Monday, August 29, 2016

Sometimes the Art is in the Architecture

There are so many paintings etc. that I really like at the Art Museum.  Every time I go I promise myself I won't take too many pictures of my favorites, but I tend to take a lot any way.  Here are a few of my favorites from our recent visit.

This is a "Cincinnati" painting, with the Tyler Davidson fountain in the left of the picture.  I like looking at all the facial expressions, the activity and clothing of the people.

When I look at this next painting, I think of the little girls who perhaps posed for this painting.  How their faces and expressions are still here for all to see.  I love to look into their eyes and wonder what they were thinking.

This is a painting of St Thomas of Villanueva Dividing His Clothes Among Beggar Boys.
For some reason, I seem to be drawn to the sad, or dark paintings.  I kind of get lost in them.

I thought these three pieces were beautiful and interesting.  I really like the way the one on the right seems to be floating.  How did they get that bowl in the center of the sphere?  The piece in the back is made up of beautiful colors and designs.  I also like the architecture of the Museum showing in the background.

Of course art museums are filled with beautiful paintings, historical artifacts, pottery and sculptures.  Sometimes, the art museum itself is a work of art, and I wonder how many people are so focused on the "art" on display that they totally  miss the architecture that surrounds it.  Here are a few of my shots.  I wanted to get more, but the museum got crowded and was difficult to get clear shots without people passing in front.

This is a shot of the main entrance with the Rio delle Torreselle Chandelier by Dale Chihuly
And, of course, I couldn't go without taking a picture of some stained glass. 


Tuesday, August 23, 2016

A Little Color Along the Way

I'm back to hiking again with my little dog Finn and have taken a few pictures along the way.  They are nothing spectacular, but just a little color along the way.  These three are from the nature trails that I hike.



This next beauty is from the paved trail we walked.  We walked the paved trail after two days of heavy rains, we knew the nature trails would be muddy.

Although these are not actually flowers, they are just as beautiful.  I like the moss and the greenery surrounding them.


I found this pretty little orange and white moth sitting on the door of my daughter's house.  I had never seen one before...I guess I just don't pay enough attention.  My husband said, he's seen these before...oh who believes him anyway!  Haha! My granddaughter thought he was pretty!


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Cats - Real and Imagined.

It's been rainy here the last several days, so on our 45th Anniversary we decided to go to the Art Museum.  I love going to the Art Museum.  On the dreariest days, it can lift your spirits in many ways.  There have been years, when I'm feeling down, I go there and come out feeling so happy.

Much to my surprise, they had a special showing called, "The Modern Cat"!  Of course, we had to head to that gallery.  I'm sharing a few of my favorites here.  There were a few of Charley Harper, who is a famous local artist, I did not take any pictures of those, as I already have them in one form or another at home...books, calendars, and note cards.

This one called The Frightened Cat made me smile for sure:





And a few others that I really loved:



This one is just a little bit different:

I have to add that one of my own kitties has been under the weather recently.  We took her to the vet yesterday and he called today with her test results.  It seems she has Inflammatory Bowel Disease along with Pancreatitis.  From what I've heard and read this could be quite a bit for us and Sedona to handle.  I'm not feeling good about this.  The vet mentioned something about perhaps doing a biopsy in the future, if this doesn't clear up or becomes more chronic.

We don't have a lot of money, so I know when it comes down to it, I'll be torn between the costs and what I feel that we all owe our pets to make them well.  Sedona is 8 years old.

I love cats (we have 4), but the one thing I hate about them is medicating them.  Sedona is the hardest one to medicate.  We have a liquid medication to give her, and I think we got MOST of the first dose in her.  Hopefully, tomorrow's dose will be easier and get all of it in.  Keep us in your thoughts, so that at least, we do the best for Sedona.


Monday, August 8, 2016

Latest Happenings

I've been busy with my usual stuff:  hiking, crocheting and the normal day to day stuff.  Nothing fantastic to blog about, but thought I'd share a few pictures and stories to go along with them.

Usually every Saturday morning I watch my 9 year old granddaughter, Emmi.  She's never any problem at all.  She brings stuff along to keep herself occupied.  She watches Saturday morning cartoons in her Mom's old bedroom and she eats all the waffles that we have in the house.  She's a joy to have around.  However, this past Saturday when she packed up to go home, she forgot her long time friend "Sheepy".  She's had him since she was born.  There he is peeking above her bottle.

Around 10:30 Saturday night, her Mom texted asking if I could send her a picture of Sheepy because Emmi missed him.  So I sent her a picture of Sheepy all tucked in and ready for bed. Sheepy was happily retrieved the next day.  "Faithful Companion" on the pillow fits Sheepy for sure!

I finished another Christmas gift, this time for my grandson.  He's 20 years old and would probably never ask for a pillow for Christmas.  However, he has a great sense of humor and is very proud of his Mexican heritage from his Grandpa's side of the family.  His facebook profile picture is of him wearing a sombrero.  He has his own apartment, and only being 20, he doesn't have a lot of "stuff". so I'm sure he can put the pillow to good use somewhere.

My son-in-law's daughter was married back in May and she recently posted some wedding pictures.  I consider Kayla to be my granddaughter too...so bear with me while I share a few pictures.  A few family members are missing from these pictures.


L to R: Drew, Josie (my granddaughters), Joe (son-in-law), Kayla, Calvin (Joe's son), Beth (my daughter).
Josie, Kayla, Drew (sisters!)

Paul (my son, who lives in Florida) and Drew.  Paul always has Drew laughing.  I wish this picture was in color.

Kayla and Jeff.  Again I wish it was in color.

I guess when you're my age, you remember all those old black and white photos from years ago and even though they're great and nostalgic, the color photos have so much more "pop" to them!