Gratitude

"Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

—G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936). 

COLLECTED

Here it is Memorial Day again. The past year went by quickly. Last weekend I visited the cemetery where loved ones are buried; I paused at the grave of Raymond Bridges who was killed in WWII and said a silent thank you for his service. Raymond paid the greatest price to serve his country. 

Dalmatian Glory
AVAILABLE

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

—http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html 


Another remembrance is for Peter Bridges who died in America's Civil War just before it ended in 1865. [Thank God he already had children or I wouldn't be here today.]

Patriotic Boxer
AVAILABLE

We don't always think about all the lives that have been given to secure our freedom in the USA. Many Americans don't know that Memorial Day was officially proclaimed in 1868 to honor those fallen in service to our country. Historically, towns and cities held Memorial Day parades. Today parades are held in very few places. In 1915 Moina Michael wrote a verse and conceived of the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day to honor those Americans who died defending our country.

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

May 30 was the traditional day of Memorial Day observance. In 1999 a bill was introduced in the US Senate to restore the traditional day of observance to May 30 to return the solemn, sacred spirit back to Memorial Day in lieu of the current three day weekend holiday that is just another 'celebration' of time off work. The bill sits hanging in Congress with no further action. Visit the Help Restore the Traditional Day of Observance page for more information.

This year at 3:00 pm local time you can keep the reverence in Memorial Day by pausing for a moment of silence, remembrance and respect or listening to "Taps". 

Day is done,

gone the sun,

From the hills,

from the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,

safely rest,

God is nigh.

Go to sleep,

peaceful sleep,

May the soldier

or sailor,

God keep.

On the land

or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

COLLECTED

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Tribute to Veteran's Day: Expressive Oil Painting of Boxer holding American Flag

THE PATRIOT, detail of the Boxer's face

ART.   He looks like an army or marine corps sergeant.  Big and tough with a fierce look on his face, Yoshi the Boxer has a patriotic soul and waves a flag in honor of veterans, living and dead.  


Today we remember fallen military who fought for our freedom and honor those soldiers fighting for world peace today. 


Contact me to see if you are in my free delivery area. Otherwise, shipping charges to USA continental locations will be $15. International buyers will be responsible for international actual shipping charges and taxes and import duties, if applicable. 


Sale of this painting will generate a $75 donation to Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $225 USD plus $15 USD s/h
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oil on canvas  •  THE PATRIOT  •  14x11 inches

Yoshi is my son's dog and has modeled for several of my paintings. That tongue of his is longer than shows here. The little bit you see is what hangs out of his mouth when he thinks the tongue is all inside of his mouth.

I have learned to love Boxers after meeting Yoshi.  He shows a lot of love for his family. He's so ugly that he's actually beautiful.  He is the one dog that was able to win over Miss Brooke who tries to be bossy and tell everybody else what to do and where to stand (the Border Collie herding instinct). Yoshi towers over Brooke and when she starts to get bossy by growling, Yoshi just licks her in the face with that long, long tongue of his and kills her with kindness.  What a lesson we could all learn from that.  

THE PATRIOT, detail of the Boxer's eye

The old masters were known for recycling and painting over other works. It's a practice I use when I have a painting that doesn't necessarily work for me. The Patriot was painted on a recycled canvas over an old painting that lacked good energy.  Metaphorically speaking, good hearted Yoshi has licked the old painting with his tongue, and this new painting now has the good-hearted energy of Yoshi the Boxer.

Today's Proverb:

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. --Proverbs 17:17