Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert, and the Most Perfect Weather Ever

Oh, today was one of the most beautiful days on record. It's fall, it's 80 degree, with NO humidity and just gentle breezes.  Oh, my words are so lackluster here.  Please suffice it to say, that I kept thinking all day long and until the sun set, this is one of the most perfect days the Midwest has ever known.  I felt like I floated when I walked, it was so gentle and easy, the warm blowing air cocooning over me. So you can get my drift, here's a little picture of the colors around me--our neighbor's tree across the street.

See what I mean?  Look at those leaves and the color of that sky!  Heaven.

Now here also is heaven.  The book, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I had it on pre-order from amazon and I received it 2 weeks ago.  I was on vacation that week and read almost all of it, but saved and savored the last bit for today.  Please get it.  It talks of the perseverance in practicing whatever art we want to follow regardless of any outside acclaim.  She talks of having faith in your path and SO MUCH more.  I love you Elizabeth Gilbert!!  I could quote every line in the book.  In fact, I have so many pages dog-eared and underlined and starred it's ridiculous.  Seriously, this tome is one of the best books on creativity I have ever read.

Here's a drawing I did on the inside cover while I was pondering over some of E. G.'s words.

Knit One, Pearl Two

It's been so hot the past weekend, summer still sending out flares.  But if you take the time and sniff the air, you can smell that sweet, drying out smell that signals August and the beginning of school.  Maybe that is just a Midwest thing, I'm not sure, but the grass and field corn are sending a signal.  The brilliant colors of fall and knitted caps will soon be on their way.

Day 327. Global Storms Breaking Us

The weather is violent in the Midwest today.  We've had tornadoes 60 miles on either side of us, but have managed to only suffer heavy hail, downed limbs, and flying roof shingles.  So many homes and neighborhoods nearby have been flattened.  Even walking out a few minutes ago, hours after the worst has past, the winds are frightening.

Then, I think about the devastation experienced by people in the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan.  I have been weighing in my mind for days on how I could pay some sort of respect to their suffering by means of a painting.  Today with the house windows shuttering madly, Mother Nature indiscriminately changing lives and abodes in mere moments, I am struck once again of how we are all preciously and precariously linked across the globe.

Here's my good friend, Don's house, after the tornado went through today.  Thank goodness he was at work when it happened.

Here's an absolutely unbelievable video of the tornado, with audio, of it coming, hitting a house, and going: 

http://www.thewire.com/culture/2013/11/gone-50-seconds-heres-craziest-video-youll-see-washington-tornado/355418/

Here's another helicopter shot--2 min. long showing 100's of homes in piles of splinters-just mind-blowing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GvSTID7NhsI

UPDATE 1/4/15:

Here's Don Keeley in the paper again, this time approximately 14 months later, FINALLY back into a new home at the same address, vinyl collection in tow;

Peoria Journal Star - Don Keeley Returns Home.