Freezing rain resulted in some gorgeous ornaments being formed.

2/12/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

When I was little, I had three older sisters.   My mother was busy as was my father.   My sisters were all different, but in large families the older children ‘parent’ the younger children. I did the same for my younger siblings including my younger sister, although she was next in line, so I can’t say I ever really ‘parented’ her.   We did a lot together as a family, and while my parents were the parents there were many times when I literally needed a hand to hold on to, that it would be an older sister helping me toddle along.  If I fell skating, it was likely one of my big sisters who picked me up.   If I wanted a book read to me, it was likely one of them that read it.  If I needed help, it was likely one of them that helped me.  Of course as we got older relationships changed, as they always do, and there have been times I have helped each of them.  However when I look at my life, I can see the impact of each of them on me.  I can see one’s artistic side, one’s athletic side, one’s creative side, and one’s writing skills in a lot of what I do.  Altogether the three of them have been good role models for me at various times of my life.  When children grow and leave the family house, it is as if they are setting off on a new trail through a field of waist high wheat. The advantage of having older siblings is that as you set off, you can see the paths they have taken up to that point.  That doesn’t mean you have to follow those paths, but at least you see where they have gone.  Sometimes you head toward one of their paths, and sometimes you head in exactly the opposite direction.  I can say that I had three strong role models, who I am still proud to say, “her, yeah,  that’s my sister, isn’t she something!”

© words by Dan DeMarle 2017

When I was growing up with my 7 siblings, we amazingly never stole from one another, well at least I didn’t. Sure we would borrow each other clothes. I am sure my brothers and I often ended up with each others’ socks each time the laundry was done. That was not stealing, it was just laundry.  We did not steal with one notable exception. Books. We were all voracious readers. If there was a good book in the house, and the person currently reading it, put it down. ZAMM it was in someone’s hands or room. There were quite a few book battles at times, with many accusations of who was reading which book first. I remember Jaws, The Lord of the Rings, and the Shinning being particularly well stolen, particularly because the younger siblings were told that they could not read them, which just increased the value of those books.Watership Down was another well thumbed book. Now If I could just remember which one of them ended up with my copy of “All creatures great and small.”

© words by Dan DeMarle 2017

2/1/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

“Someday men will learn to irrigate and spread fertilizer instead of praying for fertility.”
― Warren Eyster, The Goblins of Eros

2/1/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

There is something in the symmetry of two spiral staircases – side by side that says, we are separate and go separate ways.  Like two strands of DNA, but a sequence that never combines.  Separate lives, separate stairs.

Back ally, Montreal  Canada

11-26-16

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2016

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017

2/25/14

© words by Dan DeMarle 2014

Just a short note to say Thank you! Life is hard, good friends make it easier. So Thanks to everyone out there who is fighting the good fight. Whether that be a daily internal struggle to stay sober, keep yourself clean, stay off the streets, keep you suicidal inner voice at bay, battle your own depression, your OCD, or all the other daily battles we can all fight. Keep fighting! The world, my world, is a better place because you are in it. Every day, yes every day.  Whether you are fighting a constant physical battle of pain due to migraines, cancer, arthritis, or all the other ways our bodies can hurt and be injured, Thank you for persevering. Your continued light makes my world better and brighter. Whether you are fighting the system to get you or yours what you or they have been promised, are entitled to by law, or by basic common sense, Thank you! My world is better for your hard work to change the system. Whether you are fighting to make life better for others, to light a light in darkness, to help others achieve independence, racial justice, rights, freedom, citizenship, Thank you! My world, my community, my city, my neighborhood is better due to your hard work. Whether you are fighting for the environment, fighting pollution, global warming, and/or increased antibiotic resistance, Thank you.  Sometimes these are the hardest battles to fight, but our future as a world and a species depend on you.  Whether you are fighting to bring light into the world through art, through games, through literature, through the news media, Thank you! You make my world more beautiful, fun, and informed every day I breathe. Whether you are fighting political injustices, world injustices, fascism, totalitarianism, or all other things we are threatened with, Thank you.  You protect my world and all of our world today and in the future.  Lastly thank you for all of you who serve and protect our country every day, and thank you to your families who worry about you and support you.  We would not be free if not for the brave men and women who do this work, every hour of every day.

We are all in this together and we all have a part to play in this great dance of life. I am here for you, just let me know how I can help.

© words by Dan DeMarle 2017

When you have to move snow, or change the world, it is often good to work with a friend.

In the outdoor sculpture park at the Memorial Art Gallery.

2/14/17

© words and pictures by Dan DeMarle 2017