Say No To Lais·sez-faire Behavior

Hello!  ¡Hola!  My wife and I were exhausted last Friday, but felt thoroughly blessed, after helping take care for our grandsons.

This first project is a penguin ICAD, for 6/25/26, that I illustrated.  I had fun drawing this sweet Kawaii critter, using watercolor based markers and colored pencils.  I also wrote an original Haiku poem to go with it.  I find King Penguins fascinating, because of their large size and beautiful physical features; their unique environmental adaptability; and that they're seasonally monogamous.  I'm also submitting it to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 891/111, Crafty Animals #107 and Saturday's Critters #655.

      

Next, I have my Sunday Postcard Art, inspired by Michelle's chosen theme, Insects.  Since insects proliferate in my garden during the Summer heat of SW Texas, I'm also submitting it to Try It On Tuesday - In the Garden and Everybody Art Challenge 603 - Summertime.  (BTW, thank you TIOT for the Top 5 for Flying High honor and EAC Winner - 600th Challenge for the prize!) I used an old Hallmark postcard for my base; scraps of K&Company & other papers; a Sizzix Tim Holtz Funky Insects Thinlits set; and markers.

Since both my mother and mother-in-law have July birthdays, I made them each a retro style card like this one.  I was inspired by the Paper Players PP792 sketch by Joanne,  the Inspire Create Challenge #219 Colours scheme, the Allsorts Challenge 852 -Bees, Blooms or Birds, and Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #520 Diets and/or Stencils.  I used Sizzix's Tim Holtz Rosette, Gift Tags, & Lisa Jones Jar of Flowers Thinlits sets; a CodoHi circles stencil; a Kwan Numbers embossing folder; Ranger Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade & Mustard Seed Distress Ink; and The Paper Company Citrus Color Sheets.
Friday Face Off - 07/03/2026
My Sunday Best
T Stands for Tuesday 6/30/2026 & Mosaic Monday
       

The 3 pictures above are highlights from last week.   The picture collage is of my grandsons during our visit.  We took them to their neighborhood pool one day, and to visit their Great-Grandfather, my wife's dad, on another.  The second picture is of a Rocktrumpet in my wife's garden, which is subtropical vine, native to the Southwestern USA, all the way down to South America.  The last picture is of a beer I had, while sitting with my wife in our swimming pool.  The beer was part of a Father's Day gift set my oldest daughter gave me, from Meanwhile Brewing Company, in Austin, Texas.

In closing, I want to leave you with a summary of my sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost:

Lais·sez-faire behavior is easy, because it leads people do as they choose, but that's contrary to Jesus' teachings.  We're to lead lives of love, humility, and servitude for our neighbors.  God’s grace has that transformative power in true believers.  A life of sin is living death. A life of sin leaves us empty, hollow, and impoverished.  A Lais·sez-faire life is not what we’re meant to have.  Through Baptism, we have been freed from the power of sin.  Jesus will give us the strength, courage, and wisdom to lead Christ-like lives.  Therefore, receive the gift.  No more sneaking, hiding, nor fearing.  Say no to Lais·sez-faire behavior.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por visitarme!  Please leave a comment, so we can get to know each other, and I'll be sure to reciprocate.

Shalom,
Arnoldo+

Comments

Helen said…
happy WOYWW Helen #1
BJ said…
Adore your critter card, thought the wings were 3D at first. Super bright cards, love the layers and great to see your native flowers too. Could really do with a swimming pool here now our Summers are so hot! The UK just wasn't made for all this heat let alone a menopausal woman! Glad of a few cooler days until the next heatwave strikes Monday! Hugs Bj#5
ukmaryanne said…
Happy I'm-hosting-knitting WOYWW!
Your ICADs are so much fun. Did you watch the Netflix show called Penguin Town? It was amazing and moving for sure. I knew Texas was hot but no idea how hot :). Born in DC, live in NY and NoVa, and I thought it was hot there. But yeah, with out AC the UK is, as they say, bloody hot! Hope the beer was cold - the Hubster got used to warm lager but really does prefer a cold one, and by the pool? bliss!
Mary Anne (2)
Lunch Lady Jan said…
Lots of great things to see today but my favourite was you penguin and the haiku, so clever! I’m genuinely amazed at how penguins exist in such a hostile environment, fascinating creatures. And beer in a pool sounds the way to cope with heat lol!
Hugs LLJ 3 xx
Thank you for your mini-sermon and its well-needed message to today's society.

I really like that penguin. You're very talented. God bless you and your family.
You always have some interesting art to show us and love the photos too. Happy woyww, Angela x10x
sirkkis said…
Nice art indeed 🐝
Have happy July ahead 🤩🌾
Elizabeth said…
Hello Arnoldo, your artwork is lovely. I really like the penguin, and the haiku you wrote for it too. The insects are beautiful too. My grandchildren are all grown up now but I remember my babysitting days with fondness. They grow up too fast. Belated good wishes for your birthday. Have a good week. Elizabeth #15
Great artwork and photos.
Rostrose said…
Dear Arnoldo, I especially love your penguin picture and haiku! In fact, I really like penguins in general! Unfortunately, I've only ever seen king penguins in zoos. But I was lucky enough to see African penguins in the wild once – near Cape Town. (Here's the link if you're interested - https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2017/04/kapstadt-teil-2-kap-der-guten-hoffnung.html) An unforgettable experience (similar to seeing the grizzlies or the whales 😊). I also really like your other work, and the picture with your daughters, grandsons, and radiant great-grandfather is especially touching.

All the best from Austria 🤗.
Traude
Suzana said…
Thank you for the visit, because now I can see your blog and definitely I'll explore it. You are very creative!
All the best to you!
Tammy said…
You've used our colors to perfection!! Love that big bright pink bloom!! Enjoy your grandsons!! Thanks for sharing at Inspire.Create!
CJ Kennedy said…
Such delicious eye candy. Your penguin ICAD and Haiku are charmingly clever. You have such a beautiful family. So wonderful to have all the generations in one photo. Happy T Day
michele said…
i love that your insects creation has a three dimensional aspect to it! nicely done, along with all the other lovely items in your post! xo

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