A call to Voters

Soon, our Country will have another Election. Most have made their choice already, and I doubt an act of God could make most change their mind. Then there are some that say they still haven't made up their mind To be honest I voted for Hillary Clinton four years ago, but since then I have closely watched Obama. I don't think even he knew what he was in for.  I have seen him age, wizen and hold steady. He may have not given the first Debate everyone wanted or expected. But, he is in it, he now knows what it's going to take to dig out of this mess. But I have learned he is an honorable, kind man. He cares about the Middle class, those that struggle everyday just to make ends meet. He realizes that the needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few. Mitt Romney, is a business man, he was born rich. He is unable to understand what is to worry of about having enough money to feed his kids or not being able to buy a doll they really want. Romney is the kind that will say what you want to hear, but he doesn't actually care. I have watched him tell one group of people one thing only, to say the opposite months, weeks even days later! He made a living, profiting, giving pink slips to others, even to make a joke, demonstrating his lack of remorse! He doesn't want to have the Federal Government to give aid to Disaster victims, he thinks the states should handle their own problems. Now I find he actually owns a number of voting machines! Can he do that? Anyway, I'm voting for Obama. I feel better knowing we have a President that has our backs instead of turning his back. I know we were in a deep hole, and we won't see light until we are completely out. Mitt Romney won't help up out, he'll just put a cover over it and call it good. All I'm saying is do your research, this one matters.

Imagination

Today, or I suppose in truth yesterday I turned 50. To say the least it was a crappy day, let alone Birthday. I spent weeks, countless man hours on my perfect Halloween costume, only to get nothing in the local Halloween costume Contest! My child of nine years, was not pleased with me. for two reasons. One being she called from school wanting me to come down for a "Surprise" at her school. It was 15 minutes from her catching the bus for home, and it took me 20 minutes to drive into town. I said no. But worse yet, her school sent home a note stating that they did not want to have any of the children in costumes. Their reason being that it took time away from their studies, and they did not want to be responsible for getting the younger ones in and out of their little outfits. I would imagine it does. But these are our children, and letting them display their imagination is a big one in my book. So, being the artist and Halloween costume nut in the family I thought, "Light Bulb!" Face painting! Did I mention I am a painter, artist and Halloween nut? So I thought ok, a Zebra would be cool! She could wear her little Zebra print dress, and I could do a little "paint job" on her . . .Alright, maybe I did get a little carried away, and maybe she could of been on "Wild Kingdom". But she wasn't in actual costume, anyway to make a long story shorter, they made her wash off all my beautiful art work! I thought how rude. She was very sad, and upset, because that was the first time she had ever been called into the principle's office. She was mad at me because it was initially my idea. I suppose I could call her school and make a fit about it. I'm not, yet. But what worries me is this, we want to educate our children, we want the make this country better. I guess what I am trying to explain is, you can teach them all the math and language skills you want, but without encouraging, pushing, expanding their imagination by whatever means possible, you won't accomplish this! As for my daughter, I'm not too worried. I am her mother and I am after all half a century old now, and I still have imagination, and as my mother states oh so very often, "You well never grow up!" It wasn't meant as a compliment, and I am sure it is probably true . . .and I'm glad. Because, no matter how crappy my day or Birthday might seem to be, I have imagination. And that is what allows me to see life for its possibilities, and see the world as it could be. That is what I hope to teach my child. As for not winning the costume contest, its ok, I liked it! I was a "Haunted Tree"!

Hope

Tonight, I listened to Michelle Obama. All I can say is WOW! She was amazing to say the least. I guess I am just a middle class  American trying to raise a little 9 year old alone. These last few years have not been easy for me to say the least. I have had no child support. In all honesty because, the father is from another country and might take her where women have no rights. Now, after working for so long, I find I am ill, and life has become harder yet. Mitt Romney cares about his family, but I don't believe he cares much for anyone else's. He does not care, I feel it, I know it. I'm sure he is a very good business man, he knows how to make a profit and cut the loss. However, AMERICA is not a BUSINESS we are a country.  Who is going to profit, and who is the loss cut? I think the Middle Class is the cut. Bush put us in a deep, deep hole. It is going to be dark until we get out. It won't be easy, we are going to have to help, and most of all believe! I think Mitt Romney will drag us back to the bottom of the hole. No thank you, spent enough time there! I believe Obama is kind of like "Star Trek", the possibility of the best humanity can be, and Mitt Romney is the Dark Ages  . . . the best repression can be.  Hopefully I won't be burned at the stake or staked.

