Hope 88

 Hope 88

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

On the last day of the year I went for a long walk into the woods all by myself and this is what I saw.

HOPE is here and there and everywhere in between.

Hope 87

 Hope 87

Oil on Wood

8"X6"

There is Light on the horizon.

As this year ends, and the new one begins, a little glimmer of light for everyone everywhere. That is my wish. 

Hope 86

 Hope 86

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Yesterday afternoon I jumped at the chance to follow my neighbor and her two small dogs out to the Marin Headlands to see the once in a lifetime Jupiter and Saturn event. A spectacular sunset greeted us as we walked away from our cars. It was unexpected and we stood in awe as it unfolded with more and more intensity setting the stage for the main event. As the sky darkened, suddenly there were the planets, as promised hanging in the sky just above us. Being there at dusk, in the brisk evening air, above the sea, watching the sky darken to reveal two planets converging was magical and memorable and made more so by sharing it with my dear friend.

Hope 85

 Hope 85

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Yesterday just as the sun was setting a neighbor came by on his afternoon walk with his baby. He had a bag of baby hand me down clothes to drop off.  Out on the street another neighbor was dropping off homemade macaroons while another was hunting for a coyote that had just been seen ambling by. I looked up and spotted the new moon. 

 There was hilarity and more human interaction than any of us had had all day. And that crescent moon hanging in the evening sky! It was a brief encounter, but it felt like a big celebration and it made my day.

Hope 84

 Hope 84

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

There is nothing like music to reach down deep into my soul and move me to tears. 

This Hanukah greeting, beautifully presented by a few members of the San Francisco Symphony came from a friend first thing this morning and has stayed with me all day.

Despite everything, the human spirit is alive and well in the world. 

Hope 83

 Hope 83

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

These December mornings and evenings have been oozing hope. Have they always been so dramatic and beautiful or are we just more appreciative and aware in our hunkered down lives?

Hope 82

 Hope 82

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

I went to my friend's house to pick up some yarn she left for me outside the front door and waded through a sea of red maple leaves. Red and pink and orange against a bright blue sky in the middle of the day, along with a garden glimpse of a great friend does wonders for the soul. 

Family Tree

 Hope 81

Family Tree

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Seven months ago on May 18 this same tree brought me comfort. Little did we know what lay ahead. 

"Dramatic sky, wind, clouds, and intermittent rain didn't stop us from walking over the hill yesterday to the big oak under which our parents' ashes are scattered. It, too, survived the firestorm, and is a cherished link to our childhood on this land.

My daughter who is far away was thinking of oaks that very day. She tells me that oak trees are said to be passageways between the physical and spirit world.  And I think, anything is possible."

That was then.

Here we are. Life goes on despite everything crumbling down.

Hope 80

 Hope 80

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

The view from here. Big moon. Clear, crisp nights. Bright lights, big city. What a show. 

Hope 79

 Hope 79

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Sonoma vineyards are showing their colors.  This is what resilience looks like - A lesson for us mere mortals to keep the faith and spread the faith and hold on to moments like this when Nature is all around in all her glory just carrying on.