With spending up and the supply chain clogged at the docks, perhaps we should think about buying local this year. It would be a big help to small business in our community. Perhaps downsizing our wish list would not be such a bad thing. Maybe we could focus more on what is really important at Christmas/Hanukkah. Enjoy your family and hug the ones you love! ( and, …maybe even the ones you don’t!!)
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
This is a watercolor that painted itself. I put on the color and let it run and then blended a few more colors and low and behold this is what came out! My Bob Ross in watercolor! It is a little dark, but I love color so I tend to get it a little intense! practice practice practice!
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`Watercolor Painting: Dwight L. Roth
I have decided to try doing watercolor painting. I find the transition from acrylics is very challenging. I tend to want to over-paint and over-work my paintings. With watercolors that does not work so well. The first painting above is my transition painting, after trying a few samples. The second one I did today. As you can see the first one is more like my acrylic paintings and the second is beginning to look more like a watercolor painting.
Posting this on d’Verse Open Link night. Join us at https://dversepoets.com
Watercolor Paintings: Dwight L. Roth
When I was ten years old, my parents announced to the four of us children that we were going to be having a baby brother or sister. Back then there were no tests to tell ahead of time. What a surprise for me (and I think for my parents as well). My mom was 43 at the time, and having a baby at that age was questionable back then, since the age factor could lead to issues like Downs Syndrome and others.
I remember being introduced to people as the “Baby of the family!” It brought a lot of good attention it seemed. But with the advent of my new little brother, all that changed over night. All went well and my brother Philip was born without any complications. He was the first of us to be born in the hospital! He was so cute and everyone loved him and showered him with attention. I don’t remember ever feeling jealous or left out as a result. I am sure it was a bigger adjustment for my parents than it was for us children. My sister was delighted to have a little brother and took him under her wing to look after.
Tomorrow, October 25th, he turns 64! It is hard to believe that so much time has passed since then. I wanted to write this post to wish him happy birthday!
What a nice surprise
A little brother arrived
Happy Birthday Phil
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Photo from family album
I found this cute little guy today on the side of my house when I was rolling up my water hose. He is a common tree frog found in this area and may other parts of the Eastern United States. They are usually more active at night. I love all his little suction cups on his feet. Keeps him hanging on!
iPhone Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Title taken from the movie Casa Blanca – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqhNZJKMFLc
In 2019 we took a Viking River Cruise for our 50th wedding anniversary. We were on the Viking Ship Alruna. The story they tell is this: Alruna – A Valkyrie The daughter of Kjárr of Valland, Alruna (Ölrún in Old Norse) was one of three Valkyries spinning linen on the shore of Wolf Lake, when they were spotted by three brothers who lived nearby. Alruna and Egil, one of the brothers, lived together for seven winters, until Alruna flew off to battle, never to return.
Viking Warrior
Strong female Valkyrie leaves
Never to return
It was the trip of a lifetime for us, as a European heatwave moved in that summer.
Photos: Dwight L. Roth The art piece portraying Alruna was at the top of the landing on the second deck.
Being retired allows me the freedom to volunteer at our local Habitat Restore. The store depends on donations from the community which are resold at our store. The money raised is used to build affordable housing for families who qualify. One of the things I have observed is that much of the donated furniture we get comes to us after the death of older family members. The children take what they want and then give us the rest to sale. Sometimes there are no children and we get most of what is left behind.
Here are two major items that were donated recently. The end tables and center piece were acquired by the owner when he was stationed in Japan. They are beautiful hand carved pieces that were then brought back when he came back to the States. The tall room divider that was donated appears to have come from China. It also was brought to this country by the owner. It is very difficult to get the full value of an object. We usually resale for about half of the original value or less. Hopefully we will find a buyer for these items.
Cherished items stay
When death come calling for us
All is left behind
Children take what is desired
Cherished memories are resold
Photos are from the Union County Habitat for Humanity Restore in Monroe, NC
Signs seem to be an important part of our lives. I remember when people would ask each other, “What’s your sign?” This usually referred to the signs of the Zodiac. In our world we take signs for granted, including when to cross the street, or where to cross, what to watch out for, where not to turn, and so many more. We depend on signs to send us in the right direction, show our streets, or the roads we are riding on. One sign many ignore is that little box that says, “I read and understand the rules and policies for this App!” Overwhelmed we just click and go on.
Even more disturbing is our failure to read Nature’s signs… wear your mask, get your vaccine shots, our climate is changing, our world population is spiraling upward, pollutions is killing our environment, and many more. To borrow a quote from Bill Engvall, “Here’s Your Sign!”
Signs of the times speak
Humans fail to hear prophets
Living in denial
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Ingrid asked us to write a poem describing our muse. In the past poets were often inspired by a person who stimulated their imagination and brought life to their poems. My muse is Nature. One thing I enjoy as much as writing is getting a good nature shot. The bees and butterflies, birds and flowers all feed into my poetry in some way. When my mind goes dry, I can always count on my photo files to get my juices flowing.
Inspiration flows
from Nature’s muse to my thoughts
Honey of the mind
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
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Roth Poetry 