R.S. Westeren Studio

Social Media - What was good has turned evil by R S Westeren Social media started with so much promise. The ability to easily reach out to family and friends that are not near with pictures and activities was universally accepted and used. To find long lost friends from school and neighborhoods that you long past moved from was like a online reunions that you did not have to travel to. I remember my first experience with social media, MySpace. Friendly back and forth banter making it a truly enjoyable experience. Facebook was next for me. Easier to post pictures and other media. Again friendly back and forth banter with friends and new friends. Pictures of grandchildren, pets and parents passes back and forth with notes of the activities we normally would miss. Instagram and twitter were now available allowing more opportunity to contact with the world using different media. "Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, up...

The pond started with an idea that came to me one night in a dream.  The concept was to build a raised bed, like some people do with vegetable gardens, and put a pond liner in it. The original dream it was going to be 12' by 12' and would have a rubber pond lining in the front about 12' by 8' and the back would be dirt to plant back ground plants in. As I started putting the dream in to reality I realized that the size was not the right proportions for the backyard. You see a year prior I had built a 12' by 8' with 4"x 4" framed box that I put a silk tree in surrounded by "grass". Silk Tree in Grass Bed So I started building the frame work for the raised bed. Using pressure treated  2"x 8"x 12' I laid out the first layer of boards using steel reinforcing brackets in the corners. As I moved it around, it became very clear it was the wrong proportions to the area. So adjustment were made, leaving the length alone and adjusting the...

All in all we are handling the stay at home reasonably well. It is not how I expected my first few months of being retired playing out. 2020 has not been a good year so far, with my mother in law passing away in January and now the CORVID19 stay at home orders. So we try to get out of the house every couple days even if its just to run to the post office or to get a couple things from the store. Maggie and I take a walk every couple of days, it/'s good for us to get out. I am spending some time in the backyard working on my gardens and pond. I thought I would share some of my recent garden pictures in this blog: Most of these flowers are around the pond which has come to life this spring.So even when life seems to be challenging the flowers continue to grow and flourish. Maybe we need to be more like the flower and bloom. Until next time... Roger

It is amazing the ups and downs a day can make. One minute you are having a positive day with promising situations presenting themselves and when you get comfortable reality punch's you in your stomach bringing you down. How you react to these ups and downs is what decides the kind of person you are

The Unwilling Rows of houses line up on this city’s block But not the house you thought to expect Shelters of cardboard, plastic and paper trying to keep out the cold Neighbors of crack whores, dealers, today’s living but dead Some choose this life, other are the unwilling No worries of investments, no market concerns The goals of today is to see a tomorrow Meal time happens where ever there are scraps A half eaten sandwich makes for a marvelous find Some choose this life others are the unwilling Politicians talk about the needs of a city But solutions are as many as the problems they cause Tent city neighborhoods, Christian charities outreach An unlikely brotherhood rises as a street wise phoenix Some choose this life others are the unwilling Values must adapt as the situations do change What once was wrong, Is survival today Men with badges don’t always serve and protect Laws and dignity are ideals for the wealthy Some choose this life others are the unwill...

Vanishing Youth By R. S. Westeren   The closet flows over with pieces of yesterday Baseball gloves that seen dirt, rain and the occasional ball Sneakers worn and stained from playing tag in the yard Air long gone from basketballs and volleyballs Age gives you experiences but also vanishing youth   Suits with wide lapels then so so narrow Ties followed the same just always the opposite Colors changes as the season do, sometimes bold other times pastel Remember when suits were called leisure but were anything but! Age gives you experiences but also vanishing youth     Waist lines spread and walking gets slower Staying up late gets to be earlier and earlier Dinner is now at 4 and breakfast is so early And now I am saying why do they dress like they do? Age gives you experiences but also vanishing youth   The choices you make now are the most important Whether to sit down and wait or to stand up and move U...

I had a dream last night about Jasper. I been honored to have so many wonderful four legged companions over the years. Jasper was special - He was my buddy and friend. Shared many talks with him. I miss him as I miss all family. Hope Doggy heaven is treating you well.

