From My Friend Pamela Phelps On Facebook

Pamela wanted us to share this....

To any friend who might need this... Did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? Did you know the one who takes care of others all the time are usually the ones who need it the most? Did you know the 3 hardest things to say are I love you, I'm sorry, and Help me. Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you have to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in. To all my friends who are going through some issues right now--

Let's start an intention avalanche. We all need positive intentions right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. Shared via my good friend Dan Moon.

FEATURED ARTIST - Derrick Rathgeber

  Derrick the Artist
Derrick the Artist 2

Please read what Derrick has to say and check out his beautiful work at the links above. A terrific artist!

Bio - My name is Derrick Rathgeber, and I am a Colored Pencil Artist.
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. As a child I found myself finding anything and everything to draw and doodle on. From receipts to brown grocery bags, nothing was off limits. I would lose myself into my imagination by creating characters, cool creatures, and even whole worlds for them to live in.
As I grew older I wanted to learn how to make my characters look more realistic, and make the world they live in come alive. I couldn’t afford lessons, and I didn’t have a mentor so I watched and studied cartoons, and animated movies. When kids were watching them for entertainment, I was trying to figure out how they worked. I was enamored with artwork coming to life. I wanted to do that.
In the year 2000 I got an opportunity to attend Collins College. There I had my chance to learn how to do real life animation. It was one of the greatest and most difficult times of my life. On one hand I got to learn from a legend that worked on several Don Bluth films, and on the other hand the world of traditional animation has been lost to computer animation. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in 2005, and decided to move back towards family with my newly wedded wife, and our daughter.
With new experiences as a father and husband, I started to draw more pictures of things that reminded me of them like fairies, flowers, and animals. These are drawings that I don’t think I would have drawn had not for being inspired by them. Over time I found that I really found that I had a talent for capturing the colors of the world.
I am now 31 years old with four great children and art has become a large part of our lives. My wife writes great poetry and each of my kids has a knack for coloring and drawing fantastic pictures. My oldest daughter has this uncanny ability to craft objects like her mom. We enjoy creating things as a family. A lot of these crafts we will be sharing with your family down the road. But for now I will be sharing what I have learned over the years and my experiences with RoseArt colored pencils.
I choose to use them for many reasons. They overlay and blend together like no other. I am able to get new colors without losing the color I am going for. As a father to four children I can easily afford them. Honestly, regardless of the price I would still use this brand. I have used them for many years, I have had great results, and I have won many art competitions using them.
I now have the opportunity of sharing my work with you, and teach you everything I know one post at a time. I will bring you step by step lessons that will show you how to use each RoseArt color pencil in your arsenal to add color and imagination to your life.
“Let us make this world full of art and creativity together.”

10 Things That Annoy Me!

1) When I misplace my stuff -
    Mostly it's my glasses. And the whole time they are on top of my head. Yeah I know, you don't have to say it, but I know for a fact you all have done the same stupid stuff.

    Sometimes it's my phone, and I have to use my other phone to call myself to see where its hiding.   He He.

2) When my Internet crashes - I'm usually right in the middle of something important and loose it all. 

3)  When someone rides my ass on the freeway - Get in the left lane and pass if your in that big of a hurry!

4) When people think it's all about Them Them and Them!

5) When people stop to talk and you can't get around them. Show some respect guys and take it to the side somewhere. Stop blocking the isles!

6) When I do the laundry and I end up with only 1 sock. What happened to the other one? They were both in there to start off with. I guess the machine got hungry, cause I'm still looking for that 1 sock, and it's been a month; alright already. I've searched high and low! Nowhere is it to be found!

7) When I say something to someone, but mean to say something else, but don't just so I don't hurt their feelings. But in truth, it really needed to be said.

8) When I'm watching a really good movie, and something is about to happen, and go figure, the cable went out!

9) When I'm expecting that important phone call, but they don't call till your sitting on the toilette!

10) Last but not least - When I totally forget what the 10th Annoying item was going to be!

Time Passages - On this day 1958

Did you know...

 that at the age of 42 Elvis Presley's mother, Gladys, died of a heart attack arising from liver complications at a Memphis hospital. Ironically, in 1977, on August 16th, Elvis himself died from medical complications at the age of 42.

Congratulations Keith!

2nd Place In Kansas Photographers and Painters Contest

Information on St. Fidelis Church


Keith Stokes usually has a camera in his hand - photographing Mackinaw City & Mackinac Island in northern Michigan for MightyMac.org, Kansas & Kansas City for KansasTravel.org and science fiction conventions for MidAmericon.org.

His photos appear regularly in Locus Magazine and other publications and books.

Click on his link above and check out his Gallery of fine art!