Good Saturday Morning!
From the beginning of my Encouragement Only Substack newsletter – and my decade of blogging, I have chosen to bring positive words and healing to my readers.
Some weeks are a bit more difficult – but I believe looking for the good helps one find it. And we all know the opposite is true.
First, allow me to invite locals Mojave Desert dwellers to attend my art opening TONIGHT 6-8 pm at Soul Connection 61877 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA.




I am honored to be the inaugural artist for the new Cozy Corner Gallery. Thank you, Dawn Davis!
The weather has cooled down considerably and today we have beautiful sunshine and a present temperature of 70 degrees.
I cannot ignore the challenges this week. Southern California continues to battle wildfires and the smoke has affected our area. As I write this, the Bridge Fire near Big Bear (25 miles away as the crow flies) is 25% contained. The Line Fire, closer to LA in Wrightwood is only 3% contained. The little town (hometown to a dear one in our family) has been devastated, but news reports tell of amazing community and cooperation with firefighters and fire safety rules. This has allowed firefighters to move in and do their job. Please pray for these communities and the incredible firefighters.
I love my home state of California which continues to rank high among healthiest states to live in. I won’t lie – I will be very happy when the election cycle is over. I am rooting for candidates who demonstrate kindness, justice, knowledge and honesty in action, words and deeds.
I know many of us have a nostalgia for what we remember as a more innocent age, but I believe we can move toward hope. Some define faith as, “ the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1. I believe we must act on hope and make choices toward active hope for a better world.
September marks “Art Season” in many communities. We are no exception. I am delighted that my art show premiers tonight and runs through October 10th. Our community is widely known for its open studio tours – Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours. https://www.mbcac.org/pages/hwy-62-open-studio-art-tours. Online catalog available.






The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours begins its 23rd year! Over the years, I have participated, hosted in my home, gallery directed and generally enjoyed our thriving art community.




*(Alane Levinsohn, Snake Jagger - links for photos above)
So – this Saturday, I hope the sun is shining for you! Encourage those embarking on new endeavors – from kindergarteners to savvy and sophisticated senior citizens. We all have so much to creatively contribute!
Inspired by all of you!
P.S. And let me leave you with an appropriate (if rather simple and silly) Saturday song from a more innocent age: Come Saturday Morning.
Always an enjoyable read with positive content and leaves you with gratitude for what we have been blessed with.