Lady Fortuna

New painting, acrylic on 5'x 3' canvas on a wooden frame made from pieces of the old house.

it took me 4 hours to get the shading on her upper lip right

Big wheel keep on turnin'

And there are in fact four tuna, which makes this my most laboriously executed pun to date.

The Illusion of Control

(to be worn as a Garment)

I have taken it down
having shaken all useful things from its pockets
washed it, ironed it,
Patched the threadbare spots
Soaked the bloodstains out
Peeked thru the bullet holes at that child who still thinks I am awesome (may she ever)
Embroidered a few stars to show where I was very brave
Pinned it back carefully in place, strengthened and brightened and just so.
I lift it just slightly to show an ankle, a shapely leg, a broad wise foot;
I walk proud, walk tall, walk proud.

The Vanities (nekkidness warning)

A theme from last year's experiences: false friends.
The Crows are kinder; if they pick one's eyes out, we may be shocked, we may be disgusted, but we are not surprised. They are exactly as they should be, they behave as expected, without apology.

A cautionary tale - take notice of the people and situations around you. Trust your instincts. Don't die on the wrong road, lost, but within sight of your own Castle.

If I were doing art for a Tarot deck, this would be the Hanged Man.

anyone who thinks it'd be a good Tarot deck is invited to share how that can be accomplished...