My mom just reminded me of the imaginary dog that I had when I was four years old. His name was "Butterball" and he was a reddish cocker spaniel mixed breed.

One day I was in the front yard playing with him when our neighbor from the end of the block walked by. She heard me calling "Butterball!" and stopped in her tracks. She walked up to my Mom who was weeding around the front stoop. She hadn't been paying much attention to my antics - she'd grown used to having a weird kid. An invisible dog was much easier (and cleaner) than a real one so what was the harm?

It turned out that the neighbor had a reddish colored cocker spaniel mixed breed named Butterball and he died the year before we moved onto the block. I don't remember much but my Mom says we weren't invited to the block parties again.

Man I was a weird kid.

As mentioned in my previous entry, I was a bit of a weird kid. My Mom was a very devout Catholic which meant my Brother and I were too (or else!). We belonged to the Legion of Mary which had a group for girls sorta like the Girl Scouts - but for God. I remember even wanting to be a nun when I grew up - I was that into it. It was all about Saints and the Virgin Mary for me. I read stories of Saints all the time and collected Saint prayer cards like other kids collected baseball cards. I collected little plastic statues too.

Even though I left the Catholic dogma years ago, I have to admit that it's left it's mark. Catholic mythology is incredibly rich, spooky and downright interesting when viewed through an anthropological/artistic lens. Recently I started painting a series of cards as an homage to the Saint cards I used to collect. I used my trademark worm thingys instead of people saints. (Hey it's what I know how to paint ok? I'm not an illustrator for crying out loud.) I did a draft of 6 yesterday and wrote little prayers to go with them. They represent qualities and ideas that I feel I need a reminder of now and again. We probably all do - now and again.



 I'll post the rest in the coming week. Your feedback or suggestions for additional cards would be appreciated.

Another in my series of  the "Worms of Serenity"

Robert Anton Wilson left for the next experience yesterday 1/11/07 at the age of 75. He is sorely missed from this here plane of existence. He left us with a great deal though and for that I give immense gratitude and appreciation.

For those of you not too familiar with his work - do yourself a favor and read some of his books, check out his site.  Feel free to be amused and confused by them - that would tickle him I think. Google video has a few gems too so go on...google him.

I'm posting a little painting I did a few years ago that was inspired by Bob. He had a thing for the number 5 and so do I. Thanks Bob!

Bob left us with instructions to 'keep the lasanga flying' - indeed Bob we will do our best. Maybe. (heh!)

And one more from my "Worms of Serenity" project.