There’s an empty place in your heart when you have an empty place at the table. But you can still smile and be thankful for the good souls that graced your life for just a little while.

The world is full of distractions. Curious sounds, amazing smells, The breeze, the clouds, the hills The shadows. Maybe we shouldn’t consider them Distractions. Maybe they are The Point.

The world is full of distractions. Curious sounds, amazing smells, The breeze, the clouds, the hills, The shadows. Maybe we shouldn’t consider them Distractions. Maybe they are The Point.

Today’s mission is: Growl! Sit really still in the quiet and then slowly and softly start a low growl. Keep it restrained. Keep it subtle. Don’t startle anyone. It’s a growl just for you. To remind yourself that you are powerful.

There’s this guy - His only job is to follow you around your whole life and count up all your mistakes. What? There is no guy? No one keeps track of all your mistakes? Well maybe it’s you. You might want to give that up.

All dogs are beautiful. But most humans are funny-looking. Eyes too small and close together. Funny shaped noses. Not enough hair. But don’t berate yourself for being homely. I mean - You are. But you fit right in.

November 22, 1963 #watercoior

Once in a while someone needs a favor that you don’t really want to give because that person wasn’t there for you when you needed help. But - what if it isn’t about what kind of friend that person is, but what kind of friend you are?

Sometimes you want to be alone when you are feeling down. But other times you should think about letting a friend join you. When you’re sad together you may not feel any better but at least you’re together.

It’s a horrible thing to let anyone make you feel small. But when nature makes you feel small it’s glorious.

What do you want to be doing in 5 years? That’s a very good question. You should ask yourself that a lot. But also ask: What do I do better now than I did 5 years ago? I bet it’s a lot! You are a Progress hero!

If it takes an island vacation to make you happy you won’t be happy very often. But if your car starting up on a cold day or talking to your mom on the phone or licking peanut butter right off the spoon makes you happy, you can be happy every day.

When we are out on a walk and a car goes by, Mom waves and the car-people wave back. I bet Mom doesn’t do that when she walks alone. Dogs make you friendlier.

For all of you who’ve lost a parent and you want to talk to them so badly and you want to tell them all your troubles and worries - and you want them to say they will make it better - We’re with you today.

Some #bright sunlight for #blueskyartshow. #watercolor

Some folks don’t like to brag when they’re having a good day. They worry that they’ll make folks having a bad day feel worse. But go ahead and smile if your day is fine. At least the guys who are suffering will know that YOU won’t be adding to their misery.

If you want someone to like you, Instead of helping them, Ask THEM to help YOU. Folks like to feel generous and kind. And every time they think of you, They will think of themselves That way.

Mom’s affirmation calendar says when something is hard you appreciate it more. Baloney. Today’s a good day to appreciate the stuff that’s EASY. Toast for breakfast. Blankets. Telling jokes. Watching TV. Hugging the dog.

You are more than you think you are. Not perfect. But more. More intelligent. More compassionate. More beautiful. More athletic. Try it. Be more than you think.

#TongueOutTuesday Henry's colorful smile.

Folks like me give lots of advice on how to be a better friend. Because good people always want to be even better. But also know that you are already a really good friend. Your friends know they are lucky to have you.

That thing! You know that thing that you need to do but you haven’t done it and it’s hanging over your head and you dread it. Well… Don’t do it today either. But don’t worry about it either. Take the day off from Worrytown.

I heard a guy on TV say There’s 3 seconds between a perfect egg And overcooked. I feel bad for both of them. For the guy who's so fussy. And for the egg who's so unforgiving. Lighten up, Food! (and People!) Your definition of Perfection Is so narrow.

Today was the last class in the 8 wk watercolor course I was teaching. It was "artists' choice" - they could paint anything they wanted. Just fantastic! I am really going to miss these guys!

#Evening #blueskyartshow #watercolor

The responsibility for keeping everyone safe and happy is not your job alone. Nature gave you eyes only in the front so you would learn how to trust that someone who loves you has your back.

Sometimes the difference in the amount of attention you need and the amount of attention you get is awful. Invisibility hurts. Notice someone today.

Diane Keaton had an ethereal quality that's really difficult to capture - but I did my best. #DianeKeaton #watercolor

There’s one In every family - The Complainer. Complaining about the same stuff you have to put up with too. But remember - You actually agree. There’s a lot to complain about. You just cope better. So get out those good coping skills and say, “I know! It’s awful.”

Some folks don’t like November. Too damp. Too dreary. Too colorless. But sometimes you need to stop and love the colors that are there.

Time for a haircut, you say? I don’t think so. Just look at these mitts! I can dust the whole house just by walking around.

When unfortunate stuff happens even if it is one hundred percent (probably) not your fault - Apologize anyway. Because even though you are (maybe) completely innocent, You can still be sorry that someone (possibly) is going to get yelled at.

quick watercolor sketch

Do you know how - when you can’t find something - you look over and over in the same places you already checked - and you get madder and madder? What you’re missing is not in the spot you searched four times already. Well, Your worth Is not in the other guy’s opinion.

My class this week took on Watercolor Landscapes. Landscape painting is a lot harder than it looks, but once again, they were up to the challenge!

Sometimes I worry that no one likes me - that I’m not good enough. Just kidding. Dogs don’t think that way. Neither do cats. Or birds. Or pigs. Or cows. Or even ants. Humans are the masters of the Animal Kingdom and the only animal who feels inadequate.

You know what’s fantastic about birthdays? That everybody has one. No one gets left out of a birthday celebration. The fact that we all get one doesn’t make birthdays ordinary. It makes them extraordinary. And today I am extraordinarily Seven!

There’s a difference between Helping and Interfering. However, when you’re not sure - which is probably often - jump in anyway. Better to be told to go away than to have stayed away when someone needed you.

What little things make you smile? The directions on my S Korean facial cleanser doesn't say "Lather." It says, "Make Bubbles." I love that.

When I screw up, the first thing I think is: Can I pretend it didn’t happen? Can I pretend it wasn’t me? But unfortunately It did happen and it was me. I recommend instead: A sincere apology. An offer to help fix it.

The sheep are watching you. #watercolor

I went to bed mad. But I woke up a little less mad. It is a wonderful thing how quickly we forget. It keeps us sane and safe. But it is a terrible thing too how quickly we forget. Don’t forget that people are hurting. Don’t get used to bad things.

This morning Mom replaced the empty toilet paper roll. She said, “That’s enough housework for today.” And you know what? Some days, she’s right. It’s enough.

Shout out to those people you know but who are not personal friends. The mailman, the supermarket cashier, your kid’s teacher, the lady down the street with the little dog. Those folks who you will never have dinner with, but if you did, you know it would be nice.

Today's class = WHITE. Painting white can be tricky with watercolor, as watercolor is transparent, so technically, there is no white. So the paper itself becomes part of the painting, and the image emerges from what you DON'T paint. And WOW, wow, wow!

This week's theme for #blueskyartshow is #inside. Here's a watercolor of a teddy bear inside but climbing out.

When you are in the right place, that place is beautiful. And you are beautiful. So pay attention to where you are. When it’s the right place, you’ll know.

I teach regularly at a senior center. Yesterday they tried landscapes. Here's a few.

Sometimes your life gets so complicated, it’s terribly obvious. Your whole self looks a mess. And some people who see you will say “What a wreck!” But more people will say “What a wreck - I can totally relate.”

Did you know that your friends love you but don’t love every single thing about you? It’s true. There’s stuff about you that even your best friends can’t stand. But they love you anyway. We all put up with annoying parts of each other. because the good parts are so worth it.