony Contemporary Abstract Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Mariya's Pink Pony'

20 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas

Commission SOLD

Contact me for Commission work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: I can't remember her age, but this is the second one of three for three very very special young girls... each for their own rooms, done in the colors they love.


Living at the Lake:  Well, yesterday was more work than play for me.  But at eleven thirty I took a break for us to sail and move the boat back out of the lake to the house.  Storms every day have hit our area and we have not been able to sail to the marina to trailer it home. Read on for more about it....



The Thought:  Storms ascending in life... There is nothing like being out on the lake and the day is partly cloudy and you are zipping across the water enjoying life and suddenly you hear thunder and as you roll over on the trampoline there is a huge storm moving much faster across the lake than the wind is blowing your sails. That happened to us a few weeks ago.

Larger sailboats have small motors that they rely on when the wind dies. A catamaran does not have any of these things, so when Terry told me we had to bring the boat around to the marina,  I began checking the radar thoroughly.  Problem is these afternoon thunderstorms crop up suddenly with the rising heat of the day.  Being prepared is the best you can do.  You check radar, you watch the skies and you stay aware the entire time you are out on the lake.

It took us 45 minutes to get the sails up and actually get out of our cove... and the clouds were not friendly looking but the sky had patches of blue.  I started praying hard before that, always thinking about Jesus and the storm on the sea with the disciples.  The boat has been out for three weeks and it was necessary to trailer it home, or I would not have been out there.  Terry has to tack back and forth across the different channels to the main body of the lake.  It seems nerve racking to take a tack a mile the wrong direction, but you have to catch the wind just right in your sails to make any progress in the right direction. (Doesn't that sound like life?  We always seem to take the long way around to get there.) 

This is what we are suppose to do on the lake...but this lake does not have the wind...

                               But our sky looked more like this and as you note...no wind.

 That is often how life is when you have those sudden storms and you are out of 'wind' or energy to endure them.  It is always quiet before the storm. We often forget Jesus is right there with us and if we would slow down, breath and allow Him to work, we would not wear ourselves out with worry over the storms. When you face hardships and trouble how do you weather those storms of life? These storms include accidents, catastrophes, illness, unemployment, retirement, loneliness, hardships, personal issues or even death. None of us are exempt from these.  Is your faith strong enough to sustain you through the toughest gales? Jesus would say, "O you of little faith, why are you so afraid?"


We made it to the marina, loaded the boat and by that time I was singing thanks to God and smiling as the dark clouds began rolling in with the thunder.  His timing was perfect again and my worry was for naught.


Laurie  

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"" Matthew 8:23-27

Her Gaze Contemporary Horse Equine Modern Art Painting by Contemporary Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Her Gaze'

18 x 24 Acrylic Glazing on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

    © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: Experiment began yesterday. This was one of two I was working on. The first one was rather small and I can post it this week, but this one is beginning to work for me. Is it done? I don't know yet.

Life at the Lake:  It rained again!  We need to get our boat into storage for the next few weeks and are waiting for a day with wind and no rain.  It was a slow day yesterday for us...although I painted most of the day working on a new approach to the canvas.  When you do something new it takes months to grow with it to a comfortable level.  I think life is that way with everything.  Experience matters.  The more experience you have the stronger you are at that particular thing...be it painting, playing basketball or being a wife or a mom.  

The Thought:  
Yesterday I got my daily thought from Neale Donald Walsch

"...that virtue cannot separate itself from reality
without becoming a principle of evil.

Albert Camus said that, and he was right.
When we become too virtuous, when we think
ourselves to be oh, so right, we become dangerous
to ourselves and others.

Be careful of those who imagine themselves to be on
the High Road while everyone else is walking the Low.
If they really are on the High Road, they will offer to take
everyone else with them, not simply tell others that they
are going the wrong way."

The first thing I did was to define virtue:

        Definitions of virtue on the Web:

• the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
• merit: any admirable quality or attribute; "work of great merit"

By lunch time, Terry and I began discussing this.  It hits right up there with all the other words we took on this week to examine.  We are created in God's image, but we are human and with that comes our imperfections. Our children know from our time with them that it is important to learn from your every day experiences. Life is one huge educational experience.  You cannot avoid all mistakes, but you can learn from those experiences. It complicates more when these situations in life tangle with other people's lives and they are affected by your choices.  Rolls right back to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  Your actions create a direct release of reactions in everything you say or do.  Your choices often complicate your own life but you find it easier to blame things on other people than look into your heart and accept responsibility. 


