Memorial Day in May

In the rural Midwest where I was born and, I am told, in the rural south as well, the federal holiday now known as Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. Only in recent decades have people there begun to say Memorial Day.  I remember well the annual practice of going to cemeteries with my family…

Photo of painting by Patricia Deck

On Knowing When to Stop

Patricia Deck, my wife and inspiration, is an artist. She has studied for decades to increase her painting skills. Color, texture, composition and brush stroke are languages and she is fluent in all. Patty can produce wonderful works in oil, acrylic, pastel or water color. However, those marvelous skills cannot alone or even in tandem produce art. When art emerges,…