#art class in san diego

[nil098]

Brushstrokes of Emotion: How Art Helps Us Understand What We Feel

In a world filled with constant noise, movement, and emotional demands, children often find it hard to express what they’re feeling. Words don’t always come easily, especially when emotions are complex or unfamiliar. But give a child a paintbrush, some colors, and a quiet space, and suddenly, a whole new language emerges. This is the power of art.

Art: A Language Beyond Words

From early scribbles to detailed landscapes, art offers children an outlet to communicate emotions they may not yet fully understand. Whether it's joy, frustration, fear, or curiosity, children can pour what they’re feeling onto a canvas. And unlike spoken language, there's no right or wrong way to "say" it in art, which makes it all the more liberating.

A swirl of blue may speak of sadness. Bright yellows can reflect excitement. Abstract shapes and bold lines may hint at something deeper, perhaps even something the child wasn’t consciously aware of.

The Science Behind Emotional Expression Through Art

Research shows that creating art stimulates the brain's limbic system — the part responsible for regulating emotions. It allows children to slow down and process their experiences. For kids who may be shy, overwhelmed, or struggling with emotional regulation, the simple act of drawing or painting can bring comfort, clarity, and confidence.

Moreover, engaging in creative activities helps lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and boosts dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone. This creates a calming effect, helping kids better manage stress and anxiety — and even sleep more peacefully.

Understanding Emotions Builds Empathy

When children are given the chance to express how they feel through visual storytelling, they also begin to better understand how others might be feeling. They become more emotionally aware — not just of themselves, but of the people around them.

In group art classes, this empathy is further encouraged through collaborative projects, shared stories, and the joy of creating in a supportive environment. It becomes more than just making art — it becomes a community of feeling, growth, and connection.

Art in Every Brushstroke: Real Life Stories

At our art studio in San Diego, we’ve witnessed firsthand how art transforms young minds. One shy student found the courage to paint her fears as a way to confront them. Another child who had difficulty speaking fluently discovered that his vibrant abstract paintings were enough to say what he couldn’t in words. Parents often share how their children seem calmer, more focused, and more confident after a class — and that’s no accident.

Let Your Child’s Emotions Bloom Through Art

Art isn’t just about creating beautiful images — it’s about understanding ourselves and others a little better. It’s a mirror, a diary, and a bridge all in one. For children, this can be the first step toward emotional intelligence, self-expression, and healing.

🎨 Looking for a safe, creative space for your child to grow emotionally and artistically? Join our Art Classes for Kids in San Diego at Art For Heart — where every color, line, and brushstroke tells a story.

📍 Located in Rancho Bernardo, our weekly art classes are designed to nurture creativity, build confidence, and help kids express who they truly are.

👉 Reserve your child’s spot today — because emotions deserve a canvas.

[aisharoy16]

Art Classes for Kids | Weekly Art Classes Unlock your child’s imagination with our exciting art classes for kids that blend creativity, skill-building, and fun. Our engaging weekly art classes are designed for children of all ages, offering a structured environment where young artists can explore painting, drawing, and more. Guided by experienced instructors, each session helps kids express themselves confidently through art.

[tiffanydaleo]

Reign O’er Me

Check it out! I've got a new painting, a music video, and an announcement to share today!!

9/12” Mixed media on paper You guys! I am so excited, I finally taught my first art class for OUR Arts Foundation last night!! I am officially an art teacher!!! I will share more later, but it was a fantastic night, the class was about 25 young adults and I showed them how to decoupage wood boxes. It was so much fun and it was awesome to see how creative and how different each one turned out! I…

[acrylicalchemy]

If you're looking for a private one-on-one art lesson in San Diego, I'm now offering them through Adelman Fine Art. I'll show you anything and everything you want to know. I'm also offering mentoring sessions for artists, something I can do for those that are both local and remote. There is a possibility of future group classes if there's enough interest, possibly some fun paint and sip sessions, something I really used to enjoy doing.

[mybeingthere]

Ferne Jacobs is an American fiber artist and basket maker.

Ferne was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 to Jewish parents who emigrated from Eastern Europe. Her family moved to Los Angeles when Ferne was young. She took art and craft classes at the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, California, 1960-1963), the Pratt Institute (New York City, 1964-1965), San Diego State University (San Diego, California, 1965), California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, California, 1966-1967), Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (Deer Isle, Maine, 1967-1971). She earned an MFA from Claremont Graduate University (Claremont, California) in 1976. She credits Dominic di Mare, Lenore Tawney and Arline M. Fisch as her inspirations. Jacobs lives in Los Angeles, California.

Jacobs is best known for her contemporary baskets that combine contemporary colors and non-traditional forms with ancient basket weaving techniques of knotting and twisting.

https://www.craftinamerica.org/.../building-the.../

[garfield-mug]

Can I request a Bob blurb? Maybe he has a really hot girlfriend and nobody believes him until they meet her? You can do whatever you want with this!

A/N: for the purposes of this story, the daggers are permanently stationed in san diego. idk if this really fits the request, but i look at bob and immediately think that man can dance, so....

also, the squad gives bob a bit of a hard time in this one, but i promise they love each other lmao and the length of this may have gotten away from me, but i had fun, so it's okay lol and this isn't proofread bc i'm tired so excuse any spelling errors (i'll stop talking now byeee!)

(p.s. see if you can spot the movie reference, 10 bonus points to whoever points it out)

Word Count: 2.2k

Content Warnings: none unless you don't like dancing ;)

Cheek to Cheek

Bob knew he wasn't really a "ladies' man." He was rather quiet and reserved, keeping to himself most of the time. He wasn't cocksure and forward, like Jake. He wasn't a goofy, shameless flirt, like Bradley. He didn't consider himself shy; he wasn't afraid to engage in conversation or make friends. Bob just preferred to sit back and observe. He liked to watch and listen, getting a good read of every room he walked into. Watching and listening was how he noticed you.

You were a sight to behold. Bob reasoned that you had to be new to the club because he would've noticed you before.