Mermaids

     Tonight, I watched, "Mermaids: The Body Found".  My mind was blown away! I realize that much is based on theory.  However, their evidence was amazing. and it wasn't just the actual mermaid footage, but the fishermen who had found spears, etc. Mermaids have always been in legend and myth, why shouldn't it be based on fact.  It makes me crazy when all these expeditions go out into the wild spend 3 days, or 2 weeks, check out a cave or the local shore line for the night then go back home. Then say we didn't find any evidence, so we declare it as only myth. Ah . . . well thats like saying, I don't exist because they looked for me at the local bar and didn't find me, and humans go to the bar. Well, does that prove that I am just myth! No, it shows, I was elusive, maybe I had better things to do, or maybe I just didn't want to be found. The truth is, I do believe there are such creatures as Mermaids, Bigfoot, and yes even aliens. Why? Because I believe in the possibilities. Any scientist that states, there is no such thing, is no true scientist. Because the only way you can truly disprove their existence . . . is do just that. That means they would have to check every place on the earth or universe at the same time.
     The saddest thing I learned, was that the Sonar Testing by the Navy had caused so much harm. I had heard about the testing much earlier, and had wondered then of the possible impact on wildlife. Well I think they proved it is a weapon, and a destroyer of whales, and other sea life  Knowing that, they should stop all testing. Are they going to? Probably not. Why? Oh, the usual, home land security, because it isn't in their best political interest, and I'm sure a lot of money is involved.
     So, are mermaids real, I think, yes! Definitely YES! Why? Well, the proof is there if one chooses to really open their eyes and accept it.

Saving America

     Like everyone else I have had to listen or read  the volumes of political ploys to attain our vote.  Many place blame of the economy on the President, forgetting what he walked into. . . imagine, and he still took the job! I can't imagine anyone being able to do anything with the political opponent constantly opposing every step, every word, not caring if its the right one.  Then you add in all the new reporters, big business oil companies, bankers . . . well, good luck.
     Personally I feel there are major problems in America starting with the Banking Industry.  The people that need the help the most are unable to get it. Mainly because many have problems in their credit history due to economy set backs, as loss of work, and cost of living constantly increasing. It doesn't matter how wonderfully low the interest becomes, because most still don't qualify.  And if your credit history isn't great, the interest goes up, a lot. Banks will not lend to start a business. So people go to the local lending institutions where they are charged 200 to 300% annual, yeah! Then you have the oil industry who are just plain greedy. They make like 40 billion dollars profit annually, actually I believe it maybe much more, and why should they give that up? And then you have all the other companies wanting their bigger piece of pie.
For example, irrigation fees (cost of bringing your irrigation water to your farm) has doubled in the last 3 years.  Everything the farmer and rancher need has increased drastically. Pretty soon, don't worry that beef prices will go up, they will probably go way up! Why, because there has been terrible drought, hay and feed prices are now very, very high and because of supply and demand it will double in the winter. This means many ranchers won't just sell, they will have to sell out, flooding the market, but causing price to soar later. Although the government tries to help, it is difficult to get the help in time, and the red tape involved getting the help is mind blowing.
     So, these are just some of the problems in this wonderful country. But, if we want to save America, we need to first recognize the problems, then act together. We could start by letting the President do his job, well its an idea anyway.

Well, what do you know!

