This is a snowflake

This is a snowflake.

There are lots and lots of snowflakes flying around outside right now.

Flying because gail force winds began huffing and puffing before the dawn.

(yep. I was up that early. lol!)

It's not so bad.

I see they're mostly swirling about.

Bad is when they all head one direction: sideways.

I'm gonna heat up some herbal teas, snuggle down, and work out some art.

If you'd like to see some groovy pictures of snowflakes and ice crystals just click the link: SnowCrystals . com

The Snowflake Man
"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."
Wilson A "Snowflake" Bentley 1925

(ahem) Try not to think too deeply about the lowly snowflake...

Have a great weekend everyone!

=) D.~

Artist Philosophy...

I am building & on the edge of expressing my personal Artistic Philosophy for portfolio.

In terms of all things ART I can so identify with this:

I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction.
— Ayn Rand, Anthem

So...
A nod to - Ayn Rand (Feb 2, 1905 - Mar 6, 1982) today!

Paperwork...

Reminder to self: Get it done!!!

Ah... the Eternities...

We sang this Hymn Sunday.
It's one of my favorites and if I was to pass away tomorrow I'd want it sung at my grave side service - becasue it speaks of the mysteries of God and lists the things that have no end...
...and it just gives you an awesome vibe, when you stand and sing it with a friend...

It's called:

"If you Could Hie to Kolob "

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1. If you could hie to Kolob

In the twinkling of an eye,

And then continue onward

With that same speed to fly,

Do you think that you could ever,

Through all eternity,

Find out the generation

Where Gods began to be?

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2. Or see the grand beginning,

Where space did not extend?

Or view the last creation,

Where Gods and matter end?

Methinks the Spirit whispers,

"No man has found 'pure space,'

Nor seen the outside curtains,

Where nothing has a place."

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3. The works of God continue,

And worlds and lives abound;

Improvement and progression

Have one eternal round.

There is no end to matter;

There is no end to space;

There is no end to spirit;

There is no end to race.

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4. There is no end to virtue;

There is no end to might;

There is no end to wisdom;

There is no end to light.

There is no end to union;

There is no end to youth;

There is no end to priesthood;

There is no end to truth.

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5. There is no end to glory;

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above.

There is no end to glory;

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above.

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Text: William W. Phelps, 1792-1872

A Surprise, a Special DVD

Big smiles and hugs - some more - to Alekx and Burfica for sending that special DVD to me.
I was excitedly surprised.
I cried.
I laughed.
I cried (again).
I played it.
I paused it.
I rewound it for the "who was that?" factor... =)
and I'm fixin on playin' it again.
Maybe tonight.
Brought back so many memories.
Brought up a regret or 2...
But mostly brought up how very, very special your Mother was to me, right along with the 2 of YOU!
Thank you so very much - for all!
Love you,
all ways and always
D.~

Ball & jacks

Yep.
Changed the profile pix again!
lol
didja ever noticed the background...?
(whispers -> this scene was set in "the little freak's room")

Identity packages

We are building our identity packages in portfolio:
the letter head, business card, envelope design, resume... and yes... more.
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Our choices of basic design elements telling just as much, if not more about 'the symbolic self', as what any content of text ever could.
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At the same time Ethics and Moral Development are the topics in our on-line leadership classes.
... practically speaking, the 3 most important influences on character formation are:
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• Associations. Family, friends, and role models help shape our future lives. The example & encouragement of some people may improve us, while that of others may pull us down.
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• Books. The printed page and other media can poison us with wrong accounts and harmful thoughts, or can enlighten and lift up our lives with reason and spirit fundamental to a healthy person.
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• Self Concept. We do what we do to be consistent with who we think we are. Our primary motivation is not self-preservation, but preservation of the symbolic self. Whosoever considers him- or herself to be honest, brave, and worthy is likely to be so, s our oute lives are first decided in our inner hearts.
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1. Associations - Who in your life has influenced your character development?
2. Books - What books, films, and other media have helped you become a better person?
3. Self-Concept - What image of yourself has shaped your values and guided your life?

Ah.
Homework.
Happy weekend everyone!
=)

Love is...

Outside the scriptures this is the best quote I've ever seen on LOVE:

“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained”
C.S. Lewis quotes (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)

Happy Valentine's Day to all who pass this way...

Love and love some more!
D.~

Valentine recipe

Several people have asked me for this recipe.

Once upon a time ago - it was one of my Dad's favorites & since his birthday is the day before Valentine's Day I have a tendency to associate it with the holiday...

