While better than my cottage, this still is not the loose effect I want to achieve. I want to improve my pastel painting because I think it would be a good medium for plein air painting. After this attempt, I bought a book on the subject. Until I improve, I will stop using my expensive paper and use the Mi-Teintes and cheaper papers.

I saw a post on FB by a dear friend that really disturbed me. It glorified a woman in Germany who interrupted an Imam's prayer during an interfaith concert by shouting anti-Muslim rants. How is this woman a hero? Intolerance and bigotry is never ok, and I had no idea my friend was so bigoted. My emotional response may not be right, but I found myself distancing myself from her. Some of the warmth and affection that I felt for her sapped right out from me.

I have nightmares and use three sleeping aids: music, Latin chants by monks and Koran readings/cants. The last got me to reading the Koran (translations from Arabic to English are on opposing pages the way Missals once were when the Mass was said in Latin). I can never be Muslim, but I respect the Koran and the Muslim faith. Yes, there are some terrible extremists but they do not represent all Muslims. Christians can be extremists too both historically and in more recent years. Think about the origin of the expression "to drink the kool-aid".