Author Archives: Susan Spangler

About Susan Spangler

I'm a graphic designer & illustrator, observer and survivor. My website, www.susanspangler.com, contains a wide portfolio of my projects and images – some for pay, most for love, many for both. This blog, like most of my artwork, is inspired by things that catch my eye, my ear, my heart. Funny, confounding, astounding and encouraging, all at once. You know. Life.

Dear People: World War II Letters From My Dad

Posted on October 24, 2017

With Veterans Day on the horizon, this feels like a good time to post a tribute to the vet I knew best – my dad, Walt Scheiber – a brave crew member on a B24 Liberator bomber over Europe during World War II. Though most of this piece was actually written by him at the time, he wasn’t one to talk about his wartime experiences in the aftermath. Dad died at 92, three years ago this October. So, much as I wanted to, I couldn’t check the details with him. But I hope I got them right. And I hope you find this trip back in time with him as fascinating as I did. Continue reading →

Posted in #father, family, generations, inspiration, World War II | Tagged #father, #survivor, #worldwarII | 11 Comments

Love Objects

Posted on September 19, 2017

What is it with us and our stuff? Our small stuff and everyday stuff. Here are some stories that give us a clue about the stuff we love and why. Continue reading →

Posted in affirmation, comfort, family, gratitude, happiness, home, inspiration, life lessons, simple pleasures | Tagged #family, #friends, #gratitude, #home, #lifelessons, #simplegifts, #simplepleasures | 10 Comments

Mom at 95: Still Barbara After All These Years

Posted on August 3, 2017

There’s old. And then there’s 95 years old. What does THAT feel like? Let’s ask my mom. Because she knows. Continue reading →

Posted in affirmation, aging, encouragement, generations, gratitude, happiness, home, inspiration, life lessons, old age, solace | Tagged #familylove, #generations, #gettingolder, #home, #innerpeace, #inspiration, #lifelessons, #mother, #oldage, aging, happiness | 23 Comments

Top Ten Countdown: What I Learned This Year From Breast Cancer

Posted on June 25, 2017

Two breasts. Two cancers. What can you do but start with a party? And go on from there. One giant step at a time. Continue reading →

Posted in affirmation, breast cancer, cancer, gratitude, inspiration, life lessons, stress, surviving cancer | Tagged #breastcancer, #copingwithfear, #encouragement, #gratitude, #hairloss, #lifelessons, #purplehair, #survivingcancer, #survivor, cancer | 16 Comments

The H-Word

Posted on June 18, 2016

Happiness matters. Not as much as oxygen and water and gravity and light. But right up there. One of suvival’s necessities. Continue reading →

Posted in affirmation, beauty, encouragement, family, generations, gratitude, happiness, home, inspiration, peace of mind, solace | Tagged #affirmation, #encouragement, #family, #generations, #gratitude, #inspiration, #lifelessons, #peaceofmind, happiness | 7 Comments

Talking in Color

Posted on April 10, 2016

Posted in affirmation, aging, comfort, encouragement, family, generations, gratitude, home, inspiration, kindness, peace of mind, solace, synesthesia | Tagged #affirmation, #encouragement, #family, #familylove, #generations, #gettingolder, #gratitude, #home, #inspiration, #shygirl, synesthesia | 14 Comments

small wonder

Posted on March 1, 2016

Posted in affirmation, beauty, comfort, encouragement, gratitude, home, inspiration, wonder | Tagged #affirmation, #encouragement, #gratitude, #home, #inspiration, #shygirl, wonder | 14 Comments