It's About Love

Hello!  ¡Hola!  It's been 10 days since my last post, so a lot has happened.  If you recall, in February, we lost Rossy, our Chihuahua Rat Terrier mix dog that we'd had for nearly 19 years.  This past Monday, we had to say goodbye to our dog Toto, who my youngest daughter found in May of 2015.

He was around 2 years old and flea-ridden when we found him, so in 2020, he ended up in the veterinary hospital with Tick Fever from his years wondering the streets.  With our love and care, Toto turned out to be a handsome little man, who was sweet, humble, and fearless.  He and my cat Gris were the inspiration for a haiku I wrote in my March 27, 2026 post.   That's why I found the Word Art Wednesday from Luke 6:39 so fitting, because he modeled for us unconditional love, even though he had a rough life before he came to us.  (BTW, thanks for the prize, WAW.) I'm also submitting this picture to "What's On Your Workdesk 884/104: 17th Anniversary" - which I believe I joined in 2012 - and Saturday's Critters With Eileen.

As my faithful companion, Toto often was the subject of my artwork.  I did the pen drawing in 2015, and the Etegami style postcard on my Procreate iPad app, in 2019.  I'm submitting these to Friday Face Off 5/15/26 - Nicole, thanks for featuring me last week - Art For Fun Friday, and My Sunday Best.

In memory of Toto, my faithful art studio companion, I composed this colorful art journal page and wrote a haiku.  I used a Spellbinders Field Notes Tools die set & a Vicky Papaioannou Painter's Palette die set; an Infunly Animal Cutting Dies Set; a Simon Says Scalloped Circle die; assorted papers; glue; an Arteza calligraphy marker; and a Copic Broad Nib Inking pen.  I was inspired by Try a Sketch On Tuesday Challenge #695, as well as colorful inspiration from Inkspirational Challenge #367 - Visual Prompt - Floral Palette; AAA Colourful - Colourboard #27; {PIN}spirational Challenge #337 May Rainbow Colors; and The Dream Factory Challenge #149 - Code 3.

Although he was an escape artist, wanting to meet all our neighbors, Toto had a happy life with us.  Here is a funny video clip to prove it, which my oldest daughter did of him in 2022.  Rest in peace, sweet Toto.

On a happy note, my youngest daughter's sister-in-law is graduating from preparatory school.  We have a cordial relationship with the family, so I made this graduation card for her.  I used a Spellbinders Classic Mouse Graduation dies set; a Sizzix Tim Holtz' Ornate Frame #2 Bigz Die & Lisa Jones' Variety Sentiments Thinlits set; an MME Moments Paper Pad; assorted colors of cardstock; a blue rhinestone gem; and assorted adhesives.  I was inspired by Atlantic Hearts Sketch #681 by Michelle; Inspiration Station Challenge May 2026 - Inspiration Photo #85; and Everybody - Art Challenge Anniversary - 600th Challenge.

Last, but not least, I have a piece for Mosaic Monday #188, of our families' Mother's Day weekend.  As I mentioned in my last post, I got to Baptize my youngest grandson at St. James Episcopal Church, in Del Rio, Texas, where I'm the Rector.  Hence, I'm also leaving you with an excerpt from my sermon, based on John 14:15-21:

Holy Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, but more specifically:

• Holy Baptism is the public declaration of faith to abide by Jesus’s commandment to love one another, as he loved us.
• Holy Baptism is the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit being given to us the believers, to provide us with the wisdom to live in God’s truth, the courage to abide by God's will, and the strength to follow God.
• Holy Baptism symbolizes our commitment to live in relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Hope you'll leave a message, and know I'll reciprocate.  Thank you for your visit!  ¡Gracias por su visita!

Peace - Paz,

Arnoldo+