Sometime ago I mentioned I have been having yard sales, a lot actually. The truth is it helps financially, and although it isn't easy to let go of some items, it can be a learning experience. The one thing I like is it brings in the neighbors to visit a bit, and you witness a variety of behaviors. I learned that the best yard sale day is Friday. Saturday is also good and usually steady. Sunday is only good if it rained on Friday and Saturday. Weekdays are slow, but not necessarily bad. There are those that will only want those things not for sale, those that want things for nothing (lots of those), those that will drive and look from their car, Those that will ask you how much something is (usually expensive things) count their money out to the price of their item . . . then put it back into their pocket and walk away . . .(What the heck?), and those that pay the price and walk away. However, today I met a different kind of customer, one that I haven't seen before or at least I can remember without using the Aztec Calender . . . I met a good man, he renewed my faith in humanity and made me think maybe times could be getting better. He asked if I had any knives for sale. I had one old knife that had been by father's, I asked for $10 and he gave me $25 instead. Well, what do you know!

Lately I've noted several shows regarding UFOs.  I personally have always believed we are not alone in this universe. I like others have seen various lights in the sky, and I imagine they could of been explained away . . . maybe.  But a number of years ago, I think it was perhaps in 2009 or 2010 in the month of January. I live in Southwestern Colorado.  There was about  one ft of snow on the ground and about 2-3 ft of snow in the drifts, it was about 8:00p.m. I didn't have to work that  night and my mother told  me very quietly, "Hey, I think someone is in the garage, go look and see . . . " So I put on my snow boots and went out the back door to the porch. The porch light was on casting a bright yellow glow. My mother told me, "There is a light coming out of the garage, I think someone is in there with a really bright flashlight!"  I thought to my self, oh great! But, as I stared out to the garage, even from the lighted porch I did see a peculiar light cast into the night sky. So, off I trucked into the deep snow, however, as I approached the garage I realized that strange column of light didn't come from inside the garage . . . but from behind it!  When I walked behind the garage, I was not prepared for what I saw.  I live in the middle of approximately 29 acres, the land behind the garage being apple orchard and pasture. The land was covered in snow and there was heavy cloud coverage. There was a thunder storm in the clouds with different colored lights, but what I saw stopped me in my tracks. There was a column of phosphorescent greenish light that had a "glitter" effect towards the top. The light made the snow covered land almost glow like it was day. I was speechless, I was not in awe, I was scarred! I ran back and yelled, "Cut the lights!" I called the police and after about 30 minutes they came, although the light was now much farther away. They went to investigate it. After awhile the police called and told me they had lost it. He had thought it must of been a gas light of some sort. I have lived in this area since 1969. and I have never seen that light since or before that moment. I didn't see little green men or a flying saucer, but whatever I saw pushed my inner instinct into major overdrive, never in my life did I feel such raw fear as that. The thing however that struck me as odd, is why hadn't he ever noticed before I had actually showed him myself! Then another thing happened, I was talking to my mother about the incident, and the funny thing was, she remembered it happening in the summer! I said, "Mom, there was snow, a lot of it . . ." My mom doesn't have a memory problem, short or long term.

Grateful to be an American

July 4th is soon to be here, and the Celebrations are to commence! Actually I think they started Saturday.  Besides being such a great day for fireworks and barbecuing, we have so much to be grateful for. I think of all those fighting over seas on our behalf and I am grateful you keep us free. America is not perfect, but we try and don't give up. For those from other countries that see our magnificent Congress at work or whatever it is that they do, please don't judge us by them. And although I'm personally very tired of our political mud slinging . . at least they can. I know this is a touchy subject for so many, but I will mention it anyway, the right for Abortion.  While I was going to nursing school many, many, many moons ago, a classmate of mine told me, "I come from Beijing, China. There, you are told how many children you can have, and sometimes you are expected to have an abortion. I did not want to loose my baby . . . so I am here. Remember, even if you are not for the right to have an abortion, not pro-choice, you are allowing the government to decide. Once you give the government the right to say you can't have an abortion, you also give them the right to decide when you have to have one." I just hope we all realize how lucky we are to be American.