So I am not convinced you can avoid doing what is wrong all the time because we are human. The acceptance of responsibility is often hard but virtue blooms from the amount of learning from these situations. 


Each of us has been gifted with qualities chosen for us by God. Using these to serve is virtuous.  


If you are traveling a certain road, Walsh is correct, you stop and help others on the journey. It is when you walk past and leave them behind that you will find yourself going the wrong direction before you even know it.  Providing support for others and needed guidance is virtuous in the eyes of man and God. Working together to benefit the common good always benefits everyone. Finding the gifts and good in each person you meet in life may be a challenge, but it expands your horizons and strengthens and you learn to embrace the new and the difficult.


God is right there for you in your heart and your life. When you are in doubt, ask Him. Be aware the answer will NOT be what you think it is and it will often come in unexpected ways, so be prepared for change. Change is something you can count on.


Wanted to share this as it came in my email yesterday.  A fellow artist teaching a painting clinic for children obtained permission to use a photograph image of my pieces in her demonstration for the students. This is the painting one of the young artists completed. 

Hers above and mine below  'Running Beyond' 30 x 30 Acrylic on Canvas

Laurie  

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," Ephesians 4:2

 

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out" Proverbs 10:9

Anastasia's Dream Equine Contemporary Art Abstract Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Anastasia's Dream'

20 x 20  Oil on Canvas

SOLD Commission 

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: She wanted a green horse. Green is her favorite color... Fun and frolic and freedom of just being alive and under ten.  Do you remember life back then?

Today I am trying a new approach... not sure if it will work or not Jim, but I am going to try it! 

Check out this link for one of my pieces featured in LiteracyHead. Playing for Papa.

The Thought:    Life at the Lake:  Yesterday Barbie and Kent (from SLC) met us and the Fletchers for lunch on the square in Mount Vernon at OUR PLACE, a wonderfully refreshing restaurant with delicious food and great atmosphere. We spent the afternoon reminiscing and making plans to attend our class reunion in September.  AND it rained yesterday! Praise the Lord! We need the rain. 


Terry did encounter our first water moccasin out by the swing.  He said he almost had a heart attack...but he thinks the snake was a freaked as he was.  Had it been me I would be packing my bags.  Of course the rain yesterday washed away all the sulfur he put out to deter them from coming into our yard.


In my years of teaching art, music and full time teaching in public schools... combining over 29 years, I found the spirit to engaging children or students (including adults) was to empower them to release their inner creativity with out fear of reprisal or negativity from others about their self expression.


I was reflecting back to younger years when in college I used to go with a friend to the stables to brush and care for the horses.  Of course we didn't have horses at college, but we were able to care for these and ride when we could, which unfortunately was not often due to the demands of college courses. 


Late in life this friend and I both became elementary teachers and crossed paths again in Cypress Texas back in 1990, but  first we both had other careers to season us for life.  She left college and left for the east coast. We were both full time professional models and then she became a flight attendant and I became a commercial artist.  We both were married and had kids...but in the midst of this all, she started the SIRE program back in the seventies.  I would have never have dreamed she would create and put her life into something that positively changes so many lives, and the program continues on today.

 Handicap children develop confidence and self esteem and feel totally free from their limitations as they learn to ride a horse. 

 The same is true with a child creating in art.  The fears and insecurities of life fall away if the child is allowed to simply create and express without restraints or expectations to produce an expected result.

Don't allow other people to steal your joy.  Why do we limit ourselves so much? God has empowered you to be you and to enjoy life. Choose to live today to it's fullest.  Paint your picture and live your life with freedom and joy and celebrate this moment as it is a treasure given by God. 

Thanks for the note JG on yesterday's blog. All of this is centered around the Beth Moore book I am almost finished with.  I recommend this book for reading... she is quite the writer and her heart is full of His Spirit in her thoughts. I can send you a copy if you would like.   I guess I should have written more on the last book I read on EAT LOVE PRAY... I think that is what it was called. Julie Roberts has the lead in the movie version.   My intention is to keep those that know us caught up on our life in a quick few notes and then write about what I am studying or reading at the time. 

I give thanks to God daily for the experiences so far in life, the negative and the positive.   We always learn more from those negative ones and sometimes we have to experience them more than once before we learn the lesson.  JG keep your eyes, heart and arms open... He is there with you, you are never alone.  I grew tired of things in my life that seem to hurt, and I picked up this book and from it I have realized the need to redirect my thoughts to a higher power and accept who I am and where I am at this time, realizing I have the choice to dance or not to dance.  I was the one beating myself up, no one else was doing it.


