Sunset--Western skies

Rush hour lights--Edmond

"Out here there's the sky," wrote Willa Cather. Yep!

Gospel of Back Roads

Narrow is the way--3 by 5 watercolor

"But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and  only a few find it." --Matt 7:14
Jesus had only three years to do his work, and we never see him in a hurry or late.
Why are we? Our technology and Interstate culture makes us hurry and fear being late. He walked or rode a donkey.
When he spoke about living, it was about a narrow, twisting trail where your feet got hot and dirty, but where you could also "consider the lilies of the field."
We live on Interstates, and ride at 60 plus miles per hour, chafe at "stop" lights, always work on a "dead" line, and wonder why we don't get more out of life. He was right--it's no wonder so few find life.
What are we afraid of? Do we even know how fearful we are of everything in our high-speed culture? Of how controlled we are by a man-made clock? Why do we consider those who slow down as abnormal, or even threats to our lives?
I know this sounds hypocritical coming from me, who hates traffic lights, mutters at slow drivers, and glories in covering many miles in record times. Long-time friends will be sure to point it out with snide remarks. My oldest son refers to me as "the patient man that you are." I am indeed a creature of my culture, and on top of that, a first-born Capricorn, who expects timely results and perfection.
But as the miles and years roll by, I'm finding more and more enjoyment in taking the back roads, slowing down, walking in the park, sitting silently on the back porch with a piñon fire in the chiminea. One high-achieving friend says she's never happier than when she's on her bicycle, pedaling long miles across country. Another friend says I seem the happiest when I'm painting, mind completely slowed down from the surrounding world.
I think Jesus must have spoken those words about the narrow path to life after a long day walking a dusty trail, enjoying cool water and a meal with his friends; but 2,000 years ago, he somehow knew about the dangers of Interstate "living."
On those narrow dusty trails, I find the Gospel of Back Roads, where  you can slow down and find  the vibrancy of life in full color.
***
Numerous other chapters with photographs in the Gospel of Back Roads appear in earlier posts on this blog. If you're interested, just type in "Back Roads Journal" or "Back Roads" in the search box. Here's Back Roads Journal-I.

A better bucket--vivid watercolor lessons

A better bucket

One of the lessons that is finally soaking into my painting life, and I hope my life this year--is to be more vivid.
I should have learned that from Frank Francese's watercolor workshop here last June, and indeed it helped some.
But when I was posting paintings of December Christmas cards, and most recently, the bucket for the bucket list article yesterday, I've found myself computer-enhancing the paintings, which makes them more vivid. I tried it on the bucket, and then decided to just use the original.
But then I painted a better bucket...much more vivid. This one is not computer-enhanced. 
Watercolor tends to "dry down" and lose some color,  and my landscapes tend to be earthen colored, because of growing up in New Mexico. I try to achieve impact with contrast, but it's time to change.
Here's to a vivid year.

A year's story begins, a day at a time

A walk in Hafer Park today sets me to thinking. If I did this every day for a year, I'd have walked 730 miles by Dec. 31, 2014. And if I took a photo every trip, I'd have quite an album of ordinary things, consuming storage on my computer.
But today was blustery and cold. Few people were out. There will be days when it will be snowing, or icing, or raining, or threatening. There will be days when I'm out of town.
I know this though, if some higher power would guarantee me another year of life if I did walk it every day, I would. But there ain't no 730-more-mile guarantee on this 1944 model.

Anyway, I took two photos today, of a tree stump and a diseased tree, both of which hint at continuing life. Some lovers sat down and carved their names into the stump. Some bug bored a hole through a pasting designed to keep bugs out of a diseased tree. There is a future. These have been enhanced on the computer, because there was no sun for contrast.
This reminds me of the remarkable accomplishment of friend and colleague Mark Zimmerman, who took one second videos every day last year, and pasted them together. 
It's quite a project (warning, one second involves me).
Here are Mark's Facebook comments:

"Each day in 2013 I recorded one second of video. Never thought I would make it to today. 
Some observations on this project-
1. The easiest month was the first
2. The hardest month was the last
3. Had a few technical difficulties (I lost 3 videos throughout the year)
4. If you want to see a much better every day project, see by brother-in-law's Everyday People here
5. I hate "selfies" - but I did a few.
6. The majority of my subjects are my cameras, my pets, and my family (not listed in order of importance).
7. I am ready to have my iPhone storage space back.
8. I lead a pretty boring life (but I am ok with that).
I used an APP called One Second Everyday http://1secondeveryday.com/"

Here is Mark's fascinating journey through 2013, one second at a time, for 365 days. Enjoy

Bucket list for 2014

2014 Buckets...5 by 6 watercolor

For 2014--

England and Scotland--this summer;
Open cockpit biplane ride;
Sail on a sailboat in the Caribbean;
Take more backroads;
More New Mexico;
Family history;
Take up oil painting;

Cousin reunion;

Retire ?;
Surprise myself!

Standard resolutions:

More time with children and grandchildren, family and friends;

Health and exercise;

Improve blog;

Paint more;

Write  a book?