Painting and Reading and Singing - 03 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 328

Micah 6:8
Nehemiah 8:1-8
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?
  
Today is American Painters Day. I'm assuming they want us to celebrate folks like Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses, rather than the College Painters who go around painting homes in the Summer, and based on that assumption, my mind went to fine art painters in general. As I mentioned last week, I attended a conversation about Art and Faith. One of the perks was a free download of a sampling of letters from Vincent Van Gogh. I haven't finished reading it yet, but it is totally fascinating. His concepts of the use of colors and why they're important and how they can impart information are amazing. Granted, he wasn't American, but I thought of him today because of that celebration. Here's a nice musical collage of his paintings for your viewing and listening pleasure.

Johannes Gutenberg died 03 January 1468, maybe that's why it's World Read Aloud Day?
Whatever the reason, why not read about an American painter to someone (or even to yourself)

I recall reading or hearing (!) the story that Ambrose was the first person recorded as reading silently. It apparently spooked Augustine to see him reading something, but not to hear what he was reading. My, how far we've come - now we're criticized for even moving our lips when we read. Of course the whole concept that the ancients only read aloud and we've progressed beyond their primitive methods appears to be a myth. Still, I miss reading aloud to Christian. I guess parents just don't do that as much once their children graduate from university.

Speaking of missing things and of Don McLean, I still miss Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, especially today, the anniversary of the day the music died.
Check it out here.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.