Help Needed

     In my web site "About the Artist", I mentioned I/am an RN, and also 1/2 Navajo.  And although I am no longer working as a nurse, I have seen many things that could . . . should be changed. I remark that I am part Navajo Indian, because that entitles me to get free health care at an IHS medical facility. Now to be sure, they are definitely feeling the economic crunch. They can't do elective things as face lifts, etc, but they have saved my life more than once, and do the best job with what they have.  I am not a Politician by any means, but I personally don't feel this is fair.  I know of so many families that are not Native American that could of been vastly benefited by such a program. I have heard the argument of Socialism, {visions of blue/ black, colorless world filled with old ugly cars}. However if faced with saving your child, but loosing your home because  you can't afford health insurance . . . you may have a change of mind. If you want private insurance and private care great, but if you are in need, it should be provided free of charge, or at a least affordable.
    So what I would change: If you have insurance fine, but everyone could be taxed where it handled like the IHS medical program, Veteran's Hospitals/Clinics. Think, you are already getting taxed for this funding, and have been for a very, very long time. It's just now everyone could benefit. How to pay? Easy, get rid of Malpractice Insurance for Doctors. Get rid of Heath Insurance, they are the middle man, NOT a non profit program, besides they make enough from home/flood/fire/car insurance.  Decrease the pay of Administrators, CEOs, Make Pharmacy change.  Why is it they can charge what ever outrageous price in America? No, they should not get away with this! And for the last, medical staff as Nurses, CNAs, Etc should be treated as valued assets not liabilities.  Ok, I said my piece for now, and will now go back to my work at hand, a drawing of a lady surrounded by scary things. Just one thing if you see a Nurse or CNA give her or him a hug, a kind word because it is probably a sure thing they have had a rough day or week.

Needful Things

Lately I haven't been painting.  I have been doing a number of drawings and pen and ink works, but like others, I have felt the stress and financial crunch of these hard times. Thus, its been yard sale month at my house, let me clarify this, I have lived in this home since basically 1969. I am an artist, I am a visual learner, I am a pack rat. Someone walked into my living room yesterday and asked, "Oh is this the rest of the store?"  I counted that we had 7 fireplace tool sets.  I have a studio in the house, but for a while I will be painting in the garage, which since other members of the house refused to have a auction . . . pretty much makes me there for good. I realize this I has been long needed, and it is difficult letting things go, even if I cant use them, fit into them, or rationally fit them into my home. I have been doing this in layers and taking baby steps. However, I am keeping 2 fireplace tool sets, one I actually use, and the other is just too damned pretty!

Change of Mind

In recent weeks I've been watching the Political news. The President made a statement remarking that he had a change of mind in regard of gay rights, etc.  Personally I am not gay, or that I remember, not going into that discussion, but a lot of people were very angry, some happy, others didn't care. I thought that being able to change your mind is a good thing, It means, that we are able to question ourselves, more than that it is showing the ability to evolve. In these troubling times, It is important to evolve. Many years ago I was vastly against gay/lesbian lifestyle, let alone to think they had rights, but as I grew older, and met people with different views and found that I actually knew several people that were gay, I realized that somewhere along the line I had changed my mind. It still isn't the lifestyle for me, but I now think love is love, and everyone should have the right to be themselves and be with whom makes them most happy. As an artist I hope that I continue to evolve, change my mind, and consider the worth of the view of others. Many years ago I read a fortune cookie, that was the most wonderful, profound thing I had ever heard, and have tried to live my life by, it said, "The greatest gift you can give your friend is to leave their Illusions intact".

In to my head

Ok! Putting my thoughts out for the world to see, takes time.  But when you think about it quite exciting too, kind like kissing a stranger never to see them again. I have too many interests to be honest, a lot of things I care about. I am almost 50, which is kinda cool, except I'm ready for a new body, I would even settle for a blue body like in Avatar . . . but the female one please.  I never knew even though we age, our soul, heart remains the same, often I feel 14 or even 24.  I am still me, but I have learned things and have kept an open mind and still like the people in my life, and that isn't bad. Financially I am still working on that, but again I am learning. So although art is my passion and what drives me, I have thoughts about the world we live in, and to make it hopefully better in some way.

My First Blog

Hello World, I am officially notifying you Hell has frozen over.  I am the Artist of a new website Knightwingart.com. I have been drug out into the new scary world of tech. But change is good, can't stay in 1500s forever.  So who am I? I paint wildlife, fantasy and gothic among other interests. I have been dreaming of doing this for a very, very long time. And now it's time to show you what I can do, be prepared something has awoken.

Be Prepared, Something has awoken.