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Busker Says: It’s Important To Start The New Year On A Positive Note

December 31, 2014

A very Happy New Year to all my fans, friends, and followers! Thank you again for all your cheery support.

I hope 2015 brings you renewed hope, strength, courage, and resolve. Also: the sound of laughter, with much of that laughter being your own. Let’s pursue a few dreams together, and have fun doing it. Agreed? Excellent– it’s a deal.

Anyone got the Year-End Blues? They’re pretty common. It’s easy to get discouraged as another year slides into the bin. So I’ve asked my friend Busker, the street musician, to step in and show us how to shake ’em off.

Keep smiling, see you next year!

Busker street musician playing saxophone dejected peacock approaches sad depressed with cloud of doom gloom over head

 

Busker street musician with saxophone watching sad depressed peacock walk by cloud of gloom over his head

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Busker street musician blowing mighty blast loud note on saxophone scares peacock makes tail pop up and out

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Happy peacock with big beautiful fully expended tail shaking hands with Busker thanking him for blasting away his depression starting new year on positive note

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Are you making any new year’s resolutions? Care to share them?

Have you ever seen a peacock fan its tail? Have you ever seen a peacock??

How about a peacock fanning its tail on New Year’s Eve with a little lampshade on its head??

Hope you’ll leave a comment.

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35 Comments leave one →
  1. December 31, 2014 9:45 AM

    Happy New Year! We saw some peacocks earlier this year. They never cease to amaze – they really are a fantasy bird!

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:00 PM

      Thanks, Maria. I’ve been lucky enough to see a couple of peacocks myself, and they are majestic, unforgettable birds. I noticed I was strutting around pretty majestically myself for a couple of weeks after seeing them… : )

      Many thanks for your kind support, and I wish you a very Happy New Year!!

      Like

  2. Mia Moravis permalink
    December 31, 2014 9:45 AM

    Happy New Year, oh, Illustrious Illustrator!

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:02 PM

      Thank you, dear Mia!– and the same to you, you Grammy-winning stage star dynamo, you!! : )

      Like

  3. December 31, 2014 10:08 AM

    Thanks to you and Busker for chasing away the blues of 2014. Looking forward to a year of laughter and pursuing my dreams. Best wishes to you and your lovely wife, Mark. Happy New Year! 😉

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:19 PM

      Thank you, my dear Judy! I was going to send Schultz and Dooley over to serenade you on New Year’s Eve, but they only know drinking songs for some reason… : )

      Happy New Year, amigo! Let’s saddle up and do it again– meet you at the corral!! : )

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Martes de cuento permalink
    December 31, 2014 10:45 AM

    Happy New Year!! 🙂

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:29 PM

      Muchas gracias por su ayuda buena. Le deseamos mucho éxito y la felicidad en el nuevo año! : )

      Many thanks for your kind support. Wishing you much success and happiness in the new year! : )

      Like

  5. January 1, 2015 12:08 PM

    LOL Mark!! I knew I should have asked for a saxophone for Christmas this year! Happy New Year to you and yours Mr. MacGiggles. And If this cartoon is any indication, I think 2015 is going to be a blast! Especially with good people such as yourself to share it with!! 😀

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:41 PM

      Ha! Thanks, dear Linda– too kind! BTW, I like your new gravatar. That’s a nice picture of you and 37. I’m a little surprised, tho– why’s he got such a long face? I mean, after all, he’s married to the World’s Funniest Woman… : )

      I shall look forward to sharing 2015 with you– I know where to go to get my giggles!! Wishing you a wonderfully happy new year filled with lots of Funyuns and horse whispers, but no bloated Al’s or PB catalogs!!! : P

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dina permalink
    January 1, 2015 2:02 PM

    Gorgeous !!

    Like

    • January 1, 2015 10:44 PM

      Thank you for that emphatic comment, Dina! If ever there was a happy, positive note to start a new year on, that was it!!