Bob doesn't get much downtime, but when he does, he likes to spend it at the San Diego Swing Dance Club. Since he was little, Bob loved to dance. He remembers his mother teaching him a basic waltz when he was about seven. Gliding and twirling around the living room on top of his ma's feet are some of his fondest memories. He started ballroom classes when he was around twelve (he wanted to impress his date to his very first dance) and fell even more in love with the art. His repertoire grew and grew, having meticulously memorized different styles (paso doble was his favorite). He still loved dancing as he grew older, able to turn on the charm as easy as he knew the moves. He loved the way dancing made him feel. Bob never felt more free than when he was drifting about the dancefloor, leading his partner. He thought it was the closest you could get to flying while staying on the ground.

That's why, when he noticed you, he knew he had to have a dance. Thankfully, his regular partner, Julie, understood and agreed to the switch for the night (she was a great wingwoman). For as often as he was in his head, Bob usually never got nervous. He was nervous approaching you. He remembers it like it was yesterday. It was Lindy Hop night and you were wearing grey striped slacks, a white blouse with the sleeves rolled up to your elbows, and an old, beat up pair of white slip-on vans. He was in his usual button down and slacks. One look at you and he knew he was a goner. You looked a bit disheveled, hair haphazardly put up and out of your face, making small talk with a few other members of the group. He thought you looked ever so slightly out of place and that it was so, so endearing.

Eventually, he worked up the courage to ask you for a dance. It did take more than a few pep talks from Julie to get him to go over to you, but she didn't have to literally drag him there, so it was a success. He asked for a dance, holding out his hand. You said yes.

One dance turned into two, then three, and eventually you'd danced the whole night away. You'd exchanged numbers before going home and then you weren't just meeting once a week at the dance club. You were making time to see each other whenever possible. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. It had now been six months since you and Bob made it official and you couldn't be happier.

Now, it made sense with his job and his general personality why the rest of the Dagger Squad hadn't known about you. They'd had conversations about their love lives often, but Bob had never really volunteered much information. You two had a good thing going and he liked to keep good things to himself for a while. Plus, the conversation rarely ever got turned his way. Bob was... very unassuming. The rest of the squad, except for Nat, never really inquired much about Bob's love life. It's not like Bob was purposely keeping you from his friends— it just never really came up. Nat was the only one who knew Bob was seeing someone and she was keeping it close to her chest out of respect for her friend and WSO, but also in the event that it spawned a bet. A bet she would surely win.

Eventually, one evening at the Hard Deck, the Daggers were all discussing their love lives once again. Mickey turned to Bob and asked if he was seeing anyone.

"I am, actually." Bob felt 5 more pairs of eyes snap to him, a collective "what?!" buzzing in the air at their inquisitive looks.

"You're seeing someone?" Jake asked, partially stunned. Bob wasn't offended, he knew he presented as a bit of a wallflower, and he was okay with that.

"What, you jealous, Bagman?" Bradley couldn't help himself. Jake's gaze snapped to the other aviator, challenging. Despite them both being on... better terms after the uranium mission, they still liked to jab at each other. Jake was usually better at it— slow, persistent needling while keeping a calm and collected facade. Bradley was more direct, favoring an immediate reaction over slow buildup.

Before Jake could respond, Bob cut in, turning the focus back to him.

"Matter of fact, I am," He sat a little straighter, dusting his pants of remnants of the peanuts he was snacking on. Natasha took a swig from her beer to hide the sly grin that was threatening to break across her face.

"Romantically? You're seeing someone romantically?" Reuben questioned.

"Sure am." Bob pushed his glasses further up his nose. He was thinking about you and how he wished you'd been able to come out tonight. You had talked to Bob about coming by to meet his friends, but scheduling conflicts always arose.

"What's her name?" Mickey asked.

"What's she look like?" Nat played into it, ignoring the pointed look Bob shot her way. He was still thinking of you, particularly about how darling you looked when you writhed underneath him, but they didn't need to know about that. Instead, Bob refocused, a dreamy smile taking over his features and a rosy blush creeping up his neck, landing on his cheeks. He couldn't help but look at the ground for a few moments, then he relayed your name. It felt so natural falling from his lips. The squad was eager for more information.

"She's just... perfect. She's smart and funny and so, so beautiful. She's got these eyes that just... and her smile?" Bob sighs, he actually sighs.

"I don't buy it." Jake is the first to burst the bubble. "I mean, we ask you what she looks like and all you give us is "oh, her eyes, her smile"? No way," Jake throws back the rest of his drink. Mickey and Reuben nod, signaling their agreement. Natasha smiles devilishly to no one but herself.

"C'mon, Bagman, he's clearly telling the truth. I mean, look at him. He's actually lovesick." Bradley chimes in. He knows what a man in love looks like.

"Yeah, it's kind of disgusting," Javy pipes up, firmly siding with Bradley.

"Well boys," Nat claps Bob on the shoulder. "Looks like we have a bet on our hands." She watches the men around the high-top table, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hundred dollars in the pot says Bob's mystery girl is real. You in?"

Nat pulls out five twenty dollar bills, placing them in the middle of the table. Bob watches in amusement.

"Steep price, Natty, but I'll bite." Jake throws his wager in as well.

Eventually, everyone put some money in the pot, much to Nat's satisfaction, even if she would have to split the prize money.

"Alright, alright... When and where can we meet your lovely lady?" Jake asks Bob, who is glancing down at his watch.

"Uhh, this Thursday at the San Diego Swing Dance Club. Seven-thirty, sharp. Wear something nice, but comfortable." With that, Bob was throwing on his jacket and out the door, headed home to see you. He wouldn't have left so abruptly, but you'd sent him a text and he wasn't going to keep you waiting.

The Daggers were even more perplexed. Well, all except for Nat, but the rest didn't need to know about it.

"San Diego Swing Dance Club?" Reuben was taken aback. Jake was thoroughly amused.

"Oh I have got to see this now."

-

The week flew by, and eventually it was Thursday evening. You were excited to finally meet Bob's friends, he talked about them so often. You'd be lying if you said you weren't a bit nervous, fretting over your outfit and hair more than usual, not to mention your makeup.

"Babydoll, you'll look beautiful no matter what you choose." Bob had been sitting on your bed for the better part of an hour now, as you agonized over your outfit choice.

You sighed, coming to sit next to him. "I just want to make a good first impression." You rest your head on his shoulder.

"I promise they'll like you no matter what you wear." Bob presses a kiss to your temple. You take a deep breath and close your eyes.

"I'll go with the plaid pants then."

Bob huffs out a laugh, "Alright, baby."

-

The Daggers arrived at seven-thirty, sharp. Just like Bob had told them. Nat sent Bob a text, letting him know that they'd arrived. He excused himself from the group to collect the rest of his friends. He was excited, happy to share one of his passions with the people he called friends. He was also happy to finally introduce his girl to the rest of his friends. Bob made his way over to the rest of the squad, clustered awkwardly by the main entrance of the dance hall.

"Glad you could make it!" Bob pulls Natasha in for a hug and greets the rest of the guys in a similar fashion.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Bobby." Jake says, eyes sweeping the room for a lady to take home for the night. Bradley and Javy were doing the same. Mickey and Reuben had brought partners for the evening— a double date.

The group fell into their usual rhythm, easy conversation and a few friendly jabs here and there. Almost forgetting the reason why they were there. Almost. Jake was just about to bring up the fact that they still had yet to meet Bob's mystery girl, when the intro to Thurston Harris' Little Bitty Pretty One started playing from the bandstand. It was jive night, which just so happened to be your favorite. Scanning the crowd, your eyes found Bob talking with his friends. 'Well, it's now or never,' you thought, and you were beelining towards your boyfriend so you could make it onto the floor for the first dance. Bob was just telling Nat about this new recipe he tried out for dinner when he felt a tug on his arm. He turned to look at you and smiled.

"Bobby c'mon, can't miss the first dance!"

He looked back at his friends, "Be right back," and Bob was off to the dancefloor with you. The Daggers watched as he whisked you away, stepping into a seamless jive. You felt like you were positively flying, floating through the air, feet touching every cloud. The way you and Bob danced together was something special. You could read each other in a way most dance partners wished they could. Feeling the music, keeping in time with the rhythm, anticipating and adapting to every move the other made. Improvisation was the purest form of art, the amount of trust placed in your partner is unlike anything else. You and Bob had something special, there was no denying that, especially as you were twirling across the floor.

"Who knew he could move like that?" Javy had to pick his jaw up off the floor.

"They make it look so effortless," Reuben looked utterly amazed.

Jake had to admit, he was impressed. Game recognizes game and damn it, Bob Floyd had game. It really was always the quiet ones. You were pretty, and you seemed fun. You seemed like you'd be good for Bob, even though they hadn't technically met you yet. Jake couldn't even be mad that he'd lost the bet. What he needed now was to learn how to dance like Bob because apparently, that was a great way to meet a lady. You and Bob were out of breath when you rejoined the group, introductions going a smooth as ever. You like the squad and the squad liked you. By the end of the night, you and Bob had shown everyone how to do a basic jive. Reuben, Mickey, and Javy caught on quickly, feeling comfortable enough to join the people out on the main floor. Bradley and Jake needed... help. Nat was managing, wanting a bit more time to figure the steps out before trying them on the floor.

Before everyone knew it, it was ten o'clock and the band was saying goodnight. You and Bob were saying your goodbyes, ready to head home. Once you and him were out the door, Natasha turned to Bradley and Javy.

"Alright, we split this three ways and make sure to absolutely rub it in Jake's face." Nat divvies up the cash and Bradley and Javy take their cuts. Javy gives a curt nod and a smile before walking to his car.

Bradley turns to Natasha. "Can I walk you to your car?" He offers his arm.

"Sure," Nat smiles and accepts.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Emil Ferris’s long-awaited “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book Two”

NEXT WEEKEND (June 7–9), I'm in AMHERST, NEW YORK to keynote the 25th Annual Media Ecology Association Convention and accept the Neil Postman Award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity.

Seven years ago, I was absolutely floored by My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, a wildly original, stunningly gorgeous, haunting and brilliant debut graphic novel from Emil Ferris. Every single thing about this book was amazing:

https://memex.craphound.com/2017/06/20/my-favorite-thing-is-monsters-a-haunting-diary-of-a-young-girl-as-a-dazzling-graphic-novel/

The more I found out about the book, the more amazed I became. I met Ferris at that summer's San Diego Comic Con, where I learned that she had drawn it over a while recovering from paralysis of her right – dominant – hand after a West Nile Virus infection. Each meticulously drawn and cross-hatched page had taken days of work with a pen duct-taped to her hand, a project of seven years.

The wild backstory of the book's creation was matched with a wild production story: first, Ferris's initial publisher bailed on her because the book was too long; then her new publisher's first shipment of the book was seized by the South Korean state bank, from the Panama Canal, when the shipper went bankrupt and its creditors held all its cargo to ransom.

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters told the story of Karen Reyes, a 10 year old, monster-obsessed queer girl in 1968 Chicago who lives with her working-class single mother and her older brother, Deeze, in an apartment house full of mysterious, haunted adults. There's the landlord – a gangster and his girlfriend – the one-eyed ventriloquist, and the beautiful Holocaust survivor and her jazz-drummer husband.

Karen narrates and draws the story, depicting herself as a werewolf in a detective's trenchcoat and fedora, as she tries to unravel the secrets kept by the grownups around her. Karen's life is filled with mysteries, from the identity of her father (her brother, a talented illustrator, has removed him from all the family photos and redrawn him as the Invisible Man) to the purpose of a mysterious locked door in the building's cellar.

But the most pressing mystery of all is the death of her upstairs neighbor, the beautiful Annika Silverberg, a troubled Holocaust survivor whose alleged suicide just doesn't add up, and Karen – who loved and worshiped Annika – is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Karen is tormented by the adults in her life keeping too much from her – and by their failure to shield her from life's hardest truths. The flip side of Karen's frustration with adult secrecy is her exposure to adult activity she's too young to understand. From Annika's cassette-taped oral history of her girlhood in an Weimar brothel and her escape from a Nazi concentration camp, to the sex workers she sees turning tricks in cars and alleys in her neighborhood, to the horrors of the Vietnam war, Karen's struggle to understand is characterized by too much information, and too little.

Ferris's storytelling style is dazzling, and it's matched and exceeded by her illustration style, which is grounded in the classic horror comics of the 1950s and 1960s. Characters in Karen's life – including Karen herself – are sometimes depicted in the EC horror style, and that same sinister darkness crowds around the edges of her depictions of real-world Chicago.

These monster-comic throwbacks are absolute catnip for me. I, too, was a monster-obsessed kid, and spent endless hours watching, drawing, and dreaming about this kind of monster.

