Random Tweets 1

The first installment of Random Tweets has hilarity, perspective, philosophy, tax advice, and a wise-ass wisdom. Just a slice of Twitter from some of my favorite Tweets. Enjoy!

TheBloggess: So apparently I'm going to be even fatter and more psychotic than ever. Awesome.

kikarose: My latest blog post is about perspective, and a dead child. Totally uplifting.

sthrnfairytale: talking to my children and yelling into a black hole. These two things have a scary amount in common.

Astrogirl426: Oh thank god, Mulder shaved. Phew! Anxiety level going down.

CrazyOnYou: I'll try mountain oysters, but there better be beer near by.

RndConnections Apparently SC has a "venison for charity " tax credit. Who knew ?

NikolHasler: I arrived in WI wanting a nap & asked, "You know what I need?" My son said, "A therapist?" It was a rhetorical question, asshole.

The Painting from Last Week's Video!

Title: "Puppy & Turtle"

Description: This is an 8" x 10" acrylic painting on panel (standard frame size). This is the completed painting Ben was working on during last Friday's video. Again this is at least 90 percent Ben. As you can see the images of the puppy and even the turtle were so vivid that all I essentially did was outline them. I added the eyes and nose as well as enhanced the foliage on the left. Everything else Ben did himself.

Price: $40 which includes shipping. SOLD!

To purchase this painting please e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net . We accept PayPal (preferred), Visa, Mastercard, and personal checks. If you cannot afford it right now we'll still send it to you with the hope that you'll remember us when things are better. We will also make prints available for $20 plus shipping.

Since several of you asked, prints are available as soon as the original sells!

The First 2009 Painting By Ben!

Title: "Angel"

Description: This is an 8" x 10" acrylic painting on panel (standard frame size). We've all gotten our share of goosebumps over the weekend looking at this. My guess is that Ben did about 95 percent of this piece. I added a little blue for definition and some metallic silver and gold bursts around the figure. We have several more either finished or will be over the next week or two but this is definitely the most provocative.

Price: $40 which includes shipping. SOLD!

To purchase this painting please e-mail me at benwaddell@bellsouth.net . We accept PayPal (preferred), Visa, Mastercard, and personal checks. If you cannot afford it right now we'll still send it to you with the hope that you'll remember us when things are better. We will also make prints available for $20 plus shipping.

Ben's First Studio Work of 2009

Ben went back to work yesterday after a lengthy sabbatical. Needless to say the painterly skills he has learned came back quickly. It's like riding a bicycle now!

Seriously Ben is amazing to watch. I've included a short video from yesterday as well. Not only is our son getting bigger but his images are getting more developed and complicated. He worked on four canvases yesterday, completing two. I plan to leave both of those alone because both have imagery that absolutely amazes us!

It is obvious that the blessed receiving of the HP Touch Smart Computer has been an influence on our son. There are moments that we are just overwhelmed at what Ben understands and wants to achieve - that has been made clear to everyone working with him since he received that wonderful gift. I promise to update more as we adapt his equipment so that he can use it more proficiently. Once again, we cannot thank Casey and The Moosh enough!

We hope you enjoy Ben's new studio work!

Working with red.

Aha! An idea!

Thinking.

Another idea with a red nose!

Time for work!

Recommended: Subdivisions


Canadian Jacob Moon performs this classic Rush song live. This is an incredible acoustic performance! It totally blew me away! I hope you enjoy it as well.

Oh and for comparison's sake, here is the original by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.

Bennie Sounds Off South!

Before you think I have an excessively big mouth (Joan would argue my point) Kelly Coakley's microphone battery bit the dust just before we went live. Over all the experience was quite interesting and quite bizarre. Being on live TV for the second time in recent memory makes me appreciate the job those folks do in front of the camera and behind it. Thanks to Justin, Kelly, Jilene, Janice, & the rest of the kind people at WYFF for definitely making Sunday morning fun.

