Thankful Thursday:) Quiet Thoughts in Pencil

“ There is nothing more peaceful then quiet thoughts, an empty sanctuary, a sketch pad and a pencil.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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A late night call to a friend going through a hard time, an early morning call about an old friend needing prayers, these are the the things that make you thankful and prayerful.

Last week when I went to St. Gabriel for Adoration, I decided to take a sketch pad and a pencil. I sat in the empty still sanctuary and sketched the large crucifix behind the alter. I thought this would be a great meditative and artistic endeavor. Indeed it was.

Today, I had some special prayers and thoughts that needed attention. I took my sketch pad after lunch, and went to the chapel for Adoration. Afterwards, I walked into the main sanctuary, but I was not alone, this time. Father Don was giving a tour to the new seminarian who will be joining our parish. Perfect timing. I interrupted Father’s description of the stained glass windows saying, “Father, last week I came to Adoration and sketched our crucifix. It’s a perfect form of meditation and talking to God. I would like you to have this.” Then, I presented him with my sketch.

It was a crude first attempt, and I’m not that great with the human form, but Father appreciates it, none the less.

After I lit my candle and said my prayers for my special intentions, I took out my sketch pad and started to pencil in one of the many gorgeous stained glass windows.

I heard some of what Father Don was saying about this one…Adam and Eve, Creation, the lion and the lamb, but I didn’t catch it all. I was busy drawing. There was a lady sitting near the front of the church who came over to see what I was doing. We struck up a long conversation, so I didn’t get a lot of sketching done. I was busy showing her some of my many paintings, glassware, poems, etc. on my phone. She asked what I did, so I showed her. 🤦‍♀️ Ah, a captive audience. Miss Sherry was impressed. A while later, Helene came in from the chapel and was introduced to my new friend. They chatted and I continued to draw. I made sure to take a photo because I’d have to finish the drawing at home.

Here is the finished pencil rendering. The nice part of my pencil sketch is, I put the finished drawing into my Artisto app on my iPad and played with all the different cool options. Here are a few. I really need to make some notecards with a few of my favorites….

I can’t decide which one I like the most. I guess I like them all.

I am so thankful for my God given talents, and the time to be quiet and meditate with pencil and paper.

Friday:) Friends, Fierce Storms, and My FireFighters

“There is peace even in the storm”

― Vincent Van Gogh

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I started out the morning with a fun Zumba class at the YMCA. Always great to start your day with dancing and music. After class, I stopped at McDonald’s with Doug for a quick breakfast. The skies were getting really dark. I was going to stop at the store, but then I decided to go over to St. Gabriel’s for Adoration instead. The second I walked out of my car into the chapel, the skies opened up and the thunder boomed. Good timing. What better place to wait out the storm than in the chapel for Adoration.

It was a three rosary storm, about an hour and a half. The rain was pelting against the windows and the thunder boomed, but it was surprisingly calm and peaceful inside.

The rain let up, and I scurried home. I decided to go for a walk around 7, as the temps cooled into the 70’s and it was gorgeous out. I only got as far as a block away. Mr. Vince and Miss Bernadine were sitting in their driveway and invited me to set a spell. Well, the spell lasted till well after dark. Thus, I didn’t get much of a walk in, but nice to chat and catch up with neighbors.

Now, for my firefighter friends. After my big party last Friday night, I had all kinds of food and baked goods to take over to Station 9 Saturday morning. I always make extra, just for that purpose. It was so funny. I had just pulled into the driveway when the fire truck was pulling out. The truck stopped behind me and the captain opened the door and said, “Hi Miss Toni. We’ll be right back. You can leave it by the door.”

I stopped by a couple hours later because I was making myself some lunch and totally forgot to take them some guacamole to go with the chips, salsa and nacho cheese.

Later in the week, I stopped by with some of Miss Pat’s cookies and some of my brownies for Station 9, and to pick up my previous containers. They had some visitors from other stations.

Then, a stop at my old original Station 5. This was my go to station when I first moved to Texas in ’04 until I moved a little north and the new Station 9 was built last year. I try to get to both stations when I can.

Captain Novatzyk at Station 9, walked me back to the door the other day, and she thanked me for all the visits with food and brownies. She said they really appreciated the thoughtfulness. I told her, “You all are like my family, and I appreciate all you do.” How blessed am I to have such a fine extended family?