Five words of thought...

My curiosity was peaked recently when I read a post on thisstopwilloughby about thoughts on five random words. I signed up, and Willoughby was nice enough to send five words to me. Many of of these words have several meanings, however, I am writing about what they mean to me, as thoughts pop into my head.

By the way, you may want to stop by and see Willoughby's blog. She is an excellent writer and will bring you lots of smiles and chuckles :)

1. Compose - I love this word for the images it conjures up in my head of creating something, whether it is a drawing, a sculpture, a piece of music, a garden or a recipe. The list is endless. With one's imagination, anything can become an element of something else. Compose can form the basis of something that can be a springboard to even more wonderful things.

2. Harvest - Harvest moon like a big pumpkin in the sky in eary October, Harvest Fairs that are happy small town get-togethers for family and friends. Most importantly for me though, Harvest conjures up the meaning of hard and dutiful farm work, the kind that puts blisters on your hands and dirt under your fingernails. And I am thankful for every Farmer we have in our country.

3. Object - Art object, or otherwise known as "object d'art" I think of motion caught in a moment, and it makes me smile and wonder.

4. Travel - the big wide beautiful world. Opening one's eyes and ears to learning about how other people live. Seeing the sights, pretty and not so pretty, but real, as it should be. I think of dreaming of far away lands and exotic places.

It also means driving to another state here in the U.S. and listening to our different accents, and appreciating all that we have, and benefit from as a collective society.

5. Wonder - Deep thoughts yet to be uncovered, or may never be. To question, challenge and daydream all that there is in the universe. The wonder of life - so large that I can't get my arms around it. Other times, wondering how amazing it is to watch something and someone grow. From a sprout to a flower blossom or a child to an adult. It's a beautiful process and I can shed a tear about the wonder of it all.

It's near that time again!

The pumpkin festival in Keene, NH http://www.pumpkinfestival.org/ is a festival to remember.
The last time I attended, the jack-o-lantern count was at 13,000. Registration for last year was over 30,000. Nothing prepared us for the volume of pumpkins that we saw, and the variety of creativity that abound. They were positioned on countless bleachers, multiple stackers, benches, and tables; doing nothing but making us smile ear to ear. People made carvings of their trade, their art, their imagination. It was truly unbelievable, and so much fun to stop by, look and admire. Just before dusk, they have countless volunteers lighting the jack-o-lanterns. It was a sight to behold, just indescribable. To see them up close and personal during the day is very special. You can admire people's ability to represent their creative side. And at night, well just imagine that many votive candles being lit - it's magical! Should you ever be near Keene, NH in mid-October, I highly recommend you to stop by and savor the fun of it all!

Vogue

Everyone can wear fashion, however, not everyone has style. Except for the cigarette, (which was very popular during that era), these two women has grace and style. Don't you love them?


Norman Parkinson - Vogue Covers 1956 and 1957

A brief update on the growing Zack

Our kitten Zack has been growing. He has beautiful gold color eyes, and has the "rascal kitten" in him. I will occasionally post photos of him as he grows.

A garden variety...

I know many people are wering fall clothes, and talking about the Autumn breeze, etc., however, my garden just does not want to let go of some of the summer flowers. The following photos are a mix of some of the summer and fall blooms. It is nice that Mother nature is willing to share. So grab your sunglasses, and a shawl, and come for a visit to my garden.



I know, I know, how can a Mandevilla looks like this in NJ in mid Sept. - luck I guess! :)




Notice our girl stature peering 'round the corner She is amazing!


Thanks for stopping by! :)

An Ice Cream Book Give-A-Way!

Last July, I posted about Emily Luchetti, my sister-in-law who is a well renowned Pastry Chef. Emily has created a beautiful website and blog.

In your best interest, you may want to stop by her blog, submit your favorite ice cream sandwich combination of choice, and the winner will receive a signed copy of her book "A Passion for Ice Cream ". You don't have to submit a recipe, just a favorite ice cream sandwich combination. It's that simple.



Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

The website is here. Then click on her blog.
Or, to go straight to her blog, click below.
http://www.emilyluchettiblog.com/

Four seasons...

Do you have a favorite season? And which one might that be? People have various opinions about their favorite season. Of course there are countless things to do within each season; that is the beauty of it all.

However, I am curious if you have a particular season that sets your heart aglow? I have two seasons. Sorry, I just can not break it down to one. It's Spring with my flowers blooming everywhere. The other favorite is Autumn, with the crisp air in the crystal blue sky, and crunchy leaves under my feet, and the smell of wood burning - so glad we are on the eve of it.

The Story of Pygmalion and Galatea

I believe the painting below based in Greek mythology is fantastically beautiful and romantic. It depicts Pygmalion, King of Cyprus who sculpted a woman out of marble, all the while wishing for a wife as beautiful as the woman he created. The statue which Pygmalion called Galatea was so lovely that he fell in love with his own creation.

Like many Greek myths, Venus, the Goddess of Love brings the sculpture to life, as seen in Galatea's top portion of her torso, yet her calves are still grounded in marble. This is perhaps the most dramatic part of the painting. She is half stone, half human.

There is so much to be viewed in this painting: a vision of Cupid shooting his love arrow straight for the Artist. At this point, Galatea leans her beautifully curved back over for a passionate kiss with Pygmalion. Small, but intended props included are the drama masks of theatre.


The Artist:
Jean-Leon Gerome (1824-1904). French painter and sculptor.

Interesting facts: This story also inspired George Bernard Shaw to create Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, the Pygmalion and Galatea of his play "Pygmalion." That play in turn was the basis of the popular musical, "My Fair Lady."

I would like to thank one of my Art History Professors Dr. Petra Chu for introducing me to this painting, that I have never forgotten, after all these years.

This painting can be viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Also, a different version by the same Artist can be seen at the The Bridgemen Art Library in London.

The Luncheon of the Boating Party

c.1881 by Pierre-August Renoir
Enjoy your weekend!

I am back...

I am back from an intermission. My muse had taken a mini vacation, and so did I. Every once in a while I think it is good for me to walk away from writing, smell the lavender, eat some whole wheat Italian bread with pesto, enjoy the blue sky, and that is exactly what I did.

We also adopted a five month young kitten. Enter "Zack".

He's petite in size with a medium shade of grey on his body. He also has amazing gold color eyes (please forgive the camera, for it did not know better). Zack does not have blue dots in his eyes!

He's affecionate and playful, which in cat language equals funny. What more might one want in a pet?! I have already taken him on short rides (in his carrier) in the car. I want him to get use to rides, so he doesn't associate the carrier with going to a Vet. visit, which by the way is next Thursday. Zack is a rescue cat. He came with papers stating he was neutured, and had his combination shots. We are, however, taking him for a well visit to meet the Doc.

I plan on posting more photos of this cute little guy, when the camera decides to behave itself.

A big thank you for your kind comments and e-mails asking about my whereabouts. It is a great feeling to know people like you care! : )
Here's wishing you a sunny weekend!!!