Art through poetry and music

 Music, poetry, painting...arts which I enjoy.

Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, 1615-17 Artemesia Gentileschi, Italian, 1593-1656

 But I don't try to create any of these.

My friend Annelinde Metzner does create both poetry and music. Here is a link to her poetry as published recently in Women and Religion.

She introduces her poems along with some photos in this way: 

For this post, I’ve collected five of my poems from the past ten years up to the present, which are centered around the people and cultures of the Middle East. Like the region, the poems are filled with hope and unspeakable grief.

One poem starts this way...

Convivencia

The three musicians on the stage-

     the Trio Sefardi,

     music of the Jews of Iberia.

Forced out of Spain in 1492, they spread to the diaspora,

     France, Morocco, Turkey, Yugoslavia.

Drifting deep into the Ladino songs,

     I blink and I’m walking a cobblestone street

     in my Medieval village.

Children kick a ball, carry bread dough, fetch water.

     I wave hello and I hear it!  

     I hear the music!

I include the link to Abraham Jam performing her music in the YouTube video below.

I remember singing this round sometimes with the Sahara Peace Choir when I was a member (many years back). In case you haven't the slightest idea why it's called Sahara except that it isn't the desert, the choir is a blend of Abramaic names of two women - Sarah and Hagar, the two mother lines of Judaism and Muslim belief systems. (Sarah was Abraham's wife, Hagar, her handmaiden who had Abraham's son, Ishmael.)

And here is a bit of background of the Abraham Jam. I enjoyed the video that is about their coming together to make a short documentary. But their story is more interesting than just that. Check out their site as well. https://abrahamjam.com/about/

A Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian walk into a concert hall…

What may be mistaken for a stand-up comedian’s opening line is actually Abraham Jam, a trio of internationally-renowned musicians who have teamed up to create art strengthened by diversity.

Abraham Jam–composed of Billy Jonas, David LaMotte, and Dawud Wharnsby–features three “brothers” from the three Abrahamic faiths. Jonas, LaMotte and Wharnsby have performed extensively over the last few decades in their individual careers.

“Harmony is better than unity,” says David LaMotte, who helped create Abraham Jam. “We don’t have to be singing the same note to cultivate peace, we can sing different notes that are beautiful together.”

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Today's quote:

“Weakness, fear and hopelessness died.

Strength, fervor and courage were born.”

From Annelinde's poem, quoting Malala Yousafzai in her birthday address to the UN Youth 

Assembly, July 9, 2013

Just some things...

 

Russian born-American embroidery artist...Katrin.Vates....Rockville..Maryland

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Since "...Trump and Vance have been suggesting they would challenge the results of the 2024 election, the Department of Homeland Security took steps to protect the January 6, 2025, session of Congress that will count the electoral votes that will decide the presidency. They have put January 6, 2025, on the same security level as the Super Bowl or a major event like the U.N. General Assembly."

Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American Sept. 22, 2024

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The Saturday market was rainy and cold, so we had no pottery sales. At least I went home and kept warm while the pots and my friend Amelia and her daughter stayed under the tent avoiding the pours of rain wherever it flowed off the tent. I went back at noon and packed my pots up and they're all wet wrapped in bubble wrap in the trunk of my car till next week. I'll take a towel with me then. And I need to wash the wet tablecloth before then. 

Sunday I woke up and suddenly realized  that nobody is going to take over my life when I'm gone...they already have full lives of their own. So now I need to change around to not what I'm leaving for anyone else, but what I'm living with myself. That's all there is.

Today's other quote:

Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

MELODY BEATTIE

The porch plants (again) plus gazebo update!

 A new bouquet on my front porch. Sharing with Floral Friday Fotos 

A bit late of course.  

and Garden Blogger's Bloom Day.

The giant leaved coleus has continued to grow, and I've snipped as many blooms as I could find before it went to seed. I tried rooting one branch, and so far it's just looking happy to live in the water, but not a root in sight. Anyway, this was taken before the rain which was expected from Hurricane Francine came through. I hope it soaks everything well, and has no strong winds left over, since the storm remains headed waaay west of us.

I'm happy to see the African Violet is doing so well outside, where no wind, rain or sun come near it.

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Friday noon, the gazebo at Lake Tomahawk is  almost finished. 

