tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54542887279460779612024-03-22T09:58:52.711-07:00A Sip from Solitude Joni James Poetry and other wordsJoni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-82346079320158807862023-09-12T05:41:00.000-07:002023-09-13T07:23:03.708-07:00Unusual Hue<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaQHUjUXxPRr16BZXm50z5JGjfl9bTiibgOtSHpzRyPk6-yf-I2dTlCeBnnji5ysv96TL21VVJ9vPfkBO8GO7RLolJF-8hZtyxODD9vwH1IUvYO9pxD-sCNudmWgYgtUqGa2ek0BcIVbeHOi18PxZWXVnpf8WLol_Zttyosy3gnEyx_vUxluKkbtwQw/s400/72-schwinn-world-traveler-bicycle_1_e35e062185d14212d5ad7066dd9c738c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaQHUjUXxPRr16BZXm50z5JGjfl9bTiibgOtSHpzRyPk6-yf-I2dTlCeBnnji5ysv96TL21VVJ9vPfkBO8GO7RLolJF-8hZtyxODD9vwH1IUvYO9pxD-sCNudmWgYgtUqGa2ek0BcIVbeHOi18PxZWXVnpf8WLol_Zttyosy3gnEyx_vUxluKkbtwQw/w488-h366/72-schwinn-world-traveler-bicycle_1_e35e062185d14212d5ad7066dd9c738c.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1972 Schwinn World Traveler</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My first </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">bicycle</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In Crayola spring green</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">so proud and yet</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">vastly different</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">from the other kids</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">on their</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">brown and blue wheels.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They celebrate each other </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in their sameness</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">while I struggle</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to make peace</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">with my unusual hue.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">jj 2022</p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-41026324446072113982023-08-04T08:45:00.005-07:002023-08-04T14:02:32.175-07:00A Glimmer of Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCH4PSMBksYi9RPXYDlToQYcAcVy3cP8klNAqiijThdgc4i2j_eIBHrjg5uUNJUB3BK5AiulyqjG0bvvmpOlwkF9SJJ7GmKQx9Q0A6wSjutjM9NHjQPqqHmHIv6dts4y9m-ArEGF4crjCxnSYVQG6kEucYBUGOCo8_zHY2e9bRiyxL9o_Ut202xGnJPS3/s3007/eye.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3007" data-original-width="2219" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCH4PSMBksYi9RPXYDlToQYcAcVy3cP8klNAqiijThdgc4i2j_eIBHrjg5uUNJUB3BK5AiulyqjG0bvvmpOlwkF9SJJ7GmKQx9Q0A6wSjutjM9NHjQPqqHmHIv6dts4y9m-ArEGF4crjCxnSYVQG6kEucYBUGOCo8_zHY2e9bRiyxL9o_Ut202xGnJPS3/w369-h500/eye.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">"change your view change your life" illustration by Joni James</p><p style="text-align: center;">(with a bit of help from a glimmer of sunlight)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It is within my purpose</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">where I find both</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">sorrow and</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">joy. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I suffer the pain</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">in silence and in crowd</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">my face may show peace</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">until no one is around.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">But in my darkest</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">moments</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">it just takes a tiny glimmer</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">of light</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">to tip the balance </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">of hope</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">back in to sight.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-48729372868600526032023-02-23T18:40:00.000-08:002023-02-24T15:56:39.429-08:00The Raven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj_FsLaOuy9jk4j7ppTXBjSJOuNK6VkQNk2uLF5LuH7lVBvXCHrfvnmvM_V7caxtQqg8P4_M1sqZ-o5-TbG69xxYRW4H68DySXjBJtb1HwgDNqNMbT5NuAVMmZ-nEMLj8CbfRQz-6EHXb/s666/38f703ff479bd4c82d292a6cd328cdf6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="500" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj_FsLaOuy9jk4j7ppTXBjSJOuNK6VkQNk2uLF5LuH7lVBvXCHrfvnmvM_V7caxtQqg8P4_M1sqZ-o5-TbG69xxYRW4H68DySXjBJtb1HwgDNqNMbT5NuAVMmZ-nEMLj8CbfRQz-6EHXb/w469-h625/38f703ff479bd4c82d292a6cd328cdf6.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Crystalline blanket wrapping arms,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reaching for the sky</div><div style="text-align: center;">The air seeps tiny jewels</div><div style="text-align: center;">Season reminders fly</div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Snow & ice that hide the way</div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">My escape is near impossible</div><div style="text-align: center;">At least today</div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Treacherous livid Raven!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Judge of the land</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cries his lunacy in the woods</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of which no human will stand</div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jagged peaks that hide the sun</div><div style="text-align: center;">Most the day in darkness I run</div><div style="text-align: center;">Snow & ice that hide the road</div><div style="text-align: center;">I, a fugitive</div><div style="text-align: center;">Carry my load</div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;">Joni James 1981 Anchorage Alaska</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-17719770816957195452023-01-31T10:45:00.000-08:002023-02-01T11:45:58.504-08:00Fragile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpjhtmwZnMll7OvwBpY6eARoiL3HmBOT6aMhT_OEn2EYZv21F6qDQYDZiCqU47o-zCeFMdr5SgzVnJ6j5MZTJ8UA6V9v7qddEr-9DJMXPgmlVDwuy2AOMDdUruX8yeiWQuU_5a6frmsW/s1600/010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpjhtmwZnMll7OvwBpY6eARoiL3HmBOT6aMhT_OEn2EYZv21F6qDQYDZiCqU47o-zCeFMdr5SgzVnJ6j5MZTJ8UA6V9v7qddEr-9DJMXPgmlVDwuy2AOMDdUruX8yeiWQuU_5a6frmsW/s640/010.