On the Edge of Chaos …. Annual Chaos Never Dies Day

November 9, 2024

Chaos Never Dies Day is an annual holiday observed on November 9th that reminds us that chaos and disorder are natural and inevitable parts of life. The day encourages us to embrace the chaos and find humor, creativity, and resilience in the face of uncertainty and unpredictability. It’s a time to let go of perfectionism, embrace imperfection, and enjoy the ride.

Flowing from Flambé’s depiction of the chaotic world that lives between her pointy ears, emerges 16 simple continuous line shapes. Can you find them all? 

Drawings and Zentangle patterns: Zip, Stacked Stones, Bekkwheat, Boxworth, Ellis Chuang Rabbit, Tomada Rooster

(If you’d like a little help finding these shapes, the answers can be found at the end of this post. But only peek after you’ve given the illustration a thorough looking over.)

Of course, Kat has embedded herself within the chaos; her discovery makes for 17 total shapes.

Flambé’s thoughts on Chaos to Creativity OR an attempt to interpret her scratched lines on paper, in the above illustration.

A few of my elementary thoughts about Chaos and Chaos Theory

Now that Flambé has delighted and (most likely) confused you on the Nature of Chaos, allow me to reflect on my first exploration into the fascinatingly mind bending subject of Chaos Theory. Having never given much thought to the Theory, per se, I’ve always pictured “chaos” as something hectic and uncontrollable. A state of unruliness, mayhem, or disarray liken to natural disasters, mob pandemonium, mass shootings. Sound familiar? We’ve all likely been witness to an unfathomable situation and declared our world to be in “complete and utter chaos!” But there’s more, a lot more to Chaos Theory, where it is encountered and how it affects us. 

When my reference list of lesser known Annual Days revealed November 9th is celebrated every year as “Chaos Never Dies” day, I was appalled.  I mean, really; who wants to live in a world of ever-present and everlasting chaos? 

But from the description of this Day, it appeared there was a positive side to chaos, piquing my curiosity.  Anything that can make us laugh and inspire creativity has to be awesome! So began my last few weeks of intense study and pouring over countless YouTube videos to learn about Chaos Theory. 

The more I read and viewed educational videos proclaiming to explain Chaos Theory in easy-to-understand language, the more confusing it seemed. The language was English, but the concepts seemed abstract to me …….. well, they were just plain chaotic! (This caused me to laugh!). It would be easy to spend a lifetime trying to “get it.” I’ll just have to keep learning!

So far, I learned about many familiar and new terms associated with Chaos Theory.  These include the Butterfly Effect (highly central to Chaos Theory) which shows the connection between disorderly and highly organized things, like how the flap of a butterfly’s wings can lead to a string of events that can form a hurricane! It’s complex, but emphasizes (among many things) that we can’t know the consequences of seemingly simple systems due to unpredictable variables. That leads to Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, Feedback Loops, Fractals, Probabilistic and Deterministic modes, etc. 

Are you still with me?

In a nutshell, Chaos Theory “provides a scientifically quantifiable but simultaneously poetically suggestive way of looking at how almost everything in life is connected to everything else.”

We live in a “chaotic” world, and how we react and/or adapt to its unpredictability and complexities matters.  But as someone (?) once said, “Embracing unpredictability sparks creativity.” 
What does Chaos spark in you?

The images of all Continuous Line drawings and their order of emergence.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Happy World Smile Day!

October 4, 2024

World Smile Day is an annual celebration of the simple yet powerful act of smiling and spreading joy to others. It was created by commercial artist Harvey Ball in 1999 to honor the iconic smiley face he created in 1963. On this day, people are encouraged to perform acts of kindness and make others smile, both in person and through social media. World Smile Day is celebrated on the first Friday in October.

Poem Created by Barb

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Nature Journaling Meets Zentangle …… It’s International Rock Flipping Day

September 8, 2024

Unbeknownst to me …… until right now! Hitting me like a ton of rocks, I just learned that every second Sunday in September each year marks a worldwide celebration known as

 International Rock Flipping Day

Today is a day to encourage people to explore and learn about the natural world by flipping over rocks to see what creatures and other organisms live underneath them. Participants share their findings and observations with others to promote curiosity and appreciation for the environment.

Zentangle patterns: Barney, Cobbles, Tupuk, Roxi, Ringz, CO2, Rigel, Piepers, Konk, Calliwags, N’Zeppel
Whimsical poetry by Barb

So tell me …..

How many rocks have you flipped over today?

What did you discover?

If no one was at home, tell me about your flipped rock(s)!

Bring out your Inner Child!

I don’t care what town you’re born in, what city, what country. If you’re a child, you are curious about your environment. You’re overturning rocks. You’re plucking leaves off of trees and petals off of flowers, looking inside, and you’re doing things that create disorder in the lives of the adults around you. – Neil deGrasse Tyson

A few more …..

