Untitled Picture #2...

...by James Conway

(part 4 of 5 for feature week!)

Untitled Picture #1...

...by James Conway

(part 3 of 5 for feature week)

Quality Time...

...by Rebecca Besser

(part 2 of 5 of her feature week!)

Pink Tree

by
Rebecca Besser

Untitled Picture (1)

by
Maria Kelly

Untitled (2)

by
Cynthia Schuerr

Untitled picture:

by
Cynthia Schuerr

Sky Clouds

by

Cynthia Schuerr

Flames

by

Rebecca Besser

In Flames

by Rebecca Besser

Hangin'

by Jim Wisneski

Hard Lessons While Growing Up

by Maria Kelly There are definitely monsters under the bed and in the closet. But, they are terrified of grown-ups. If you see one, call a grown-up immediately. When you are sick, learn the art of waiting. I know it's hard to stay still with that thermometer in your mouth for so long, but, believe me, the alternative is worse. Bumblebees, though brightly-colored and pretty, do not like to be petted. If you insist, they will make you go “Ouch” and you will cry. A lot. Cats are not dogs. They do not like to be picked up and forced to sit on your lap. They will not allow it, actually. Mommy and Daddy can not be with you all of the time. Either learn to get yourself out of jams or do not get yourself in them in the first place. God is bigger than the bogeyman. And a lot nicer. So remember to say your prayers at night, every night of your life. You can't be everything to everyone. You can only be the best 'you' that you can be for whoever needs you at the moment. Not everyone you meet will be nice to you. Someone will call you names. Don't retaliate. They are probably hurting inside. Someone will break your heart. Don't stop loving people Instead, love them more. Someone will betray your trust. Keep on trusting, but be smart about it. Eventually, someone else will earn your trust again. Scraped elbows, skinned knees, cut fingertips and stubbed toes, heal more quickly than bruised egos, wounded pride, and broken hearts, and they hurt a whole lot less. Someone you love will leave you. Forever. Let your grief wash over you for a time, then, carry your memories like a light inside you and they will make you happy when nothing else can. It's okay to fail. Wisdom is born from failures. It's not okay not to try. Eventually, you will get older, frailer, sicker. There is nothing you can do about it. Eventually, God will call you to come home. This doesn't have to be scary. There are many other things I'd like to tell you, many other lessons you will learn They will be your lessons, unique to you Trust your instincts. Follow your heart. And when you have learned something useful, pass your knowledge along to someone else who needs it as they walk on the road to wisdom. For the road is long and we only stop learning when we reach the end of it.

Ancient Menace

by Rebecca Besser

Bienvenido A Las Caletas

by Cynthia Schuerr

Endurance

by Rebecca Besser

In Bloom

by Samantha Wisneski

USA

by Jim Wisneski

Opulence of Nature

by

Cynthia Schuerr

Gift of Spring

by

Rebecca Besser

Simply Beauty

by

Maria Kelly

the dewdrops arrive and linger on the petals of the morning glories; their bright faces cerulean like a sky, unspoiled by clouds. the trees are calling each rustling leaf like a sigh of a wood fairy gently drifting; sweetly on the breeze at the edge of dreams, untroubled by time. the streams are singing asking me to stop and listen: a half-remembered song; to look and wonder, to pause and consider, beauty in simplicity.