Friday, March 18, 2016

Wolves and Clothes and Deja Vu - 3-18-16 - Aesop's Fables

My apologies for my brief hiatus.  I was caught up in real world BS like getting a job and transportation.  Rest assured my small but loyal band of blog followers, I shan't be long without drawing.  Strict doctor's orders to pick up my pen and my guitar on a daily basis to prevent any more loose screws in my noggin.  Thanks for sticking with me.

Back to Aesop's Fables, why don't we?

Today a familiar one to a lot of us, or so I thought.  There seems to be at least 2 stories with the same plot and title, but 2 separate morals and outcomes.

Here's "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" take 1.


One day a Wolf devised that if he altered his appearance and disguised himself as a sheep, he could get much closer to his dinner and more easily procure it.  That day he donned a discarded sheep's skin and blended in with a nearby flock and that night he was penned up and secured with the buffet of his dreams.  But as night fell and the Wolf took his time to select just the right sheep to dine on, the Shepherd returned to select his own meat for the next day.  He selected the costumed Wolf and immediately slaughtered him, even before he noticed that it was his sworn enemy The Wolf.

MORAL:

"Harm Seek, Harm Find"

"The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" take 2 and perhaps the more familiar version.


One day a Wolf devised that if he altered his appearance and disguised himself as a sheep, he could get much closer to his dinner and more easily procure it.  Sound like you've heard this one before?  The Wolf found a discarded sheep skin and donned it, soon to find that it was the hide of one of the young lamb's own mother.  The lamb happily followed the Wolf until they became separated from the rest of the flock and there the Wolf had a fine supper.  For some time the Wolf was successful in hiding amongst the flock and had many fine suppers at his leisure during his tenure as a sheep.

MORAL:

"Appearances Are Deceptive"

Feels good to be back.

Talk to you soon.


  

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Tommy the Leprechaun - 3-17-16

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY, Y'ALL?


Here's my quick sketch of Tommy the Leprechaun, someone of whom I've recently been reminded.

Tommy lived here and about my newly adopted hometown of Missoula, MT. for more than a few years and passed away a surprising 13 years ago (can't be that long).  He spent his days wandering the streets, wishing everyone he passed by a "Fantasmagorical Day!", making balloon animals for the passing kiddies (and the pretty girls), playing guitar and singing in and in front of the town bars and occasionally taking on a job washing windows when he might decide he needed something to eat.  If he liked you, he'd hand you his business card entitling the bearer of to one free wish.


I only got to meet him once, years ago while visiting my family here.  My nephew Brian saw him coming down the street and made sure I got in Tommy's path just in time to be wished a fantasmagorical day and be washed over by this huge positive, happy personality inside this small frame.

I won't say I really "met" him.  He'd fantasmagorically and suddenly just...be known to you.

A bum?  no.  Homeless?  yes.  A tramp, a hobo, a busker, a troubadour?  MOST assuredly!  And all honorable vocations they are.

But his avocation, his raison d'etre?  He walked through a sometimes unpretty and cold world and sprinkled some magic in it.  Be it with animals made of balloons, singing a song worth singing or just reminding you that it's only your frame of mind that can make today fantasmagorical or not.

That was his free wish to you and me and everybody.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I'm sure Tommy would wish you the same.  And tomorrow he'd wish you a Happy Day After St. Patrick's Day and the day after he'd wish you a Happy 363 Days Til the Next St. Patrick's day and so on.


Talk to you soon.