little ways to feel better with respect for others

Recently I had a rough patch I went through. I was not alone in this rough spot, although we all got there by different means. At one point, someone wanted to pray.

I'm an atheist, so I chose to leave the room out of respect for those who wanted to pray and respect for myself as I really didn't want to be there when the did it.

Later, over a snack and coffee, two people sat with me and another person who also left the room to ask us why we left. She had her own reasons, which I won't go into, but I explained mine.

Overall, we managed a civil conversation about it, for which I was grateful, as sometimes those conversations take a nasty turn. We were all concerned with making sure we didn't offend each other and made it clear it was a discussion based on curiosity, not animosity.

The next day, one of those people, after listening to me talk about my physical pain, asked me if he could pray for me to get better.

I said yes.

He held my hand and prayed. When he was done, he asked me how come I let him do that for me, knowing that I don't believe.

I looked at him and simply said, "You wanted to pray for me because you wanted me to feel better. I let you pray for me because I knew it would make you feel better."

He thought about it for a moment and said, "Your right, praying for you did make me feel better. Thank you for understanding that."

I replied, "Thank you for asking me first."

I know he was sincere in his wanting me to not hurt anymore, but was powerless to end my pain, which made him sad. His praying for me didn't hurt me any, but made him feel like he was able to do something for me that I could not do myself, thereby making his self feel better. He did not ask me to believe in his views, nor did I ask him not to believe in them, and he was respectful enough of my views to ask for my permission first rather than to force it upon me.

Sometimes something as simple as that can make someone feel good about things again.

ARTRAT ARTS AND CRAFTS SALE

ARTRAT ARTS AND CRAFTS SALE

that's right, between now and December 1st, you can get all fine art and crocheted ARTRAT items at 20% off. what could be a better gift for Christmas or whatever other holiday you want to celebrate than with the gift of art?

mention this ad on Redgage for the discount.

even valid on custom work.

spread the word to contact CC Miranda for this great opportunity.

You may view some of my art and crochet items at the following spots:

Redgage: www.redgage.com/ccmiranda - look in My ART or ARTRAT HATS for some images
Gather: www.theartrat.gather.com.
Myspace: www.myspace.com/kunstratte
www.theartrat.com

email me at a_artrat@hotmail.com for more info or special orders. (special orders must be placed by December 1st in order for December 25th delivery.)

MOVING SALE

Once again folks, it's that time of year where my leases is coming to an end and I must find a new affordable studio to create in.

This means you once again get the chance to own an ORIGINAL C.C. Miranda of your very own at a substantial discount.

Save up to 50% on all original works in stock between now and August 15th 2009. (commissions not included).

That's right, all original paintings and drawings are now 50% off. Hurry, they won't last long.

Contact me via email at a_artrat@hotmail.com for availability and price.

You can see the works at THEARTRAT.com, my myspace page or on my Gather site

Win big in July with RedGage

The other day, one of my Gather friends told me about a site called RedGage. It's a blog sharing site where you earn cash that can be redeemed for visa gift cards once you hit $25.00.

The more you post and get viewed, the more you obviously make.

What makes this so interesting? You can easily link your Gather articles, or articles from other blog sites, to boost your page views at your other sites as well. Think of it as a marketing company for your blogs.

Also every day they do a contest where you can win a $50 dollar gift card just for uploading. For the month of July, they are giving away $150 a week and $400 for the month in addition to the daily $50 giveaway.

Anyway, if your interested, take a few minutes to check it out by following THIS LINK.

If you decide to join, they ask for the user name of the person who told you about it. My user name is CCMiranda.

or you can use this referral link .

(remember, i just signed up yesterday, so i haven't earned much yet, so don't judge by my earnings.)

crafters and artist - they don't mind if you advertise prices on your work that i've seen.

get paid to blog

I found a new site called Myviewin.com. You can keep up with friends and meet new ones while making money for it.

They give you $5.00 just for signing up!

Not only do you earn by referring your friends, but you also continue to earn based on the people your referrals refer as well as by page views.

Are you an artist or craftsman? There is even a classifieds section where you can advertise your websites and sell your products.

Click Here to check it out and sign up!

When did being young and educated become a detriment?

I never thought that being in my mid-thirties and having some (no degree) of college education would be considered a detriment, but apparently the Federal Government thinks so.

Last year I applied for Social Security Disability based on complications and debilitation due to 3 spinal surgeries I had in my mid twenties.  I tried hard to function as a normal person but the work only made my physical problems that much more acute and I realized it was only going to get worse in the future.

Today I had a meeting with my lawyer to see if she can help me win my case after several unsuccessful tries on my own.  I couldn't believe my ears when she said that it was going to be hard to convince the government that I needed help as they look at my age and education level as reason why I should be able to work over my disability, despite the fact that my education is based in the arts and not compatable with everyday work environments.  Without a degree I cannot teach or work in a museum even if I could find a job offer of such.

I knew that it would take a while before my case came up, but was a bit disappointed to hear that it could be up to the end of next year before I even see a courtroom.  

Is this the message that the US Government wants to portray to the world?  Stay ignorant and uneducated and we might be willing to help you as a citizen?

Crocheted Top Hats

Besides being a painter, I love to crochet.  It started as a way to occupy myself while trying to quit smoking and has blossomed into it's own beast.

I call them ArtRat Hats.

They are created without the use of a pattern and I choose the yarn and pattern as well as height based on the person who orders them.  It's that opportunity to create a specific piece for someone's personality that makes them so much fun to make.

The Sauce Boss

There is a local Florida legend, Bill Wharton, who goes by the name of The Sauce Boss.

I first got to see him perform during Radio Live.  Radio Live is a free show that is taped live the first Thursday of every month for WUWF, tv and radio.  The problem with him performing in this kinda venue is that he can't work his usual magic.

"What is that magic?", you may wonder.

He's a chef and makes a pot of gumbo on stage while he is performing, and as he finishes his last song, he calls out "Gumbo is done!  Come get some!" and feeds the whole crowd for free.

Don't know what gumbo is?  It's a stew with a spicy kick that contains chicken, sausage, shrimp, oysters, sometimes crawfish, okra, tomatoes and served over rice with plenty of hot sauce.  don't forget the gumbo file (powdered sassafras leaves).

His blues/zydeco/cajun style music goes perfectly with the making of gumbo.  His CD contains not only music, but if you put it in your computer, it contains 200 of his recipes, plus you get a bottle of his own hot sauce to go along with it.

Friday night we were enjoying some of the fine weather at Pensacola Beach and stopped at The Paradise Bar and Grill where he happened to be playing.

The gumbo was good, the music was better.  At one point, the drummer and Bill went behind the bar and were playing the liqour bottles for a good 20 minutes.  If a bottle sounded too sharp to him, he would hand out a shot to make it the right note.

If you ever hear that he might be playing near you, if you don't go, you're a fool.

check out what my friend Roy Hillbinger had to say about him.