I am going to dance with Him... and paint and give thanks to Him as He provides the song in my heart and guides the brush in my hand.

Laurie  

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

River Crossing Abstract Horse Painting Equine Art by Texas Horse Artist Laurie Pace

'River Crossing'

9 x 12  Acrylic on Canvas

$125 includes shipping
SOLD FROM BLOG! THANK YOU.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

 

© Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: Just very very thick paint... that is why the extra close up or two.

The Thought:  A trip to Dallas yesterday always eats into my painting time. We are expecting old high school friends (Lake Highlands High School Richardson TX)  in from Salt Lake City today, Barbie and Kent.  We would love to have them retire here too!  BUT we had lunch with one of my favorite men in my life, Terry's dad, Ben.  He is always smiling and spreading joy. Terry commented he would give Sheriff Paul a run for his money working a room shaking hands and sharing a smile.  I do believe God blessed us with this wonderful man in our life.  He provides a steady example of his life honoring the Lord.  It is in his actions, his words and his deeds. Thanks Ben for a wonderful time yesterday... the Fabulous Food!... the beautiful garden... picture below... and the visit.

Watch for this on canvas,  possibly 30 x 40!

I think I mentioned I was reading Beth Moore's book on insecurity.  I found this blog review of it if you want to go check it out:  The blog is entitled Tracy's Book Nook.  It is a good review.

Of course on the way into Dallas, Terry and I discussed the definition of pride and the definition of dignity.  Have you ever considered the two and what they mean?  Terry had a good comparison as he talked yesterday morning about pride being a human thing and dignity being God given.  I love these conversations when we have them... we pray and talk and really explore the given subject.  His views always are thought provoking, enough that I googled it and read some before writing this morning.

C. when you read this you will know I mastered up all my dignity when I phoned you yesterday afternoon to make you laugh....private conversation!  I had no pride, only dignity.

The best research I found came from a blog called www. entertaining-angels.blogspot.com 

"I’ve had a dialogue going on in my head for quite some time. It involves the comparison of two qualities. Both qualities are represented in people I have known through the years, and both have provided opportunities for growth and improvement. This is why I believe it is not necessarily a bad thing to have negative people in our lives. While it is important to note when to stop allowing influence, it is also important to learn from them.

So the dialogue that has been taking place has been about the qualities of dignity versus the quality of pride. Both are similar, in that they involve a place of elevation. Where they differ, though, is in who gives them that elevation. With dignity, there is a strong sense of self respect which doesn’t come from a position, or place in life. It comes from the knowledge of
“who's I am and how I got here.” Of course Christ is central to that equation. The elevation comes from others and how they see this person, rather than from the person themselves. The one with dignity possesses a sense of calm and contentment that goes beyond their circumstances or lot in life. I have seen dignity in villages under the poorest conditions, as well as in the vilest of times in someone’s life. It speaks volumes.

Pride, on the other hand, is content only when it stands on the shoulders of others. It has to put someone else down so that it can lift itself up. Pride is not content, and is dependent on others for it’s elevation. Pride needs position in order survive. It cannot exist outside of position. It doesn’t speak volumes, but works to squelch those who threaten it.

Dignity. It should be honored in others, developed in ourselves, and modeled for those who don’t possess it." Stacy  at www.entertaining-angels.blogspot.com

The first thing that hit home was her statement of it not necessarily being a bad thing to have negative people in our lives because it does teach us how to not be influenced or intimidated by their actions.  We learn from this.  Insecurity is born if you do not learn from it... so insecurity seems to be a possible bi-product of pride.  


Terry and I talked about 'pride in your artwork'.   I shared that I felt doing a piece of art with the spirit was always a fulfilling experience as you learn from the journey.  Doing the best you can with the gift of painting is sharing a precious gift from Him with others.  The actual journey of creating that piece and wanting it to be the best you can put your energy into with His grace is the ultimate.  So really I began to understand it for me is NOT the pride in the work, but the dignity in the work honoring the Lord.

The true journey in the process of creating art is a relationship between Him and I and the canvas.  It matters not the value of the painting, or who likes it or what comments negative or positive are made about it...what matters is that initial journey of creation and my emotions in the journey.   So you may or may not like my art and I have learned over the past ten years that the question is not a question of "do you like this?"  rather it is a statement of ' This is a piece of me, created with the best parts of my soul and His spirit and I feel good about it.'


