TEXAS - Bluebonnet Venture - BURNET

I'm a native Texan. Some folks would consider that an excuse. But, me, and many (millions?) of other fellow Texans consider it an honor, a privilege, and a proud heritage.

Texans have a strange habit. When something... a word, or a thing, or a person...or anything, comes to be identified with Texas,
then Texans will attach and hold on to it with a savage tenacity...in a sense, they will "brand" it as their own. There are exceptions, of course, like Dr. Phil, Janet Reno, and J.R. Ewing. OK, J.R.s not so bad. But you mention the Alamo, jalapenos, chili, The Lone Star, roadrunners, George W ?, or Z.Z. Top...then you have a genuine Texas item...treasure or oddity. And so it is with the Texas bluebonnet...the state flower of Texas.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

I posted this last year after I painted it. My sister had wanted a painting like this which is based on an old folklore tale called "The Legend of the Bluebonnet".
Well, The Texas Bluebonnet festival is coming up here in Burnet in April, and I am "re-producing" her painting and hoping to improve on some aspects of it. She, and several of my friends, read my poems on Every PhotoTells A Story and wanted me to write a poem telling the story of "The Legend Of the Bluebonnet." So I did. And I printed it below. They liked it, and we're working with some other folks to get note cards and prints done that incorporate both the painting and the poem, in hopes of having them ready for sale at the Bluebonnet Festival, in addition to future Texas gift shop sales...if there shows promise. What do you think?

For many months, an evil wind,
Swept across the land,
The skies held back the living rain,
And turned meadows into sand.

Antelope and buffalo,
Wandered off and died,
The tribe was deep in peril,
"Oh, help us," mothers cried.

The Shaman had a vision.
The Great Spirit from Beyond,
Sent a message for the people,
To say what must be done.

"The things that you hold precious,
The things that you hold dear,
Must fuel a fire of humility,
For your greed that's grown so clear."

The great chief's daughter heard this,
And sadly went her way,
To fetch her beloved "doll-child"
Made from feathers of the BlueJay.

The "doll-child" was a gift to her,
When she was one year old,
From Grandmother who has gone away,
That she loved with all her soul.

That night when all were sleeping,
She crept out to the blaze,
And placed the "doll-child" in it,
Tears streaking her young face.

Next morn she scooped gray ashes,
Of her bright, blue-feathered friend,
Then brought them to the mountaintop,
And let them scatter to the wind.

Sweet drops of rain began to fall,
And kiss the sun-parched earth,
Plants burst forth in showy blooms,
A celebration of re-birth.

Bluebonnets spread cross Texas,
In the meadows, growing wild,
As a reminder of that gift so great,
The love of a little child.

------James Parker


Burnet, Texas...Bluebonnet Capital of Texas

The second weekend in April, (April 9 - 11) for 3 days, is the Texas Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet. Last year, about 25,000 attended. This year's event looks to be a good one, too. Burnet is a picturesque, historical city and you can find out more about Burnet and The Bluebonnet Festival by clicking HERE. The city of Burnet was designated by the Texas legislature as "Bluebonnet Capital of Texas" so...if my little poem and painting notecards and prints have any future success...Burnet is a good birth place for that venture. And...if you find your boots walking around Burnet...stop in James Parker Art Gallery....coffee's on.

And, Finally.......

Satellite Picture of Texas from Space

Cya down the road................ James

CATS UP....CASA RIO BLANCO....SWINE FLU

Well, today my sister and I were to be at the Marble Falls, Texas Arts and Crafts Fair peddling our wares. After 3 months of drought...we are having a deluge. No complaints...the rain is sorely needed. But here I am blogging instead of raking in beaucoups of Dinero (Hahahahahahaha!!!!!)


This month's subject for Windows to the Words Art Challenge is Cats...CATS UP!!
I have posted 2 here, but there are 4 delightful little critters posted on WTTW to be used as reference for feline-inclined artists. AND, this month, something new...PRIZES. You can see all four puddies and the details by clicking HERE.


Next....I was unable to ship all my paintings from Costa Rica due to expense, size, etc. Some have been in galleries, but most have been stored. Well they are now on display and for sale at a Rio Casa Blanco EcoLodge in Guapiles, Costa Rica.

Casa Rio Blanco is a delightful place. Herbie and Annette are from the Netherlands, and some years back decided to make Costa Rica their home, and did so by establishing this Ecolodge at the foothills of Volcano Turrialba and on the outskirts of the rainforests of Braulio Carillo National Park. Herbie and Annette are marvelous folks and their lodge is enchanting.



Nestled among Palms, ferns, heliconias, orchids and other lush tropical foliage, Casa Rio Blanco provides a home for toucans, monkeys, sloths and all kinds of other rain forest inhabitants. An intriguing hiking trail winds down to picturesque Rio Blanco (White River) where ctystal clear water from springs and upper level rainfall flows magically over rocks and boulders that are even older than I am.

Herbie and Annette have graciously displayed my work for sale throughout their facility. I have posted a few photos of Casa Rio Blanco here, but you can view more scenes and details by clicking CASA RIO BLANCO.


And lastly, I've been a bit under the weather for the last few days....kinda like hitting on 3 cylinders. My sister asked me if I might be coming down with the Swine Flu. I don't know where she got that idea. So I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror and took a photo....Hmmmmm...she might have something there. What do you think?