Sidewalk Chalk Graffiti ... Take 2!

I just had to do one more post highlighting my son's sidewalk chalk graffiti. I love the words and phrases he draws (and, hey ... he took one of my suggestions from my last post! :-)). Sometimes, it's just him ... other times, there are several kids in our driveway creating entertaining images and uplifting words.

The best part is the feedback we hear ... from neighbors we know ("It made my day to walk to the mailbox and see these words!") and exercisers who just happen to be passing by ("We look forward to seeing what word is written on your driveway when we come by each night!").

His artwork continues to be a great reminder to me of how easy it is to share some hope, a little love, and a smile.

Love ...

My son was busy expressing his creativity this weekend ... sidewalk 'graffiti', he called it. He and his younger sister picked all the words ... I had nothing to do with it. I just watched, as words that so perfectly represented the history-making weekend we were in the midst of seemed to appear, one after the other, on the scorching pavement. 

Love ... Peace ... Bold ... Laugh ... Hope ... Joy. All the things we wish for every single soul. If everyone abided by these simple, straightforward words ... I suspect more problems would be solved than created.

I think he did ask me for a word, at one point … but, I liked the direction he was heading, and decided not to add my two cents. I’ve been thinking, though … about words I might suggest, if he asked again. Kindness … Respect … Smile ... and maybe even Forgive.

What word would you add?

In the Words of a 9-Year Old Boy ...

Sure, it's more complicated than this. But, when I ran across this gem the other day while re-reading and recycling Christmas cards and school projects, I couldn't help but think what a peaceful, fun-loving world it might be if children were in charge! :-) 

Little Projects ...

Projects, sketches, and papers are always coming home with the kids from various places ... school, Sunday School, daycare, the gym, etc. Sometimes, it feels like we are drowning in little trinkets and half-finished art projects.

Other times, it feels like we've found a special treasure.

My son formed this bowl out of clay in Sunday school, and my daughter made the little heart during a children's choir practice break. They brought them home and each project went its separate way for a few days ... the bowl to dry, the heart to sit on the counter waiting to be 'mended' (two of the beads still need to be ironed back on!).

One evening, my daughter placed her heart in her brother's bowl and declared, "There! That's pretty!", and slid it into a place of prominence on the counter.

I have to agree ... it is pretty, and adds a simple splash of color and charm to the kitchen counter. So, this one will stay on display on the kitchen counter for a while. It makes me smile ... and who doesn't need to begin and end their day with a smile.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a blessed one!

"Turkey" by B, November 2008

Creative Minds ...

Mary Engelbreit calendars always have a way of brightening up your desk space. Today's calendar page made me chuckle ... can you see the quote? It says,

"Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training." Anna Freud

Look at the scrunched-up face of the teacher as she eyes the out-of-the-box artist in the front row ... it just cracked me up. My classes were all business classes ... so that's not terribly creative from the get-go.

I did take a pottery class during Jan-term in college. Luckily, though, the fabulous professor had a much more relaxed face and never-ending patience for us 'trying-to-explore-our-creative-side' business (and other non-art related major) types.

Oh, did I create a lot of heavy-bottomed vessels in that class! My dear, sweet family proudly endured, no ... I mean, displayed them on their desks after I distributed them as gifts. So kind of them ... those pieces of 'art' did a fine job holding pencils and pens for many years.

Wishing you a successful day of creative writing, despite any bad training (or scrunchy-faced teachers) you've endured along the way!