The power of man's hands and heart

The beauty of art. When man puts his mind to doing things...to actually letting go of hatred and thoughts of war and placing more focus on the beauty of the life around him

When you can crane your neck and feel the pull as your head goes back to take in the grandeur of ceiling painting...something so real, so mesmerizing, that it takes your breath away...You could stand there for hours and never move and never see it all

Making a life out of water, canvas, paper, color and being so humbled by those who adore your work...

Having dinner with friends one evening and turning a corner on a street and finding a masterpiece being recreated out of chalk for enjoyment of others...

On the street, so fragile, the ability of create knowing that with one drop of rain it could all be washed away in a second...There is something profound in that.

Leaving your name on the wall of life...whether it is near Juliet's balcony...

Or on a piece of glass...Creating what appears to be breathing creatures out of something so solid it could break if dropped...

Getting dressed up in all your finest and going out on the town

Painting that town in colors of yellow, blue,or green...heating up sand to create glass to create pop-art on a wall...Priceless.

Sitting down for a homemade meal you have watched the cooks create from behind glass...and it tastes so good that it is something you will never forget.

The intricacies of design...the interconnectedness that binds humans to each other...even though we strive to want to display how different we supposedly are

Happening upon an art shop that speaks to you on so many levels...the cross between the stage and the passage of time. The wearing of masks. The jovial nature of the fool but behind the facade is sadness.

Art breeds life. Art brings joy. Art fuels your heart and your mind.

The fruits of our labor. The dishes we bring to the table with friends and family... filled with good food and good conversation. Changing our environment through laughter and memories.

Looking up to the sky and saying, "Oh. MY. WORD. All the beauty and it was all created by man's hand and fueled by man's heart."

Today I am grateful to be surrounded by art. To be surrounded by such creative people. To be filled to the brim with joy and excitement by what this world has to offer and by those around me.

Oh and I miss Italy...