As with other phases of nature, I have probably loved the rocks more than I have studied them. – John Burroughs

If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song. – Carl Perkins

The problem is not scientifically illiterate kids; it is scientifically illiterate adults. Kids are born curious about the natural world. They are always turning over rocks, jumping with two feet into mud puddles and playing with the tablecloth and fine china. – Neil deGrasse Tyson

an earlier version

As always, thanks for stopping by!

By Kraken! It’s National Sea Serpent Day, August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024

Today is National Sea Serpent Day, and while these magical, mystical, and mythological creatures may not ring true for you, Flambé now believes otherwise. Read why a Mama Kat’s lessons should be heeded at all costs, and how a litter of 8 kittens would’ve been better off if they’d had a wise Mama like Flambé. Learn how a Sea Serpent finds his lunch in murky water, and what they like to binge eat. But most of all, be sure to celebrate this auspicious day …… perhaps by visiting an aquarium to see what a “real” Sea Serpent looks like, and to learn about their life cycle, color(s), size and the habitats where they live.

National Sea Serpent Day is a day dedicated to the legendary creature known as the sea serpent. It is a time to celebrate and learn about these mythical sea creatures, which are often described as large, snake-like creatures that live in the depths of the Oceans.

Zentangle patterns used: Uzu, Seashimmer, Spilus, Iraku, Diamond Fringe, Mona Pua, Cat-a-line

Baby, it’s hot outside! 

Poor Flambé has been searing her paw pads while conducting daily curiosity quests. To cool the burn, she’s been wading into a sizable neighborhood pond, becoming engulfed in a cloud of steam as all four paws are instantly chilled.  “Aaaahhhhhhh! Now that’s relief!”

However, one day Kat decided to indulge in a full body pond plunge, completely drenching her lush fur coat. Because the pond was unfathomably deep, and since she was soaked to the tip of her tail, Flambé decided to practice a bit of free diving. Gulping a huge breath of air then turning tail, down …. down ….. down she plunged into the murky cold water.  After zipping up to the surface to fill her lungs, Kat exclaimed, “Cool!  I’ll return every hot afternoon to chill out!”

But during her second deep … deep … deep dive, Flambé saw she was not alone. Emerging out of the dim depths of the pond was a gynormously scary creature with a huge head, foot-long eyes, sharp teeth, and long wavy arms! Could it be her nemesis? 

As a wee kitten, mama Kat warned her about swimming or diving in deep water.  Mama Kat warned Flambé about the presence of the always ravenous, underwater creatures known as Hydra, Kraken, or Sea Serpent.  Mama said these monstrous Sea Serpents had such a keen sense of smell, they could instantly sniff a potential meal of “fat furry feline” frolicking frivolously in their watery realm. In the blink of a foot-long eye, an unsuspecting Kat might be greedily gobbled and gulped!

Now back to dire matters at “paw” ….. Daring to take a closer look at the menacing Kraken, Flambé gazed in horror at one of its five crops; it was plum full with a litter of eight kittens! Mama Kat was right.

Sea Serpents may have an excellent sense of smell, but Flambé’s hearing was superb. Before the Hydra could sniff out Kat, simultaneously those eight kaptured kitties let out a yowl loud enough to raise an undersea garden! “They’re alive!” Flambé to the rescue!!! 

What is Flambé’s plan to rescue all eight kitties? How does she avoid being sniffed out by the Sea Serpent? Will hiding in plain sight right next to that row of razor sharp teeth, fool the Kraken? What can Kat use to quickly pry open the Hydra’s crop cage, rapidly expelling the kitties? Are Sea Serpents ticklish, and if so, where? If you were in Flambe’s predicament, what would you do?

Please share your ideas quickly …. just in case Kat’s efforts are foiled and all is lost!

Line work before color.

Until the next chapter of Flambé’s exciting Misadventures!

Zip! Zip! ….. Happy National Zipper Day, April 29th

April 29, 2024

National Zipper Day is a holiday celebrated on April 29th every year in honor of the invention of the zipper by Gideon Sundback in 1913.

Zentangle patterns used: Oeillet, Snakin’, Ocip, Idea, Spoken, Tork, Nutz, Strutz, Pipez, Stem Out, Thoofen.

While you’re having fun (or going crazy) chasing Flambé’s maze of zippers, here’s some very cool facts about the world’s largest Zipper manufacturer ….. YKK.  

The initials YKK stand for Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushiki (Kabushibibaisha), a Japanese business that owns the most popular zipper brand in the world. Because of its cutting-edge technology and reliable materials, YKK continues to dominate the fastener market worldwide.

Today, YKK produces more than 50% of zips worldwide. Zips may be easy to make; they may have not seen much innovation in the last fifty years, and they may be simple but (so far) no other zipper company can compete against the YKK monopoly. 

YKK, founded in 1934, manufactures and produces about 10 billion zippers a year. The YKK Group consists of two main operations – 1) the fastening business, and 2) the architectural products business. The fastening business, includes zippers made for the apparel industry, comprises about 40% of its global business. The architectural products business, includes products for windows, doors, curtain walls, and even bridges and ocean clean-up products for the oil and gas industry, comprises the other 60%. 