2 Be...or Not?

That is the question at hand for the moment. Before you begin to think I'm about to get all heavy and Shakespearean on you I'm using the Hamlet soliloquy as a catchy little title for a post about blogging. Early (and I mean early) tomorrow morning I'll be taping a short segment at our local NBC affiliate discussing this relatively new form of journalism and telling folks what A Work of Art is all about. And before you get all like "wow Bennie's getting too famous for us" let me remind you I live in the upstate of South Carolina where flannel shirts sans the sleeves, hauling your diaper-clad kid to Walmart sporting that one article of clothing, displaying year-round exterior Christmas lights, and having upholstered furniture on your front porch are still in vogue.

Essentially I will be appearing on WYFF to help promote their new offspring website, Sound Off South! It's actually a pretty darn cool site that showcases blogs and websites within our geographical region. If you're planning on visiting our area (western North Carolina mountain, northern Georgia, and of course the upstate of South Carolina) this is definitely a place to check out. Despite my little redneck joke the Greenville area is quietly becoming a destination for folks looking for something a little different from typical vacation plans, a fact that you can read about on SOS (as we like to call it).

But over the past few days this invitation has made me think about blogging, moreso than just trying to figure out what the next blog post might be. When I started this blog in October of 2006 I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I had a somewhat of a purpose and some sense of goals to achieve but that was about it. At the time I considered myself a decent (okay maybe even good) writer. Armed with those three or four tools I set out to change the world view of exceptional kids, sell a bunch of paintings in the process, occasionally land an article in the New York Times or USA Today, and get interviewed by Oprah. Looking back now, despite not achieving a single one of those objectives, I don't think we've failed in the least bit.

Like anything created by man or God, each of those entities grow, change, and evolve. Great examples of this are occurring before my very eyes at the moment. I'm reluctantly watching Jessie change from a little girl into a mature young woman. Since his recent hospitalization I can see incredible gains in Ben's motor skills and strength. Even my art is transitioning at a level I've not experienced since college. As much as I like to link to my past, these recent events give me even more hope for the future.

But the one unexpected thing that has been the best thing about this blog is you. Each and every one of you that come here and visit with us. When we bloggers discuss social media and the impact it has had over the past decade, we cannot ignore how it has brought us all closer together. This was made so clear to our family when Ben scared the hell out of us the day after Thanksgiving. That my friends solidifies my new found hope, not just for our family but for all of us.

I know deep down inside that if Ben could actually tell me he'd say, "Thanks for starting our blog, Dad." I know he'd also extend his not-so-chubby-anymore arms across the Blogosphere and hug each and every one of you, leaving a big drooly kiss and a smile. I know he would also say to you, "Thanks for visiting me! I love you no matter your shape, color, religion, sexual orientation, political leanings, salary, gender, or whatever else makes us all different." Whatever Ben hasn't taught me all about unconditional love, blogging has filled in the rest.

Material Boy

At the moment my "studio" is spread across our entire house, from our bonus room into The Ben Suite and reaching all the way back across our home in our living area. As you can see our kitchen table has been consumed by art supplies the ever increasing new "canvases." Call it an epiphany which coincidentally happens to be on the Anglican calendar at the moment.

The growing frustration at trying to find a telecommuting type of job (they're out there, just very few of them) has made me think a bit more creatively about generating another source of income other than paintings. Behold! One possible avenue has literally been staring me right to my face. To be more specific, staring at me from behind some closet doors.

My very good friend, Christy Buchanan has been ever so gently nudging me for a couple of years now to branch out - think outside the box...or rather think outside the edge of a canvas. Her clever studio name says it all because she has literally painted on anything that is stationary long enough to receive a brushstroke. Because of of that, her sheer determination, and maybe a little bit of karma Christy will be featured in Southern Living magazine sometime later this year.

If Christy was the encouragement then I suppose the success of the painted tote bags over Christmas was the springboard that sent me diving into a new phase of my artistic endeavors. Despite being pretty down about our financial situation I've spent a great deal of time networking over the internet and with some local artists. One of them in particular has truly been a terrific inspiration to take my art to the next level. You will meet her tomorrow.

In the meantime, let me give you a peek at what we're furiously working on at the moment. And whan I say we, I'm including my new Soul Shine partner. The lady that I inherited much of my artsy fartsy talent from. For those still not making the connection Ben calls her "Me-Ma."

Beginning stages of a recycled denim jacket. Yes, that would be fabric swatches at the top of the picture. Did I mention that my mom is a talented quilter?