Today's quote:

Integrity, an important part of self-mastery, is not easy. Integrity involves the sacrifice of the short term for the long term. 

From Heron Dance Art Journal newsletter

Some critters for Saturday

 Just a few old photos to share for Saturday's Critters.

Remember when a flash on a camera would give those scary red or green eyes!  This is Muffin my calico who lived with me all her long life. What a queen she was.

I saw this on the internet and think someone was trying to keep some kitties happy on a rainy day.

A few more recent comments might be given to Bast, the Egyptian Cat God.

by Natallia Pavaliayeva, Dragon taming St. George

Fabio, a stallion pony from The Feral Ponies of Grayson Highlands and Mount Rogers Facebook page

As seen in Dundee Scotland by Wendy Welch, author and blogger.

Have a great day, and enjoy all the critters around us!

Today's quote:

“There is no use trying,” said Alice, “I cannot believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Mines - after all I live in the mountains

I live very near where coal once was mined all along the Appalachian Mountains. And there are still silica mines nearby as well. 

Miners at home

I shared this photo with my Labor Day post.

Miners at the end of their shift - it's just staggering to see something like this.

 Sepia Saturday this week suggests this:

Last March Sepia Saturday also used the meme "down" with miners. Here was my post about the Museum of Minerals that I shared. "DOWN"

And I also posted more about the NC Museum of Minerals in several other posts...try More Big Rocks.

Driving up US 221 in Spruce Pine NC

Open cuts mines of mountains aren't hidden at all. Spruce Pine has a very big one where felspar and high grade silica is mined for use in many electronics (like your cell phone.)

 A gravel mine is within 5 miles of my home, probably in Swannanoa, and those who live near it hear a blast occasionally from the charges to open more areas. I see the dump trucks full going along my roads as well, driven by maniac young men who must always be late.

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my status as of 9/12/24:

Thanks for stopping by this Friday, where I'm sharing a Sepia Saturday meme (on topic this time!)

My health is improving! A big thank you for those who have given me emotional support through the ether of the world wide web! I'm going slowly and hope to be able to do more fun things soon. Started with going to the Senior Lunch program every day this week. And doing minimal grocery shopping when I couldn't survive without it. But no fresh orange juice, nor bananas while I just had to survive without blueberries on the granola, life did demand a trip.

The weather has been incredible! In the 70's during the afternoon, sunny, and in the 50s at night. All my windows are cracked most of the time for natural air to breathe. Yesterday we were supposed to feel the outer effects from hurricane Francine...with cloudy skies and some rain coming through. The high temp. yesterday was 70.

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Gazebo update as of Sept. 12, 2024 - lots of white paint! Oh dear, no pretty stained wood.

Today's quote:

The period of completion, rather than being just an act of finality, is also one of transition.

Two Frank Lloyd Wright homes and a shell cottage

Gregor Affleck House, Bloomfield Hills, MI

 The Gregor Affleck House is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and was completed in 1941. It sits on a unique lot, densely wooded, with no level ground, which allowed Wright to explore and refine his design for a home on sloping ground. The house is now owned by Lawrence Technological University. They give tours once a month. In June 2019, I was not there on the tour day but a man from the University was working on the driveway when I stopped by in the early evening. I told him I came all the way from California to look at the house and he offered to give me a personal tour. He even let me take photos of the interior. I couldn't believe my luck!

Source: Facebook

I think those openings are ventilation windows.

This shows what a well maintained house can look like, with mainly original fixtures throughout.

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Spring House, Tallahassee FL

Our second house didn't have much maintenance after hurricane and other weather-related damage.

The George and Clifton Lewis House, also known as Spring House was built in 1954 in Tallahassee, Florida. Its hemicycle design represents a late and little-known stage in Wrights long, prolific career. Over the years, the house suffered from hurricane and other weather-related damage and the current owner, Byrd Lewis Mashburn (daughter of the original owners) is trying to raise money for its restoration to the original design.

Here's where I first noticed the structural supports added.

It appears the roof has some structural damage. That will take a lot more money to correct.

This poor bathroom definitely has water damage

This poor house has such beautiful finishes, those that aren't damaged. Here on the left there's a balcony outside that leads to that pointed window of the hemicycle design.