      Thanks for your kindness and support, and I wish you a very happy 2015! : )

      Like

  7. January 1, 2015 7:12 PM

    Now this has got to be the perfect way to start the new year! Thank you, my friend for making this day a happy one. I was feeling like that peacock and now ….I’m shaking my feather fan!!!!!
    We had a peacock [2 in fact] at school [for some strange reason 🙄 ] and I did see their fan open a few times. They also made this penetrating cry which joyfully covered the teacher’s voice!
    Happy New Year, my dear friend.
    May you be graced with joy, peace, health and abundance in every aspect of your life.
    Wait, I’ll rephrase: Here’s to a beautifully fulfilling 2015! 🙂

    Like

    • January 2, 2015 8:59 AM

      The perfect way to start the new year? That, my dear Marina, would be taking one of your painting classes on Mt. Olympus. Alas!– such perfection is beyond the reach of mere mortals. But I do get to enjoy the next best way, which is, of course, reading your lovely comment… : )

      You’ve had the peacock experience! I’ve been lucky enough to see a couple, but I’ve never heard their famous penetrating cry. It’s probably similar to the joyous cry I give when I see your work, but not as loud… : )

      Thank you for that beautiful new year’s wish. My wish for you is the same, along with empty shelves in your online store due to insatiable customer demand!! : )

      Liked by 1 person

      • January 2, 2015 6:53 PM

        You, my friend would have your own classes which I would eagerly attend – of course on Mt.Olympus!
        Thank you, Mark for your kind wishes. and here’s to your store selling out due to I.C.D.!!!! [I like that abbreviation]
        And yes, you have also made my 3rd day of the year too! 🙂

        Like

        • January 6, 2015 8:13 PM

          Of course I’ll teach a class on Mt. O., my dear Marina!! It’ll give me a chance to wear my toga with the fur trim. A seamstress who goes to the local Greek Orthodox church stitched it up for me. I got the idea from the wild outfits that faculty members always wear to college graduations… : )

          I predict that both our stores will be overrun with by crazed shoppers in 2015. Insatiable Customer Demand for great art has been inexorably building these last few years, and is primed to explode!! I plan to use the extra money to also add fur trim to my underwear… : )

          Liked by 1 person

        • January 7, 2015 5:37 PM

          Now if that isn’t the perfect use for money – I don’t know what is! 😉

          Like

  8. Lily permalink
    January 4, 2015 11:48 AM

    After this, I feel the New Year feels a little more perked up now, thanks to you and Busker!

    Let’s pursue a few dreams together, and have fun doing it. Agreed? — Yes, 100% agreed!! 🙂

    Like

    • January 6, 2015 8:19 PM

      My dear Lily!! When it comes to perkiness, pluck, and can-do optimism, Busker and I could both take lessons from you!! One of the keys to a happy life is knowing whom to go to school on, so to spake… : )

      Dreams, fun, look there– they beckon to us from the far horizon! Leave us hop into Dr. Who’s magic telephone booth and be on our way!!! : )

      Liked by 1 person

  9. January 4, 2015 3:54 PM

    Reblogged this on lz095702 and commented:
    I agree, what do you think ? 😉

    Like

  10. January 6, 2015 5:30 AM

    Don’t know what’s taking me so long to find you – but this looks like a great start to 2015!!

    Like

    • January 6, 2015 8:53 PM

      What a wonderfully kind thing to say– thank you!! Welcome, delighted to meet you, and thanks for getting my new year off to a great start with that lovely comment! : )

      Like

  11. January 10, 2015 11:05 PM

    Greetings and a Happy New Year filled with creative energy everywhere. I enjoyed browsing your blog. In fact, I’ve begun to follow. One thing about the WWW it puts us in touch with people in ways we normally wouldn’t. I come by way of my dear favorite blogger, Marina. I hope to learn more about you and your blog in the coming weeks.
    YAY … New Year … New Friends !!!!

    Like

    • January 12, 2015 9:43 AM

      Hi, Isadora! Thank you for that lovely comment, delighted to meet you. Yes, the internet is an amazing thing. It hardly seems possible that I know so many wonderful people in so many different countries. I like to imagine that every new online friendship makes the world a little more harmonious, a little more peaceful. Let’s hope so, anyway!

      You’re friends with Marina, who splatters all that paint up on Mt. Olympus?? Ah!– I know that says good things about you! Again, very nice to meet you, thanks so much for your comment and the follow. Cheers, and a belated Happy New Year to you! : )

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Robin King permalink
    January 12, 2015 1:52 PM

    Mark!! Happiest of New Years!!! ::tosses confetti and Reeses::
    Guess what? The “Like” button works for me now, here. YAY!!!
    Love this post! What a great way to turn a frown upside down!
    And considering the sounds that peacocks can make, Busker’s lucky to have escaped with his eardrums intact…LOL

    Yes, I’ve seen/heard peacocks (love those feather displays) and peahens. Amazing birdies. I’d really like to see a picture of one with a lampshade on its head. I’m imagining a really fancy one, with dancing fringe all around.
    🙂

    Like

    • January 23, 2015 3:18 PM

      My dear, dear Robin–! ::missing illustrator staggers in, collapses on face, begins to snore::

      Dear me! I feel I’ve been away for centuries, as Rip Van Wrinkled used to say. Sorry, dear Robin! I got sick a few weeks ago, and am just starting to resume human consciousness. Gosh! I hope I’m not making a mistake!