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me dance this life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To a rhythm of joy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep me from the flatness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That threatens this tune</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dance with me stardust</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And forget-me-nots</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in June</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Repelling the winds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That rob this</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
too</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Joni James</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-43005368919839651502022-12-02T06:53:00.001-08:002022-12-02T07:08:18.887-08:00An Inconvenient Truth<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzOaDmqPyTea3halenUr2PmxGSZ9EsFVcPaA3lCBWLo8y4wMwYYQNxPEU258p6NpuxgS_tOLqCyxQxZ52roOQvFFk9m4sgt7U66WWUMKdfIUHJcRrER1ia9hqMfDLt5xtM3pOP0Exm-TH/s1900/earth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzOaDmqPyTea3halenUr2PmxGSZ9EsFVcPaA3lCBWLo8y4wMwYYQNxPEU258p6NpuxgS_tOLqCyxQxZ52roOQvFFk9m4sgt7U66WWUMKdfIUHJcRrER1ia9hqMfDLt5xtM3pOP0Exm-TH/s320/earth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I fell in love with Earth today</p><p style="text-align: center;">Its highest peaks</p><p style="text-align: center;">And its lowest lands</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Under the arctic cap</p><p style="text-align: center;">And far beneath our lives</p><p style="text-align: center;">She carries all our secrets</p><p style="text-align: center;">But never cries...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">She softly spins</p><p style="text-align: center;">And moves us along</p><p style="text-align: center;">In her natural dance</p><p style="text-align: center;">With her powerful song</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But, underneath her atmospheric veil</p><p style="text-align: center;">She harbors all its lies</p><p style="text-align: center;">Not telling all the mistakes we've made</p><p style="text-align: center;">While she silently dies.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Joni James </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-64385980728262835832022-11-23T08:30:00.001-08:002022-11-23T08:55:59.341-08:00The Jewelry Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcF0ryyV004gIq_UyLYcwyGQ7aIspJmWXUKkFeQ44JmkBfo4imaak_KhOyxX_HH5M5xVIXdbT7ErywW_vQmpQT0QBurnG3vVCby8tN2m40RW-A9Hh6ekjoLhFdveeZ_ZY3WQ9yRF3NXM0/s2048/WIN_20201015_11_16_55_Pro+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="2048" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcF0ryyV004gIq_UyLYcwyGQ7aIspJmWXUKkFeQ44JmkBfo4imaak_KhOyxX_HH5M5xVIXdbT7ErywW_vQmpQT0QBurnG3vVCby8tN2m40RW-A9Hh6ekjoLhFdveeZ_ZY3WQ9yRF3NXM0/w515-h415/WIN_20201015_11_16_55_Pro+%25282%2529.jpg" width="515" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Wiping away the markings</p><p style="text-align: center;">of those </p><p style="text-align: center;">tarnished years</p><p style="text-align: center;">I slowly reveal the layers</p><p style="text-align: center;">of a soul's true beauty</p><p style="text-align: center;">through my own </p><p style="text-align: center;">tears.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I can once again see the luster</p><p style="text-align: center;">Which always longed to be seen</p><p style="text-align: center;">At times forgotten when life's hardships </p><p style="text-align: center;">unknowingly affected </p><p style="text-align: center;">its gleam.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">We are all innocent children</p><p style="text-align: center;">Living these imperfect years</p><p style="text-align: center;">Our shine too easily lost</p><p style="text-align: center;">in our disappointments </p><p style="text-align: center;">and fears.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">My hope for us all</p><p style="text-align: center;">Is to see in each one</p><p style="text-align: center;">the perfect jewel</p><p style="text-align: center;">we all </p><p style="text-align: center;">came from.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">So, take up your cloth</p><p style="text-align: center;">and polish away the pain</p><p style="text-align: center;">forgiving the sting and blemish</p><p style="text-align: center;">And the damaging shame.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">My mother, a jewel</p><p style="text-align: center;">And you are one just the same</p><p style="text-align: center;">So let your life shine through your struggles</p><p style="text-align: center;">Knowing, no one is to blame.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Joni James </p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-66930012614755269042022-10-20T10:38:00.002-07:002023-03-25T07:41:36.063-07:00Who Are the Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3F6hGs95FXrIjSi8ac1N6iwAgTj1w9R2mjBc2ZPI3yBRqGGoikiPbD284XC0lD-jr7iMYYb_rxJVzeZTVoiE-k1ZPV85wRXxko1uZGY_9kxw0EhZuWb3x7HS4PBXSeCUv8Yce-VkH6sX/s1600/030.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3F6hGs95FXrIjSi8ac1N6iwAgTj1w9R2mjBc2ZPI3yBRqGGoikiPbD284XC0lD-jr7iMYYb_rxJVzeZTVoiE-k1ZPV85wRXxko1uZGY_9kxw0EhZuWb3x7HS4PBXSeCUv8Yce-VkH6sX/s640/030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am most certain</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that the birds are </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