It is fairly cheap, fast & easy and has a big "yum" factor to it too...

Cherry Nut Bars

2 egg whites - slightly beaten
2 T Maraschino cherry juice
6 T Water
4 T Oil
1 Pkg. white cake mix
1/2 C sparsly chopped walnuts
1/2 C drained chopped Maraschino cherries

Combine ingredients in order listed.
Makes a thick batter
Spread in a 9x13 pan
Bake 350 15-20 minutes - until set

Frosting 1 -
butter
chopped cherries
cherry juice
powdered sugar
heavy whipping cream


Frosting 2 -
softened cream cheese
powdered sugar
cherry juice
whipped topping

(Sorry about the no measurements on the frosting choices, my family just does this by feel & to taste)

Baptizing a Miracle...

I felt the Holy Spirit very strongly in church today.
Yesterday, the elders baptized a Miracle.
=)
That was the boy’s family name. … but really… aren’t we all miracles?
He looked so very handsome dressed all in white.
I had the pleasure and the privilege of speaking at his service.
Today, he was confirmed a member where upon the brethren conferred upon him a blessing and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We were also privileged to be witness to the blessing of a baby – so sweet.

It’s long been rumored among the faithful that when over come by emotion in the singing of a sacred hymn,

(…that heartfelt swelling of the breast that bares testimony of the Holy spirit drawing most near – that which sometimes renders humankind tearful & speechless…)

…it’s said that in those moments the angelic host can and does carry your part forward…

I thought I heard them singing with the congregation today – and this is the hymn:

Redeemer of Israel

Redeemer of Israel, Our only delight, On whom for a blessing we call,
Our shadow by day And our Pillar by night, Our King, our Deliverer, our all!

We know he is coming To gather his sheep And lead them to Zion in love,
For why in the valley Of death should they weep Or in the lone wilderness rove?

How long we have wandered As strangers in sin And cried in the dessert for thee!
Our foes have rejoiced When our sorrows they’ve seen, But Israel will shortly be free.

As children of Zion, Good tidings for us. The tokens already appear.
Fear not, and be just, For the kingdom is ours. The hour of redemption is near.

Restore, my dear Savior, The light of thy face; Thy soul-cheering comfort impart;
And let the sweet longing For thy holy place Bring hope to my desolate heart.

He looks! And ten thousands Of angels rejoice, And myriads wait for his word;
He speaks! And eternity, Filled with his voice, Re-echoes the praise of the Lord.

A very short story

Blame it on my little e-mail friends...


A Very Short Story



Man driving down road
Woman driving up same road
They pass each other.
The woman yells out the window, PIG!
Man yells out window, B * T C H!
Man rounds next curve.
Crashes into a HUGE PIG in middle of road and dies.

Thought For the Day: If only men would listen

Why I Need the Birds

I grabbed up the rare luxury of sleeping in this morning - hushing over the harpy voice in my head with its endless "to do" listings...
and I was blessed with this little treasure.
A poem by Lisel Mueller which was featured on today's Writer's Almanac, and given deep favor by Garrison Keillor's bartone reading.... you could listen to it here: The Writer's Almanac or just read it through, below...

Why I Need the Birds

When I hear them call
in the morning, before
I am quite awake,
my bed is already traveling
the daily rainbow,
the arc toward evening;
and the birds, leading
their own discreet lives
of hunger and watchfulness,
are with me all the way,
always a little ahead of me
in the long-practiced manner
of unobtrusive guides.

By the time I arrive at evening,
they have just settled down to rest;
already invisible, they are turning
into the dreamwork of trees;
and all of us together —
myself and the purple finches,
the rusty blackbirds,
the ruby cardinals,
and the white-throated sparrows
with their liquid voices —
ride the dark curve of the earth
toward daylight, which they announce
from their high lookouts
before dawn has quite broken for me.

Shapeshifter Burfica!

I was visiting Burfica's site this morning and saw this:
"...I pick teams I like the way girls do. If it's an animal I'll always cheer for it. If it's two animals I pick the cuter one. hehehehehee"
... and I wondered...
So, if Burfica was to magically become a shapeshifter... what animals would be her favorite ones to switch off to?
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You tell me yours I'll tell you mine!

QUOTATION:	A man’s character is his fate.
ATTRIBUTION:	Heraclitus (c. 535–c. 475 BC), Greek philosopher. . .On The Universe

- Oscar Wilde -

Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
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"The Great and Wonderful Love"
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;-)