Andres Institute (Sculpture)

The Boat

Sculpture by Milen Vassilev, Bulgaria 2004

"Everybody has a boat and a direction in their life. We can create the direction of the boat, but we cannot change the direction of the current of the river of our life – the journey may be smooth or difficult – the same as our life."

Beautiful fall hike up a hill with sculptures on many trails. This is a free outdoor museum in Brookline, NH Andres Institute  We will go back again another time to see more trails and more sculptures. I posted some additional photos on FaceBook.

These large figures are called "Debate" - there were three of them, one seated in the middle. I didn't take a picture of that one. They looked like they were made of interesting junk metals. Joe e-mailed me a photo he sent of that figure along with our group. I am in the middle.

Student and Teacher

I'm back to being a student this week, studying acrylic painting with Jeanne Lachance at EW Poore's. I had a good first class, started on a view of the sunset from my window (from a photograph I took some time ago).  I think I understand my issues with the new medium.  I'm used to watercolor, or Chinese colors, only using a little bit of pigment, then going darker a little bit at a time. I don't need to do that with acrylics. I'll try to be braver next week and put more pigment on the brush. Meanwhile, I'm happy with my initial canvas and when it's done, I'll post it.  The class is 12 weeks and each student works at his/her own project. It's enjoyable to walk around and see what others are doing. Jeanne has some beautiful drawings up on her blog too.

I also started a new student this week. I am a volunteer tutor with the literacy program at the city library.  My new student is from China and we will be working on improving her English skills. I've had students from China (as well as other countries) before and I expect that this will be a good experience for both of us.

Sunset tonight starts the holiest day of the Jewish year, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). For a brief summary: Chabad summary/Yom Kippur  While I personally do not fast on this day, I wish a good fast for my friends and family who do. May it be a good year for all, (5771 on the Jewish calendar), filled with peace, good health, joy and happiness.

Old Photo

I was going through old photos this weekend, looking for photos of a dear cousin who passed away recently. I want to send them to her children.  Meanwhile, I found this one and cleaned it up a bit with Photoshop. This is what I looked like as a toddler, late 1940's. I think I will use this as a practice piece for drawing.  I have done some drawings of adults, but none of children yet.

I start my new painting class this week and I am looking forward to it. I tried mixing colors over the weekend (acrylics) and was frustrated. I am going to look for a color mixing book in the library this week. This should help too.

waiting rooms

women in the waiting room
sharing the burden of fear
waiting for mammogram results

two months later
another waiting room
another hospital
watching the clock
waiting for news

a different anxiety
not for myself this time
but for you, my love,
my soulmate, my partner

we are blessed
to be living at this time
thirty or forty years ago
you would have been blind
for the rest of your life

the heat wave is over
as we approach another year
may it be a good one again
filled with sweetness and love,
good health and hiking,
peace and kindness

L’Shanah Tovah

author's note: The Jewish new year of 5771 starts at sunset on Wednesday evening, September 8th. The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar so this will be the evening of the new moon. For trivia buffs, this is not the first day of Genesis, but the 6th day, the day when Adam and Eve were created. That is considered the first day of Tishrei.

Joe is recovering well from his third eye surgery this year and we are hopeful that this will be the last one. Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.