Perhaps this applies to our lives.  We allow the seeds of insecurity to bloom.  And as they bloom they get out of control, like a bad weed growing in the garden.  Our pride usually stands there fertilizing it as we become entangled in the heavy growth.  God did not give us insecurities, He gave us dignity and strength and we are empowered with those through Him. We created those insecurities and we empowered them to have control of us, to give us doubts and make us lash out at others trying to intimidate them.  Those insecurities only have the power we give to them. It is time to call them to the front and tell them goodbye. 

As I told K yesterday, it is time to refuse to dance.

Laurie

“The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”- Psalm 121:7-8

Hot Summer Night Abstract Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Horse Artist Laurie Pace

'HOT SUMMER NIGHT'

36 x 36  Oil on Canvas
SOLD Commission

Contact me for commission paintings. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: The buyer loved In the Heat of the Night... so I took it a bit further with more paint but the same concept of many many layers... first acrylic and then the oil layering. Each piece stands on its own for beauty and energy and that is praise to Him and the Holy Spirit that moves in me and to the canvas.

The Thought:  I heard from a reader yesterday that my message on Father's Day touched her heart.  If my writing does that to just one reader, than God is working.  I found out over 110,000 new visitors have been to my blog.  That is huge to my brain that the concept of the internet even works...nonetheless reaching so many folks I do not even know. Thank you for writing.


Choosing the right path has tugged at my heart the past two days.  I have written many times about our choices are usually not His choices and we take off in our own direction most of the time, ignoring what God might have ready for us.  Psalm One is quick to remind us to choose the right path in life. 

How do we know what is right? Looking around us and listening to the news media, so many upper trusted company officials have not chosen wisely. They took a path that led them to gaining in wealth while others lost their money.  We are retired from American Airlines, but we knew that all the management were getting huge bonuses while our pay was cut, our vacations were cut and our benefits were cut...but theirs were not. They received more of everything.  Look at the banking industry and the stock market industry and how many men literally bilked money out of innocent investors?

What is the right path in our day and time in this nation?  What is important? Is it the business, the money making, the prestige, the charisma etc or is it the substance, the virtue, the character or the achievement of man?   What were our original roots in the founding of our nation? Simplicity and thriftiness took my grandparents through the depression. They sure didn't have credit cards. Honesty and integrity meant something then. Good ethics meant good business. What happened to the caring integrity of people?  Taking care of each other and helping each other. 

How many people does it take for you to step on to get to where you have chosen to go on your path? Are you a user and an abuser or a giver and a server? Do you throw stick and stones along the way?


The path to prosperity (and I don't mean money) and happiness is pretty simple.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  How you treat others is how you will be treated.

Choose your path, but remember that golden rule or you will be traveling a path exposed without your integrity and your virtue.  


May God lead you in your quest...remember He is watching everything you do and knows everything you say before you even utter the words. He knows your heart and who you are.

Laurie

Psalm 1

 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners
  or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.   He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked!   They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
 nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
 but the way of the wicked will perish."

The Promise Final Painting Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The Promise'

3 ft by 4 ft  Oil on Canvas

SOLD COMMISSION

Contact me for Commission Work. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.lauriepace.blogspot.com

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting: Finished from the easel stand point but probably 14-21 days to cure enough to ship! Gives me time to do the collector book. 

The Thought:
Terry and I traveled to Bonham yesterday to visit my dad. Kirk, Leslie and Mom met us there for a special lunch with Dad and then back for ping pong.

   Mom and Dad at the Restaurant

This is a short 12 second clip of Dad and I playing Ping Pong

I told Vicky last night when we visited on the phone that I was waiting for something to knock me upside the head. Things are so good here.  Life is still everything they described as wonderful.  She told me she was that way for two straight years after they retired, waiting for the other shoe to drop... and it has now been 8 years for them here and it is still the best place they have ever lived and that other shoe has never dropped. 


Vicky is a loving giving soul.  She is part of the Stephens Ministry at our church. I believe her background in police work gives her the added perspective needed to connect with folks requiring support through prayer and simple listening.  That is an important word, Listening.


Listening is the key to all relationships.  Steering away from the I's is always best.  Listening and acknowledging the fact that you are listening is the most important part of communication. Teachers learn early to repeat back, "I hear that you feel sad today because....."  or "I understand you are saying....."  and always keeping eye contact and a sincere gaze.  Love and listening, peppered with a bit of a hug goes a long way. That is for parent to child, spouse to spouse, friend to friend... it works 100 percent of the time guaranteed.

