A new God?

Samuel, a character in Rudolfo Anayas' novel, Bless Me Ultima,  starts his story of the golden carp as if it is a thing of legend (and it totally is): "'A long time ago, when the earth was young and only wandering tribes touched the virgin grasslands and drank from the pure streams, a strange people came to this land'" He goes on to tell Antonio, the young protagonist,  how the people angered their gods, and as punishment the gods turned the people into carp. But, Samuel explains, one god loved the people so much that he asked to be turned into a carp, too, so that he could protect them. Samuel says, "'But because he was a god they made him very big and colored him the color of gold. And they made him the lord of all the waters of the valley.'"

Samuel's description shakes old Antonio up: "'The golden carp,' I said to myself, 'a new god?'"  Yes, Antonio: a new god.

June 1 Theme Day is Zest

Garden Statuary

Mythological

Guardian of the Seasons
My Persephone

June 1 Theme Day is Zest

Younger Than Springtime!

What is the purpose?. . .
Youthful imagination

Younger than springtime!

June 1 Theme Day: Zest

Artful Aging #4 Transparency?

"Are we invisible—transparent as glass?"

This is my fourth and last post of the Artful Aging exhibit based on the artist Lucy Rose Fischer's artwork for her book, I'm New at Being Old."  If you missed the earlier posts, you can see previous ones here, and here, and here.

June 1 Theme Day is "zest!"

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Terrarium

Plants, soil, stones and shells
Building a terrarium
Nature lies indoors

June 1st Theme Day: Zest

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Memorial Day

MINNESOTA WORKER

A truck load of mulch

Getting the garden ready

A sure sign of spring

Camera Critters & Weekend Reflections

Swimming silently

Unaware they are on film

Freedom is preferred

Linking to Camera Critters & Weekend Reflections

Large glass sculptures

Green Serenade

21"x 23" x 80"

Yesterday I showed you several glass masks made by Peter Zelle.  This is one of his large sculptures.  Click here to see more of his other large pieces. Those photographs, taken by a professional photographer, do not have shadows as mine does and will give you a better idea of the beauty of his work.

Glass Masks

A room brightener
One  hanging in my window
Colorful glass mask

Visiting Peter Zelle's Glass Studio is always a treat.  I have one of these masks hanging in my kitchen . Brightens up the room!

GARDEN SHED-ABC WEDNESDAY "S"

A Playhouse or shed?

Gardening lifts the spirit

Shed your cares and woes

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

School Chef

A native Minnesotan, Chef Wallace, works hard at providing nutritious meals for the children who attend the Child's Garden and Montessori School and Day Care. Wallace has been active in many roles with the school for the past ten years, but he shines when providing food for the youngsters.

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Painting Alert:  Randy of Santa Fe Daily Photo correctly identified the painting and artist on my post yesterday.  Check it out.  Because it was one of her early paintings (1926) while living in NYC, it didn't occur to some of you that it could be this wonderful artist!

Names-Art in Bloom #4

The first one who names the painting and identifies the artist gets a St. Paul postcard from me!

Chez Arnaud

A Jackson Pollock?

It's somewhere in Saint Paul

Lively artistry

If you're hungry for delectable pastries, Chez Arnaud on Grand Avenue in St. Paul will satisfy your palate.  At the same time, take a look at some of the artwork created on the palatte of artist Brenna Esworthy.

The Mississippi

The Mississippi River in Minneapolis as seen from the Guthrie Theatre outdoor walkway

Sheldon, a Minnesota Worker

   Sheldon, who is a live-long St. Paulite, has been the friendly doorman at the Ordway Theatre for the Performing Arts for the last 15 years.  He loves his job and we love seeing him and his charming, friendly face whenever we go there!!

Note: In trying to synch all my Apple computers/iphone, I've  had nothing but trouble since.  Back to Apple Tech tomorrow.  Scroll bar absent from many sites; working on it.         

Bee's Business

Friendly Visitor

Very Welcome at Our Home

Bee's a Welcome Guest

Art in Bloom #3- ABC WEDNESDAY

"The Crucifixion" by Georges Rouault

Artful Aging #3

What do we have here?

Another "Artful Aging"

Body Beautiful

The phenomenal artist, Lucy Rose Fisher, has a whole collection of her artwork from her illustrated book, I'm New at Being Old, on display in the Community Room at Unity-Unitarian Church on Grotto St. in St. Paul, MN.

Art in Bloom #2

Every spring the Minneapolis Institute of Art has an exhibition that is called "Art in Bloom," that pairs a painting or sculpture with a florist's interpretation of the art work.  The crowds are enormous, but the art work and flowers are worth braving the crowd to see how this season's art work unfolds.Today's photos combine a Matisse painting that is part of the permanent collection with a florist's creative representation. Yesterday on Mother's Day I posted a welcoming floral sculpture at the entrance of the museum. 

Happy Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Floral Gift for You!

May this be a peaceful day

Full of joy and love!

Canine convention

Canine Convention

Amazingly Well-behaved

Safety in Numbers?

Although our car came to a screeching halt when I observed this scene, DH was impatiently tapping the gas pedal while I jumped out to record the scene.  The two men who reportedly boards these dogs didn't seem anxious to chit chat, instead they were enjoying their conversation and coffee while the pooches rested.

Linking to Camera Critters

The Staff of Life

It's the "Staff of Life"

So I have been often told.

Is it "gluten-free?"

Birch Trees

Birch trees line the path

 Some are swaying or bending

Strong lessons for life?

. . . I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

         "Birches" by Robert Frost

Artful Aging #2

Check my post yesterday for a full explanation of this artwork.

Quirky and Fanciful Art-ABC Wednesday

Lucy Rose Fischer

from her book

I'm New at Being  Old

In her own words: Artful Aging: I create fanciful designs that tell stories with vibrant colors. For much of my art, I paint upside down, inside out and backward on hand-blown glass bowls and vases. My art career is also upside-down.  I had a 25-year career as an award-winning researcher, teacher, and writer—with a PhD in sociology and a specialty in the study of aging.  When I was almost 60, I asked myself “How old do I have to be to follow my dream?” and I began my art career.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Herb Brooks & Hockey

Do you believe in miracles? Herb Brooks did. A man of character and principle, Coach Brooks and his Team  USA touched millions and inspired a nation. This monument depicts Coach Brooks at the precise moment the 1980 "Miracle on Ice"Olympic gold medal victory was achieved.

Waitperson Extraordiaire!

Amanda is probably the friendliest waitperson in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Although she grew up in West St. Paul she went to Central High School and remains in the city because she loves St. Paul. A busy mother of two small girls, she recently happily changed jobs from Starbucks to Cook Restaurant on Payne Avenue, the former legendary Serlin's neighborhood breakfast spot. This newly-renovated small restaurant has new owners and a new menu. Amanda's recommendations turned out to be winners and were enjoyed by me and my three friends who recently visited this cafe for breakfast. Amanda's cheerfulness and witty banter made the entire experience a real pleasure.

Doctor or Dentist? 

Common sight in offices~

Natural habitat?

Linked to Camera Critters and Saturday Critters

Another quilt wall hanging

Maybe I should have used this photo for the May 1st theme instead of the one I used yesterday?