"There are many things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go on your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won’t stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get.”
—Annie Dillard
from “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”

This sums it up for me today.  I have found the beauty in a plain scene.  In painting with the renowned Calvin Liang, I have seen his creations on this dreary, soupy day become little works of inspiration and beauty.  Let us all cultivate this simplicity.  I will post my painting later...