souls passed on from here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They perch themselves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on the telephone wires</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and branches</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And pray for us</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Petition for us</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And where do they go</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when the sun goes down?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nobody knows</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or even question</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am convinced</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are the reach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
between Heaven</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
& Earth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">jj </div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-63294460802581361882022-09-24T09:06:00.011-07:002022-09-24T10:03:53.000-07:00Ethan Hawke: Wise words and a great reminder<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="425" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WRS9Gek4V5Q" width="510" youtube-src-id="WRS9Gek4V5Q"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Giving yourself permission to be creative.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you get close to what you love</div><div style="text-align: center;">who you are will reveal itself to you</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it expands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be willing to play the fool.</div><p></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-42852846851754838382022-09-23T20:34:00.004-07:002022-10-17T09:36:26.942-07:00To Run Away<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_waT30MG73iJSZg0HRp2cgyqc717VT2AqxJXCBgUKwhOW9MDDqRRDf2Qhk14Pz_j2TKH1JBGQ4AuH0xArtyWV8Q23i-g2sWTcHZKanCIjukdJZLGcq30DsM0Vb8HbQNEn16M2MHOVGX5R9tJVHDWReRr1GhmIFahLnHVQhCxgu-psdnpaC3WYQS1og/s852/mycrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="694" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_waT30MG73iJSZg0HRp2cgyqc717VT2AqxJXCBgUKwhOW9MDDqRRDf2Qhk14Pz_j2TKH1JBGQ4AuH0xArtyWV8Q23i-g2sWTcHZKanCIjukdJZLGcq30DsM0Vb8HbQNEn16M2MHOVGX5R9tJVHDWReRr1GhmIFahLnHVQhCxgu-psdnpaC3WYQS1og/w366-h449/mycrow.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I want to run away from home</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And this boring life</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">While the television hums</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In the backdrop of every day</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I dream of places and things</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I haven't yet known</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As I roam these </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">All too familiar walls</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Where their comfort</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">No longer satisfies</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And these floors </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Are worn with grooves</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">From my restless feet</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Gazing now out this window</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And reaching as far as my eyes can see</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I can't seem to find the pull</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I need to be free.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-22498648724146479492022-07-01T15:32:00.001-07:002023-03-25T18:26:44.520-07:00My Experience with Copyright Infringements<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WmqCxoP0Ub-Stp8zvFyqVBSHvaaH_mYJ29vXHWogXE6k0hIrEq6jn-kwdPM7aOMByEejkXfX7gY609k79l3Uz1ektF543i51bENOzSkB-W1rrSYF2WuELCyb1ZGXlSHMwCt2DBUpauOIRx13OkZcmf3_OccKzNlnPERpy6mk3lWE5WK3vQz_c7nlqA/s734/elvis%20calligram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="564" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WmqCxoP0Ub-Stp8zvFyqVBSHvaaH_mYJ29vXHWogXE6k0hIrEq6jn-kwdPM7aOMByEejkXfX7gY609k79l3Uz1ektF543i51bENOzSkB-W1rrSYF2WuELCyb1ZGXlSHMwCt2DBUpauOIRx13OkZcmf3_OccKzNlnPERpy6mk3lWE5WK3vQz_c7nlqA/w360-h468/elvis%20calligram.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elvis Presley typography art calligram Copyright Joni James 2011 All rights reserved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> This calligram typography design of Elvis Presley was painstakingly drawn by hand by me, Joni James, using pencil, pen and ink, and many hours of my time in the year 2011. It was one of my earliest calligrams which were sold on Etsy from 2009 though 2015. At that time I shut down my shop and am the sole owner and copyright holder of all calligram designs seen <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Jamesjoni333/joni-james-calligrams/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (and many others) Some even published on Deviant Art <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/calligramorama/gallery" target="_blank">HERE</a> (including this Elvis art)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Without granting license agreement or my consent, this particular illustration was taken from an uploaded image on my blog, or scanned from a print, my signature was erased out, and the watermark was removed in order to be sold as a download so that the buyers could then reproduce this design onto any thing they wanted, royalty free!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Thank heavens for Google Lens! This feature on Google allows the user to right click on any photo or image and discover other places the image resides on the internet, with the option of finding the source file as well. With this new knowledge of discovery, one of the merchants I found selling my design is a small embroidery design group out of Houston Texas called <a href="https://thelanderdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Thelander Design.