A Breakast In The Sweet Steady Rain

 August 21, 2023

   My view of breakfast at the Triple B Ranch this morning. 

A Fine Breakfast View

   The lilies were provided by Kathy Sue and the inspirational card underneath is courtesy of Ralph Waldo Emerson (see, below) and the toast is sourdough, the coffee is Don Francisco's Hawaiian Hazelnut, and the sketch is a new old vaquero. The New York Times Magazine is open to a page that features this quote: "Everyone deserves compassion, 'Remedy suffering wherever it is, whatever form it takes and whoever causes it." And, to boot, it's sprinkling outside thanks to Hilary the Hurricane. Life is good. Hope yours is as well.

On The New Old Vaquero Front

   Opened up a new front on the scratchboard scene yesterday. I bought a packet of scraping tools from Arizona Art last week and it included a batch of steel wool, and while I have utilized this nifty "lifting" device before in my scenes, I really leaned into it with this one to see where it might go.

Daily Scratchboard Whip Out:

"I Can See By Your Outfit That

You Are Not A Vaquero"

   The title is meant as a damning observation by the vaquero in the scene looking out at you and me. Not sure that translates, but that is the intent.

Daily Scratchboard Whip Out:

"Rurale On The Jump"

   Ran across a campfire scene in my discard file that had some potential, so gave it another go.

Daily Reworked Whip Out:

"Campfire Trio Card Game"

   Here's a little known Sonoran Moral Tale that goes like this:

Mess with the bull, get the horns.

Mess with a vaquero, get the riata.

Mess with Lupe, get the blade.

Mess with Mamacita, don't expect Christmas tamales.

   The moral of the tale:

Don't Mess With Mamacita!

"No tamales for YOU!"

This Is The Text On The Card Beneath The Lilies

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who alllows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, not doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. 

This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson​