My name is Fr. Jack and I like to paint.
I like to be called John too.
I like colors, especially orange and blue.
I like long shadows and dark values.
I like bright colors, pencils, paints, chunks,
snow, water, dogs, even cats, my Dutch heritage,
family, friends, food, my Italian heritage,
chocolate cake, torrone, pizzelles,
my Irish, English, German, and Scottish heritages,
frost, a warm breezes, praying, the smell of roasting coffee,
reflecting, textured surfaces, choral singing,
biking, hiking, camping, listening, cooking, baking, spices,
crumpets, cheeses, fresh vegetables, poetry,
fashionable hats, shadows, writing, blogging,
blowing bubbles, writing poems, cutting grass all day,
pushing snow, crunching fall leaves, frolicking in it too,
creating most anything, moonlight, stars, dawn, dusk,
the setting sun, clouds, the rising sun, praying, and everything in between,
glitter, laughter, piano, trumpets, small birds,
sleeping, waking, the sound of the ocean,
holidays, walking, tropical fruit, oranges, dark chocolate,
flying, music, kayaking, photographing, diving boards,
a good pencil sharpener, a smooth pen, painting,
teaching, learning, helping, listening, boating,
contemplating, getting older, sledding,
the boardwalk, the beach,
the seasons, snow, mountains,
deep forests, clowning,
museums, herbs,
antiques, gardens,
sending cards, elbow room,
the quiet,
silence,
meditation,
jigsaw puzzles, monasteries,
traveling,
seeing new things, seeing things news,
floating, tools, stretching,
gazing, trees, tumbling leaves,
rocks, fireplaces, decorating, making you laugh,
stained-glass windows, holding your attention,
creating wonder, old dictionaries, losing oneself in a book,
rain, warmth, my stole,
a very large swing attached to an even larger tree,
a deep breath,
an even deeper breath,
​a long sustained breath……
​