More of Suzanne Belperron‘s amazing jewelry can be found at https://belperron.com/.

Artist Ivan Guaderrama was born in Chihuahua, but raised in New Mexico and Colorado.Initially, Guaderrama had initial plans to be a doctor.  However, four years into his medical studies, he realized that his heart was deeply rooted in art.Drawn into the Gospel’s core, Guaderrama dedicated his life to a fervent pursuit of innovative art forms that transcend conventional boundaries.Guaderrama’s journey led him to incorporate pioneering technologies into his work, birthing masterpieces that converse with the audience through touch-induced sounds and three-dimensional visuals that spring to life via the “Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery App”, an application he developed as a skilled programmer.His artistry transcends traditional painting and sculpture by embedding robotics interfaces, the intelligent brains within his pieces, establishing a new paradigm in immersive art.Guaderrama’s creative spirit expanded as he deepened his relationship with religion as his eternal inspiration.His art touches the hearts and spirits of those who encounter it, pushing the boundaries of emotional engagement.

More of Ivan Guaderrama’s inspirational paintings can be found at https://www.ivanguaderrama.com/.

A strange point of view — talking about what you’re doing at the moment. Like wondering if making homemade spaghetti sauce is old fashioned.

Some people love doing it; others are so busy with their lives it’s much easier to doctor up a jar of the red marvel. Of course the end result is “worth it: — but is it practical anymore?

Have we trended out of one form of expression only to discover the next one that lies around the corner?

I spend a lot of time on research for my art blogs. I myself love doing nitty gritty like that. But many don’t. And many don’t have time to read blogs they’re signed up for. What started out to be an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes has more likely become a chore.

And we all know how we love chores.

Sometimes I sit and reflect that there’s really nothing left to blog about. I can’t stand half of the world affairs, and no amount of blogging will change the players involved. I don’t do recipes or instructions or celebrity gossip. The art I find I share, but not everyone is interested these days.

I’m not taking offense if blogging is on it’s way out as a social trend. Fifteen years ago blogging was just coming into vogue. A few years before that it was Facebook and Instagram. There was always a way to be heard.

Now with apps like Tic Tok and What’s App and dozens more you can be heard and seen everywhere all at once. I suppose that’s good and bad.

But back to blogging.

I know in here I’ve said from time that feel a slowdown coming. A change of ways. After all, what is life without change?

People evolve. So do their forms of entertainment. What was fun and innovative five years ago is now old news. People used to write in journals and give each other calling cards so they could keep in touch. Letters turned to hardcover books which turned into paperbacks and now most anything you want to read can be found electronically.

This is not so much a wondering blog as it is an observational one. WordPress used to (and still might) be the most popular writing blog. But, as evolution shows, now it’s in competition with Bluesky, Substack, and who know what else.

Today’s blog is more about keeping connected.

Just as hardcovers evolved into Kindle and hand written letters turned into texting, so blogs will continue to evolve.

I hope you continue to use the tools of the Internet, not to waste, but to create. Explore, research, wander. But always come back home.

It’s where blogging will be waiting … along with some kickass homemade spaghetti sauce …..

How often do you ask this of others?

How often do you ask this and mean it?

“How are you?” is one of those phrases we throw out constantly, often with emptiness behind it. Kind of like a courtesy call. “How are you?” is about as cliché as “What’s New?” but not as specific as “Did you -___?” or “How was ___?”

I’m not picking on us. It’s a courtesy in and of itself just to speak to someone else. These days it’s easier to walk eyes down or stare at your phone and ignore a possible interaction than to actually engage in conversation.

“How ya doin’?” is often an ice breaker. Depending on the response (not only the actual words but someone’s body language) you can instantly judge if you want to continue the conversation or move on.

“How are you?” gives you room to instantly judge a situation and your reaction to it. Which is not always an accurate response.

People who are in pain or who have just lost a loved one often say “I’m doing fine.” They protect their hearts and minds with those three words, keeping the world at bay while they deal with whatever.

“I’m doing fine” also is a knee jerk response to the constant repetition of the question they hear all day long. After all, how many times do you need to explain your feelings about frustration or depression or, the other side of the coin, bliss and contentment?

Emotions are a strange reaction to the world around you. Heaven forbid you are too happy or too sad. Middle-of-the-road Q&As make life easier. How are you. Fine. Move on. How are you. Fine. Move on.

I’m not saying every conversation needs to be a confessional or a gut-wrenching response. Sometimes you are just fine. Sometimes you are just being polite.

But I don’t want to turn into a robot who asks the same questions a dozen times a day and get the same dozen answers. Sometimes I want the other person to know that I really am interested in their well being and their psyche. I don’t need an in depth conversation of what’s bothering them unless it’s obvious that they need one at the moment.

Reading people is nearly impossible. We all have such heavy armor around us it’s hard for us to experience the world as it’s meant to be experienced.

But know that sometimes when someone asks you “How are you?” they really want to know. They, too, are tippy toeing around sensitive subjects yet want you to know they’re there for you if need be.

So ….

How are you?