One pile of denim jackets of varying sizes. Some are even designer brands! It's awazing what you can find a thrift stores.

Another pile of denim shirts needing to be ironed before we start work on them.

More handbags and totes! Some of these will become an excellent Valentine gift idea ready to be filled with all kinds of goodies Cupid sees fit to put in them. And we will definitely take special orders and requests!

After School Program


This was Ben last Wednesday afternoon. It was the first full day back to school since his hospital visit Thanksgiving weekend. We really thought the poor kid would be wiped out, particularly since he's been the most animated and energetic the last few school days. As you can see the boy gets the most out of his days.

Say You Wanna Resolution?

Given that we’re just one week into the New Year I don’t think it’s too late to resolve that I better myself over the next 365 days (minus 8) in some way, shape, or form. When you think about it December is just too damn busy a month to ponder the how, what, and why of achieving realistic goals one might set for themselves in the coming months. So it is much more realistic to spend the hours between the remnants of the BCS football games examining our inner child (bad inner Bennie – you deserve a spanking! Should we ask Joan for one?), or the nature of being (“I like to watch”), or even explore the meaning of life (“So what’s it all about anyway?”).

I’ve read about some pretty lofty goals in the Blogosphere for 2009, hovering just out of my reach. In fact I’ve attempted a few of those myself over the past few decades of my existence – aspirations such as dieting, more exercise, turning bad habits back into vices all begin the year basking in the sparkling glow of that beautiful Tiffany Crystal Ball of Times Square only to be found under the couch next to the plastic champagne glass while spring cleaning in April – dusty, moldy and unfulfilled.

That is why this year I have chosen to simplify what I plan to accomplish in 2009. 2008 pretty much sucked donkey (I really don’t know what that means but I’ve heard other Southerners use it so I feel qualified to do likewise). If there’s anything I don’t want to look back upon New Years Day 2010 it is scanning the following list and not seeing a positive check mark next to each one. So without further ado, I give you my Incredibly Difficult Life Experiment (IDLE) of 2009 (in no particular order):

1. This year I plan to breathe. Regularly. In fact I just might inhale and exhale fairly often in 60-second intervals. Some of you might be skeptical of this ambition’s merit. Well I give you Ben, who recently made it very clear that breathing is indeed a choice. I choose smog, pollen, and the occasional second hand smoke.

2. I vow that in 2009 I will quit smoking. Since I don’t enjoy cigarettes and rarely partake of a celebratory cigar (like when Joan and I have sex) this will mean that I will have to refrain from setting my hair on fire at family gatherings. Several nieces and nephews have been known to bring marshmallows to holiday meals…just in case.

3. I really wanted to take this one on in 2009 but I’m probably going to put off procrastinating for another year…at least.

4. In 2009 I resolve to get up every morning. That’s right. No sleeping until Joan gets home from work. That doesn’t mean that I won’t go back to bed once everyone leaves the house. Just sayin.’

5. One of the most difficult resolutions I’ve chosen is the decision to not hug bears in 2009. This includes all types including grizzly, black, brown, polar, koala, panda, kodiak, Stearns, Chicago, Build-a, Teddy, as well as cubs (Lou Pinella, no hugs for you!). Honestly this is a life-changing moment for me. I am certain that the length quality of my life will improve dramatically because of this.

6. Another resolution that will require much discipline is my choosing to keep my clothes on in most social settings this coming year. I cannot in good conscience include all situations. There are certain folks who have planned family activities around certain holidays during the year (like Presidents Day).

7. I vow above all that I will not purchase a sheep in this New Year. This is a very personal decision for me and I would hope you would respect my privacy so that I wouldn’t have to answer uncomfortable questions.

8. Despite the fact that our family are strict carnivores, we will eliminate certain meats from our diet this year. We include these but are not limited to the following: cat, aardvark, rodent, porpoise, shark, bear (see above), rhino, horse, grasshopper, deer penis, turtle, snake, spider, cricket, kangaroo, opossum, any sort of liver, heart, brain, intestine, procreation organ (and I don’t mean Hammond). We reserve the right to eat our dogs should the current financial crisis continue. I am certain our Chihuahua will be quite tasty as Chile con carne.

