Equality For All

Love.  Marriage.  Equality.

California's Proposition 8, known simply as Prop 8, was a California ballot referendum item passed in November 2008 that banned same-sex marriage. 

This week, a landmark hearing to overturn Prop 8 is before the Supreme Court.  In 2013, it’s hard to believe there are still folks who believe that ‘some people’ are more equal than ‘others’.

Seriously. 

Equal rights for all…it’s just that simple.  

“Equality For All”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥

Filaree - erodium cicutarium

Added some wild-harvested filaree (erodium cicutarium) to our mustard and quinoa greens for lunch today. 

Lightly sauté in a little olive oil and garlic with a splash of balsamic vinegar, toss with some chopped, baked sweet potatoes…mmm, mmm, good!!! 

“Filaree”, © Cathy Gazda, 10” x 8”, Watercolor and pen.  ♥

Hanging Out

This handsome fellow was in the car parked next to me when I came out of our local post office.

As I approached my vehicle, I could see his tail start to wag...then, his enormous head poked through the open window. 

He seemed to be begging for a scratch behind the ear; however, I explained that I'd need permission from his human first. 

In the meantime, we had a lovely conversation, (even if he was a little distracted every time the door of the post office opened).  

"Hanging Out", © Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Graphite Sketch.  ♥

Spring!

Spring Equinox:  As we move toward longer daylight hours, today we are literally midway between the sun being at its lowest point (Dec. 21) and its highest (June 21) -- equally balanced between light and dark.

The seasonal wheel heralds the rebirth of life as green buds swell on branches and leafy shoots poke up through the soil. 

This daffodil turns its trumpet towards the sun, joyfully promising that light will prevail. 

As thoughts turn to gardening and planting seeds into the soil, it’s a wonderful invitation to rebalance ourselves and envision the dreams and goals we wish to ‘seed and grow’ into our lives.  

In whatever way you bring more light into the world, I join in holding space for that vision.

“Spring!”, © 2013 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 5”, Acrylic on stretched canvas.   ♥

Give and Receive...Pay It Forward

Kindness of strangers transforming moment from last night: 

After a long day of errands (Sedona, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Cornville), I was ‘one of the many’ standing in line to cash-out at Safeway.  I noticed the woman in front of me had two Synergy Raw Organic Kombucha drinks amongst her items, so I leaned over and asked where she had found them (Raw Kombucha in Safeway? Yes, in the refrigerated section by the organic produce!).  I thanked her and made a note to check it out another time. 

As she was collecting her bags to leave, she reached back and handed me one of her drinks, saying ‘I have two…I want you to have this one.’  I’m so grateful to this kind woman, whose name I do not know – her gesture completely energized and lifted my spirits (and refreshed my weary body)! 

Image is of a lenticular artwork I created in 2006, called ‘Give and Receive’…and seemed apropos. 

Life is a continuous cycle of give and receive…and paying it forward.  ♥

Happy New Here!

To borrow from my friend, George Breed: “Happy New Here!” 

The past and the future can be very seductive at times, so I especially enjoyed George’s welcoming reminder to ‘Be Here Now’ (thank you, Ram Dass). 

Right here, right now…I wish you all ‘Happy New Here’. 

May this moment be full of whatever brings joy, peace and promise to your heart and soul. 

The photo is of a sculpture I did 10 years ago, called “The Promise of Peace”, © 2003 Cathy Gazda.   ♥

A New Day

On this day when the Light of the Sun begins to grow again, may we embrace the stirrings of rebirth and expansion in this shifting momentum. 

In whatever way you bring Light into the world, I celebrate with you. 

“A New Day”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 5”, Acrylic on canvas panel.   ♥