Saturday, December 13, 2014
What I'm Reading #74
I'm not certain that reading is exactly the right word. I'm perusing, exploring, studying, marveling and loving a new book called, "The Best American Infographics 2014!" And I'm hoping that this becomes an annual series. The images are by and large kick ass and celebrate a truly American Art form in demographic design. They show you the infinite creativity of the statistical mind and provide a visual map of they way in ideas intermingle and thoughts embrace.
For example!
Friends of Sligo Creek's Latest Offering
In the placard from the park. This is the current pamphlet.
What I'm Reading #73
This is an amazing little book!
Written by storied art critic, Jan Morris, who claims this is her final treatise on art, it is an easy read of a not well known Renaissance Venetian artist. Carpaccio's oeuvre is however vast and noteworthy. Morris tells us why with great acumen, compassion and expertise in a manner most accessible. You will know and love this artist because of her knowledge and love of this artist.
Written by storied art critic, Jan Morris, who claims this is her final treatise on art, it is an easy read of a not well known Renaissance Venetian artist. Carpaccio's oeuvre is however vast and noteworthy. Morris tells us why with great acumen, compassion and expertise in a manner most accessible. You will know and love this artist because of her knowledge and love of this artist.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Holiday Giving (And Receiving!)
Been a week of packages in the door. My mail carrier is awesome.
A lovely package from Australia and a friend there that included among other things this calendar and book of stickers! As an elementary school teacher, I can tell your nothing promotes compliance like the promise of a sticker--and now I know why! Also, what's the best thing about a calendar from Australia? The beautiful snowy images are attached to June/July/August!
Then, today, a package from Burly Bakers in Atlanta. Amazing baked goods and another calendar and so much love from a friend. Happy Holidays!
Mental Math
So my friends posted this picture of themselves and their "family," and I .....
skipped back to this album cover my youth!
Ain't it wonderful how the mind stores ideas for later use? How we make meaning of our lives?
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Dinner
Stuffed Cabbage is large cabbage leaved wrapped around a mixture of:
~ ground Meat (in this case a mix of beef, pork and veal)
~ cooked Rice
~ diced Onion
~ diced Green Pepper
~ canned (drained) diced zesty stewed tomatoes
And then packed into a casserole dish with sauerkraut and Ro*Tel Mild diced tomatoes. I used no additional salt or other seasons.
~ ground Meat (in this case a mix of beef, pork and veal)
~ cooked Rice
~ diced Onion
~ diced Green Pepper
~ canned (drained) diced zesty stewed tomatoes
And then packed into a casserole dish with sauerkraut and Ro*Tel Mild diced tomatoes. I used no additional salt or other seasons.
First Holiday Card
It arrived on Monday, December 1st, just like it has for more years than I can count. The first Holiday card of the season postmarked Arizona from Mr. Miller. His son, Kent, was among my first childhood friends forming our allegiance solidly by second grade. Kent was for me the amiable little devil who would encourage me to participate in the silly prank. He and I had a lot of fun together growing up, and whenever I went to his house to play, there was his mom Sandy. She was larger than life a quixotic firecracker who would suddenly shout out Kent's name whenever a thought crossed her mind and it somehow involved him. I always thought that she wished she was going along on our adventures, too. Sometimes there was also Mr. Miller.
Mr. Miller was a quiet man. I always thought of him as a man's man. The kind of guy that played golf and watched football, swam a mile without breaking a sweat and disdained fags. But then I must say, I had very little aside from the golf clubs and above ground pool in their backyard upon which to base my judgments.
One day just before I left for college--it was like my last visit through the neighborhood bidding friends a good bye--I stopped at the Millers and of course Sandy was hugs and tears and cheek-kisses for good luck. Mr. Miller was home and no sooner had I arrived than he got up and left the room. The chatter between myself and Mrs. Miller continued when he suddenly reappeared carrying a coat bag. I was quite baffled, and he handed it to me.
 |
| Wearing the coat, me on the right. |
Inside was his U.S. Marines issued full-length winter coat. circa 1950. It had never been worn. He explained that it had been issued to him when his assignment was Iceland, and then at the last minute he was reassigned to the Philippines. He said he thought it would fit me and I should try it on. It fit like a fucking glove! He gave it to me with no other fanfare or explanation. That was in 1979.
Over the years I stayed in touch more with the Millers than with my friend, their son Kent. In the 90's Sandy was diagnosed with a degenerative nervous system disease of some sort and over the better part of 12 years suffered many treatments and died an ignoble death at its ushering. Mr. Miller stood by her side throughout those years and the Christmas after Sandy passed a Holiday card arrived on December 1st from Mr. Miller. He picked up where she left off and for the past 12 years or so his has always been the first one I receive. This past year has seen him face his own battle with cancer, and now he lives without a bladder. In his note he joked that he is a true "bag man" now. He celebrates his children, his grandchildren and even his great grandchildren and laments not being up for a round of golf. He's known that I'm gay since forever, but it doesn't matter to this man's man, a man I am proud to call my friend.
Speaking of Friends
Friends! Postcards! Love!
What joy! Received this postcard from my friend Nikky Finney. You know your friend is a poet when she can write a novel in the space of a postcard. Such good news, too.
Fiddler On The Roof!
Yesterday had a wonderful evening out with my neighbor and friend, Takako. We began the evening with dinner at Station 4 restaurant and lounge, where I had the Hazelnut Ragout Pappardelle. Then off to Arena Stage for an in the round production of Fiddler on the Roof.
It was magnificent! The actor who played Tevye, Jonathan Hadary, carried the show just as it must be carried. The roles of Golde (Ann Arvia) and Lazar Wolf (Erick Devine) were likewise standouts. The set was simply amazing and gave everyone in the theatre a vantage point worth occupying. The three principle daughters were pitch perfect, and "Matchmaker" a delightful performance. The highlight was the dream sequence with Fuma Sarah, and really led every major ensemble number all of which were of broadway quality (the choreography was superb). I also thought that the number "Do You Love Me" was another show stopper. Not that it was all golden.
I was disappointed by the uneven performance by Michael Vitaly Sazonov in the role of Perchik. The role of the Rabbi was also uninspired. But everyone knows this show inside and out. To bring to it a sense of wonder is no easy task. The overall production was delightful and well worth the price of admission.
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