But Ferris isn't just a monster-obsessive; she's also a formally trained fine artist, and she infuses her love of great painters into Deeze, Karen's womanizing petty criminal of an older brother. Deeze and Karen's visits to the Art Institute of Chicago are commemorated with loving recreations of famous paintings, which are skillfully connected to pulp monster art with a combination of Deeze's commentary and Ferris's meticulous pen-strokes.

Seven years ago, Book One of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters absolutely floored me, and I early anticipated Book Two, which was meant to conclude the story, picking up from Book One's cliff-hanger ending. Originally, that second volume was scheduled for just a few months after Book One's publication (the original manuscript for Book One ran to 700 pages, and the book had been chopped down for publication, with the intention of concluding the story in another volume).

But the book was mysteriously delayed, and then delayed again. Months stretched into years. Stranger rumors swirled about the second volume's status, compounded by the bizarre misfortunes that had befallen book one. Last winter, Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston published an article detailing a messy lawsuit between Ferris and her publishers, Fantagraphics:

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/fantagraphics-sued-emil-ferris-over-my-favorite-thing-is-monsters/

The filings in that case go some ways toward resolve the mystery of Book Two's delay, though the contradictory claims from Ferris and her publisher are harder to sort through than the mysteries at the heart of Monsters. The one sure thing is that writer and publisher eventually settled, paving the way for the publication of the very long-awaited Book Two:

https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/my-favorite-thing-is-monsters-book-two

Book Two picks up from Book One's cliffhanger and then rockets forward. Everything brilliant about One is even better in Two – the illustrations more lush, the fine art analysis more pointed and brilliant, the storytelling more assured and propulsive, the shocks and violence more outrageous, the characters more lovable, complex and grotesque.

Everything about Two is more. The background radiation of the Vietnam War in One takes center stage with Deeze's machinations to beat the draft, and Deeze and Karen being ensnared in the Chicago Police Riots of '68. The allegories, analysis and reproductions of classical art get more pointed, grotesque and lavish. Annika's Nazi concentration camp horrors are more explicit and more explicitly connected to Karen's life. The queerness of the story takes center stage, both through Karen's first love and the introduction of a queer nightclub. The characters are more vivid, as is the racial injustice and the corruption of the adult world.

I've been staring at the spine of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book One on my bookshelf for seven years. Partly, that's because the book is such a gorgeous thing, truly one of the great publishing packages of the century. But mostly, it's because I couldn't let go of Ferris's story, her characters, and her stupendous art.

After seven years, it would have been hard for Book Two to live up to all that anticipation, but goddammit if Ferris didn't manage to meet and exceed everything I could have hoped for in a conclusion.

There's a lot of people on my Christmas list who'll be getting both volumes of Monsters this year – and that number will only go up if Fantagraphics does some kind of slipcased two-volume set.

In the meantime, we've got more Ferris to look forward to. Last April, she announced that she had sold a prequel to Monsters and a new standalone two-volume noir murder series to Pantheon Books:

https://twitter.com/likaluca/status/1648364225855733769

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/01/the-druid/#oh-my-papa

[changingplumbob]

San Myshuno Characters - 3

Check out the sims who will be appearing in Layla's life over the next while.

Gym & School Staff

Dennis and Armani met at the Newcrest Community center on weekend when both were there to teach classes. They went out for coffee afterwards, and then found themselves unable to stay apart for long. They got married and adopted their very spoiled cat, Mister Jamison Pouncer III. They may be later on in their life, but for them it feels like it's just getting started! - ravingsockmonkey

I asked @ravingsockmonkey for a music teacher and he gave me a bonus teacher and a cat to boot! Armani (left) is an art lover is one of the most popular teachers in the elementary syndicate at San Myshuno Central Academy. Dennis can play almost any musical instrument you can name and delights in teaching the high school kids the theory of music. Mister Jamison Pouncer III is a CAT.

Other Apartment Dwellers

Interesting request from my dear Kristy, she want me to re making Diego Lobo and also have him a teen sister and maybe 8/9 years old little sister. So here they are. Hope u like them as much as I do 😉 - bloomingkyras

She may have created the Jessica we know and love but that didn't stop me asking the lovely @bloomingkyras if I could have some more! Diego Lobo, you know him, the hot headed art critic that decides what is or isn't on trend for the city. He's so successful that his parents have insisted his two younger sisters move in to his bachelor pad to get a proper education.

Youngest Natasha has standards so she will not be doing gymnastics, that silly class any kid can enter. She does ballet, and she does it much better than anyone else in the class, just ask her. Hot headed like her siblings she will likely clash with sweet mannered Coraline.

Tiffany Lobo (right) is the middle child. Hot headed and high maintanence, the popular girl at San Myshuno Central Academy does have a soft spot for brooding boys...

I cannot wait to see her prancing around your save - deardiaryts4

Okay everyone can we please give @deardiaryts4 a standing ovation for managing to make me a maxis match/mix sim! Pooja Khan (right) is Tiffany's best friend and somewhat of a saint for putting up with her bestie. Together they run the social circuit at the academy.

[purplesimmer455]

That Saturday, Megan and Iseul head to San Myshuno to complete an item from Megan’s bucket list, and spend a day in San Myshuno. They head to the Arts District first, and Iseul looks at Megan’s outfit. "Baby, you look like a sexy summer vampire." She says and Megan grins. "Thanks, Issy, it's kinda the look I was going for," she says, smoothing out her maxi dress and adjusting her hat. "Plus my I necklace completes the look." She says, running her fingers along the gold rectangular necklace with Iseul’s initial on it. Iseul’s eyes soften and she grins. "I love it. So, should we head in?" She asks, and Megan nods. 

They head inside the building and buy two tickets at the front desk. Iseul pays for them, and she takes Megan’s hand as they walk into the main downstairs gallery. It's a bit empty at the moment but they're planning to fill it up with some up-and-coming artists' work. "Look at this," Iseul says as they stop at a colorful blocky painting of the city. "I don't know much about art, but it's gorgeous and vibrant," Megan says. Iseul nods, and they both take in the artwork for a few minutes.

