Dona Nobis Pacem

This is my third time to join in on this project headed by the most gracious Mimi of Mimi Writes, click on the link and get your own globe, if you too would like to join us. It's never too late!

We are a military family and bringing change and peace to the world is much more than just an ideological dream to us. It is also an exercise in selfishness.Bill, our son-in-law, is a veteran of Dessert Storm and has also done a tour in Iraq. He is on the roster at this very second slotted to be shipped over to the Mid East again. We have a nephew, a Marine, who is currently already at a base waiting to be shipped over to Afghanistan. So in our family as with millions of families all over the world we pray everyday for peace so our soldiers can stay at home.

This year I am especially moved to blog for world peace but my first concern this time, is for peace and unity here on our very own land in America. Until we, as a country, ourselves, can learn to come together and stop spreading hate and discontent on our very own shores then how we can we ever hope for true peace anywhere?

Our bible tells us to take the log out of our own eye before we attempt to remove the speck from our brother's. However, this has not been the case, here in America, for a long time now. Instead, in truth we are a divided country where money is our true ruler and is in the true leader of this country. It's a hard pill to swallow and many won't admit it, or honestly can't see it in themselves and unfortunately, for us as a country, it exists in far too many American's true inner self and their everyday actions, the way they really are, as opposed to how they perceive themselves!

But, money has proven since the beginning of recorded history to be one of the most successful tools ever to control the masses and insure that the majority of all citizens remain in the class they were born into. And, that very ugly monster is alive and thriving right here, everyday, in America, 'The land of the free', the home of the 'American Dream',! But, if we take a long hard look at ourselves, objectively as a country, we know these are not the real truths about America and what our country has become!

We have become a country, a so called Christian nation, whereby, due to politics, money and social standing at birth, good worthy wonderful people who walk as Christians forget about the true teachings and meanings of Jesus. Christians, who do to their own political beliefs, financial success, God given intelligence and ability, forget themselves and sit back in judgment, spreading discontent with cheap humor and jokes filled with prejudicial remarks. All done at the expense of countless millions, for whatever reason, who have not become a productive and successful person, according to their financial statement and not by the fabric of their being!!!

In fact, we are a hypocritical country. We blog and preach to the world about peace, helping the poor, sick and starving all over the globe. However, we can't come together in our own country and offer the very same help to our very own sick, poor and hungry. We go about our daily lives and make token gestures, but, when it comes right down to it, those that have do not share with those who do not have, we do not feed our homeless, hungry, and less fortunate. We instead, sit back and judge them according to our standards. After all, if I was able to do it then surely those other less fortunate people are merely lazy and want a free ride. So why should I extend a hand, spend my hard earned money, share in my blessings from God, with that obviously worthless lazy human being?

This is the reality of the real America. Yes, there are millions of us who dare to dream of a different America. But, we too now are judged. We are said to be unpatriotic because we dare dream of an America where all people really truly do have equal opportunity! Opportunity for things such as proper health care, a good education and an equal playing field in fighting for that piece of the American pie.

Well, the truth is, not all are born equal anywhere in the world. Not every single individual is or ever will be born with the same level of intelligence, talent and ability to succeed on their own, without help from those of us who were. Those who are fortunate enough, here in our country, to be blessed with intelligence, or, to be born into a good social standing to start with, way too often turn their heads and look the other way when less fortunate human beings are doing without the basic and most simplest things that every human being, no matter their circumstances, should be able to have.

At least, this what I was taught, as a child growing up as a Christian, attending church and Sunday School as a Baptist. This is what I was taught Christ and being Christian is really all about. Jesus is the one that says we are to help the poor and feed the hungry. It was Jesus who said the ones who have also have a duty to share their blessings and help those that do not have. He also did not make a distinction between who we should or shouldn't help. If people need help, who are sick, hungry, homeless, drunks, addicted to drugs, afflicted with a disability, then according to Jesus' true teachings it is our duty to do our best to help them. It is His duty to judge them!

So yes I blog today for world peace. But, until we can get it right on our own shores. Then please tell me why our soldiers fight and die everyday.? What good are we as a country if we have a cold heart at it's core? A country that even turns it's back every single day on the very soldiers who have risked it all to defend a dream, many of them, for whatever reason, will never ever get to share in!

God bless to one and all. I already know this post will not set well with many. But, it was lain upon my heart to speak the truth and expose the reality of the real America! The America that has become a country filled with self serving judgmental hypocrites! So I beg everyone to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror. When was the last time you handed even a nickel to a person standing on a street corner, here in America, begging for a living? When was the last time you dug into your pockets, did without things you want, to give something to others less fortunate than yourselves that they need? These are the real questions and issues that need addressing long before we dare stand before the world and presume to be the model and standard all others should follow!

~God Bless To One and All!~

~As always from our home to yours we send love and peace to all!~
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Finally Time for A Post - Personal Update & Thank You Amy & PJ

First week was learning all about filters and editing your photos with them. Above is the after, titled Cypress Reflection Watercolor. Below is the original which was also tweaked quite a bit from the original shot. I wish I could post them at their original size. This size really does not show the detail and just how very different the watercolor actually is. At it's larger size it looks just like a painting on canvas. It turned out very well, I earned photo of the week for it and it also turned out with a very high quality resolution which will reproduce as large as a standard size poster. It will definitely be included among some of the first items for sale via Shinade Studios.


Goodness me it's been forever and for that I apologize. But, I truly have been extremely busy. I knew I would be. But, to be honest, I truly didn't know I would be as busy as I am.

