A Pond Against Victory
“Thrive My Giving”, Oil on board, 9 × 12 inches”, 2026
There are times when I grow extremely weary of the depraved immorality and devastating impracticality that I encounter around me and I need to look at something else that at least has the virtue of working. This does not herald some depressing instance of personal misanthropy. Most people around me I see as decent neighbors who I respect and care about. But the effect of the cumulative weight of terrible human choices can become too much so I go to visit another realm where these sad conditions do not apply. This other realm is the world of nature.
This oil painting that I painted a couple of days ago shows a typical beaver pond in Northern Ontario where I live. Cedar Waxwings, Brewster’s Warblers, Blackbirds, and a Turkey Vulture fly about as I paint. If you are quiet birds and animals will relax and go about their business as if you weren’t there. At the far end of the pond a pair of Green Winged Teals are silently feeding. And here comes first one and then two beavers out to gather sticks to bring back to the lodge.
The words: “Never Send Victory” reflect the reality that the creatures of nature never try to win. Their system of life is stable because all give. Obviously very different than how we live right now. “Thrive My Giving” means I want help and inspiration to try this out. From what I see at this beaver pond and elsewhere, it works.