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Shell Cottage, Cullenstown, County Wexford, Ireland

The Shell Cottage, located on the coastline of Cullenstown in County Wexford, Ireland, is a remarkable transformation of a 19th-century thatched farmhouse into an artistic masterpiece, crafted by Kevin Ffrench over the course of three decades. Through a meticulous process, Ffrench embellished the structure with an impressive collection of shells, procured from local fishermen and coastal areas. Highlights of this collection include scallop shells from Kilmore Quay and razor fish shells from Rosslare, as well as various other shells gathered from the surrounding shores. This distinctive creation exemplifies the harmonious integration of natural materials with artistic expression, showcasing the innovative potential of repurposing local resources.

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My health is such that I usually can be active about half the day, no matter what. Then the coughing starts which tires me out completely. Today I really need to grocery shop, though a friend picked up some essentials for me on Sunday. So I'm deferring the laundry to yet another day. I used to be to be able to do just one thing out of the house (laundry is over in a laundry room across the parking lot)...and I've been trying to extend again (as I did when doing physical therapy and lunch and getting ready for the trip to Ohio in May.) Ah, how the heck do I get back to that peak of activity? I just say, baby steps. And hang in there baby! 

I'd be a single cat lady again in a heart beat (before the allergies to litter boxes kicked in.)

And I'll show you the progress on our little gazebo too!

No workers today, but there are side panels added. I do hope they don't plan to leave the roof open to the elements...

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Today's quote:

If you do what you did, you'll get what you got. 

Used in addictions recovery, useful everyday.

Welcome home

 If you lived in Black Mountain, like I do.

And enjoyed silly laser cut party cards to share with family members on their special days.

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Katharine Hayhoe and Talking Climate Change (free newsletter about climate change issues)

Katharine Hayhoe gave this grim reality to consider.

The problem we have is this: we’ve been planning for our future based on the past. We continue to design and build our cities and our infrastructure based on the assumption of a stable climate, but that assumption no longer holds. As the planet warms, our infrastructure is becoming more vulnerable: and new research confirms this.
 
In particular, climate stress is making bridges age faster. Extreme temperatures are causing their pavement to buckle and steel structures to fail. “We have a bridge crisis that is specifically tied to extreme weather events,” says Paul Chinowsky, a professor of civil engineering. “It’s getting so hot that the pieces that hold the concrete and steel, those bridges can literally fall apart like Tinkertoys.”
 
Nearly a billion dollars of the U.S. bipartisan infrastructure law is being used to help strengthen roads, bridges, and transportation networks. But more will be needed as heat waves increase in duration and frequency and the number of billion-dollar weather disasters ticks up year after year. And this is only the U.S.; around the world, climate extremes are putting billions of people and trillions of dollars of infrastructure at risk. As I explain here, “We have entire cities and transportation hubs that were all built for climate that no longer exists. That’s why we’re seeing terrible things happen.”

She also spoke of pollinator plants integrated with solar farms.

Then she mentioned forest camps.

A few years ago, a not-for-profit called Parry Sound Forest School started up near our cottage in Muskoka, Ontario. Kids spend their days in the woods, learning about nature – catching frogs, climbing trees, whittling wood, and learning about edible plants. 

Many of my little nieces and nephews have attended and I’ve heard so much about the amazing things they’ve learned that I wish it had been around when I was young! But I didn’t realize I already had a personal connection to the camp until this summer, when I met Diana, the founder.

Though I’d never met her, Diana recognized me right away. She shared that she had heard me speak at a church in southern Ontario a few years ago, where I said, “The most important thing we can do about climate change is talk about it.” Inspired by that message, she started the camp to do just that! Isn’t that amazing?

Outdoor programs like this are so important for helping kids to fall in love with nature, and care about climate change. You can learn more about this school on their Instagram. If you’re interested in outdoor programs for kids, there’s a directory of outdoor schools for North America here and a U.K. forest school list here—or search for one near you!

Thank you so much Katharine Hayhoe! Yes to talking about climate change...rather difficult subject among my senior peers. But I keep trying.

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And also in Black Mountain, the gazebo is being built at Lake Tomahawk!

Today's quote:

Dreams heed no borders, the eyes need no visas. With eyes shut I walk across the line in time. All the time. 

-Gulzar, poet, lyricist, and film director (b. 18 Aug 1934)