Category: writing

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Beautiful Baltimore Harbor

I couldn’t resist taking these photos on June 10th after attending the Candlelight Vigil for Ms. Good at Mckeldin Square. Although there is evil in this world, beauty is everywhere.

It’s a banana; it’s a fish.

This painting began when I wanted to paint a slightly overripe banana. Then it decided to be something else!

Break the Pattern

Which drawing do you like better? I used 2 different filters and can’t decide between the two images.

Abstraction

This is the first abstract painting I’ve done that I really like. When I was young, I loved Impressionism, which showed the world distorted by reality. Then I started painting dreams, landscapes, and still life – but I was always painting real people and objects. As I did this, I found I understood abstraction as the ultimate artwork that underpins realistic painting since there is always the need to consider the placement of objects, the texture of brush strokes.

On Retirement

Retirement is wonderful! I recommend for everybody. I abruptly retired from a stressful job as a speech-language pathologist in public schools because we were ordered to return to in-person schooling when vaccines weren’t available. I was 62 years old at the time and had asthma. Although I planned to work until 65 years of age, it seemed silly to risk death just as I was reaching retirement age. I had no idea of what I would do next.

At first I just enjoyed laying in bed, sometimes until noon, idly reading and journaling in a notebook. Then I realized I wanted to learn how to write better. I enrolled in a Masters program for Creative Writing at Towson University. It was fabulous! Not only did I improve my writing, but I found a community of writers. I was intellectually stimulated and met new friends. Many of them are younger than me with different perspectives and wisdom.

After graduating I continue to write poetry and short stories. I’m a journalist for the Peninsula Post, a local newspaper. I also draw cartoons, paint, and play guitar. It is amazing to have tons of time to create and socialize. I have energy for exercising and cooking healthy meals. Along with the time when I was raising my sons, retirement is the best period of my life.