More Hills to Climb
Greetings from the road where we know there are always more hills to climb. We felt a special resonance with this phrase as we drove into the mountainous area of western North Carolina this week.
David gripped the steering wheel of the car. I cued up the news on the car radio Tuesday afternoon. We both listened as the judge read the verdict for Derek Chauvin. It feels surreal to think justice is being served. Doesn’t it also feel as if there are so many more hills to climb?
What’s next
I am not sure what is next. I do think we each need to do our part and contribute what we can to lift up black lives. Let me know if you have made a special effort here. It seems even the smallest effort from each of us can help out. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas here. For now, I can share what this post and blog are all about. So here goes!
Small Spaces Special Places
Each year, I select a theme for my weekly paintings. For instance, this year’s is “Small Spaces Special Places.” One reason for this theme is I have been surprised, even delighted, with the small spaces in our house that have captured my eye.
Then, there are the special places I see on my daily dog walks here in Raleigh and on camping treks, too. Each morning, rain or shine, I love getting outdoors and looking for special places to paint. Sometimes, we venture on the road and this week I share paintings of special places from these trips, too.
If you know someone who you think might enjoy a weekly dose of color, with a dash of art history, please encourage them to sign up here for this weekly blog. Let’s get to the colorful stuff, shall we?
April Adventures
We celebrate Mr Himself’s birthday in April. So our focus has been planning hikes and adventures to celebrate that. We were delighted to land in this spot outside Asheville on Tuesday evening this week.
We have hiked every single day this week. The hikes have been challenging with rocks and roots everywhere. There have been so many visual rewards along the way: waterfalls, vistas that stretch miles and people, too! The people have been diverse, delightful and a part of the journey too.
On one particular hike, we passed and then were passed in turn by multi-generations of hiking groups. Sometimes, these groups stopped or slowed down for an elder to rest and catch their breath. Other times a teen or youngster needed encouragement. The colors of each of these groups varied. But, when we all saw each other at the summit, we exchanged celebratory smiles and greetings.
A Better Place
Maybe the world would become a better place if we all met outdoors on a hike? I’m not sure. But I do know, we’ll keep searching for that next hill to climb. And, we’ll keep hoping that justice will find it’s way into the hearts and minds of everyone here and around the world, too.
4 Comments
Beth Dyer Clary
April 22, 2021Beautiful twilight photo, Julie. (At least I assume it’s twilight.) And a very heartfelt post.
By our front door we have a sign that says, “Be nice or leave. Thank you.” That’s what I’m trying to do better and more of every day. And breath deeply too – it calms me.
Loving your daily gouache posts!
Julie Holmes
April 28, 2021Hiya Beth,
Confession: when I first read your reply, and info about your front door sign, I wasn’t quite sure it was a fit. I guess I expected more targeted information about actions to help BLM.
But then I thought about your sign. I even imagined what the world might be like if people were actually kind to each other. It would be amazing. So heck ya, I’m glad you shared that story, Beth!
And, I’m glad you are enjoying the daily gouache posts! Thanks as always for reading and commenting!
Sachelle
May 3, 2021Hi Julie love the little mountain painting and thoughts on solidarity through hiking. I was thinking this the other day when I was out surfing and laughing with 3 older men out in the ocean. I thought, there’s no other place where I’d have an interaction like this. I think when totally immersed in nature it’s easier for some people to dispose of their roles and tap into their human core and just PLAY. Contrarily, I was pulled over the other day by a cop for a “safety checkpoint” as they like to call it. He was checking if I was intoxicated which I was not but he talked to me in the most condescending way even repeatedly asking if I was lying. I thought, what other person would ever talk to one this way? This man must feel like because hes totally identified with the role as “policeman” he has power and he’s forgotten that we are all equal. I know I’m not offering any solutions and I can only imagine how scary it would have been if I was black and on the mainland.
Julie Holmes
May 5, 2021Hi Sachelle,
Your description of meeting men in groups in nature resonates with me. I have wandered off to paint and have encountered a group of men on several occasions. Even though I always feels as if I have to have my wits about me, I have never felt afraid or threatened in these situations.
But, put me back in a day job with that same group in a conference room and it always felt unpleasant to me.
Your encounter with the police sounds more than unpleasant. It seems there was a power play going on there. I am glad you were able to safely hold your ground and leave. And, like you, I can only imagine how threatening that encounter would have been for a person of color.
I’m convinced that your aware and sensitive nature are contributing to the beautiful artwork you’re making. Thank goodness for that! I’m really delighted you shared your thoughts and experiences here, Sachelle. Sending lots of love your way