Those of my watchers who have been around a while know that waiting for a new journal entry from me is like sitting around watching paint dry. But that is mostly because I rarely think I have anything worthwhile to say that anybody would care to read.

Every now and then, however, a mood comes over me, and I subject you all to my meandering thoughts. And alas for you, today is one of those days!
But it is short, thankfully. And not about art particularly, which means most of you can happily hit that delete button in your notifications without a shred of guilt!

Those of you who are students of history cannot help but look around the world today and feel a certain unease. This all looks so sadly familiar, the rise of strongmen around the world, anger everywhere, the potential for arguments to escalate out of control. It is easy under such circumstances to either become angry yourself, or to burrow into a hole and try to hide from it all.
I cannot advise anyone on what is the best course but I can say this: within the sphere of your life - the people around you both near and far who mean something to you, and you to them - hold them. Hold them in your heart, and let them know that you do. Give to them the peace and serenity that may be lacking in the rest of the world, but which can exist between you, and them.
That may seem inconsequential, mere dandelion puffs blowing about in a hurricane... but what are the dandelion puffs but the bearers of seeds? And seeds that will fly about, land, and take root, and grow. Each little bit of love and compassion you can show is one more dandelion seed to float on the wind and bring life back.
Hold on to one another. All of you. As I hold onto you.