In her best Diego Lobo the art critic impression, issue says "Yes indeed, check out the crisp clean lines the artist used and the bright colors. Perhaps this is an insight into how they view the city through a certain lens." She says, pursing her lips in the way Diego does on his TV show and stroking her chin the same way he strokes his goatee while thinking. Megan snorts, "Precisely, Ms. Kang. Did you also happen to notice the layering of the blocks? I gather it represents the way things are so stacked on top of each other and the way people, businesses, and communities live side by side here." She says and Iseul nods. "That's pretty good, baby." She says, and Megan grins. "Hey, I took a few art history classes myself." She says, and Iseul smiles, leaning over to kiss her cheek before gifting her a bluebell.

[nil098]

Why Art Speaks Louder Than Words: Helping Kids Express Themselves Through Painting

There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens when a child picks up a paintbrush.

We see it every week at our studio. A child who doesn’t speak much in class paints a swirl of stormy skies. Another fills the entire canvas with yellow. When we ask what it means, they simply smile

Because sometimes… art says what words cannot.

At Art For Heart, we believe that painting is so much more than a creative activity. It’s a form of emotional release, a way to process feelings, and a powerful tool for self-expression—especially for children who are still learning to understand the world around them.

Let’s explore why painting helps kids express what’s in their hearts, even when they don’t yet know how to say it out loud.

🌱 Kids Feel Deeply—But Don’t Always Have the Words

Children experience a wide range of emotions—joy, sadness, frustration, and curiosity. But the tricky part? Most of them haven’t yet developed the vocabulary to explain what they’re feeling. That’s why we see tantrums, withdrawal, or moments of confusion.

Art becomes their language.

A child might not say, "I'm overwhelmed," but they might paint a page filled with jagged red strokes. Another might not express sadness directly but may draw a single tree in the rain.

It’s their way of saying: “This is how I feel.”

🎨 Art Creates a Safe Space to Feel and Express

Unlike school assignments or social expectations, painting is free of rules. There’s no right or wrong. Just colors, shapes, movement, and a quiet space to explore.

In our studio, we often meet children who come in feeling unsure. They hesitate to choose a color or start a line. But over time, something shifts. The moment they realize their ideas are welcome, they begin to open up—not just with their hands, but with their hearts.

One little artist of ours painted nothing but stormy clouds for three weeks straight. Then, in one class, her canvas changed. The clouds parted, and a golden sun peeked through. We didn’t need to ask what changed—we could feel it in her work.

🧠 Painting Builds Emotional Intelligence

Through painting, kids start to:

Recognize what they’re feeling

Name those feelings, even in their own quiet way

Explore how to process emotions creatively

This kind of emotional intelligence doesn’t just help them create beautiful art—it helps them grow into more aware, empathetic individuals.

When they express emotions through color or movement, they also begin to understand that everyone feels things. They see other kids painting joy, fear, imagination, and realize they’re not alone.

🖌️ What We Do at Art For Heart

At Art For Heart, our classes are not about perfect technique or flawless lines. They’re about exploration, freedom, and finding meaning in every brushstroke.

Our environment is designed to encourage self-expression, without pressure, comparison, or correction. We gently guide our students while giving them the space to create what they feel.

We don’t just ask, “What did you paint?” We ask, “How did it feel while painting that?”

Because that’s where the real magic lives.

🏠 How You Can Support Your Child’s Expression at Home

You don’t need fancy supplies or a big studio space to nurture your child’s creativity. Here’s how you can help:

Let them paint freely—don’t worry about mess or meaning.

Offer a mix of colors and materials and see what they gravitate toward.

Ask open-ended questions like: “What were you thinking when you chose this color?” or “Does this painting remind you of anything?”

And most importantly: don’t interpret it for them. Just hold space for their expression. Let their art speak.

💛 Let Their Hearts Speak Through Color

When children paint, they’re not just filling paper with color—they’re showing us pieces of their inner world. And often, that’s more powerful than anything they could ever say.

At Art For Heart, we’ve built a space where these quiet stories can come to life. A space where your child’s creativity, confidence, and emotional depth can flourish—one brushstroke at a time.

✨ Want to see what your child might create?

We’d love to welcome you into our warm, nurturing studio in San Diego. Whether it’s a weekly class, a special workshop, or just a chance to explore, we’re here to help your child paint their heart out—literally.

👉 Explore art classes for kids in san diego at Art For Heart

Let’s create something beautiful—together.

[aisharoy16]

Healing with Colors: How Adults Can Use Art to Process Emotions

Life can be a whirlwind of emotions, from the highs of joy to the lows of stress and sadness. For adults, juggling work, relationships, and personal challenges often leaves little time for self-reflection or emotional healing. That’s where art steps in as a transformative and therapeutic tool. Whether you’re painting on a blank canvas or simply doodling in a notebook, art provides a safe space to explore, express, and process emotions.

Art isn’t just for artists—it’s for anyone seeking inner peace and clarity. Enrolling in an art class for adults in San Diego can open doors to creative expression and emotional growth. Let’s dive into the healing power of colors and how adults can use art to process their emotions.

1. The Connection Between Art and Emotions

Art is deeply intertwined with our emotions. Colors, shapes, and patterns serve as visual languages that reflect what words often cannot.

Color Psychology: Colors evoke feelings and moods. For instance, blue can be calming, red can evoke passion, and yellow can bring joy. When you engage with colors in art, you’re directly tapping into your emotions.

Nonverbal Expression: Many adults struggle to articulate their feelings verbally. Art offers an alternative, nonverbal way to communicate and release pent-up emotions.

Example: A person feeling overwhelmed might use bold, chaotic strokes of dark colors to convey stress, leading to a sense of relief once the emotion is externalized.

2. How Art Promotes Emotional Healing

Engaging in art can help adults work through difficult emotions in several ways:

Releasing Stress: The act of drawing, painting, or sculpting can be meditative, helping to lower stress levels and promote relaxation.

Processing Trauma: Art allows individuals to revisit painful experiences from a safe perspective, fostering emotional release and understanding.

Building Resilience: Over time, creating art strengthens emotional resilience by teaching patience, self-acceptance, and adaptability.

Fun Fact: Studies have shown that even a simple 45-minute art session can significantly reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.

