Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day here in the US of A. It is a paid holiday for the company I work for, so I have the day free to do whatever I want. I didn't have specific plans. I had thoughts of getting out in my yard a bit, but it's been cloudy and rainy all morning, so I've stayed inside. I am good with "inside" most of the times, not like I haven't got plenty to do between chores that are never finished and my fun art, so it's still all good.

Memorial Day is set aside to remember all of those over the years who have lost their lives while serving in the military as they fought in the name of our country. We think mostly about them fighting for OUR freedom, but sometimes it was for somebody else's freedom / protection /whatever else our country deemed worth fighting for.

I don't actually know anyone personally who died in war, even though I've been alive through multiple conflicts. The one I remember most about earliest was the Vietnam war, but the draft was stopped 4 years before boys my age would have been old enough to go. Some my age still voluntarily served, but if any lost their lives in war, I was never aware.

Days like this cause you to ponder on it a bit, so of course I did. I'm still aware the lives that were actually lost for our country's freedom, included my freedom as well and I'm thankful still for all of those who sacrificed for all of us unknown citizens as well as for those they knew and loved.

With the things that are going on these days here in our country, I couldn't help but wonder how long we still stay free as a people as it is apparent that something fishy is going on with our leadership that has omens of possible things to come that may not allow these freedoms for our future generations, maybe some of the younger ones that are already here. The true agenda is not transparent, but there are many hints that things are being set up for some probably not so distant changes that will not be good for "we the people". The amount of things that can be said about this are endless, so I'll it go there for now, but I wont' stop wondering just how long freedom will ring here.

I sat down earlier to make a quick little piece of art for the day. I didn't have an exact plan, but knew it would be red, white & blue. It started out fine, but took a turn I definitely didn't plan. The art is less than stellar, but that's ok. What I didn't plan though, was to write on it. I didn't try to write neatly though, once I decided to put words on it and also the base paper is mulberry paper which has fibers in it, so I just quickly dashed them in.

It was a really simple put-together, but took longer than it seems like it would because I stopped and stenciled the blue bits on some rice paper, before cutting out and gluing on. Then I wondered if I would post it...... and then I said to myself "what tha heck, I'm doing it" It definitely represents my thoughts of the morning.

I don't really believe the lives were lost in vain, not most of them for sure, as many like me will have lived our lives enjoying what was mostly fought for. I just wonder how long it will be, for the path our future nation may be taking. It's true you can't save everyone from oppression and tierney and if you have saved a few generations, that counts.... it counts a LOT.

Always as I am making art, the blotting papers are being created on the side. I thought the red paint shadows that were blotted look like blood stains. Appropriate too I was thinking.

As always..... some cutting-up going on, on the side.

I didn't really write this in a morbid state of mind. Sometimes when you ponder things deeply though, the perceived realty hits deep.

It's out of my system now thankfully. I think I will do a very minimal amount of chores now and then play the rest of the day. It IS supposed to be a holiday after all.

Take Care and Stay SAfe

Love ya !

Jacey