Welcome statement


Parting Words from Moristotle” (07/31/2023)
tells how to access our archives
of art, poems, stories, serials, travelogues,
essays, reviews, interviews, correspondence….

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Thunder Down Under:
For Ben’s birthday

Signature
A rare portrait

Painting by Shirley Deane/Midyett

Text by Vic Midyett

Ben is my son, but Shirley regards him as hers too. So, last year, she painted her second portrait ever, of Ben for his 38th birthday. (Her first portrait was a self-portrait, done many years ago, and it appears on the cover of her book, Brain Tangles.)

Ben Midyett, for his 38th birthday
    Moristotle discovered this week that we hadn’t published Ben’s portrait, even though he has had a photo of it for months. We couldn’t remember whether we had a reason for not publishing it at the time or just forgot...and kept on forgetting.
    Apologies all around for keeping from you this image of a very handsome young man (if we do say so ourselves). And he’s a very nice one too, and a good one.


Moristotle’s theory is that we forgot to publish the portrait because we all became absorbed about then with the task of publishing Brain Tangles, which, if you haven’t purchased a copy yet, can be ordered from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or an other retailer who may be more convenient for you or offer you a lower price.

Copyright © 2018 by Vic & Shirley Deane/Midyett

6 comments:

  1. I seem to remember this morning another reason we may not have published the portrait at the time. Vic, you told me that Shirley was concerned that people who saw Ben’s portrait might inundate her with requests to paint their portrait, and she isn’t a portrait painter!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh yes, Morris. You are right. That is why we did not post it initially. So, how about I simply say here and now - no portrait requests please.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Portraits do not come naturally for her. They take 10-20 times longer and cause her unneeded high anxiety. I thank you for accepting that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. From an early reader of Brain Tangles:

    I recommend BRAIN TANGLES for EVERYONE. It is entertaining, enlightening, empowering, and easy to follow. Never has the time been more ripe for these thoughts and this understanding of life, communication, and surviving. I am empowered and filled with hope each time I open my copy of BRAIN TANGLES. I am better equipped as a human being and as a therapist when I remain aware and meet my own needs effectively. The chapter “The Survivor's Checklist – Step by Step” is empowering, enlightening, and a simple tool for unraveling the mysteries of communication and human behavior. A tool to survive and thrive at any stage of personal development. Thank you, Shirley, for always questioning and for giving hope.
                –Angela Catlett, MS, LPC

    ReplyDelete