The Famous Artists Cartoon Course – Lesson 1: The Comic Head

I was born in 1950, and I was reared in a small, rural farm community. But that didn’t keep my dad from studying cartooning. He was one of the original students of the Famous Artists Cartoon Correspondence Course, and I grew up copying pages out of his workbooks. That’s how I learned to draw. I’m…

Journal to Slay Perfectionism and Its Sidekick Fear

Once again, I am fighting my nemesis Procrastination. In a way, my journal entry for today alluded to the way that my procrastination has pervaded my life: The sun is peeking from behind the clouds, casting shadows across the icy snow. The light behind–shadows ahead. My world has been paralyzed by ice and cold. –…

Take the Journal Challenge

Take the Journal Challenge – Join Today – Free! For many years, I have said that everyone should write something every day. I’m not talking about being an official writer. Certainly. writers should write every day, but the rest of the world’s folks need to do the same. Write for Your Life More than once,…

January Journal Entries

January 14, 2024 The sky was gray, and the air was frigid and damp. A bluejay landed on my trellis. Was he coaxing me to pour some warm water into his frozen birdbath? It was quiet outside, and I could hear a crow cawing from somewhere in the distance. Like the cry of a wounded…

What to Do in Your Winter Garden

Six years ago, I was living in New Jersey, and if you asked me what to do in my winter garden there, I’d say: “Nothing.” Gardening was not a January thing to do in New Jersey, but in Mississippi, the issue is a bit more complex. In fact, until today, I have worked in my…

Yarrow – A Naturalized Pollinator Plant for Gardens

Yarrow ‘Cerise Queen’ (Achillea millefolium) Image Credit: Eden Brothers Yarrow is a native of Europe, but it has been in the USA for many years, and in many ways, it behaves like a native plant here now. “Yarrow is considered an herb, a perennial and a leader for cut-and-dried flower arrangements, yet it is still…

Asters for Your Garden

Aster Wood’s Blue (Symphyotrichum ‘Wood’s Blue’ Image Credit Woodie’s Garden: Woodie’s Garden Goods “Low growing Aster Wood’s Blue is a favorite among asters. Wonderful for edges or in front of the borders with elegant textured foliage to contrast with the densely bloomed flowers. With long blooming flowers and disease-free foliage, it’s no wonder this Aster…