A place of Peace...

Do you have a place where you can just be? A place where you can get away from the stress of life? There are two places where I have felt totally at peace with the world, places where I feel Gods presence all around me. I just met someone, and two weeks after we met he lost his mother. I too have lost people close to me and can understand the pain he is going through. I wonder if he has a place where he can get away from all the hurt and find find peace.

This is the Monastery of St. Benedict in Subiaco Italy. I was lucky to have the chance to study art and history in Italy. This was a place that left me speachless. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The area of Subiaco lies along the valley of the Anio which, in the first part of its course, flows between narrow gorges amidst the simbruini mountains.

Holden Village is another place that really does it for me, and Holden is a little closer to home than Italy. Holden lies in the mountains above lake Chelan. I have been going their on retreats ever since I was in High school. At Holden, communication with the outside world is limited. They have no phones or television, no cell phone reception, and limited radio. There are no roads connecting to Holden. So it easy to see how you can escape from life's stress.

Art

Now that football is over, at least for 10 year old boys I can spend more time on my art. I would like to post some of my sketches for you. Below is my replica (done in Pencil) of Norman Rockwells painting "First Down."Enjoy.