Beauty is Within the Eyes of the Beholder

Deserts and Others Scenes
Articles and Painting by Janeal Mulaney




As we walked over the hard cracked ground we saw a snake laying in the shade of a small rock. The desert was sparse of vegetation, but in the shade of the great mesas there lived signs of green in the sagebrush. We saw a few cacti’s with small dainty flowers in various colors blooming against all odds. Some people do not see the beauty, which lay throughout this dry austere land. I do see vivacious beauty, the color shades throughout the lays of landscape from golden rod, to rustic red, to deep rich brown. They all layer the mesas that stand around me. No this was not Sahara, or Saudi Arabia desert; these are the deserts of the plains in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Some of the mesas here were formed out from old volcanoes, while other mesas were formed from earthquakes as well as God’s loving hands.

A small tree will grow here or there, a surprise to anyone who takes time to walk upon the crusted land. Although soup weeds and cactus make up the major plant growth in these water-starved areas, there is life among the dried and crusted floor. Small scurrying animals run to hide, as my footsteps grow nearer.

As a painter I hope to bring this colorful life I see in my mind’s eye to you, as well as the beauty hidden within its barren wastelands. Maybe my mind only sees a mirage, but whatever the reason, my hand paints a tree, or a colorful bush. A lake maybe nestled with in the shadows of a hill. In the end, it is on my canvas, and something I love sharing with the world.



Number One

Number One

From the time I can remember, I have heard heart attack is the number one cause of death. Now it is cancer, or stroke, that is number one, two, or three. According to whatever the commercial on television is trying to sell you at the time. Have any of you ever actually taken a deep look into how many things you do on a daily bases that can kill you.

You wake up and put your feet on the floor. A pipe broke and your house is flooded that movement causes water to flow into an electrical outlet, death by zapped. Chances are extremely low, but that can kill you. House fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, rockslide, and an accident in a vehicle, plane or train all can kill you.

Even a fall can kill you; just walking across the street, or up the stairs can kill you. Breathing polluted air, or not breathing can, and will kill you.

So how do you keep from dying, well you could drink eight glasses of water, eat all the right foods, and never smoke. But there again, is your water source really good for you, are you drinking pure water, or is it tainted with chemicals? Are you truly eating the right foods, or are they loaded with insecticides and herbicides?

Does not smoking really prolong your life, when there are still thousands of people who live under a black cloud of air? Have you ever driven outside of L. A., New York, Chicago, or any other large city in the world, and then driven back in to that city, get real, the air is a haze of brownish black. That can’t be good for you. Have you ever been around any dust?

I’m not even going to touch on the diet drinks, and food that is suppose to be good for you. Lets check out the chemicals in the man made sugars, or soymilk. All so, can anyone tell me what is in all the vitamins and medications doctors, or so fond of prescribing?

So how do we protect ourselves from dying?

I hate to disappoint you, but nothing you say or do will keep you living, when it is your time to go. When your number is called, you will face the after life, ready or not.

Why you may ask? Because you were conceived, yes that is right folks the true number one cause of death is conception. From the second your daddy’s sperm inters your mommy’s egg you are now starting to die. You can and will die whether it is from abortion, miscarriage, or being stillborn. Even if you make it past your own birth, there are another thousand reasons you may not reach purity. Then of course there are the reckless teen years, dunk driving, suicides, and guns and knives at school. You reach adult hood thankful you lived through all that, only to find out there is thousands of other ways to die.

Don’t get me wrong prolonging you life as long as you can is wonderful. All I’m saying is don’t fret about it. Do all the great things you want to do now. Live like there may not be a tomorrow. Be happy with the life you live today. Because, you never know when your number might be the one that is called tomorrow. No matter how healthy, wealthy and wise you are, if you are reading this article it means you have been conceive and you will someday die?

Trust in the Lord to know what is best and be prepared to meet him, when your turn does come around.

Many people thought they would live until they were ready to go. It doesn’t work that way. So enjoy your life, share your love with the one you love while you can, make the best of each and every day, and when your number’s the one that is up be thankful for the life you were given.