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1. Adj.: Describing a person born between 1 Jan. 1946 and 31 Dec. 1964
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Zentangle Diva Challenge #336 – Please Make It Stop Edition

by Suzanne Fluhr on October 11, 2017 · 14 comments

Delancey Place flower boxes near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia

Laura Harms, the Zentangle Diva, gave us a little break this week by challenging us to produce a monotangle tile using Striping, a very intuitive tangle, demanding little concentration. Thus, one should be able to achieve quite a Zen state while doing this week’s challenge. Unfortunately, if you live in North America (or are friends with someone who lives in North America), it is difficult to achieve a calm mind these days.

Suzanne Fluhr writing a brief

Gratuitous photo of moi writing a legal brief “down the shore”. I don’t recall whether that one included a “parade of horribles”.

Those of us who used to write legal briefs, sometimes trot out a “parade of horribles” to point out to a judge all the bad things that could happen should the judge rule in favor of our opponents.

“Parade of horribles” is a good way to describe what feels like a never-ending string of recent disasters: Hurricane Harvey massively flooding Houston, Texas; Hurricane Irma decimating many Caribbean islands and parts of Florida; Hurricane Maria wiping out Domenica and Puerto Rico; strong earthquakes in Mexico; mass murder in Las Vegas; and now, out of control wild fires destroying lives and homes in California. Then I exacerbate the awfulness by watching waaaay too much cable TV political news.

This week’s challenge at least let me pause. I just concentrated on the comfortable feeling of not having to fret about where to put my pen next. Here’s the result:

Zentangle monotangle using Striping

I’ve also been grateful for the warm temperatures of our prolonged Indian summer. This has encouraged me to spend more time outdoors, indulging myself and the dog with longer walks through our Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. The warm temperatures have allowed the lovely window box plantings to endure.

Delancey Place flower boxes near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia

Delancey Place flower boxes near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia

“Scherenschnitte” (paper scissor cutting) by Marie-Helene Grabman of Alexandria, VA. (c)

“Scherenschnitte” (paper scissor cutting) displayed by Marie-Helene Grabman of Alexandria, VA. (c) at a Fine Craft Fair on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelpiha.

 

If you will be anywhere near Philadelphia this weekend October 13-15, 2017), come by Rittenhouse Square where there will be a fine craft fair. There are usually over 140 booths displaying and selling various crafts.

 

 

 

Do you have a coping mechanism to deal with a prolonged spate of bad news?

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

michele October 11, 2017 at 8:05 pm

I’m with you on trying to Zen out from this parade of horribles. I’ve been focusing on Inktober illustration and most definitely this Striping challenge. I love what I’m seeing at The Diva so far, by putting what I used to use as an enhancement, front and center. bold and beautiful;-) I love your photographs;-)

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Melena October 11, 2017 at 9:53 pm

Suzanne, what a beautiful place to take long walks with your dog. That would be very calming. And your Striping monotangle is great. It’s definitely a good Zen one I needed, what with all the disasters. I was already stressed out about all the hurricanes and earthquakes, and then the fires hit Sunday night, right here where I live in Sonoma County. 🙁 Luckily I’m just enough north of these fires so I am okay, except for the thick smoke and the ashes. But I’ve really got to keep an eye on what’s going on. It’s not over until it’s over and it’s definitely not over yet. I think I’ve been running on adrenaline the last few days. This Striping monotangle really helped yesterday. I sat down and ended up covering the whole tile with Striping. I just kept going and going. But it gave me a space of quiet, thank goodness. Be safe out there in this crazy world. Keep tangling.

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Suzanne Fluhr October 11, 2017 at 10:49 pm

I am sorry to hear that you are coping with the wild fires. It must be very nerve wracking.

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Annemarie October 13, 2017 at 2:02 am

That tile of yours of lovely!

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Heidisue October 13, 2017 at 9:31 am

Mmmm, striping is almost exactly like coloring in a coloring book. So relaxing. Other than zentangle, my relief from all the horribles right now has been to just pause, close my eyes and listen to my surroundings. It’s doable while in line at the store, at my desk at work, on public transport. Reminds me that, regardless of things out in the world, right now, here, I’m okay

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1 Art Lady Kate Tangles October 13, 2017 at 11:22 am

Beautiful striping and what a lovely area to walk. The window boxes are so lovely! It must be fun to see them grow and change. Do they trick them out for the winter too? As for coping… Breathe just breathe, and getting lost in a good book, or making some art. Zentangle is good for that! By the way I have been enjoying reading your Midlife Blvd. posts too!

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Suzanne Fluhr October 13, 2017 at 12:57 pm

Thank you for your kind comments and for following me on Midlife Boulevard too. Sometimes when I write, I feel like I’m shouting (or whispering) in the universe, so it ‘s nice to know someone appreciates my prose. 🙂

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Margarete Gilge October 14, 2017 at 3:29 am

Your Diva tile is very beautiful. And your fotos of your walks are wonderful. I like these old houses wich such wonderful flowers around. One can find classical ‘tangle patterns’ in windows and doors.

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Dragonfly-Artz October 14, 2017 at 6:16 am

Beautiful striping tile! What a lovely area to walk with your dog and your photos are wonderful. My outdoor plants are thriving as well, which is so nice to wake up to every morning.

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Dragonfly-Artz October 15, 2017 at 6:52 am

Hi Suzanne, thank you for reminding me re: KTT. I meant to type it out as well use the abbreviation – Kitchen Table Tangle on the Zentangle App. Oopsy… 🙂

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Nan October 15, 2017 at 11:33 am

Those flower boxes are absolutely AMAZING!!! A full garden right in front of their windows – wow. Your tangle is so cool. I just sit and stare at it. Hmmm are you trying to hypnotize me?? I cope by asking how and seeing how I can help whether it be through financial or literal giving.

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Carmela October 15, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Great striping,beautiful pics.

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Donald Wilka October 15, 2017 at 3:41 pm

Nice work on Striping. Like the contrast of the negative space with the area of the abutting sections.

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Pat Floerke October 16, 2017 at 9:24 am

I love how round each section is. I believe that the way to lean into and get through the horribles is to let them move me from horrible to compassion. As I scan the comments, sounds like that is happening here. Thanks for sharing, Suzanne.

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