3. Techniques for Using Art to Process Emotions

You don’t need to be an expert to benefit from art. Here are a few techniques anyone can try:

a. Color Journaling

Create a visual diary where you use colors to represent your daily emotions. For example, green could symbolize calm, while red might signify frustration.

b. Abstract Painting

Let your emotions guide your brush. Don’t focus on creating a “perfect” piece—just focus on how the colors and shapes feel as you paint.

c. Mandala Coloring

Mandalas are intricate patterns often associated with mindfulness. Coloring these patterns can help you feel centered and focused.

d. Freeform Doodling

Pick up a pen and start doodling without any specific goal. This can be surprisingly effective in uncovering subconscious emotions.

4. The Role of an Art Class in Emotional Healing

While creating art independently is beneficial, joining an art class for adults offers unique advantages:

Guidance from Experts: Skilled instructors can teach techniques and provide insights into the therapeutic aspects of art.

Supportive Environment: Sharing your art with others in a judgment-free space fosters a sense of community and emotional connection.

Exploring New Mediums: From watercolors to mixed media, classes expose you to a variety of materials and methods to keep your creativity flowing.

5. Art as a Lifeline

Art has transformed the lives of countless adults. Take Maria, for example. After losing a loved one, she joined an art class for adults as a way to cope with grief. Through painting, Maria found a sense of peace and a way to honor her loved one’s memory.

Another example is Jason, a busy professional who turned to art as a stress-relief activity. Over time, he discovered that painting gave him clarity and helped him approach challenges at work with a calmer mindset.

Inspiration: Your story could be the next one to unfold on a canvas. All it takes is the first step.

6. The Science Behind Art Therapy

Research highlights the therapeutic effects of art:

Enhances Emotional Regulation: Creating art helps regulate the amygdala, the brain’s emotional processing center, reducing anxiety.

Boosts Dopamine Levels: Completing an art project triggers dopamine release, which promotes feelings of happiness and accomplishment.

Improves Focus: Engaging in detailed art activities enhances cognitive function and mindfulness.

7. Getting Started with Art for Healing

If you’re ready to embrace the healing power of art, here’s how you can begin:

Choose Your Medium: Start with something simple like colored pencils or watercolors.

Set Aside Time: Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day or week for creative exploration.

Consider Professional Guidance: Joining an art class for adults can help you stay motivated and explore your potential.

Why Choose Art for Heart?

At Art for Heart, we understand that art is more than just a hobby—it’s a journey of self-discovery and healing. Our art classes for adults are designed to provide a nurturing space where you can express yourself freely, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Expert instructors who inspire and guide you.

A welcoming community that encourages sharing and growth.

A variety of classes tailored to all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned artists.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

Discover the magic of colors and unlock the healing power of art at Art for Heart. Our art classes for adults in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, offer the perfect environment to relax, express, and grow.

📞 Call us at 619-206-8862🌐 Visit us at www.artforheartinfo.com📍 Location: Rancho Bernardo, San Diego

Take the first step to reconnect with your emotions and creativity—because art is for everyone.

[zippyskyfalls]

Callista Marin: The Eris Conspiracy

okay, I originally wasn’t going to post this here on Tumblr, this is a very private and personal project and only one other person I know is meant to see this, but I really like how the first chapter turned out! Thanks to that, I’ve decided to put this up on Tumblr in case anyone is actually interested in my work!!! Thank you to my amazing friend @protagaster who read this before anyone else, your words always help boost my mood and it’s truly been a pleasure being your friend

shoutout to the super cool @circe-puppeteer who makes me realize that I have never had an original experience in my life

and enough Stalling, hope you Enjoy what i’ve written!

(ye, i’m a Riordanverse fan, can you tell?)

----------

Look, I think we both know why you’re reading this Journal. You’re reading this because your interest in Greek Mythology and Modern Spins on it got you to pick up this book and see how it may compare to other works

I won’t try to shoo you away from this book because I know for a fact you won’t listen. I just want you to know that if I were you, and this story started getting relatable, i’d close this book.

It obviously won’t seem so relatable at the start, but hey, what do I know? Enjoy!!!

My name is Callista Marin, i’m a 14 year old girl living in San Diego, the current year is 1991.

I didn’t exactly have a normal life. I mostly grew up with my dad, traveling the world! We’ve gone to about 8 different countries, Brazil, Uruguai, Argentina, Ireland, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, and Chile. We got back to the US about 2 years ago.

My father has always been there for me, he’s the one who fed me, kept me safe, kept me warm. I’m not sure I would have made it this far if it wasn’t for him.

He’s always been my biggest supporter, the man who paid for my art supplies even when we didn’t have the money, the man who taught me how to get past an art block, the man who taught me practically everything I know!

It’s always just been me and him… yeah, I should probably explain that.

You may have noticed that my mother hasn’t been mentioned yet! She’s… out of the picture. I never really met her, my dad says I have her eyes. Just basic brown, the most common of the colors. I personally don’t think I need to know about my mother, and I don’t want to know anything about my mother.

She had already made her choice the moment she left my dad to take care of me on his own. Even if she wanted to form a relationship with me, she missed her chance.

Alright, next order of business, my school.

For the past year, I've been attending San Diego’s Private School for Gifted Children, the name practically tells you everything you need to know. I had gotten in thanks to a given scholarship I earnt thanks to an art exhibition in which I won first place. I’m definitely better at some things than others when it comes to the school work.

The school takes education very seriously, any student with lower than a 75% grade isn’t coming back next semester.

Maths? Big no-no. Art? That’s where I shine! It’s all i’m good at, it’s all I can do. I don’t really get along with the kids in the school, they aren’t BAD people… I just don’t know how to make friends.

That was until this august.

“Please settle down, students.” Mrs Rivers began. She’d been a teacher at this school for 17 years, one of the oldest teachers here.

Mrs Rivers is a tall white lady with Brown Frizzy hair and looks like a hippie straight from the 80’s, a long, flowy skirt, a faded Fleetwood Mac t-shirt barely visible under her crocheted cardigan. She’s fun, I guess, but I personally think she tries too hard to make students like her.

“First off, I’d like to welcome you back from Summer break! I know everybody’s been busy getting that new Transparent landline phone I’ve seen appearing around stores”. A few students in the class stared at her with concern. I could hear Martha Stein, the dark-skinned blonde girl with braids who sat behind me, grumbling under her breath, something about the last generation needing to get with the times. 

I could definitely see her point. While I do think it’s unfair to judge Mrs Rivers for trying… it did make me cringe a bit.

