In the Mind of Mary - Please Wipe Your Feet

(Disclaimer: Some of this may sound conceited. I am just writing.)

* Compromise can't be all one-sided. If a man wants to be the proud possessor of the deep devotion and thrilling mystery that is me, he'll have to give a few inches too.

* I greatly admire honesty, but careless, thoughtless remarks can wound my unexpectedly vulnerable heart more than anyone can ever guess, because I keep the deepest hurt to myself, inside, where it won't show.

* If a man values my love, he'll never be careless of my feelings. For all my gentleness, my apparent poise and calm, sometimes when I am the most silent, the woman inside is screaming.

* As determinedly ruthless as I can be when I've really been hurt and feel compelled to teach the guilty a lesson they'll never forget, I can also be unbelievably loyal and fiercely protective of anyone who has ever been kind to me. I am a warm and loving friend, capable of intense devotion, who will still be there when the fair-weather friends have all flown the coop.

* I like to know things. A compulsion to probe the buried, the hidden and the mysterious, to ferret out secrets. "Curiousity" is too mild a word. Knowledge is power.

* I have a deep need to understand the world around me. I have high ideals and I have my eye on what's on the horizon. I look ahead, and at times can seem quite restless. I am proud of my knowledge and of my morals.

* I am a tolerant, adventurous, and curious person, and I want to see the best in people and in life.

* I can't deny that sometimes I still have yet to fully learn the lessons of freedom, optimism, daring and self-honesty.

Past and Future

I love looking through old photos. Sometimes you can ask family about those in picture, but sometimes it's also fun to stare into the frozen faces and wonder who they were, what were they thinking at that time, and (depending on how old the picture is) what they are up to now.

Old family pictures are what I love most. I have more somewhere, but for now here is what I have.

Arturo Quintanilla, Sr. - My Great Grandfather


Arturo Quintanilla, Jr. - My Grandfather (My Mother's Father)
I call this his "Ricky Ricardo" picture.

My Grandfather (second in from the right)
with his siblings, two are missing in this picture.

My Great Uncle Walter (17 yrs old) and My Grandmother Mary (12 yrs old) (My Mother's Uncle and Mother)

Grandma Mary is who I was named after. My first and middle name are hers.

Great Uncle Walt

Great Uncle Walter Lyon Chiene

Das kleine Mädchen

Ein kleines Mädchen is weinend.
sie schreit: "ich bin allein"
Schwach und müde, sie stolpert weiter.
Ein klägliches Dasein.

Spring & Summer Events in the Willamette Valley

Eugene Saturday Market in Eugene, OR
The oldest weekly open air crafts festival in the U.S. features handcrafted goods, food and music, rain or shine at 8th and Oak. 10am - 5pm
* Date: April 3, 2010 to November 13, 2010

McMenamins UFO Festival in McMinnville, OR
Come out for this festival that attracts over 5,000 visitors every year – enjoy an alien costume parade, live music by Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, an alien costume ball and much more...
* Date: May 14, 2010 to May 15, 2010

Eugene Scottish Festival in Eugene, OR
Enjoy bagpipes, harps & championship fiddling. County dancers, clans, Scottish food & wares. Museum and gifts: 3060 River Rd 10am - 5pm.
* Date: May 15, 2010

Strawberry Festival in Lebanon, OR
Jr and Grand parades, open air country fair, world's largest strawberry shortcake.
* Date: June 3, 2010 to June 6, 2010

Wilsonville Festival of Arts in Wilsonville, OR
Celebrates visual, literary & performing arts. Colorful parade kick-off Saturday morning - free - with something for the whole family.
* Date: June 5, 2010 to June 6, 2010

2nd Annual West Bank Solstice Festival in Independence, OR
Local Oregonian artists and their works. Wine, music, food, summer begins, held in a beautiful park. What more could you ask for?
* Date: June 19, 2010

Salem World Beat Festival in Salem, OR
Travel the world at Riverfront Park in Salem. Dine, shop & watch breathtaking cultural performances in each of five World Villages. Join International folk dances, games & workshops at Oregon's premier international event. More than 125 performances, demonstrations and workshops in nine performance venues throughout the weekend, including costumed processions and Dragon Boat Races!
* Date: June 26, 2010 to June 27, 2010

4th of July Independence Days in Independence & Monmouth, OR (Inde-mouth)
Celebrate the 4th in Independence & Monmouth. Fireworks on 2 nights. Big parade July 4th. Vendors, family fun. $1 contribution suggested for fireworks.
* Date: July 2, 2010 to July 4, 2010

61st Annual Salem Art Fair & Festival in Salem, OR
200 artists from across the US and Canada. Live music and performances on two stages. Hands-on activities for kids, and much more!
* Date: July 16, 2010 to July 18, 2010

da Vinci Days Festival in Corvallis, OR
A three-day sensory experience inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, celebrating art, science, and technology. Where else can you find...art that makes you think, mini race cars built by school kids, a juggling physics lesson, a race of human powered all terrain vehicles, Grammy Award winning music, street performers, a community art project and sidewalk chalk art, food, beer, and wine, and the latest research in wave energy and other scientific breakthroughs… all in one place?
* Date: July 16, 2010 to July 18, 2010

Dallas Summerfest in Dallas, OR
A 4-day event that has something for everyone! The highlight is our parade on Saturday at 11AM. Food, Retail, Commercial & Art Booths Galore. Live Entertainment, Hydro Cart Races, Book Sale, Car Show, Art Show, Garden Tour.
* Date: July 29, 2010 to August 1, 2010

Polk County Fair in Rickreall, OR
Good old fashion County Fair, lots of family fun and entertainment. Beautiful Baby contest, tractor pulls, Youth Rodeo 4-H/FFA exhibits. Hours: Thurs. - Sat. 10:00am - 10:00pm, Sun. 10:00am - 6:00pm.
* Date: August 12, 2010 to August 15, 2010

Oregon State Fair in Salem, OR
Free entertainment, concerts and shows, carnival and rides, food and drinks, familyville, animal exhibits, Art exhibit, Artisans' Village, sports and recreation, science and technology, Oregon wine celebration, horse show events, rodeo finals and lots more.
* Date: August 27, 2010 to August 29, 2010

Artistic Quotes

"If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint."
~ Edward Hopper

"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it."
~ Salvador Dali

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."
~ Edgar Degas

"Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish."
~ Michelangelo

"Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment."
~ Claude Monet

"I don't say everything, but I paint everything."
~ Pablo Picasso

"I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else."
~ Pablo Picasso

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."
~ Pablo Picasso

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
~ Pablo Picasso

Death Plays Its Sweet Lullaby by Mary Schuck

Click to Enlarge the Image

"Death Plays Its Sweet Lullaby"
Drypoint Engraving - SP#2


A tribute to my friend, Mark Youngsma

Death Brings Reflection

Because of the recent suicide of a friend, I believe I randomly start crying... not just because I miss him... but also because I now feel the bitter pain, anger and saddness that I could have caused my family and friends almost a year ago.

Mark Kenneth Youngsma
03/27/1985 - 03/31/2010