LEAN TIMES: A Winter Message …by Alan Cornette

Solstice, a painting by Al Cornett.
Solstice, a painting by Alan Cornette.

Several of my lean years here at Slade, in the Red River Gorge area, were spent alone at special times like Christmas and New Year’s. A couple of times I broke up with my girlfriend to avoid buying non-affordable gifts. Yes, it was that lean. But this was my decision, to survive financially as an artist. I knew how to adjust to the simple requirements of living because I lived through the nineteen thirties (the Great Depression years) so I was mentally conditioned for such experiences.

During those lean times at Slade, Natural Bridge State Park became my home. The place and the people there became my crutch needed in times when the company of others was the mental balm for my sometimes lonely soul. The park changed and now a pandemic has created more changes. I feel unwelcome there and miss being able to have lunch with friends I worked with for years. My daughter Michelle’s move back home helped alleviate the lonely times.

The Red Mailbox by Al Cornette.
The Red Mailbox, painting by Alan Cornette. Al has also recently published a book of the same name, which you can find HERE

As I enter the last stage of life, the reality of permanently losing friends tugs at my heart – one of the negative aspects of living past the average age of humans. Thankfully, the treat of younger friends have helped fill the void.

One of my special times is the Winter Solstice, that time when the earth begins its journey onward to the other side of the sun. The Solstice is the beginning of a new year for me. A couple of times by the calendar (January 1st), and alone, I stepped outside and fired one round with my 12 gauge, yelled as if someone could hear me a mile away at Slade, went back inside and went to bed. So much for celebrating the calendar year – something about the passing of time I’d love to slow down.

The Solstice reminds me of my place on earth – a mere speck of a traveler in time. Celebrate that you’ve made it another year. Celebrate that you still have friends and family who cares. In disagreement and love, we travel together. My real family are those sharing the adventure. We join hearts and minds for special occasions and the reality of cosmic events contradicting the perpetuity of our beliefs.

Click here to read Alan on the topic of “Friends and Freedom,” from the June/July 2012 Zephyr.

Alan Cornette lives and paints in Kentucky. His most recent book, “The Red Mailbox,” is available on Amazon HERE.

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8 comments for “LEAN TIMES: A Winter Message …by Alan Cornette

  1. Kay
    February 15, 2021 at 11:27 am

    I really enjoyed the stories by another old timer. His view that we are entering a phase in American society where one can be punished for their words and even thoughts seems to have merit. I am thinking of those people and companies who are being cancelled and boycotted for supporting a particular political cause.

    If Al is available I would like him to expand on the following quote from his article, “We join hearts and minds for special occasions and the reality of cosmic events contradicting the perpetuity of our beliefs.”

  2. Lynn Molloy (formerly Houston)
    March 14, 2021 at 8:25 am

    I was moved by “The Red Mailbox”. Looking forward to 2 more books. You are a Kentucky treasure Al.

  3. Melody Bales
    December 14, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    I can’t believe I found this article, Al. And right after the devastation of so many homes due to the tornadoes in Kentucky— I was thinking about you and your beautiful state…
    It’s so nice to read about your continued philosophy and your independence as an artist, Al. You were always so special.

    I REMEMBER YOUR KINDNESS WHEN YOU GIFTED ME SIGNED COPIES OF “BLUES OF SUMMER” AND “CHICORY AND LACE,” at a time when I was a young woman and so distraught at the lodge one afternoon many, many, many years ago. IF I’M NOW 71 HOW OLD DOES THAT MAKE YOU?

    Happy Holidays up there, and stay warm and healthy. Thinking fondly of you.

    Melody

  4. Virginia Ernestine Hicks
    September 26, 2022 at 7:20 am

    Old age (88) has caused me to gift family and friends with posessions I no longer need. One of the last things I am parting with today is my favorite print, along with your philosophy of life article. The print Patchwork was my first and favorite. My deceased husband, Paul Hansell Hicks, was an early friend of yours, and related that you had many cups of coffee at the Bluegrass Grill. We visited you at the Frame Up Gallery when they were having a showing of your latest painting, and meet the artist. When we walked in, and I saw the painting I exclaimed “oh Paul”. His remark was “Don’t even think about it”. He being of the more conservative persuasion. It was probably in the late 70’s or 80’s. I cant’ remember the painting now, but our finances only allowed prints. You told us the significance of several items: the cross of Christ , the woman at the well, and maybe the barn-like structure depicted the stable. My memory is not quite like it used to be. I’m giving it to my dear young friend with whom I go to church with. She was
    thrilled to be the new owner, and felt the same way I did about it. Thank you, and it was a privilege to meet the artist.

  5. Jim Stacey (Grizzly Gem)
    December 4, 2022 at 11:04 am

    On either side of 1975 I walked into the lodge at the Natural Bridge State Park and saw Al’s painting of a boulder along the Red River. It is still a strong memory, and deep appreciation of how he perfectly captured the beauty of that area. I was another hermit, so to speak, living in a log cabin at the base of Raven Rock in the Gorge for about four years. Today I’m an 80 yo urban hermit, in North Carolina, doing what Al did, painting scenes of nature, wishing I had his level of skill. And courage to commit his life to what he loved.

  6. Jim Stacey
    December 4, 2022 at 2:56 pm

    On either side of 1975 I walked into the lodge at the Natural Bridge State Park and saw Al’s painting of a boulder along the Red River. It is still a strong memory, and deep appreciation of how he perfectly captured the beauty of that area. I was another hermit, so to speak, living in a log cabin at the base of Raven Rock in the Gorge for about four years. Today I’m an 80 yo urban hermit, in North Carolina, doing what Al did, painting scenes of nature, wishing I had his level of skill. And courage to commit his life to what he loved.

  7. Lynn Molloy
    July 12, 2023 at 4:38 pm

    Years ago,, maybe close to 50, you gifted me with a painting you named “ Jenny’s Tree”. I remember saying “ Who is Jenny”? You replied “ Jenny Wiley”. The painting has been a treasure for all these years and I have gifted it to my son. My son, David Houston , has always been fascinated with the “ Gorge”. My best to you, I have kept up with your work and books these many years…you are one of the really “ good guys”. Lynn

  8. Derrel Sanders
    November 27, 2023 at 12:30 pm

    I have an oil painting that’s about 12 inches wide and 36 inches tall. It’s a clown and very nice. I was told when I bought it, it was painted by the man that taught Red Skeleton to paint. The signature is Cornett ‘67. I always wondered if that was true ( most likely not) but also who it was that painted it. The colors used remind me of The Red Mailbox.

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