</a> The owner, <span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;">Gina Thelander Schafer, actually has the audacity to claim <a href="https://thelanderdesigns.com/products/t1073-the-king?_pos=1&_sid=f28b2902f&_ss=r" target="_blank">my design</a> as her own, and after many attempts to contact her with emails and facebook messages, she refuses to delete the listing of my art. No telling how many images she has sold of a stolen drawing claiming it to be her property, while smuggly sitting back enjoying what she thinks is smart business at the hands and talents of hardworking artists. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"> Other sellers were also discovered on Etsy offering Elvis downloads from this stolen property, but Etsy was quick to remove the listings as I was able to prove this is the property of me, Joni James. One dishonest and irrational etsy seller, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DigitalCraftinDesign?ref=usf_2020" target="_blank">Christianna Nicole</a>, still refuses to remove my art from her personal web site and continues her illegal activity here: <a href="https://digitalcraftingdesigns.com/ols/products/bundle-elvis-presley-singer-svg-silhouette-cut-files-clipartsvgpngdxfeps" target="_blank">DigitalCraftingDesigns.</a> Makes me wonder how blatent dishonesty is so easily tolerated in ones own throat. Karma will find you too, Nicole.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"> On another less deliberately profitable side to copyright infringements, this tiny coffee shop in the Philippines, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CafferaPh/photos" target="_blank">Caffera Photo and Cafe</a>, made a large vinyl wall decal from an illegally acquired blog image of my camera calligram which you can see in this photo:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUHBaw-p9406320yiutz50X_EL1jUlktgWP8L7CHCCeymsQAC8U5iSXmWlK1ovaJWMWEX0RrOUJpXlCHjTL7S2B_nGrACgXu4YHgG4m8XWNwYCifLmGnX2v9Vl0W1F4PP3nj4Y1JxlUvW6_tvapxKc50eLXwBC-kox2vfKYbL7NMvLLt_UT_pW6b0jg/s680/caffera%20cofee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="680" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUHBaw-p9406320yiutz50X_EL1jUlktgWP8L7CHCCeymsQAC8U5iSXmWlK1ovaJWMWEX0RrOUJpXlCHjTL7S2B_nGrACgXu4YHgG4m8XWNwYCifLmGnX2v9Vl0W1F4PP3nj4Y1JxlUvW6_tvapxKc50eLXwBC-kox2vfKYbL7NMvLLt_UT_pW6b0jg/w570-h377/caffera%20cofee.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>Friends of Caffera Photo & Cafe having fun beneath my stolen art ;-D<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"> Innocently, they may have had a friend who actually purchased a matted print from my shop around 2012, but those prints specifically stated that they do not come with rights for reproduction. If I ever make it to the Philippines and buy myself a cup of coffee at Caffera Photo & Cafe, I'll be sure to sip with delight knowing that their use was not intentional in making a profit, though still a no no in the art world.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368;"> So, with all this awareness now, what kind of advice would I have given myself in the past? Probably something like this; <i>Never upload a piece of artwork without a large watermark over the top and never remove the first publishing location showing the date</i>, which can help in an infringement claim case. Fortunately, I hold all the original drawings on paper, and nothing can beat that! Internet thieves stealing other's art and claiming it for their own, beware! Google Lens is the new hero in my book.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Lobster; font-size: large;"> Joni</span></div><p></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-39716263547827252132022-05-09T09:31:00.008-07:002022-05-09T18:49:26.709-07:00Angel at the Surface<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I like to think</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">we all</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">have an angel</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">beneath our earthly</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">cloak.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">For some, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">the angel hides</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">in a dark and woolen cape.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">But, i</span><span style="font-family: courier;">f we look closely</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">there are those whose </span><span style="font-family: courier;">angel </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">breathes softly </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">near the surface</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">in linen</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">weaved together with</span><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: courier;">undyed </span><span style="font-family: courier;">string</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">and a quiet familiar</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">song.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">jj</p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-53032033306458265262022-02-04T15:51:00.007-08:002022-02-05T08:29:07.682-08:00Soul Families<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">If just a small piece<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Of our soul<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Can born again<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In a new child<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Blessed with more love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Then the broken path before<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We are truly lucky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">While even the broken<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Gains a new understanding<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Of love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And we will move on<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Again</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">JJ 2022<o:p></o:p></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-38701256913382314572022-01-11T08:22:00.008-08:002022-05-10T14:47:57.216-07:00A Grandmother's Love<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibEJ8Ndd_2p80wzVcLOb1xNnv9iUJyOCccSwfPTJboy0SCXpPoyzDvwB239hkpj1zgBOLCudhP-JBIbaLr_s0k8lODLSsQ1A8NL2VQDst_oqYRjk6z20scABRBKgOelYHtKJZgdjfnYzwFAdfl5YiZwnW1zOvl53lKa5uACW9e8vbo4vcLVWIpB07Y7A=s2560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibEJ8Ndd_2p80wzVcLOb1xNnv9iUJyOCccSwfPTJboy0SCXpPoyzDvwB239hkpj1zgBOLCudhP-JBIbaLr_s0k8lODLSsQ1A8NL2VQDst_oqYRjk6z20scABRBKgOelYHtKJZgdjfnYzwFAdfl5YiZwnW1zOvl53lKa5uACW9e8vbo4vcLVWIpB07Y7A=w302-h403" title="Roslyn 2018" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roslyn & Me 2018<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.” </span></span><span face=""Source Sans Pro", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">– Unknown</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">This quote couldn't be more true for me. I watch my daughter make all the </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">conscientious food choices at her house, as she should. But, when it comes to Grandma's house, it's fruit snacks and Poptarts, and sometimes nature's candy when I'm feeling a little guilty, raisins.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">My Grandmother was the greatest and most influential person as to what a Grandmother could be and even though she is gone now, her memory is with me nearly every day. Especially on the days I'm playing Grandma.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">The comfort and fun my Grandmother brought into my life helped to smooth </span></span><span face=""Source Sans Pro", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">the often abrasive parenting within my own home as a kid. Thankfully, it just takes one person in a family to tender many wounds.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little <span style="color: #990000; font-family: helvetica;"><b>red satin pajamas</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So silky & soft</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like my <span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grandmother's love</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They cover and <span style="color: #990000;"><b>comfort</b></span> me</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I sleep</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dreaming of a <span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">magical</span></b> world</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Only in the mind of a hopeful child</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Healing</span></b> and caressing</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the voices</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where pain has no rest.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">jj</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In memory of my Grandma Verla</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span face="Source Sans Pro, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-21292540086606925222022-01-03T12:14:00.001-08:002022-09-17T14:32:09.057-07:00Growing Up to Become an Artist<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpo4D9qCjhd4jlHBSELm9zGx-ODLj_5-BdGA8t8UfhzrSGOK5Jh3TSCiXYSBUcyyWKObN-d31-XclMc_EKpR9nZxPOXcolLwQjLiMLzsGQRMxffmGYiQg1DtkvIRS3aCp8v3bG1-TPpE-E0MQC7h_1y3Zc0i7cMK-L_QDMGnVXyA-GZfgoVp7WmVt_zw=s1132" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1132" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpo4D9qCjhd4jlHBSELm9zGx-ODLj_5-BdGA8t8UfhzrSGOK5Jh3TSCiXYSBUcyyWKObN-d31-XclMc_EKpR9nZxPOXcolLwQjLiMLzsGQRMxffmGYiQg1DtkvIRS3aCp8v3bG1-TPpE-E0MQC7h_1y3Zc0i7cMK-L_QDMGnVXyA-GZfgoVp7WmVt_zw=w477-h395" width="477" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in1977</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Way back when this photo was taken, I was cramming a final art project in to one evening, even though we were given an entire month to work on our project. I realized then that I work best under pressure and since I can remember I've always been somewhat of a procrastinator. Unless it has to do with desserts, happy hours, or shopping. Oh by the way, I received an A for that semester!</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"> There are many kinds of artists and ways to be creative as I've learned, and since I've only twice in my lifetime produced large amounts of art at a time I do not consider myself prolific by any means. Because of this I often ask myself, am I really an artist? As I turned 60 during this pandemic I have noticed a shift in what I consider to be a creative life, at least for me. My art supplies have been swapped for balanced peaceful living, more time for developing friendships, fun with grandkids, redecorating our home, and self-care. We can be creative in so many areas of our lives. Paper and pen is not my only medium. If I can throw in my Instant Pot into the mix of creative tools that would be even better, because we all know those work great under pressure too.