9. Huffing paint intentionally this year is right out.

10. Please add some suggestions of your own. At the moment my inner child is asking for a bottle and the nature of my being is into peeing. I look forward to your suggestions and I promise to follow through with some of them as soon as that frigging bear stops looking over my shoulder.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

I'm happy to report that Jessie's party Friday (and Saturday) was an overwhelming success. She and six BFFs went ice skating, ate pizza & cake, laughed, giggled, and watched movies until the sun came up Saturday morning. My daughter says it was the best birthday ever.

All the credit goes to my mom and her youngest sister, Rhonda. They planned, shopped, and decorated the entire affair and in the end made Jessie feel like a princess. After looking at almost 200 pictures from the evening (and morning) I would be hard-pressed to find one without a smile.

Truly I hope these young ladies treasure experiences like this past weekend. Time flies so quickly at their age - before they know it gossip about the Jonas Brothers will turn into discussions over what college to attend.

For those that are following via Twitter or Facebook, Ben is doing remarkably well today. He's still not feeling well but his temperature has been close to normal today. I've only witnessed one seizure since his fever spiked at 103.2 last night. Hopefully it was just a mild virus and he'll be able to attend his first therapies of the year tomorrow morning. Enjoy the rest of "Girls Night Out."

My mom's garage apartment was turned into a room right out of a Hollywood movie.

One Dozen

Honestly! I'm not a basket case as I write this. This date has been coming for quite some time and I feel quite prepared. It has taunted me as I've frequently passed by the calendar for the New Year but my strength endured. You! January 2nd, 2009! You will not make me lose my ability to walk only to find myself in the fetal position sucking my thumb while sobbing in the darkness. Nay! I celebrate this day! The day my first born turns twelve as the countdown to teenager begins.

So I lie.

For the most part this has been a Daddy/Daughter Day. At the moment Jessie and about seven friends are at a local ice-skating rink having a party. Later tonight they will depart for my mom's (oh, to have the coolest grandmother on the planet) for a spend-the-night-party in her garage apartment. About an hour ago I saw games, cameras, DVDs, and a shiny brand-new iPod go out the door. The best part? Joan is chaperon! Certainly I got the best end of the deal. Father & Son Evening...on the couch...watching football.

Like I said I got the best slice of the party. Jess and I went shopping for the iPod she wanted and despite the traffic still in a holiday frenzy we had a great time together. After 12 years I can still make her laugh even without tickling her. After ogling her new MP3 player we then had a lunch date at Applebee's to discuss our personal birthday dinner tomorrow night. Funny how much things haven't changed that much over the past 12 years.

Jessie was due just before Christmas in 1996. "Mama's Accessory" held on as long as she could, arriving via C-Section on this date in 1997. Some of you moms will scoff at Joan for what I'm about to say but I was the first to change her diaper. I was also the first to feed her. Those two events are at the top of the list of Best Things That Ever Happened To Me!

My lovely wife embarrasses me about my wimpiness. Just say I'm a typical male when it comes to pain, blood, or illness. Joan endures pain like a damn Spartan so I knew the laboring prior to the surgery was pretty intense and she needed that recovery during Jessie's first few hours with us. The unexpected gift for me was that first afternoon of Jessie's life was spent in my arms. I certainly hate it for Joan...like I hate it that she'll be up until the late morning hours of January 3, 2009. Maybe at 4 in the morning while 7 girls are squealing with glee she'll keep in mind we both share the best daughter in the world (sorry...votes have been cast...Jessie won).

So Jessie is now twelve. I think I'll go and lay on the couch in a fetal position. I'll take Ben with me because he will still want to watch Sponge Bob while I monitor that strange twitch in my eye...the one that makes it water so unusually....the one that will keep the sharpest vision out in protecting The Best Daughter Ever the next 12 months.

Jessie's Christening Dress - May 1997

Our little sunshine - August 0f 1997

First family portrait - Christmas Day 1999

What Shall I Order? - Kiawah Island, SC - Summer 1999

Laughter - these two have a connection that is Holy.

The Christmas Fairy - 2002

My favorite Furman Paladins! September 2004

One of the loves of my life. I would die for you, Jessie. I love you to the moon and back...even further.