      Thanks for all the kind words, and your usual sparkling luminescence!– best medicine in the world for me!! I know your new website debut is fast approaching, and I’m looking forward to it, as is every other forward-thinking art lover in the world!! A much belated Happy New Year to one of my very favorite people and artists!!!! ::snores harder with great affection::

      Like

      • Robin King permalink
        January 23, 2015 4:03 PM

        Oh, no! Mark! Sick??!!!!??? NoNoNo!! Not allowed! I hope you’re feeling much better!! These are from a safe distance: (((((((((((gentlehugs)))))))))))
        😉

        You’re so kind to remember!! Yes, the big day’s supposed to be on Sunday but it’s been so %&#*ing dark here that I’m behind in painting. So I may end up opening the site at 11:59pm on Sunday night, just to meet my self-imposed (but moved a zillion times!) deadline.
        PLEASE take care of yourself! I suppose your area is eventually going to get the storm that’s arriving here tonight.
        Stay warm and puh-leeeeeeeeeze get some rest!!!

        ::turns off the light and tiptoes out of the room::

        Like

        • January 27, 2015 8:14 PM

          Ka-ZING! How could any villainous microbe withstand the glorious good cheer and gentle healthy huggy-hugs of celebrated painter and Reeses nosher Robin King?? ‘Tain’t possible, McGee! No way, no how!!

          Thanks, Robin! I am feeling better, tho not 100%. I’m trying to keep my exertions to a minimum. Hmm… come to think of it, that’s what I always do, so I should be OK… : P

          Don’t drive yourself too crazy with your Grand Opening. Focus on how far you’ve come, as the spoon said to the molasses on a frosty morning… : )

          You will be successful. Your indomitable spirit rules out any other outcome. Onward!! ::puts on mittens, wool cap, ear muffs, assumes the pre-natal position, and turns the electric blanket up to 9::

          Like

  13. January 12, 2015 11:21 PM

    Dear Busker and Mark,

    The surgery was successful. Now it’s back to the treadmill/grindstone of physio and rehab. It seems like forever– it’s been off and on for 5 years now, but, I’ll manage.

    Warm regards,

    Jonathan, a.k.a. jaklumen

    Like

    • January 25, 2015 1:10 PM

      Hi, Jak! Speaking of medical maladies, please do excuse this very late reply. I’m afraid I got zonked by a nasty flu bug, and am only now just starting to crawl out the other side.

      Glad to hear your surgery was successful. I know you’ve been thru a lot. With each passing year, I see more clearly that the true heroes among us are those who face great medical challenges. Despite setbacks and difficulties, they soldier on, keeping the faith, choosing to stay positive, showing great class. Never doubt that the rest of us are enriched by your example.

      Hang tough, will keep you in my prayers. : )

      Like

      • January 25, 2015 8:59 PM

        Thanks, Mark… I’m grateful to have you among the many friends and family that have been praying for me, and my family. The surgery is actually the least of my problems– Cimmy and I are trying to end a 6+ year entanglement with CPS. We have a son with special needs, and Cimmy’s got dysthymia (persistent low-grade depression), and that’s much of the problem. We are literally fighting to keep it together.

        So again, prayers are greatly appreciated.

        I’m glad you’re recovering from the flu. Somehow, I didn’t get hit this year, but maybe careful touch practices and steady immunization (thanks to my physician) each year might have something to do with it.

        Like

        • January 26, 2015 10:36 AM

          Thanks, Jak. Good to have the big picture when you’re praying for someone. You hang in there, and tell Cimmy to do the same. : )

          Liked by 1 person

  14. January 24, 2015 6:05 AM

    You made me laugh out loud! Hope you had a good start into the new year! May it make you happy and wild :-p

    Like

    • January 27, 2015 9:35 AM

      My dear Tutti-Fruitti!! Now that I’ve read your comment, my new year is finally off to a good start! A word from Tutti, and I’m ready to soar up where the air is clear and shimmers with a golden light, and I can lie on a cloud eating crackers and bratwurst with a smile of absolute contentment on my sweet face… : )

      I plan to be happy and wild in 2015, and I’m sure associating with you will help me achieve both goals! Always lovely to hear from you, and I hope the coming year brings you laughter, mischief, lots of exciting thrift store discoveries, and success on all possible levels!! : )

      Liked by 1 person

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