For the final touch of his latest painting, Leonard Alvarado applied a slight dab of reddish yellow on a tree in the far background, then stood back. Pleased, he said to himself, I am pleased. The painting depicted a large dog with a coat of wild bright and blighted splotches eating its own tail which passed through its body, protruded from its rump, and had attached to it the head of another dog which in turn was preparing to lick a cat that grew from the earth by its tail which resembled a rattlesnake. All aspects of the painting were fully disconnected from lackluster, unadventurous reality, including the homemade farm fence in the mid background behind the dog which swooped and plunged in curvy height as if it were made of elastic wood. Behind the fence, open fields sat on their haunches, if open fields can be considered to have haunches, which in this case they did, and upon those open fields, cross legged, sat two human figures, each with only one arm, each scratching its oversized, earless head.
I enjoyed this couple. They remind me of the description of the self contained couple on the plane in Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. I don’t remember anything more because I read that so long ago. But at the time it impressed me enough to stick in the brain for 50 ish years. My brain is not as reliable as it used to be but I thought I saw a comment from you on the STSC Substack recently with questions. Of course I couldn’t find it again. I can offer up some answers to the questions I remember or imagine you asked if they remain unanswered. I am a member and supporter. Cheers!
I enjoyed this couple. They remind me of the description of the self contained couple on the plane in Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. I don’t remember anything more because I read that so long ago. But at the time it impressed me enough to stick in the brain for 50 ish years. My brain is not as reliable as it used to be but I thought I saw a comment from you on the STSC Substack recently with questions. Of course I couldn’t find it again. I can offer up some answers to the questions I remember or imagine you asked if they remain unanswered. I am a member and supporter. Cheers!
"She was also convinced that everybody carried seeds of mental or spiritual illness and therefore there was no point in taking out an announcement. "
This is really woven together tightly. I love it!