Time Is Now   Waves of tears pour out of the heavens Spattering the flowers with its droplets of sadness Grief and frustration spreading making for obvious omens For each day the world get closer to its ending madness Only so much to give without giving something back   Floods where it was dry, rain forest with no rain Earth sends it messages with quakes and twisters The ground splits open from the Baltic to the Ukraine. Listen everyone! Open your ears my brothers and sisters Only so much to give without giving something back   The time is at hand, no minutes to lose Make it right with Mother Nature; don’t allow her to be ignored Don’t worry about a future, now is the time you must choose Make the changes today without needing an award Only so much to give without giving something back   Roger Westeren Copyright 2015    

THE CANDY CANE WOMAN BY R S WESTEREN       I believe that the Christmas season is truly a wonderful time. Fluffy fresh white snow reflecting the colors of the twinkling red and green lights makes you know that Christmas Day is near. In my youth, I waited with bated breath at the mail box each day for the Sears Christmas catalog to be delivered. I would spend hours examining each page making those all important selections to my ever growing Christmas list. With that list in hand, my parents would drive to the mall so I could see Santa in person. My heart raced as I stood in line waiting my turn, clutching the list in my hand. I bounced with joy and ran to him when it was my turn. I whispered to him that I have been a good boy and slipped into his hand the Christmas wish list. Although many things change over the years, going to he mall and sitting on Santa’s lap still brings lines of wide eyed excited children.      That is why I, a fif...

Not Norman Rockwell By R. S. Westeren    The snow, like a fuzzy white blanket, has tucked in the frozen ground for the evening. Through the frosty window we see the whole family gathered in the living room stuffed from the grand Thanksgiving feast of turkey with all the trimmings. Smoke from his pipe circled Grandfather’s head like a halo, while he rocked slowly in his leather upholstered throne in front of the roaring crackling fire. Grandchildren and great grandchildren sprawled on the musty carpeted floor playing with old toys that they only see this time of year. Uncles, aunts and the cousins are all quietly chatting with each other comparing stories and adventures of the past years activities. The black long haired cat prowls in the corner near the fireplace preparing to attack any unawaring trespasser and the family yellow Labrador is curled up near the fireplace enjoying the warmth from the fire. The first Christmas music is playing on the old radio giving a w...

This morning while working on my current novel I started reflecting on what I have done and where I still want to go. I have actually had only a few jobs in my entire life and one of them for twenty four years. I been a janitor, auto parts salesman, inventory control clerk, traffic controller, broiler cook, multiple levels of restaurant management and multiple levels of hotel management. I been a General Manager of a restaurant and the Director of Hotel Operations for a couple hotels. Not too bad for a person who was not very good in school and barely got a high school diploma. My work ethic is simple - do the best you can and pay attention to everything. Soon I will be embarking in to something new, I am not sure what that will be. It really doesn't matter what. I am ready for a new challenge and new opportunities. That will pay the bills and keep food and shelter over our heads. But then there is what I want to do for myself. I am going to finish the novel I am writing and get ...

WARNING:Shameless Self Promoting ahead This message is for those who have not gone to a RAWartists event. For many years now RAWartists events have been going on (Tommy Rockers, The Royal and now The ACT night Club). What RAWartists event is a collection of local artists, designers, musicians and photographers in a evening event that pushes your senses. Fashion shows, live original music, performance art and visual art all in one venue at one time! These events will immerse your senses with excitement. All this for $15! Truly a value! Do I want you to come see my photography - yes of course! But you will get soooo much more. If you buy your tickets I will give you a second ticket FREE (you just email me and tell me whose name you want on the 2nd ticket)

The Photography of R S Westeren at RAW: Marvel in The Act Night Club @ The Palazzo on the famous Las Vegas Strip. April 25th Doors open at 7 p.m. SPECIAL 2 for 1 TICKET OFFER FOR MY FRIENDS ONLY!!!!!!! Buy one ticket on line at the link below (must be purchased under my name) and I will buy your second ticket for you! Just buy your one ticket and then email/text/call me and tell me whose name you want on the second ticket and I will take care of it. This is a VERY limited time offer so act NOW! http://www.rawartists.org/lasvegas/marvel/?artist=25271