TGIF

Today, my TGIF stands for "This Game Is Fucked."  Two more shootings of Americans of African descent.  And now 5 officers killed in Dallas because someone wanted to exact revenge.  As my friend Robin says, this is a fakakta world.

I'm reading posts about how to support our black brothers and sisters.  As white people, when we stand idly by, we are part of the problem.  Professor Michael Eric Dyson has a devastatingly honest column about this latest outrage.  Read it here.  It's a must read for white America.  And in other news, I'm reading that Black Lives Matter activists are calling for "comrades" to join them in their struggle.  The word "Ally," some say, is too passive, and what is needed is mass action.  And what's important for us as white Americans is that we become true comrades and listen to what our black and brown brothers and sisters are saying.  It's their narrative, not ours.

In other shitty news this week, our lil' pup Lucy has malignant cancer.  Yea, you read that right.  I took her in for a routine check up in advance of kenneling her while we are away.  Never expected this news.  Kicked me in the guts.  She's going to have surgery to determine the extent of the cancer, so we will at least know in more detail what her prognosis is. 

She is not acting sick at all.  Running around, barking at dogs, birds, humans.  Gobbling up snacks.  So, fingers crossed, maybe this is a small growing cancer and it is still localized.  She's had this growth for at least 3 years, and another vet a couple of years ago said it was nothing to be concerned about.  (Thank you, asshat.)

I am grateful for the concern our friends are showing us.  People who love the lil' mutt as well, and are as stricken as we.  Trying to keep it in perspective and not lose my shit.

In better news, I entered a Street Photography contest.  You can see my images here.   I've also been greatly encouraged by re-reading some books on creating art.  Art and Fear, and Steal Like an Artist.  Also, one I've not read yet but it's sitting on my desk, The View from the Studio Door.

It's good to know that I'm not alone in my struggles and exuberance when it comes to making art.  It's who I am.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.  Recognition or no.

I wish you peace this weekend, friends.  We really do need to help each other along our way.  It feels good to give it, and it feels good to get it.