</span><br /></span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-43609281794098051912021-12-27T16:31:00.004-08:002022-05-10T14:48:17.780-07:00A Child<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijMCY9Lx9NP2UUY64f4SyH3pm6ySS64IXwqF0P00CoLcwKr7GII6yF1WJCPkL6pgIeT-1H9Hc5QHYIkb_0k8hp3Ql1RC03dc0z-Ptvn8MciyRLthDsC3WAIHC4-4Rc1PvIh632AUb7kVBuem8Ci4iNgzw-Zx-WYrBd0zQg-XwTC7yrb2pP35ukraJreg=s1496" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1496" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijMCY9Lx9NP2UUY64f4SyH3pm6ySS64IXwqF0P00CoLcwKr7GII6yF1WJCPkL6pgIeT-1H9Hc5QHYIkb_0k8hp3Ql1RC03dc0z-Ptvn8MciyRLthDsC3WAIHC4-4Rc1PvIh632AUb7kVBuem8Ci4iNgzw-Zx-WYrBd0zQg-XwTC7yrb2pP35ukraJreg=w426-h323" width="426" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Let your thoughts float away like clouds</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Just you</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Looking up from the ground</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When you were just a child</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It was magic</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">With dreams of riding the wind</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Beyond the tree tops</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And up, up, over your town</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Hang on to that moment of freedom</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Just you</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Your dreams</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And the clouds.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-91488435399475812862021-12-12T14:58:00.008-08:002022-05-10T14:48:34.444-07:00Hope<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> Icy grey</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">embraces exposed limbs</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">on trees ready to slumber</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">til Spring</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As they dream</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">birds alight</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">and tease their quiet hiding</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">from gloom.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-85177472860541872612021-12-12T10:20:00.006-08:002022-05-10T14:48:50.542-07:00Observations<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> Simple funny man</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">So awkward and shy</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Describing your drawings to me</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You look away as if to think</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I don't want to hear what you have</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">to say</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Oh the contrary, my friend</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Oddly intriguing</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">in large sunglasses</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">You are a delight</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And a welcomed strangeness</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">in a bland world</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I hope to see you </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">again</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-8548287482031578002021-10-10T13:20:00.003-07:002022-05-10T14:49:05.829-07:00Slipping Through Cracks<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvsNJ1WOJX2Mi2lqmx23pLcEggOSVb_UL0MhtyvOgkkthtBJU0JG-bdOyxsseQu0ZrZptazGUm_QKKWGXS0742ZXE8UhtGKIuWLaPbDR-x5XsHpq8ejYOb1g8Q84a54opL4B8gMMhKv9jLm5k3rUg_u_Zm3q4q3azYvGgbiL8DdNHu-9ZK35cPR9aQQA=s622" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="622" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvsNJ1WOJX2Mi2lqmx23pLcEggOSVb_UL0MhtyvOgkkthtBJU0JG-bdOyxsseQu0ZrZptazGUm_QKKWGXS0742ZXE8UhtGKIuWLaPbDR-x5XsHpq8ejYOb1g8Q84a54opL4B8gMMhKv9jLm5k3rUg_u_Zm3q4q3azYvGgbiL8DdNHu-9ZK35cPR9aQQA=w403-h403" width="403" /></a></div><br /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are those</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">who slip through cracks</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their stories go unheard</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their voices</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ill-matched</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to the noises of the</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">busy world.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I choose to rise</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Up through the familiar</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">decaying cracks</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reborn</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in promises</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">from the past.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">jj</p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-19627590511901243462021-10-08T07:36:00.009-07:002023-03-25T07:42:43.915-07:00The Red Pajamas<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Little <span style="color: #990000; font-family: helvetica;"><b>red satin pajamas</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So silky & soft</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like my <span style="font-family: helvetica;">Grandmother's love</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They cover and <span style="color: #990000;"><b>comfort</b></span> me</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I sleep</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dreaming of a <span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">magical</span></b> world</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Only in the mind of a hopeful child</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Healing</span></b> and caressing</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the voices</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where pain has no rest.