“Second of all, we have a new student joining our class. Mr Jerrons, would you like to introduce yourself?” There was a brief silence before the classroom door creaked open. A boy stepped in, his left hand curling a strand of dark brown hair around his finger. “It’s uh– Herrans.”

His voice was soft, but there was something too even about it, like he was measuring every syllable.

The boy had short, curly brown hair that reached just below his ears. His eyes dark and his skin bronze. He wore a split red and black tank top tee with a black jacket with hot pink accents on top. His long, dark, Baggy Jeans made the sandals which were definitely not dress code approved barely visible

He wasn’t just good-looking—he was beautiful. The kind of beauty that made your brain short-circuit for a second because it didn’t seem quite real.

The other girls must have noticed it too since suddenly, the new kid already seemed to have eyes on him. Not just girls, even some guys, too. It was a rare sighting to see that.

Venus seemed used to it, too. He stood there patiently, waiting for the murmurs to settle, like this happened all the time.

“Alright,” he continued. “My name is Venus Martinez Areia Herrens. I’m fifteen years old, and I’m here on a scholarship. I, uh… have a deep interest in history and the arts.”

That made me blink. Fifteen?

He didn’t look fifteen. Fourteen, at most. Maybe even thirteen.

I wasn’t the only one who caught that. I saw Martha Stein’s eyes narrow slightly, and another student—Jonas broth, I think—whispered something to his friend.

“Wonderful! Welcome, Mr. Hairline.” “It’s Herrens–” “You may sit beside Miss Marin for the remainder of the semester.”

The second the words had been spoken, I melted to the back of my seat. I knew the reason why, of course. I wasn’t exactly surprised. Mrs. Rivers always paired new students with me thanks to how quiet I normally was and knew I wouldn’t make much of a distraction.

But now, with literally every student’s eyes following him to the empty seat next to mine, I wanted to disappear.

Most – if not all – students turned around and stared at the empty seat. Venus walked calmly, setting his bag down without a word. I didn't focus much on the lesson, something about the American revolution.

He just kind of… sat there. Unnervingly. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thunk he’d stopped breathing!

Them suddenly; Tap, tap, tap,

I stiffened. Someone was poking my shoulder

I turned my head slightly. Venus was watching me with an easy expression, holding out a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it carefully, I saw two words, written in slanted, careful handwriting:

Callista, right?

I frowned slightly, nodding. Was that really all he wanted to ask?

Venus flipped the paper over and scribbled something else before passing it back.

'Nice 2 Meet you'

It was oddly polite. Too… intentional? New kids usually waited a while before making conversation. He was getting straight to the point.

I stared at the note for a second before responding in my usual way: I pointed at the words and held up two fingers—same here.

I noticed from the corner of my eyes… He held a small smile on his lips. It was an odd feeling; the feeling of somebody you barely knew going out of their way to meet you, like a distant cousin you only met once at a family gathering

I didn’t mind it, Venus seemed like a cool guy!

Which was why, at the end of the class at hand, I had offered him a seat next to me during lunch.

[alldancersaretalented]

Dancers You Might Know That Competed Against ALDC (Dance Moms) - Season 4

Season 4 Episode 1 Sheer Talent Wheeling 2013

New England Dance Centers attended the competition (Jade Clouds mothers studio, select team)

New England Dance Centers group "The Forgotten Children" comes in 1st ahead of ALDC "Girls Night Out"

Abby Lee Miller is listed as the choreographer for "Girls Night Out", even though Molly long choreographed the routine

Season 4 Episode 2 Believe Columbus 2013

Tillie Glatz (Studio Bleu) beats Kendall (5th) and Chloe (2nd) with her solo "If I Had My Way"

other well known studios: Studio Bleu

Season 4 Episode Special Dancers Care Foundation Benefit Competition Atlantic City 2013

Season 4 Episode 4 In10sity Orlando 2013

JoJo Siwa performs a solo ("Call Me Back") at this competition and comes in 3rd behind Maddie (1st)

Season 4 Episode 4 Dance Troupe Roanoke 2013

ALDC and CADC group dances are the only two dances competing in that category, ALDC scores 3.2 points higher than CADC

Season 4 Episode 5 Masters of Dance Arts Atlanta 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 6 Onstage America Voorhees 2013

Michelle Quiner (North Jersey Sch. o. D. A.) competes in the Advanced Teen Division and places 1st with her solo "Sunrise"

other well known studios: Jamie's Dance Odyssey, North Jersey School of Dance Arts

Season 4 Episode 7 Sheer Talent Bronx 2013

Michelle Quiner (North Jersey Sch. o. D. A) comes in 1st in Teen Solo with her solo "Sunrise", ahead of Brooke (4th)

other well known studios: North Jersey School of Dance Arts

Season 4 Episode 8 Fierce Dance Competition Woodbridge 2013

Kaeli Ware performs for ALDC, comes in 3rd with "The Sparrow"

Kamryn Beckn and Chloe Smith also compete for ALDC, however their solos don't place as the competition has all dances of one age division compete against each other for a mere Top 3

Season 4 Episode 9 Masters of Dance Arts Fort Wayne 2013

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 10 Masters of Dance Arts Detroit 2013

Ava Cota competes under BDA and places 3rd in Junior Solo with "Read All About It", she places behind Maddie (1st) and ahead of Kendall (9th)

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 11 In10sity Toledo 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 12 World Class Talent Experience Rockville 2014

Season 4 Episode 13 World Class Talent Experience Canton 2014

Season 4 Episode 14 Dance USA Columbus 2014

Season 4 Episode 15 Masters of Dance Arts Buffalo 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 16 Energy NDC Youngstown 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 21 Sheer Talent Wheeling 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 22 In10sity Olmsted Falls 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 23 POWERHOUSE Front Royal 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 24 Imagine Woodbridge 2014

other well known studios: Studio Bleu

Season 4 Episode 25 Believe Woodbridge 2014

Season 4 Episode 26 Energy NDC Watersford 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 27 Sheer Talent Wayne 2014

competition created just for dance moms

Season 4 Episode 28 DanceKidsUSA Orlando 2014

Season 4 Episode 31 In10sity Calabasas 2014

Ava Cota competes as an independent and comes in 3rd in Junior Solo, and 10th overall, behind Kendall (3rd Jr, 9th Overall), Kamryn (6th Tn, 7th Overall) and Chloe (5th Tn, 6th Overall)

other well known studios: San Diego Dance Center

[inspofromancientworld]

Mesoamerica

The precolonization time periods of Mesoamerica, which covers modern-day Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and parts of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica are divided into different periods than those in Europe and the Middle East. Part of this is simple separation, though other reasons include geography (that Mesoamerica has oceans on both sides and between two much larger north-south oriented land masses as well as the minerals available) and climate (a complex mixture of lowlands, highlands, and sub-tropical and tropical climates in the lowlands to cool and dry in the highlands).