Laurie
 

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”- Mark 8:36

The Promise Continued Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'1 The Promise'

3 ft by 4 ft  Oil on Canvas
Commissioned Painting 

Contact me to commission your own Painted Pony. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

www.ellepace.com

www.thepaintedpony.net

The Painting:  Next comes the beginning of the layering process. Colors pulled on top of other colors. No such thing as use paint sparingly.  I entitled this painting The Promise, do you know why?

The Thought:   We went out to dinner on  Friday night with Paul and Vicky.  (Paul is the local Sheriff and one of our oldest and dearest friends from junior high school.)   We met them at the nearby Tall Tree Marina Restaurant and had a fabulous meal. I have to recommend the place highly. We were there two hours or more, laughing, sharing and eating.  All the area folks coming in to eat all know Paul and Vicky so we met more of our neighbors.


We sailed Saturday afternoon. Too many skiers and ski jets out there. Little kids without life vests...it amazes me.  Here it is today Father's Day.  Why are these fathers not looking out for those little ones?  Why are there 10 year old children out navigating ski jets?  It seems perhaps some fathers have forgotten their job.

I was blessed with a truly keen father.  He was definitely a disciplinarian while I was growing up. He worked very hard, and most of the time it was Mom doing the disciplining. If Dad stepped in, it was time for major concern.  All my life he and my mom both have been teachers and protectors. They taught all three of us to be responsible people in today's world. None of us went the drug route, or alcohol abuse or the plain irresponsible bum route. We all take seriously our place in life and we were brought up serving the Lord. 

As a card carrying AARP (They send those to you as you turn fifty now!), I know the journey of carrying the load of some of my children still, and have had to face the aging of my parents and my dad's Alzheimers.   The Baby Boomers seem to face sandwiched in between the younger and older generation as we age learning more coping skills by the day.  

But today we celebrate our special Dads...some have been buried and gone, but their memory lingers in our hearts.  Some are ill and suffering and some are still puttering along.  Some are really young and have little ones at home... they are still strong in heart, body and mind.  Whoever they are and where ever they are, Our Father blessed us all with our earthly fathers to care for us. 

I am sure my dad will sing to me again today... 'Take me out to the Ball Game."

Laurie


I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

The Beginnings THE PROMISE Equine Art Horse Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The Promise'

34 x 48 inches  Oil on Canvas

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting:  You can see in my hand a small sheet of paper.   It contains the page torn out of my sketch book with a presketch on it always done before I begin a painting. This is my new studio area with lots of windows and light.  Not a bedroom, but a true painting area, just not as big as I had in Dallas.

The Thought: Most of yesterday was painting!  And recovering from doing all the grass.  Terry and I have been watching at night "East of Eden" (1971 version).  We have only seen the first of the mini series but I am hooked so far.  It is based on Cain and Abel from the bible.   I thought when we started watching it, it was an all in one movie and I would see the whole thing... it was when it ended abruptly Terry told me it was a mini-series.   


I do not want to spill the movie to you, but if you have not seen it, rent it.  After we watch it, later this summer I want to see the early version from the fifties.


Cain and Abel are a can of worms in any family. All children have different personalities and an entire set of genetic make up different than anyone else in the world.  Terry says his mother always told him he was a 'throwback' from an earlier generation that he took after a relative that lived long ago.  Me, I don't belong in my family.  They are all left thumbed people but me. 



Anyway back to the Cain/Abel syndrome, aka Killing Nesting Syndrome or When Siblings Collide.   It seems the first and oldest baby Eagle usually kills the younger bird if there are two in a nest. Thank goodness my older brother had no ill intent to rule the nest.  But I think anyone with children has the issue of "when Siblings Collide."  Through out the bible you see it with  Jacob and Isaac and then Joseph being sold by his siblings into bondage. Again it comes up with the prodigal son.  Makes being an only child pretty tempting...but we never have that choice.


Always in life you are confronted with conflict from others.  Friendships cause favoritism no difference than parents and grandparents cause it in a family. Navigating today's world with the internet and the constant bombardment of keeping in touch through email, Facebook, blogs etc just opens up more times to be hurt or face confrontation. 


When someone is destructive and you care about them, you try to speak truthfully out of love and concern to face the situation.  In the New Testament love is defined as seeking the best interest of the other person.  Learning to forgive and move on and forgetting at the same time you forgive.  Never burn the bridge down. Misunderstandings cause deep breaks in relationships, but always leave the door open with the light on inside.  Speak in truth and speak in love.  (I can't wait for disc two to arrive....)