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">jj</p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-62587406342409850102021-10-06T08:59:00.013-07:002022-05-10T14:49:24.416-07:00Infinity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNCkYNe4IyU9syrJSTg5kyRdjnulckbPnSUg8P5nceArUvvS0guhF2iVrMNNqV5d7FVjYQ_9EdZREfQCyferE-84sOFcjH3YmMzLh-6s3NbmMWP1W26DS59ZtFTehXxZjjt2OmRc0NvFP3G41FeAMrLxFvVlx2XkWIwGRbm8vXJh_94y8mNWy8AcUgyg=s548" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="496" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNCkYNe4IyU9syrJSTg5kyRdjnulckbPnSUg8P5nceArUvvS0guhF2iVrMNNqV5d7FVjYQ_9EdZREfQCyferE-84sOFcjH3YmMzLh-6s3NbmMWP1W26DS59ZtFTehXxZjjt2OmRc0NvFP3G41FeAMrLxFvVlx2XkWIwGRbm8vXJh_94y8mNWy8AcUgyg=w406-h448" width="406" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To think we know <span>Infinity</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is to not really know it at all</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For in our hopeful sense of grasp</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As <span>quickly</span> as it comes</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is gone</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Always moving from us</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This vast necessary <span>void</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just <span>beyond</span> our conceivable reach</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reminds us </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to keep <span>stretching</span> ourselves</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lest confinement</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">steals our <span>joy</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">jj</p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-38524761923521301792021-09-02T14:08:00.002-07:002022-05-10T14:49:42.605-07:00A Sip from Solitude<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHH6nRswxbOcyW4MSx_JSrdMnAjmNCCRBCrwXFctfU2P5RjBKkrSObBucQl2b4NM7Gk2EYfc2dUuuvV_CqmpuHy-e_SHsN3NP3LNalkwdhcoS7rPcUm_2ZrDpmuKOwn4t-lVcQa-xPY24/s2048/sipfromsolitude+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1567" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHH6nRswxbOcyW4MSx_JSrdMnAjmNCCRBCrwXFctfU2P5RjBKkrSObBucQl2b4NM7Gk2EYfc2dUuuvV_CqmpuHy-e_SHsN3NP3LNalkwdhcoS7rPcUm_2ZrDpmuKOwn4t-lVcQa-xPY24/w371-h485/sipfromsolitude+%25282%2529.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I take a gentle drink from my cup</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Made from these weathered hands</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I alone know this vessel</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">which contains the thirst for life</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">from which I pour.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though, in the dry boroughs</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of its dusty chamber</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I long for my heart to awaken</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And find a familiar dew</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to beckon each day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know it's there</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can see it</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in the faint markings</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">dancing along the rim</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So easy to smudge from view.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">JJ</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-56363152537549876302021-07-02T08:14:00.005-07:002022-05-10T14:49:57.869-07:00Too Late<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv-AGEiOlEm_Yb8_9xMUyxMn_CrTGQGVt79UibrVaPQfOYaXFEFF2kl6g-CL39-fKUyfH7N3hbCeUn_uQ7CEz6k8xQKkuG1SDIfvytX0dN0vNLPAyjhf0pnNqyYpAM4BFFCEyjs5a7SQP/s384/Pavement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="384" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv-AGEiOlEm_Yb8_9xMUyxMn_CrTGQGVt79UibrVaPQfOYaXFEFF2kl6g-CL39-fKUyfH7N3hbCeUn_uQ7CEz6k8xQKkuG1SDIfvytX0dN0vNLPAyjhf0pnNqyYpAM4BFFCEyjs5a7SQP/w429-h285/Pavement.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><br /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Walking</b></span> down </p><p style="text-align: center;">the other side of the street</p><p style="text-align: center;">Makin' sure our paths don't meet</p><p style="text-align: center;">Draggin' my <span style="font-size: large;"><b>baggage</b></span> on sidewalk's cracks</p><p style="text-align: center;">Tellin' me don't look back</p><p style="text-align: center;">All the signs read</p><p style="text-align: center;">What I should've known</p><p style="text-align: center;">And now my cover's <span style="font-size: large;"><b>blown</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Chances, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>lies,</b></span> frozen, alone</p><p style="text-align: center;">My feet forsaking my brain</p><p style="text-align: center;">Goin' <span style="font-size: large;"><b>down</b></span> the drain</p><p style="text-align: center;">now</p><p style="text-align: center;">It's too late</p><p style="text-align: center;">For licking my <span style="font-size: large;"><b>pain</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">jj</span></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-36227842499958656162021-02-24T09:52:00.008-08:002021-02-24T12:02:50.877-08:00Lose this City<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQ3WyMy8rgBTLSuOaBjjuOYTkx5PxNZEzFQ0zkNUFZ6o9CLjOh-PWsOGgljtvrezW2lGp_1BOx1r5fCYnsEXx0nGC4lshC88hbFi8DhIGS_hIsnqhv7do0zI47wWBQt65Rr5y4BzTmVe/s430/rons+place.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="430" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAQ3WyMy8rgBTLSuOaBjjuOYTkx5PxNZEzFQ0zkNUFZ6o9CLjOh-PWsOGgljtvrezW2lGp_1BOx1r5fCYnsEXx0nGC4lshC88hbFi8DhIGS_hIsnqhv7do0zI47wWBQt65Rr5y4BzTmVe/w498-h373/rons+place.