PAINTING STUDIO Trans Siberian Orchestra In Peoria, Il., The Last Rose And Falling Back by Stephen Craig Rowe

The Trans Siberian Orchestra event at the Peoria Civic Center on November 6th was an extravaganza that welcomes the holiday season with good cheer, a message of hope, history, light, fantastic light show, more than awsome music and the chance for me to visit with some dear friends.  The entire experience was a joy as it should be.  After a few familiar numbers the band performed some new works that all hope to hear more of in the future.  Though brief my meeting with Al Pitrelli the band leader-lead guitar and his wife Jane the keyboard artist was very warm and friendly.  Al mentioned something about a road trip after the tour, perhaps  in the spring or summer for a visit here.   Because of the tight tour scheduale there was no time for them to visit Jim’s Steakhouse or the Painting Studio.   Do hope to see them in the spring or summer.

My buddy Chef Francis and I arrived at Jim's Steakhouse around an hour and a half before the show to allow time for a libation or two before the event.  The Steakhouse was very busy and rather than order a cocktail I caught the owners eye and said, " Tim, what do you need "?   See if you can get me a table in the lounge for a party of ten and I was off looking for table cloths, silver, napkins and such.  Nodding to guests in recognition while trying to set up tables.  Then Tim needed a party of six, a four top, a party of nine and a deuce.  Though fast and furious I felt quite at home and did my best to set the tables and seat the guests.  It went well and was pleased to play a small part. 

Sunday and Monday afternoon I started taking down my little rose garden and getting the small plot ready for winter.  It is not a big job but it is important to me and there are feelings involved when doing so.  I don’t exactly talk to the roses when I cut them back, but perhaps in a way I do for they have given me so very much visual and poetic pleasure.  This afternoon was excepetionally warm and I finished cutting them down to near the root bulb and then turned the soil with the spade to give them a good winter rest before taking my afternoon walk.  The sun was warm enough to make me smile.

As ever be well,  Stephen Craig Rowe

In And Out Of The Screen, Space Is Only As Deep As One Makes It By Stephen Craig Rowe Published On Google Blogger July, 2010

I am not one to re-post stuff time and time again, but I really like this screen shot.  The photograph was taken last August on an early Sunday morning.  I call it a screen shot because of the texture that the screen gives the images rather than a screen shot that one's web cam can do.  As I walked myself through the set up with camera, tripod and light there was just a perfect setting for the shot on the window ledge.  The light reflected in and out in a most pleasing visual quality that I found most poetic as the screen gave a texture to the work that gave this photograph a push and pull that draws the viewer within and without the image.  I have done this with a few other images that are striking with the screen effect.

And without.  So here we are on a new adventure making Space as deep as one makes it. 

One word at a time, it seems.  Then again,

one word

can change the world

and

improve the betterment

of all.

As ever be well,

Stephen Craig Rowe

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PAINTING STUDIO Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year by Stephen Craig Rowe

Peace on Earth to those of good will.
As ever be well,
Stephen Craig Rowe



Stephen,



The holiday season is a time where we give thanks and remember the year past, while we look forward to the new year. I thank you for the difference you have made in the lives of people next door, across the country and around the world.



I wanted to share with you some of my favorite photos from this past year. Some of the photos are inspirational; others are heart-wrenching. All of them speak to the lives we've changed together this year.



While you may not see yourself in these pictures, know that you're there, standing beside us, in each one—helping to save the day for someone in need. Click below to see the photos:











Thank you for being the heart of the Red Cross this year. Warm wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday!





Gail McGovern

President and CEO

American Red Cross

SAUDADE REVISITED

This is the first Christmas Season without my Father. I miss him very much and though he is in my blood, bones, heart and soul. He is often in my thoughts. This is why I am reposting the following piece.

SAUDADE


A poem in my own words inspired by JouElam+Sofie http://mudosdaventuras.spaces.live.com/



INTRODUCTION: SAUDADE is a Portugese word that was given

to me in love and friendship. I can not translate this word, I

can only write what I feel.



Saudade



Echo in the valley

Cry in the night

Free and alone

Trickle in the

moon lit streams

That flow from

My eyes

onto the windows

In the keypad

That scratches

Only a high held note

The Violin

Trembles

Splashing wine

On streets that shine

With tears soaked in

Memory

Of those near and dear.

Of those that have ever been and ever shall be.

Of those that have risen'

Of those that sing

Of those that are

Of the Light and Spirit.

Of the woods, rain, forests, grasses, trees, limbs and

Leaf sparkle

Dew drip dawning

Rainbow brow smile

Reflect the night Sky

Stars

Dance in

The glistening drop

Waving at the shore

Foaming and breaking on the rocks

Receed, Smile at the Moon.

Reflect in the pond

Skipping stones

and remember.

