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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Dakotas and Paint Party Friday

Northern lights ACEO



Ever since my son was a little boy he wanted to grow up and join the Air Force.  I supported his dream just like a good mother should.  I tutored him when it was time to take his ASVAB placement test and when that didn't work (as is always the case when a parent tutors their own children) I got him a real tutor. I told him that if he worked hard he would excel in the Air Force.  I used the mommy threat tactic that if he didn’t study hard, they would send him to some Timbuktu base like North Dakota.  So he studied very hard.  He took the test and he did well.  When they were giving out base assignments he waited while his schoolmates received their stations, South Carolina, Florida…and then it was his turn, Minot, North Dakota.  When he called me to tell me, I thought he was joking.   No such luck.  Now, I don’t want to say a negative thing about a state that I have never visited but NORTH DAKOTA?

Mt. Rushmore ACEO


 I have been to South Dakota, visited Mount Rushmore and loved it, but honestly the whole state closes every evening at six. And from September, to May even Casper the friendly ghost will not be caught…dead there.  And North Dakota is exactly as it sounds, north—way north.

I’m sure my son is not looking forward to spending the next year and a half in sub zero weather.  Fortunately for him he inherited his father’s optimistic outlook.  So he tells me the jokes he has been hearing since he found out where he was going. 

“Why not Minot?” He says to me.

“Freezin the reason.” He adds.

He arrived in North Dakota today.

The positives?  There are phones.  There is Face book, email and texting.  There are planes and airports.  And North Dakota is one of the few places in the lower 48 where you can see the aurora borealis or northern lights---a spectacular natural laser-like light show.  I think we may just make it.

Be sure to check out all the wonderful art to be discovered at Paint Party Friday  Many Thanks to Kristen and Eva for their all their hard work organizing this fun event.

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52 comments:

  1. Carol BlackburnJune 2, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Great ACEO's Crystal...:)

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  2. Rona GregoryJune 2, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Love the Aceo Crystal, and yes the Northern Lights are SPECTACULAR! I was lucky enough to see them from my bedroom window one night a few months after we arrived here. I live in Manitouwadge, Northern Ontario. we are a bit of a one horse town and my southern cousins told everyone I'd gone to live with Santa! They also told me i would never see fresh vegetables up here and that I wouldn't be able to get out of town for nine months of the year on account of the snow. Well we do see fresh veg, we had snow from mid October to early May but it didn't stop us doing anything! And yes we had minus 40 a few times... but I absolutely LOVE IT... hope your son has a great experience too. xxxx

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  3. EVAJune 2, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Fabulous ACEOs! Both are gorgeous!

    Another positive - it is not Afghanistan or Iraq. Is he a pilot?

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  4. FranzJune 2, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Wonderful watercolors of the Northern Lights!
    It is important that your child is not in a war zone!
    A hug!

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  5. Valerie-JaelJune 3, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Great Picture! And perhaps your son will even like the scenery there!

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  6. maddyroseJune 3, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Great aceos. I really like the one with the Northern lights. The year was 1974 when I went to missile school and was told I would be sent to Minot after graduation and that's what they said about it then. Those two sayings have to be classics. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. Lee PierceJune 3, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Lovely northern lights ACEO! I was able to enjoy them in NY. Upstate NY, the land of great white winters.
    Pluses and minuses everywhere you go.

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  8. VictoriaJune 3, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Gorgeous work...both are awesome..the northern lights are fantastic...beautiful piece..shine on..and so lovely hearing your stories of you and your son..thankyou for sharing!
    Victoria

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  9. NettyJune 3, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Happy PPF and wonderful ACEO's. Enjoy your weekend, Annette x

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  10. MaggieJune 3, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Beautiful ACEOs! I would love to see the northern lights.

    Congratulations to your son on joining the airforce. I'm sure he will find a lot to enjoy about North Dakota with his optimistic attitude.

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  11. GlorV1June 3, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Great ACEO's and wonderful story of your son. I wish him luck in his new venture in life. Happy PPF!

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  12. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Loved your endearing humorous story about your son. He will need some extra pairs of socks and long underwear for sure! Love your northern lights ACEO too.

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  13. MarleneJune 3, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Crystal, beautiful painting. I think the plus that he is safe in the United States is a blessing, regardless of how far north he is. The Northern lights are amazing.

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  14. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfJune 3, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    That's funny! :) Luckily he doesn't see it as punishment for not studying enough. :) Love both ACEOs!

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  15. Magic Love CrowJune 3, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Great aceo's Crystal ;o) Glad your son is still in the United States! Take Care!

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  16. AbelaJune 3, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    The images are beautiful, I'm sure your son will be happy doing what you love, wherever ... Un abrazo

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  17. DaniellaJune 3, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Your ACEO's are stunning!
    Aaawww! Your poor son!! Gettig jokes all the time!! I'm sure he will be awesome!! glad he realized that humans are there!!!
    And thank you for your wonderful cmments today! You are so awesome
    xxDaniella

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  18. HeatherJune 3, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    aw, North Dakota??come one? oh well, i am sure you will love visiting him no matter where he is. i wish him the best of luck - how wonderful he's living his dream!
    i love the little aceo's that accompany the story, too!
    have a great day! xo

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  19. A'n'G JohnsonJune 3, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    ooo the Northern lights?! That would be pretty darn cool.

    Happy Painting!

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  20. Rosie KaplanJune 3, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    I have always wanted to see the northern lights. I am tempted to copy and print up your picture and put it on my wall next to all my sunsets and sunrises. A nice change of scene. Great he is in US and not OS. ♥ Rosie

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  21. UnknownJune 3, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    These are great, especially when I read the story behind them- WOW...irony can be really funny, huh? Seriously tho', it sounds like you're all putting a positive spin on things and all will be well.
    Oh and as always, when I put in mind just how small these are, I am in awe of your minuscule details- just wonderful!
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  22. SunshineshelleJune 3, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    The art is lovely and I like your story... I have this feeling you raised a wonderful son, & it's better to start in a place you don't especially like, it gives you more incentive to work hard & move... gotta say, I bet he ends up loving it if he gets to enjoy his career with a bunch of other great people, it's the people that can make a place fantastic or ordinary & the fact you can see the northern lights from there, well it sounds like there is some magic to be had!

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  23. Tammie LeeJune 3, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    wonderful to see your art
    he might enjoy his time there. i live far north too, NW Montana. I love it here.

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  24. Mary HysongJune 3, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    LoL! @ your son. Did you really tell him ND? That is sooo funny. Love both of your little paintings! Just picked up some ATC's to do along with a couple of those miniature canvases and easels. Thanks for stopping by my place and Happy PPF!

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  25. GigglesJune 3, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Thanks for popping by my blog! Wonderful Aceo's! I have my adult daughter and son-inlaw living with me, so I know how difficult it is to let go. Thank goodness for social media!

    Hugs Giggles

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  26. NellyJune 3, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Your ACEO's are lovely. They is so much detail for such small work. I wish I new of some great points about ND, but really, I don't know any.....Happy PPF!

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  27. ChristineJune 3, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    your northern lights is simply precious. good luck to your son. you must be so proud.

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  28. Priti LisaJune 3, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    ND sounds even worse than PA, lol.
    Your ATC's are sooo goood. It's hard to work that small♥♥

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  29. LeoviJune 3, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Beautiful aurora borealis. I'm happy for the optimistic spirit of your child. He is young and certainly live a wonderful experience. Although I prefer the south rather than north, there is more light. Greetings.

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  30. lenoracleJune 3, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Love the northern lights! Well sometimes you have to endure something rough to do something great, I'm sure things will be fine for your son!

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  31. AnnabelleJune 3, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Wow, if my daughter could see the northern lights she's travel to North Dakota! Both my kids would, they adore the cold, serenity and nature and as long as they have texting, email and internet they be happy!
    Living a dream and still on home soil really does weigh more to the good. Those inspirational aceo's are also a plus.....lovely work!

    Annabelle :)

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  32. UnknownJune 3, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    What an amazing Mom you are......and I love your paintings.....gorgeous!!!

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  33. LynetteJune 3, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    I saw the northern lights once, here in Michigan. You really captured them well!

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  34. Hybrid JJune 3, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Love the magical northern light ... shimmering with joy.

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  35. Julie PrichardJune 3, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Happy PPF! I think I would be happy being able to see the northern lights too. :)

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  36. Carola BartzJune 3, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I once visited North Dakota and didn't think it too bad. You just have to look at the bright side!
    Love your ACEOs, amazing what you get on a little card like that.

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  37. Judy AdamsonJune 4, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    The daughter of one of my closest friends married a US airman and they 'did their time' in North Dakota - and survived!

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  38. Kristin DudishJune 4, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Hee hee! I love your son's positive attitude. I think seeing the northern lights would be amazing! (Your aceo alone makes me think so)

    Best wishes for a wonderful North Dakota experience!

    xo
    Kristin

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  39. JulieJune 4, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    What a fun story, I really love your northern lights, it's so magical.

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  40. Gail H. RagsdaleJune 4, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    My sister lives in Crosby, ND right on the Canadian border. You can stand on the praire and see forever, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. The Northern lights are incredible to see and the Sun dogs in the daytime are also cool. Plus and minus to everywhere.

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  41. Anne ButeraJune 4, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Those are lovely. And I'm sure North Dakota isn't as bad as all that!

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  42. Sacred YoliJune 5, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Wow that is a whole lot of arte on an ACEO. Beautiful!

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  43. AtelierBrigitteJune 5, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Wonderful colors on the Northern Lights!

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  44. Pam TuckerJune 5, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Lovely interpretation of the Northern Lights, Crystal. I still don't know how you can put so much detail on those small canvasses. Wonderful work! Good luck to your son. Maybe he will actually come to like N. Dakota!

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  45. TerrieJune 5, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Way to find the positive! If it's to be a year and a half, better to start off looking for the good - the bad might never show up!

    Nice representation of the northern lights!

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  46. Her SpeakJune 5, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Great story--love the northern lights! :) Happy PPF!

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  47. Paula - Buenos AiresJune 6, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Marvelous lights.
    Congratulations to your son on all his achievements.

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  48. Kat WJune 6, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Gorgeous ACEOs. North Dakota has always seemed a romantic place since I read a fiction novel based there (I get all my facts from fiction. LOL.) The Northern lights definitely sound a plus.
    Hope your son has a wonderful experience of North Dakota.
    Great post!
    Kat :-)

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  49. UnknownJune 6, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I love your two aceo's they are super! What a coincidence that your son got stationed there. Well, North Dakota is right next to us, we freeze here in good ol' Minnesota in the winter too. Glad he has a good out look. Oh, I didn't know you could see the the Northern Lights from there. Cool!

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  50. jamberry_songJune 6, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    The country is utterly beautiful, I hear. He'll be all right and maybe you'll get a good chance to visit him out there. :) Beautiful paintings; that northern lights one is just stunning!

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  51. BahamaDawnJune 6, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    fabulous ACEO's!!

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  52. MichaelJune 7, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    What a wonderful painting of the skies. Lvoe your use of medium there. So good.

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As always thanks for you comments!