I really appreciate it so much that everyone keeps dropping by to say hello and check on me. All I can tell you is that everyday is filled from morning to late evening gathering shots for assignments and then learning the editing process.

Before I go any further I really want to send out my thank you to Amy of Amy Lilley Designs for my wonderful Christmas gifts I ordered. They came wrapped in the loveliest packaging and I just know all of the girls will really love what is inside. Amy has some of the loveliest items, at extremely reasonable prices and I for one am so glad I decided to add her among the artist I chose to order Christmas gifts from this year. Please do drop by her blog where you too can visit her shop. I promise you won't be disappointed in her offerings or her prices.

Also featured in the photo above is the absolutely fantastic hand cream I agreed to sample for P.J.at PJ'S Prose This is some of the best hand cream I have ever put on my hands. It goes on with a very delicate creamy satin feel and immediately soaks in leaving your hands feeling soothed but with no left over residue whatsoever. I really can't stress enough how very much I love this lotion. I am so glad I asked to be a tester and I will definitely be ordering some in one her lovely scents, or, perhaps, request my own personal mixture of favorite aromas and have my very own personal blend made just for me.

I send out my apologies to both of you for being so late in getting these thank yous posted but this truly is the first chance I have had to get anything done other than my classes. And thanks bunches P.J. for the free lip balm. I love it!!

Now, to get everyone updated on where I am at and hopefully help you understand why I have not been able to do any posting, visiting or blog hopping. First of all, for those of you who are not familiar with Photoshop it is a super piece of graphics software and I really don't know how I have survived at all without it. However, with that being said, I must add that what makes it so super is that you can do so very very much with it and to learn it is very time consuming. Especially when you combine it with the fact that you also have to have time for photo shoots to acquire images for each assignment. I have been extremely busy every single day from morning until late evening. By the time I get done each day my brain is so taxed all I want to do is eat and get some rest.

We are almost half way through with this first 8 week course. After this class is completed I will be turning right around the very week this one ends and be enrolling in a class to learn the basics and fundamentals of my camera and equipment. This is an intense 4 week program specifically for my brand and make of camera. It is designed to teach the student how to master every single setting of your camera and get the full capabilities from it. This too will be a time consuming class as each week will require various photo shoots, in all sorts of modes, settings and lighting to teach you how to set your camera according to the shot you are seeking.

From there, I am moving back to an 8 week photography course designed for the beginner to intermediate student. In this class, once again, each week will require multiple types of shots to help you better learn what settings you need within your camera to get the shot you are seeking. The next in line is another 8 week course where I will be studying lighting, studio and portrait shots. This is an area where I am really lacking experience and it is definitely a must for any serious photographer.

I know my blog is and will continue to suffer while I am away. But, it is crucial for both Walter and myself to take this time now, learn and hone my skills and teach them to him, so that we really can move to the next level. We are both very serious about becoming the very best photographers we possibly can and this is what it takes. Yes, I have studied art and design. However, until a little over a year ago I rarely even took pictures with our little Kodak Instamatic. I have never even spent so much as 30 minutes studying photography until now and I am deadly serious about learning this and being the very best I possibly can. I truly did fall in love with the genre and it is my heart's desire to master it and b the very best I possibly can be.

I hope everyone has been doing really fantastic. Please know I really do miss everyone very very much. It will take me forever to get caught up with everyone when I finally get a break. But, Walter and I are both committed to this and it will take me the better part of the winter to get all of these classes completed. So for now I will be cutting way back on many things.

For now I must go and start working on my portrait. I have to complete three different portraits using three different techniques and they are due on the 8th. That may sound like a long time until you stop and realize that it took me just about an hour this morning to get about 3/4's of a nose completed on one portrait. It's not just something you can fly through when you are first learning.

~Please take care everyone and know that both Walter and I are thinking of everyone all the time! I am working as fast as I can and will be back full time as soon as possible!~

~As always from our home to yours we send love and peace to all!~

Autumn Falls Gently

Cottonwood

As you can see in the picture above our autumn change is very subtle and also truly just starting now. We are finally moving into sweat shirt, flannel pajamas and nice soft cozy over sized sweater weather.

We are also moving into a time where due to many circumstances that are crucial to me in other areas of my life that I take at least an eight week break. I am involved in one extensive and expensive online course and it is demanding. I also have a photography class coming along at the end of this class.

This will require my full attention as I will be spending hours out on shoots and then hours more editing. We are also cut back to one satellite at this time and I do not have the capacity to do what I need to get done.

Hopefully, when I return, I will have aced my classes, have some fantastic shares and also have a little shop open. I will stop around and visit as I can. when I get bored staring at an assignment or when I lay down the paint brush I will come visit.

I have not spent any great period of time focusing on my art in years. Now is the time. I do so hope you all won't forget me. I know I owe a lot of postings and awards. For that I have the information and will get it done when I can.

For now, at least the next few weeks, I will be devoting the majority of my time to my art and photography. I am looking forward to it and very excited. It took us a long time to get to this point. The software nor the classes were cheap. But, even though I am excited and grateful for that I will also miss posting and sharing each week.

Ms. Goose and I will pop in and out as often as when we can!

~The videos attached were picked for the talent of the animator/artist. The visuals are incredible and fun! A budding young film maker possibly? They are very beautiful and entertaining. The first is wonderfully meditative with beautiful photography and graphics!~

~Stay Warm~
~As always from our home to yours we send love and peace to all!~