SAUDADE,

Home is where the

Art is, forever home

Or away

Within the All.





SAUDADE! As ever be well. With love, Stephen Craig Rowe





Saudade







Ecoa no vale



pranto na noite



livre e abandonada



lua de fluxos brilhantes



iluminando os minúsculos córregos



que escorrem debruçados



nas janelas dos meus olhos



apenas a tecla em arrepios



tremúlos



é o sustenido



o violino



segurando uma nota altíssima



derramando o vinho do nosso copo



nas ruas encharcadas



pelo cintilar



da memória das lágrimas



de todos os que nos são intímos e queridos.



de todos aqueles que sempre foram,estiveram



são, estão, serão e estarão connosco



todos aqueles



que cantam



todos aqueles que são



luz do espírito



dos bosques, das florestas , das chuvas , da relva , das arvores , dos troncos , das folhas



faísca



gota d' orvalho amanhecendo



sorriso na sobrancelha do arco-íris



estrelas



reflectidas no Céu noturno







A Stephen Craig Rowe Poem



Translation And Adaptation By JouElam



A very touched thank you to our Dear Friend Stephen



Author's note: It is I who thank you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. As ever be well. With love. Stephen Craig Rowe

The Full Moon Of November

The full moon of November


is

away

above the clouds.

Thin fingers

of

trees

scratch

the

sky

as

roots dig

deep

in

beds of fallen

blooms,

leafs,

flowers.

All the roses

silent.

Yet rage

in the

change of seasons.

Soft as the rains

that

shall soon

be

snow.

In the light of

the

Moon of November

Muted

never silent.

And on the

other side

of

the

moon.

Ever shine on.

As ever be well, with love, Stephen Craig Rowe

Painting Studio, My Mothers Birthday

Introduction: July 24 is my Mothers birthday. I was at work when I called her. Had to have someone watch the door and take calls as I called my Mother. I had to go out doors to get a good signal on my phone. On the street in my tuxedo I called and wished her a Happy Birthday! Cars were buzzing around in the skyline tango, people were waving at me. And I was on the phone with my Mother. Mom was at the home with Dad and he was fast asleep.
I responded to a note from my little sister Carrie. As ever be well and God bless yu and yours.
Dear Carrie, I am ok and work has been busy. Yes I know that Mom's birthday was today and I called her this afternoon from work. She was with Dad and was surprised to hear from me. She said, " How did you know it was my birthday? " It made me smile that I remembered. We all know I am not a card sender or any of that stuff. Smile! I have not heard from John at all. I am not in any pain and am working five nights a week. There is some intrest couple of paintings but the bloody bastards have not written a check, yet. I pray they do soon because I do not want to prolong the surgery. Then again, I do not want to be in the hospital when Dad goes. Yeah, a lot is going on and my simple mind is always racing. Am thinking of calling my friends in the Blue Angels when Dad gives it up to God. I know, and it makes me cry just to think of this. Just maybe think of this if one of the jets was even close to the military ceremony for our Father. How very cool a fly by would be. To honor, salute, and wave goodbye to a proud vet of WW2 and the father of six misfits who each have found their own way and are finding their way home. Little Sister I think I may just post this note at the Painting Studio. Love you and yours more than words can tell, as ever be well, your bro,Stephen Craig Rowe

More than words can tell,
As ever be well, with love,
Stephen Craig Rowe

Painting Studio On The Wing With The Flying Monkeys And I'm So Glad

Talking about PAINTING STUDIO On The Wing With The Flying Monkeys and I'm So Glad

Quote
PAINTING STUDIO On The Wing With The Flying Monkeys and I'm So Glad
There are times when one is taken beyond words by the kind actions of another. After work on Saturday night I arrived home a bit late and logged into the Painting Studio to read a comment from Karen AKA Red Kitten. Karen is a MSN blogger that I have known and respected for years though she seldom comments at the Painting Studio. She wrote that there was something at her space for me to read. I went there at the speed of light and read her post. ON THE WINGS OF LOVE http://abnorms.spaces.live.com
Karen, you made a grown man cry good tears. Thank you! Flying Monkeys was a dream that became a reality. An international effort and collaboration that took shape of it's own. I am so proud of the Flying Monkeys and all of the good, fine, beautiful works and words for the betterment. http://flyingmonkeyshome.spaces.live.com/
Space is only as deep as one makes it. Thank you for making my space smile.
Now we shall see what the Flying Monkeys bring to the future for the dream is a reality.
I am so glad.
As ever be well. With love. Stephen Craig Rowe



CREAM LYRICS
I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do I'm tired of weeping, I'm tired of moaning, I'm tired of crying for you I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad I'm tired of weeping, I'm tired of moaning, I'm tired of groaning for you I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad I'm so glad, I'm so glad I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad (Chorus repeated 5 times)