Laurie

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”- Ephesians 6:4

Red Flowers on Orange Flower Art Floral Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'RED FLOWERS ON ORANGE'

4 x 6  Oil on 300 lb Watercolor Paper

SOLD

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting:This is one of three in a series and this one is sold. I will post the other two pretty soon.

The Thought:    It was a long day yesterday. A long six hours of the day at least.  Terry and I laid out a full palette of grass in part of the back yard.  It is San Augustine Grass and here in Texas you buy it in bulk amounts on palettes of wood.   We could have done this in two hours, but he was soaking each square piece of grass in a mixture of root stimulator and water before we put it down.  We wore out and finally the last third we just placed on the ground and watered it really well.  I keep promising pictures, but they have to wait until I am through with the commission I have to do and maybe the wedding the first part of July. 

Even being out in the sun in back for six hours today, I did not tire of the view, the birds, and the clouds racing across the sky.  We gave praises as we worked for the blessings that are so abundant right now in our lives.  The richness of simplicity and the quiet of country living.  When we sat and rested with water on one of the swings, we remembered how much Terry's mom wanted to retire to Argyle when we got married and moved out there.  She suffered an aneurysm that literally changed all of our lives and she was never able to have that retirement time at all. She died five years later in a nursing home. She was only 63 I believe when it happened.  


My mom and Dad worked their entire lives.  Mom is still working in her eighties.  Dad never wanted to not work; he enjoyed it so much. It was his life.  Mom has many gifts she shares with her teaching of Pilates and Tai Chi for seniors.  She has studied many of the healing arts as well and is always quick to help others out. That is something that is a gift that she will use always. She is a rare gift in this world... to not only her family but to anyone she meets.



My dearest friend, and gallery owner of Earth Works Art Gallery in New York, retired two days ago from her real job as Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Watkins Glen New York.  She was surprised to find she was able to move her retirement date up almost a month... and found out at eleven in the morning and was packed and ready to leave by three.  She is my age, she is 57.  Plans on traveling and spending time seeing the world and meeting new friends. 


Sometimes you have to step back from the picture you have for life and paint something new and go after life in a new composition or new environment.  Allow yourself to be free of the constraints you have shackled yourself with so for in life... the you you believe you are. Most likely you are still missing some of the best part of yourself when you cannot dare to try a new direction.  It is there inside of you waiting... make a small change today, remember that old worn saying,  today is the first day of the rest of your life...how are you going to spend it?

Laurie

“Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”- Psalm 68:4-5

'Herd on the Hudson'

24 x 36  Oil on Canvas

This is a painting going to New York this summer. I was invited to be apart of a large equine art show in upper state NY outside Albany. They caught me unexpectedly as I did not submit work to them, they phoned me and asked for artwork and then allowed me extra time to finish a gorgeous piece for the show. I am honored as I believe strongly in giving all we can to those in need.
 
It is the 2010 HITS - on- the-Hudson Equestrian Art Exhibition and Auction
The painting is at the Dutch Art Gallery being framed and I will ship it shortly to NY to the show.

Contact me for commission work. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting:

Here is the Press Release:

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 7, 2010) — HITS, Inc. and Fletcher Gallery of Woodstock, New York are proud to present the 59 selected artists for the first ever HITS-on-the-Hudson Equestrian Art Exhibition & Auction. The summer long exhibition will culminate in a charity art auction to benefit FAMILY of Woodstock, Inc., with food, friends and art enthusiasts on Friday, September 10 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Promising to capture the hearts of equine lovers with its magnificent display, the auction will coincide with the Pfizer Million Dollar Weekend, which will feature the historic Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 12.

The magnificent artistry of this exhibition will be on display throughout shops and restaurants in Saugerties and surrounding areas beginning Memorial Day weekend through July. Then, the works will be moved to Fletcher Gallery at 40 Mill Hill Road in Woodstock for a month-long exhibition starting in August. At the conclusion of the gallery exhibition, the collection will be moved to HITS-on-the-Hudson for a two-week preview prior to the auction.

"We had a terrific response to our call for artists and ended up with nearly 80 submissions to select from," said curator Tom Fletcher of Fletcher Gallery. "The final selections really represent the best of the best. The quality and diversity of the artwork is going to make for a spectacular exhibit and I'm sure a successful auction that will raise money for both the participating artists and FAMILY [of Woodstock]. It's going to be a great event!"

The Thought:

The FAMILY of Woodstock - Since 1970, FAMILY has been an anchor for Ulster County area residents – a place where people are respectful and caring, and where the search for solutions is creative and tireless. FAMILY's shelters, emergency food pantries, court advocates, counseling and case management services, hotlines, and child-care supports all work together to help people achieve the changes they seek. Our services are, with few exceptions, free of charge and confidential. For 40 years, FAMILY has been a leader locally throughout Ulster County and in New York State, developing programming and support for people in need.