The largest zipper factory in the world! The YKK factory in Macon, Georgia has earned that label.  This mega factory boasts 14 modern plants and over 900 employees, producing 7 million zippers a day. These zips, which come in more than 427 standard colors, total over 1,500 styles including a luxury style called Excella, where all of the parts are highly polished!

What’s so special about YKK Zippers? They are amazing in their ability to self-lubricate the more you use them. Have you ever had a zipper that becomes sticky and gritty over time? If you check the brand on the pull, it will always be some lesser make of zipper. “Sticky and gritty” are nasty characteristics experienced with a YKK. As a matter of fact, the YKK brand zips up and down more smoothly the more you use them! 

After learning a bit about YKK (my curiosity at last satisfied), I immediately ran around to all of our closets checking for the brand …….. hey, they’re all YKK! Now it’s your turn …… Check your zipper pull tabs! Are they YKK? I’ll anxiously await your full report!

On and on and up and down! Because I put so much detail and time into my Steampunked Zentangle tangle, I was going to make Flambé’s post to commemorate National Zipper Day short and sweet. But because there’s so much information about Zippers, my fascination grew exponentially, much like my Zipper maze! 

Line work before color.

Hope you enjoy this abbreviated overview about Zippers! If you’re heading outdoors to ponder this fascinating technology, don’t forget to Zip Up! 





March 2nd, National “Dr. Seuss Day!

March 2, 2024

Zentangle patterns used: Spoonflowers, R lily, Tropicapod, Chlink, FishFace, Safish, Dudley, Toobs, Emoball, Taxi, Mystic, Noches, Verve, Wartz

March 2, 2024

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! Born in Springfield, MA in 1904, if this brilliant author, poet, and illustrator of more than 66 memorable children’s books was alive today, he would be 120 years old! That’s a lot of candles …….. and imagine the variety of fanciful characters he would still be gifting all of us “kids!”

Dr. Seuss Day is an annual celebration held on March 2nd to honor the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a famous children’s author. The day is marked by reading Dr. Seuss books and participating in educational activities.

March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991

Seriously, is there anyone out there who’s never heard of Dr. Seuss? Born Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dr. Seuss began his career as a cartoonist early in life. With an imagination beyond compare, he began writing children’s books in the 1930’s, publishing his first, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street, (one of my first Seuss books) in 1937. Then war interrupted his career, and for a number of years he turned political cartoonist (note to self: haven’t seen those ….. must find!), returning to writing children’s books after the war. 

His early work after the war included:  If I Ran the Zoo (1950), Horton Hears a Who! (1955), The Cat in the Hat (1957), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957), Green Eggs and Ham (1960), One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (1960), The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961), The Lorax (1971), The Butter Battle Book (1984), and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990). He published over 60 books during his career, which have spawned numerous adaptations, including eleven television specials, five feature films, a Broadway musical, and four television series. (Wikipedia). 

I always have, and always will love the works of Dr. Seuss. Apparently Flambé is a fan too. And even though it’s not her birthday, I wanted to delight Kat with my best attempt at Seussian-style storytelling poetry, inspired by her favorite book (and food), One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 

Line work before color.

Like myself and Flambé, do you have an insatiable appetite for all things Dr. Seuss? If so, share your favorite character(s) or book(s)!





Chapter 231127: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Beaver Moon of November


Keep on reading to learn more about the November 27th Full Beaver Moon, concluding a “Full” year of named Moons. It’s been a fun trip around the Sun learning about the different names of each Full Moon and interesting facts describing our only natural satellite that lights up the night sky with her smiling face. Flambé has looked forward to the rising of every Full Moon, happy to share her cautious to exciting encounters with the cast of characters that name each month’s Moon. Follow the link below to read Kat’s conversation with a sleepy beaver who is about to fulfill her naming obligation for another year.

Continue reading “Chapter 231127: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Beaver Moon of November”

Chapter 231028: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Hunter’s Moon of October


Keep on reading to learn more about the October 28th Full Hunter’s Moon, some interesting facts about a top oceanic predator, and a near Misadventure triggered by Flambé. Luckily, Kat still has 6 of her 9 lives, and lives to take on the world tomorrow!

Continue reading “Chapter 231028: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Hunter’s Moon of October”

Chapter 230929: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Harvest Moon of September


Keep on reading to learn more about the September 29th Full Harvest Moon, Flambé’s interesting and delicious suggestion for an alternate Full Moon name, and New Mexico’s green chile harvest. It’s a spicy hot treat!

Continue reading “Chapter 230929: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Full Harvest Moon of September”

Chapter 230830: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Super Full Blue Moon


Keep on reading to learn more about the August 30th Super Full Blue Moon, blue whales, bluefin tuna, bluebirds, Flambé’s labyrinth challenge and ear worms!

Continue reading “Chapter 230830: Flambé’s latest Misadventure ………………. Super Full Blue Moon”