Scratch

Sarah e McIntosh’s "Scratch" is a humorous and expertly rendered painting and an ode to pleasure. While the type and intensity vary, everyone has many itches to scratch. It is the perfect metaphor for most desires (if not all) because it encapsulates the conundrum behind craving and even needs. I commend the person who always resists scratching an itch, but I have never met one and would never wish to be one. There is no doubt I'm going after that itch; the question for me (and the one that applies to most things I want) is for how long and how much do I scratch? We all know how satisfying a good scratch can be, and we know the risks: scratching often exacerbates the itch and spreads it, along with the irritation accompanying it. Scratch too little, and you'll miss out on one of life's greatest pleasures. Scratch too much, and you won't be able to focus on all the other pleasures.