Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Old Me



You interpret.

Traditions



Two snow days allowed time to make Lebkuchen and Springerle. My stollen has been the subject of discussion lately and I just got hired to make some loaves as gifts. Cool beans. I think the love I put into each loaf can be tasted.

Fans



We went to Summerfield for a basketball game. One of Kadie's teachers showed up with her daughter. We saw this little girl wearing 13 (Kadie's number). I told Randy, "That has to be intentional." I went to inquire if it was, and then I saw the front, "KD." Mrs. T said she intended on bringing both her girls and each were going to wear a letter, but little sister was feeling too tired to cheer. Big sister did just fine on her own.

Uncle Jeff


The same day as the dance precious Arianna came over. Uncle Jeff fed her and became her cot so she could take a little nap. She has the sweetest disposition and I'm sure it's because she knows how much she is loved. All those good vibrations make her a blissful baby.

Winter Fest


Kadie was "hooked-up" with a boy from Siena Heights for the Winter Fest Dance. What a nice trophy date he made. He pole vaults and has aspirations a being a doctor.

Mark Spins out Art



The Mark Wagar Show





Tuesday, December 11, 2007

An Art Experience

Jeff needs to acquire art experience points through Adrain College. How the points are obtained is through visiting a list of aproved shows. Because Jeff played football he wasn't able to experience art like he would have liked or needed. As we approached the end of the semester I went to a few shows with him. It's nice to spend time with the boy and to take in some art, both of which make my soul feel better.
We went to Siena to see a photography exhibit, to the LCVA to see the salon show, to the Toledo Museum of Art to see an exhibit of drawings by David Maculay (The Way Things Work), and to Flat Landers (which never ceases to amaze me with the quality of work they bring to Lenawee County).
The Siena show, "The Tale of Two Cities," featured photography by Eugene Atget and Berenice Abbott. Atget's photos were of Paris around 1920, Abbott's were of New York around 1940. All in black and white, the photos were beyond being charming, nostalgic, or historical records. They were more like arechological specimins of extinct relatives. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's amazing how much we have evolved is such a short time . . . or are we even closer now to the brink of extinction? Anyway I found the show stirring in a wonderful way.
The highlight of art expeiencing came on Sunday when we by chance stumbled upon a glass blowing exhibit by Mark Wagar of Riga. It was esentially a performance for Jeff and me, as only Mark's assistants and family were there. Towards the end of the demonstration Mark's neighbor boy came and watched the event. That was cute. I tried to get out of him what kind of impression this event was having on him, but I think the words for such experiences may come later after much reflection. Someday he might just take notice of how lucky he was to live next door to a glass blower, and how it shaped who his is.
Here's the ironic part, I came away inspired in my own art and can't wait to find some time to express myself. It was funny the way my brain traveled mixing ideas and impressions, folding and forming art in my brain. Thanks glass guy!