I wish I could paint for things like this all the time.  To use my gift to give to others and provide in so many ways is truly God at work. This week has been full of so many gifted things and love to be shared.  I painted three ponies, a green, a pink and a purple... you will see them in the blog in on coming days...for three very special daughters of collectors in Michigan.  I am going to be painting a special piece for the only daughter of one of my long time collectors in Arizona.  That one is not done yet, but it is sketched out.  Last year I did three or four of these for children as I know how precious childhood is and I knowing there are so many children out there they never get to experience that specialness of being a cherished loved child.  


Terry and I have been a state certified foster home for three years. We gave up our license when we retired and I miss providing respite care for those times when it was needed for other foster homes.  I believe God has changed our path direction right now and even though I am clueless as to the direction, each day here has been blessed.  I have never moved into a home and felt at home as fast as we have here.  His blessings abound in our lives.

 Laurie
 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”- Psalm 103:13

Scent of Summer Equine Art Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Scent of Summer'

24 x 30  Acrylic on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

  © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting:    Summer fun with this one. Basic acrylic layering of colors and a faceted look of values as the layers compiled together.

The Thought:    Terry is doing better today.  The Doctor has him keeping his leg elevated and iced and advil of course.  My hip is much better and only my knee is a bit messed up. No sailing yesterday and maybe not today. Have to see.  Today is shipping day for work going out.  I have books going to the UK, a painting to the UK, pieces to Canada, China, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, and Missouri.  


My three books arrived for my commission work from LULU and they are beautiful.  For those of you that do not know, for my larger commission paintings I put together a beautiful hard back book of the painting from sketches to finish.  They arrive here from LULU, I sign them and they either ship with the painting or they go a few weeks after. My collectors love the books as much as they do the painting.


Summer brings heat here in Texas and life tries to slow down. We picked up some Lantana, some Moss Roses and a new crepe myrtle tree at Lowe's today and tomorrow morning we will plant them.  I also found two beautiful violets that made it home too!  In the summer you truly have to keep at work watering your trees, outdoor plants, your yard etc.  If you don't, what happens?


It dies.  


You have to work on that same relationship with God or it dies. Takes two to have a relationship and we are the ones missing from it, not Him.

Laurie
 
“The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.”- Proverbs 23:24

Leah Abstract Purple Horse Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Leah'

20 x 30  Oil on Canvas

Sold

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting: A beautiful drip already in a home....

The Thought:  Another day of collisions... The wind yesterday was about 25-30 knots this morning and I was not wanting to go out and as we were putting up the sails I suggested Terry take the boat out alone.  


This was not one of my best suggestions as I watched him struggle turning it around in the cove with the flaky winds churning three different directions.  The first time the boat rammed into a tree with the mast. That was not good on his body as he threw himself trying to hold onto it and messed up his leg trapping it between the boat rudders (Darn those rudders) and the shore.  He continued oblivious of the pain he was in and he struggled on board trying to row out with out me helping.  He yelled up, "I can't do this alone."  and I yelled back, "Don't go it is too windy." It really hurts to see someone you love struggle through something that is sapping their strength.


About that time the boat took off leaping out of the water and colliding in to a neighbors dock. It was ear splitting.  From there he finally got it turned around and back over to where I was and I helped him turn it around.  I told him he could pick me up in about an hour...just to go sail and enjoy it. He can't go fast and up on the hulls with me on the boat... I am terrified the thing will flip and at this age, I am not as agile as I was 20 years ago when we sailed all the time.


The kids want him to get a motor boat. I just would like a sailboat with sides and a little trolling motor to get in and out of the cover.  THAT is my kind of boat.  So the afternoon was spent icing his leg pretty bummed up on the shin area and very swollen.


The dog has poison ivy; Terry is in bed with his leg up; This is the life??


We get so determined in life to 'sail' despite the wind situations and warnings on the lake.  In our lives God gives us many warnings and then positive chances to see what He has for us.  Our human controlling side always wins out as we 'sail' forward later paying the consequences.

Laurie  

"Do not worry about anything."--Philippians 4:6

Red Horse On Green Equine Art Horse Painting Daily by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'Red Horse on Green'

12 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

   © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

The Painting: Should have called this one Pretty one... the colors came together in such perfect contrast.  I am painting small ones to keep listing for buyers to pick up little ones.. while I am painting for two shows coming up, so I will be busy.  There is much to do with a wedding so close as well.

