For bloggers with children in the Boy Scouts or if you're reminiscing about a childhood memory in a blog post, this free illustration from Templates.com would make a nice accompaniment. This Boy Scout is featured with mountain and lake backdrop and is gratis for only one week and then this free image is replaced with another.

Perfect for do-it-yourself and home improvement blog posts, Templates.com is offering a “painter girl” as this week’s free illustration. The image is complimentary for one week and then replaced with another one.

For the past couple of weeks, Alexander Pushkin (the great Russian poet) has traveled with me. Braving the itch of hot sand, he’s nestled beside me on the beach. He’s kept me company on a car ride to Rochester, NY. He’s stared motivation into my limbs as I labored on a treadmill. Pushkin makes an exceptional companion.

Thanks to Julian Henry Lowenfeld, I have been touched by the poetry of Alexander Pushkin. Lowenfeld translated Pushkin’s work from Russian to English and shares his poetic genius in “My Talisman: The Poetry & Life of Alexander Pushkin.”

Reading “My Talisman” is a voyeuristic journey into the life of a man tormented by the loves of his life (poetry and his “Natalie”). The bilingual book offers an introduction, brief biography, and selected poetry presented in both Russian and English. Pushkin’s own sketches and other drawings serve as illustrations throughout the book.  The addition of his artwork intensifies the connection you make with the poet. I enjoyed the overall layout of “‘My Talisman.”

I also found it quite interesting to learn about the intricacies of translating poetry from one language to another. Liberties are often taken and slight variations will exist from one translator to the next. This not only shows in the spelling of some words, but also in their meaning.

What I Learned

Pushkin was both loved and feared in Russia – depending on whom you spoke to. For example, the government went through periods of watching his every move and subjecting his work to intense literary scrutiny and censorship. Letters to his wife were even read by the tsar of Russia before they reached her eyes. With his poems, Pushkin could incite political action just as much as he could passion and declarations of love. “My Talisman” offers an intriguing biography and effectively presents an increasingly fascinating picture of the poet, such as:

• Pushkin had African roots that shown through in some of his physical characteristics. He embraced this heritage while others mocked it. I found this very interesting.
• I learned that after Pushkin finally married the woman he had pursued for years, her coldness and inconsiderate nature contributed to an absence of romantic lyrics.
• Pushkin longed to visit Europe and requested to leave Russia, but was refused permission by the tsar. This was heartbreaking to learn, as Pushkin’s talents could have reached unimaginable heights if he had been exposed to European culture and scenery.
• Pushkin managed to survive many “duals” – choosing to intentionally miss his opponent or surrender to a distraction. However, one dual would prove fatal and most tragic in its meaning.
• Pushkin was lovesick over the women in his life, as well as for his craft.

My Favorite Poems

I have yet to complete “My Talisman: The Poetry & Life of Alexander Pushkin” – it’s a treasure to savor so I’m taking my time. Why would I want to lose my companion so soon?

So far, my favorite poem is ‘The Flower.’ I also feel that almost anyone can relate to how Pushkin referred to “his near and dear ones,” which appears in the biography.

“What does that mean, our near and dear ones?
Our near and dear ones are just these ones:
The ones we are obliged to kiss,
Caress, and love, and warmly miss,
Also, by custom and good cheer,
On Christmas we should pay them calls,
At least by mail should send them cards,
So all the rest of all the year
They’ll never even think of us!

And so, God grant them health, I trust!”

You never know when you’re going to find a deal in your city. All I have to say is keep your eyes wide open and read everything around you. A simple trip to the library turned into free entry to an Everson Art Museum exhibit I’ve been wanting to attend: Fantasies and Fairy-Tales: Maxfield Parrish and the Art of the Print.

The library [Soule Branch in Syracuse, NY] offered what was called a FunPass, where two adults and up to four dependant children could attend the art exhibit for free. You checked the pass out with your library card and could keep it for 3 days.

My mother and I attended the museum on her birthday. Tickets are normally $10. Honestly, without the FunPass, I would have never experienced the exhibit.

Maxfield Parrish [1870 – 1966] used painstakingly intricate techniques that resulted in amazing paintings that literally glow. It looks like light is actually coming from behind  or casting a spotlight on his main subjects. His work has appeared in and on fairy tales, album covers, book jackets, advertisements, and my personal favorite – annual General Electric calendars from the 1930s.

Perfect for bloggers with sites that center on entertainment, gossip, people, and social events, Templates.com has a ‘cool’ group of people as this week’s illustration. The image is complimentary for one week and then replaced with another one.

Is it just me or have aprons been making a serious fashionable comeback? I first noticed with Flirty Aprons and now, I’ve found Emily’s Apron Creations, where you can express yourself in the kitchen in more ways than one. While Flirty Aprons consists of a lot of sassy (and even seductive) aprons, Apron Creations has a great deal of imaginatively unique options to consider. For example, I’ve never seen an Outer Space Apron before. I absolutely love the blue colors in this apron.

Most Apron Creations are made from 100% cotton with ties at the neck and waist. The prints are very eye-catching. Bike lovers may choose I Heart Bicycles. The Magic Unicorn apron is perfect for a daydreamer who loves to cook. The Bumblebee Polka Dot apron is a lively treat. There is also a line of 100% organic barkeep aprons in red and navy.

Emily also accepts custom requests.

Calling all sushi lovers and food bloggers! Templates.com has an attractive, free sushi illustration, which is free for one week and then replaced with another one.

I participated in the Thursday Blog Hop for Twitter and have connected with many different people, including a few amazing artists. It all started with @MuralMaker1 (Colleen Jorgensen is an artist and designer who “helps people express their own style in their spaces.”)

Of course, her work that involves animals is what caught my eye, such as the Giraffe Duo, Pink Toile Bunny, and African Animals. She also does painted tapestries and accessories, like antique saw blades and keepsake suitcases.  Her website also gives details on how you can paint your own gorgeous murals.

After following Colleen (who is also a self taught interior artist), I saw she had left a Tweet to @jaisjewels (Jai Johnson) and it piqued my interest. All I have to say is if you are an animal lover (especially of dogs), then you will fall in love with Jaiart.com. She creates the most touching, colorful paintings centered on man’s best friend and our other furry companions. If you’re looking for a commissioned portrait of your pet, she’s definitely the one to contact.

A few of my favorite Jai Art paintings include:

If you’re looking to rejuvenate your Twitter background or want something a little more creative than the default images, Kid-Genius.com has a wide-ranging selection.

• Relive your unicorn fetish.
• Have a trippy tea party with Alice or wander in the forest with her.
• There are cute hedgehogs and herds of elephants.
• Feeling a little doggish?

Keep up with new additions and changes to the website by following Kid Genius on Twitter (@KGLayouts). Also, Kid-Genius.com offers free Twitter, Coding, and MySpace tutorials, like how to make a scroll box for your website. There are plenty of creative Twitter backgrounds for gals and guys alike, including the following examples:

If you’re looking to spice up your website or blog posts with new illustrations, Templates.com offers 1 free illustration per week. I’ve been receiving alerts every week for more than 6 months now and they really come in handy. Even if I don’t have an immediate need for an illustration, I save it for later. They are completely free to download and keep.

Templates.com also offers images, website templates, and Twitter backgrounds for a small fee. They use a credit system where 1 dollar = 1 credit. This is where I purchased my Giveaway Buzz image that I absolutely love. Usually around the holidays, Templates.com offers a variety of free illustrations – especially around Christmas time.

This week, you can get this free vector illustration. They are only available for one week and then another illustration comes to take its place.

Some of the ones I’ve gotten in the past have included: