Bits and Clips for June 2026
I hope you find something among all this artwork, photography, memes, links, and quotes that spurs you on, informs, inspires, supports, educates, encourages or motivates you.
Month: June 2026
Grace Notes #63 (with Photos)
I am furthering my ongoing goal of appreciating such a continuous, overflowing abundance of random good.
Invent Your Own Life (Quote by Bill Watterson)
Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a rare achievement. In a culture that relentlessly promotes avarice and excess as the good life, a person happy doing his own work is usually considered an eccentric, if not a subversive
Go Gentle (Book Review with Quotes)
You might enjoy this novel too; it is clever on various levels. I give it 4 stars.
Elizabeth Cummings (Featured Artist)
Elizabeth Cummings is an Australian artist, whose work I just recently became acquainted with. I thought you might like to see it too.
Two Drawings from our Garden (Sketchbook Ideas #23)
I’ll be doing more of this. Maybe you want to give it a try too.
Bliss (poem by Henry Miller)
It’s good to be just plain happy,
it’s a little better to know that you’re happy;
I am in the IAPS Pastel World International Show 2026
It is a superb honor to be juried into the top pastel show in the world, which is taking place now in Albuquerque. More than that, however, is that it is my fifth time to get into this show, which is the benchmark for becoming what is known as a “Master Pastellist.”
Every Child Should Know a Hill (Poem by Edna Casler Joll)
Every child should know a hill, And the clean joy of running down its long slope With the wind in his hair. He should know a tree— The comfort of its cool lap of shade, And the supple strength of its arms Balancing him between earth and sky So he is a creature of both. … Read more
Seizure of Happiness (Quote by Mary Oliver)
As I stepped from under the trees into the mild, pouring-down sunlight I experienced a sudden impact, a seizure of happiness. It was not the drowning sort of happiness, rather the floating sort.
Nature Photos from Maine (June 2026)
Here are the rest of my photos from my recent trip to Maine. The flowers, trees, grasses, ferns, and reflections were all wonderful.
PSME Plein Air Retreat (Paintings by me and Others)
In this post is most of what was painted in our four day pastel plein air painting retreat in Cushing, Maine.
Food I Made for the PSME Plein Air Retreat 2026
This is my fifth year cooking for this retreat, and participants are both helpful and appreciative.
PSME Plein Air Retreat 2026 (Place and People)
Our time flew by so fast, but was cherished by all as both community building and resuscitating in many ways. So grateful for this group!
Sun (Poem by Ted Kooser)
I have been sitting here resting
after my morning stroll, and the sun
in its soft yellow work gloves
Out on a Limb into the Next Fifteen Feet
This all feels miracle to me, and I’m so very grateful for the shepherding and care I’ve the whole way.
Dress Ourselves in Gentleness (Quote by Henri Nouwen)
Once in a while we meet a gentle person. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness and roughness. We are encouraged to get things done and to get them done fast, even when people get hurt in the process. Success, accomplishment, and productivity count. But the cost is high. There is no place for gentleness in such a milieu