Moody Monday: Blooming

Blooming in Chicago

Moody Monday: Brmm,Brmm

Moody Monday: An English man in Cannes

A Few Hours at the Hammer Museum and more

Life in Southern California doesn't change much in the summer. Hot, hot and hotter so what is there to do in the day. Escape the heat at all cost, that is what! So I have gone to every building that has air conditioning. From Ventura to Riverside where I have been cruising. Freeways don't have any secrets for my Garmin GPS. You want to go where???? no problem, just follow my directions and be ready to make U turns when you don't follow them fast enough. I have also done some sewing at the park in the afternoon under old growth green oak trees. One of them is actually growing sideways. A perfect bench, I'd say! I also rescued a couple of beagles on distress. They were lost and frantic, on a scented trail of some wild creature for sure. Their nose never left the ground. They were shortly reunited with their owners not to worry. So off I was with Paul to the Hammer Museum. The exhibit "Outside the Box" Edition Jacob Samuel, 1988-2010 is showing right now until August 29th. Just an amazing retrospective of this Master Printer who with the genius idea to ask artists that he studied for 10 years at least to make a series or book of etchings. Each box or book or series is unique and reflect a beautiful story behind the intriguing artwork. The collaboration is essential in this form and how each involved got to keep it's identity is an art in itself. If you have a chance run to it. The permanent collection is also a treasure of known and not so known pieces by Van Gogh, Rembrant, Cezanne, Fantin Latour, Fragonard, Gauguin, Gustave Moreau, John Singer Sargent. Pretty impressive. The lighting is perfect in those dark rooms. There is also a contemporary gallery with impressive names but it didn't hold my attention as much. The courtyard is very inviting with fountains, a restaurant and many plants. The Wilder Theater is also showing old movies on Sundays.

Moody Monday: Thirsty

Thirsty

California Unplanned!

You know when you think that you are finally getting a grip on things and that you think that you can relax something else is sure to pop up and off you go once again in a frenzy? Well that is what is happening now and off I left for an Unplanned California Trip. I drove! It took me two days. Long hours in the hot sunny weather of the West Coast in late July makes you appreciate that your new home is in the Pacific Northwest where rain is of the essence. Such dry unfriendly area with flat land and imported water doesn't really appeal to me. I do love mountains and big trees and rivers and seas all in one spot and that is were I want to land. But in the meantime the Ventura County is were I am for few weeks. Trying to make the most of it. I am not complaining as it could be worse, a lot worse. It is an enchanted area where things don't look totally real. It is all for show so I need some landmarks to anchor me down and bring me back to reality. Today it is going to be the first day that I have not something planned every minute of the day. So I my plan is to get a swimsuit to go sit and read my book by the water. There is a park where I would like to hike with Gaia. They offer music in the park once a month and have a funky jazz car parked in the parking lot. The visitor's center looks interesting. I am into Free Fun opportunities right now.

Yesterday was my 51st Birthday. Paul and I went after his work to a nice Mexican restaurant. I had Mole Enchiladas, he had Carnitas. We were on the terrace, roses all over of every colors and scents. The sunset was filtering everything in a golden light that made the place look magical. One of the definitions of "Magic" is: an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source... and so it sure feels like it ... this whole trip has had some surreal events. I have to surrender to the forces at work and just make lemonade out of the lemons and sip it and enjoying as it cools me down to the core.

Library card

I am officially living in Tacoma since I got my Library card. It is a precious commodity with a key chain format so easy to have on hand. Wherever and whenever I go I have a choice of a library to visit in this town. Just fabulous. The one in my neighborhood is about to be closed for renovation at the end of next month so I have planned to visit it often before that. So far three visits. The park just next door is very pleasant with lots of shade and trails going into the thicket. A children's playground. The staff is just a delight. I have so far checked out books on Bungalow style houses, how to find information about your historical home, house plans of the arts and crafts homes, a couple of graphic novels (Buddha by osamu tezuka, Tales of the Weird by Ralph Steadman) then of course I got few movies. I don't have access to a CD player at the time so no books on tape. That time will come. I have of course a couple of fiction but I am not sure if I will have time to spare on those. I am reading other things that I captivating my attention as well as spending time exploring my new grounds. I have set up my watercolors and paper on the terrace looking at the pretty view and just had fun making nonsensical paintings. So days are passing with a more relaxed attitude and I have let go of the stress of the past six months. It is out of my control and what I can control I am trying to make it fun and non complicated.