The Thought:   The minister at church yesterday preached about the trees.  We definitely live in the trees where we are.  He described being on his farm in Commerce Texas, just west of Mt Vernon and a bit north, and he was watching a stunning sunset.  He text one of his friends here in Mt Vernon and said, can you see what I see, God in His Glory?   The answer was, 'Hard to see the sunset when you are surrounded by trees.'


He knew then he had to preach on that one and he did.  He chose passages from Luke to tie into the message and it was truly a lasting one that will stay with us.   


We live in the trees.   I try not to miss those sunsets over the lake.   Last night we sail from 5:30 til about 7 ish.  It was nice on the lake with out all the kids on those noisy jet skis. It was one of the nicest sails yet but short with the sun setting. I do not like crossing through the trees to the house after dark due to the snakes.  We tie up at the house next door next to their dock.  I am proficient at paddling in as Terry takes down the mailsail... and we glide right in.  He had me do the tie ups so I can learn more about knot throwing.  Don't ask.  Then he had me throw a tiny rope around through the dock to tie up the back end of the boat.  As I was awaiting instructions, he had picked up the sails and began shoving them up to me on the dock...actually pushing me backwards under the weight.  Instead they unstacked and fell forward back on him with me falling straight down toward the rudders and the lake... a good six to eight foot drop.  


It was one of those "OH NO" moments as I felt myself falling in slow motion toward those rudders knowing I was going to smack the back of the boat pretty hard.  I turned in mid-drop and flung myself toward the middle trampoline twisting my entire body to a sharp right.  The ankle went under me, and I am not sure what I hit with my back as I tried to roll and not shoot off the other side.   I am EVER so thankful I did not smack the back of the boat or hit the water and the rudders.  He thinks I would have broken my neck or back.


This is something I have warned him about... we are late fifties and despite staying active our reaction time is not what it use to be.  With out him saying, "grab the sails", I had no idea why they were being shoved toward me as I held the tie up for the boat.  I am a bit sore this morning, but ready to go out again.


But you know, I did see the sunset!  God is Good, all the time God is Good.

Laurie  

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35

The Conductor Contemporary Figurative Music Oil Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

'The Conductor'

 30 x 40 inches, FRAMED Oil on Canvas

Available through Guidry Designs
Email Julie
 and tell her the name of the painting.

Contact me to purchase by check or paypal. Laurie

 © Laurie Justus Pace     Graphics One Design 2010

 Here he is framed!

The Painting:  This has been slumming around Highland Park in Dallas in multi-million dollar homes being staged and sold. Julie Guidry is a phenomenal decorator.  This piece is available for purchase.

The Thought:  I have heard of naming pet ducks lately, along with pet cows and pet donkeys and pet goats...but Terry had me the other morning when we were out feeding the fish.  


You know we live on what is commonly referred to in our neighborhood as Catfish Pond.  We have yet to see one in the three months living here.  We have seen them now and Terry has managed to name them.  Feeding the fish brought out the bass and the perch and FINALLY the catfish this week with their little whiskers.  (Terry rather looks like the conductor standing on the shoreline throwing out the food to the fish.)


When we feed the fish, the turtles come in MASSES from all over the pond, from little bitty of about three inches in size to the whopping big one that was about two feet across. He has started naming those too.  I am wondering if these is a disease one catches living in the country. "Name this animal". Thank you God for the names they already have, do they really need more?  My intent with this pond is to keep it healthy and feed the fish, fish the fish and eat the fish.  


Mind you I have to learn how to clean the fish but I am certain if I can whack up a whole chicken I can fillet a fish.  I need to just google it and learn how by trial and error.  But how do you eat fish that you named? We are having 'George' and his brother 'Charlie' for dinner? 


When we were out sailing today, we came across part of a trout line.  Not the best thing to run over with a boat, but in the middle of the lake in a sailboat you don't always have choices.  I would imagine those folks don't name their fish...they just catch them and eat them.   I know several weeks ago I wrote about sailing and as we came off the lake there was a fisherman with 100 huge fish... sand croppie? Sand Perch?  I can't remember names or varieties. That is a good thing or I might not eat the fish I catch in our pond this year.  Vicky won't eat her fish in her pond because they are her babies...fat well feed babies. What is wrong with this picture? 



I had not thought about Turtle Soup.... Never had it, have you?  I do not think I can eat my Turtles.

Laurie  

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”- Psalm 19:1-2