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's an old grange in a golden field</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a cat near an old tractor wheel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All I can see for miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is just more miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9 horses run free in a High Valley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cliffs like you've never seen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and coyotes howling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The stars are so many</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out there</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out there...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes I just want to lose this city</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lose this city</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I see a bird</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the edge of a high rise</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I see him peering out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tempting to leave his dirty home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't blame him for wanting to stretch his wings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Feel the breeze</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think he just wants to lose this city</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lose this city</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">j james 2017 road trip, Coulee City, High Valley, La Grande</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately this home seen in photo above no longer exists due to a tragic total loss in a fire on September 7, 2020. With a goal to rebuild a new modest dwelling you can support a friend in this tragic loss by donating via GoFundMe <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ron-rebuild-home-destroyed-by-wildfire?qid=c82b37f6ef8db17fcc957548024ca054" target="_blank">HERE</a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-11805735150351379592021-02-24T09:33:00.003-08:002021-02-24T19:14:09.084-08:00Power People and the Less Fortunates<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can still hear the sound of the electronic cash register</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">as I step out onto the busy sidewalk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two fashionable women with their large packages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">rush toward me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and I step aside to let them by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They don't see me, for I am invisible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am a Less Fortunate, you see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't carry packages</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unless it's everything I own</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't order the fancy coffee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a small drip will do</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friends and I, we've been here a long time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We share this city with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Power People.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two businessmen make their way</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">discussing real estate & important meetings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friends and I, we talk of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shelters, warm jackets & medications</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It may seem like two different worlds to you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we are from the same, You & I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One could not be without the other</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Power People & The Less Fortunates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>jjames 2008<br /> <p></p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5454288727946077961.post-23361310586761605012021-02-24T09:18:00.004-08:002021-02-24T12:50:03.993-08:00An Artist's Life<p style="text-align: center;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBS2tIkUS5LDVOS7Jdl34GFoQOrQOhNUdhekWWWp2ZPG70nIr3r-6rIreSb6rD__L-fqa1CkG_D_O0nTw4nCn4yJiyaCoKrDOniKNEp-LAJtPG4vvHdNliXoRnwPheUp3-TkzBT5SIqzF/s1808/artjournal1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1808" data-original-width="1684" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBS2tIkUS5LDVOS7Jdl34GFoQOrQOhNUdhekWWWp2ZPG70nIr3r-6rIreSb6rD__L-fqa1CkG_D_O0nTw4nCn4yJiyaCoKrDOniKNEp-LAJtPG4vvHdNliXoRnwPheUp3-TkzBT5SIqzF/w439-h471/artjournal1.JPG" width="439" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from my art journal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Art lives </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">forever</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In a memory</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in a dream</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And if the artist is lucky</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will live in the hands of someone</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whose heart is touched</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">By its lingered </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">power</span><span style="font-size: medium;">~</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The love</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and the passion that was poured</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">through the brush, the pen, the vessel~</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That is all the true artist hopes for</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">that their passions live on</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">in the </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">shadows</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of their lives</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">jjames 1992 </p>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12172820334391744272noreply@blogger.com