Humans reached the area approximately 18000 BCE. From then until about 8000 BCE is known as the Paleo-Indian or, less commonly, the Lithic period, followed by the Archaic period which ended about 2000 BCE, followed by the Preclassical until about 250 CE, the Classical until 900 CE, then the Postclassical, which ended with the Spanish colonization around 1500 CE.

The Paleo-Indian era covers the time period from when people arrived in the area and began using agriculture, pottery, and other skills needed to maintain life. This time period covered hunter-gatherer civilizations and the development of field-based agriculture. This period is fairly similar to the Stone Age in Europe and the Middle East.

During the Archaic period, permanent settlements were established, followed by pottery and loom weaving, allowing class divisions to begin to appear. Trade networks also developed, within short distances at first, then further afield, for stones like obsidian and chert (a fine grained sedimentary rock formed of microcrystaline quartz).

By Gary Todd - https://www.flickr.com/photos/101561334@N08/9764925512/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96186719

During the Preclassical period, large-scale ceremonial architecture, cities, states, and writing developed. With the development of writing, we can know what the groups of people called themselves. Some of these are the Olmec, who lived around La Venta and San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, the Zapotec civilization, around the Valley of Oaxaca, Teotihuacan, in the Valley of Mexico, and the Maya, in the Mirador Basin.

By amslerPIX - https://www.flickr.com/photos/amslerpix/48762494738/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113266497

The Classical period was defined by the independent city-states of the Maya and the beginnings of political unification of central Mexico and the Yucatán. Differences in regional cultures manifested themselves until the city-state of Teotihuacan began to dominating the Valley of Mexico, though we don't know much about the culture of the area due to Teotihuacanos not having a culture of writing. The city-state of Monte Albán dominated the Valley of Oaxaca. Though we have some of their writing, we haven't been able to decipher it yet. They did leave a highly sophisticated artistic culture as well, which spread through the area.

By Attributed to Diego Rivera - TheSun.co.uk - https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NINTCHDBPICT000416684675.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145523789

The Postclassical period saw the collapse of many of the great nations of the Classical period, though the Oaxaca, the Maya of Yucatan (such as the city of Chichen Itza and Uxmal), and the Cholula continued. This period is thought to have seen an increase in warfare, though there were technological advancements in engineering, weaponry, and metallurgy occurred. There was also a lot more movement and population growth during this time as well, especially after about 1200 CE, and experiments in government. The Toltec dominated in the 9-10th centuries then collapsed. The Maya united for a while under Mayapan and the Oaxaca under Mixtec rulers. The Aztec Empire rose in the 15th century and began conquering the Valley of Mexico. This was also the beginning of a renaissance of fine arts and sciences.

By Karnhack - karnhack.com, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24111651

The Spanish conquest of the area was aided by native people who wanted allies against the Aztec Empire. After this, much of the culture of the area and many of the people were destroyed by the Spaniards.

[remembertheplunge]

Flight impressions

11/16/1987. 4:04pm

We lifted off about 4 minutes ago. We soar above LA smog on flight 1895 bound from San Diego to Fresno with a stop in LA. We circle out over the Pacific. Tiny planes dart by far below. The earth hangs beneath all festooned in her riches of black, green and silver fox grey blue, like patterns in material art. It’s like watching an unreal movie. We bank. The mountains hang in their mist as if in magic—a blue sky trim harkens and harbors a peace lite halo. The feeling is above it all. 

4:11pm.  The land below coddles a lake, holds it in grip like a child in a mother’s lap.

4:14pm. I’ll try out the field glasses. Flight stewardess just passed by. Don’t think I want anything. Peanuts ok.

4:14:39.  We pass over the Tehachapi’s into the great Central Valley. The mountains caress down into the valley in a peaceful, almost seductivly sensual, sexual way. They gently feel their way neath velvet bed spread of valley’s sleep. A bright sun enters from left. A beautiful blue luster shimmers beyond. 

About 4 plane cashes in the last 24 hours. I imagine the thought flits through all 60 or so minds on board. I feel safe aloft.

4:18pm I’ll try out the field glasses. Nope, don’t seem to work too well up here.

4:22pm. A bit of turbulence!!

4:28pm. A bell chimes. We begin our diescent. I perceive a drag of the engines. Broad solid rock wall of the Sierra Nevadas to the East. White cotton clouds, blue grey mist of day adds majesty. The sun peaking in on the west.

The clouds and mist mimic the sea in their attachment to the land—they hug up and cuddle and out to sea, they swell and crest in repetition.

4:36pm. The cabin grows much darker. Fasten seat belt. We begin descent into Fresno. Here, below, we find a peace not present over LA or San Diego. The cities sit like computer chips midst a green checker board.

We are space people. We truly live on a revolving jewel. Emerald of the sky. The mountains vanish to mist.. Feeling of falling.We drop from higher realms of reality to a lower physical place. We are blinded now of strength of rock mother, but, she is there all the same. Now, the physical world reaches up to touch as time slows, speed slows,  weight and velocity alter. Weighting down, down, down, down—flaps and wheels scream.

We give up freedom of the sky for security of the earth. But, they are at different speeds and places. We have seen. We shall not un see.

Pale grey, brown. Closer, closer, closer. Cars, highway, runway and—we land! 4:42:55pm 

End of entry

Note: 3/24/2024

I had been in SanDiego for a criminal law class and to visit with my sister Zoe who lived there at that time.

I googled 4 plane crashes November 1987. The one that came up was flight 1713 that crashed on take off from Denver, Colorado’s Stapleton Airport on November 15,1987.. The pilots failed to properly de ice the wings and took off at too steep a pitch. Some on board died. The cause of the crash led to changes in aviation safety rules.