Cultural High

This week, having Shauna visit has been rich in opportunities to indulge in some of my favorite things. We went to Tiffany's Senior Recital. Who would think listening to a french horn for an hour could be such bliss? She is very proficient, and her accompanist equally so. She played a Mozart concerto for horn that was remarkable. Then on Thurs. was my monthly art guild meeting. This month I'd arranged with James Christensen, the fantasy artist, to do a presentation. He is a delightful person, as well as very astute, artistically. It was a treat. Shauna enjoyed this, as well as Rob and Anna, his new wife (who is also an artist, as it turns out). For our home evening, Monday, Steve and I went to the BYU Art Museum and viewed the Walter Wick exhibit. This is the guy who does the "I Spy" books and "Do You See What I See?" series. He photographs things with visual tricks and such. The exhibit is a marvel and great fun for any age. On Saturday night we went back to BYU for the philharmonic concert which included the Firebird Suite (as in the Disney Fantasia video) and a violin concerto with a guest violinist that was simply marvelous. Also a Wagner overture in which our Tiffany had a horn solo. This BYU group is remarkably professional. It was wonderful. I am pleasantly sated. So... now you guys can enjoy a bit of culture with my latest painting included here. Look at it with music playing.

Peace, Be Still

We had the opportunity to attend the last session of the Dedication ceremonies of the Draper Utah Temple on Sunday. Although our participation was by satellite, the spirit of the occasion was easily felt by all in our building. Before the meeting started, the screen showed different views, inside and outside, of the new temple while played a recording of the tabernacle choir singing various songs, including some of my favorite primary hymns. We hadn't been to Draper to the open house, so these images were the first views I'd had of the temple. I sat there for an hour watching and listening. The people coming into the chapel were very quiet. It was a much needed restfulness and peace that one only feels when in such a setting. I thought of the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God." Truly, I have to make myself be still once in awhile to remember that His love and influence can reach me, no matter what. It was a lovely interlude in life's hectic-ness. We ought to make a "stillness" now and then, of our own accord, rather than wait for it to come to us. I hope I remember that. And I'm passing it on to you.

Accessorizing

I took Downey for a bath and hair cut yesterday. I don't very often take her somewhere else for these attentions. But 2 or 3 times a year I just give in and pay someone else to do it. She looks perfectly lovely. She would be just as lovely without the little ribbons tied into bows above her ears.
What is it with the feminine need to decorate? I can understand a certain amount of "Nesting." We like our home to be just so. But clean isn't enough. We have to add flowers or paper hearts or evergreen wreaths. There are knick-knacks and doilies and centerpieces. And this still isn't enough. We have to decorate ourselves, too. I admit wishing we could wear hats. I like hats. I look good in hats. But I have to settle for the culturally approved adornments of the day.
Men arent' like that. Pitifully plain, they are. Usually. Almost no variety in their attire. So dull. I'm glad I'm a woman. But I don't get why we have this obscession with ornamentation. And why it has to include the poor dog. (This next in a whisper) There are places that cater to pet-pouffing, places that dye poodles pink, powdering, polishing and painting and, yes, attaching hats. But it makes me cringe to think of it.

Spring Thoughts

Spring is a puzzling thing.
It is fickle and furious with weather most curious--
Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Spring has a glamorous side.
The sparkle and glowing of tiny things growing--
Fill the gardens and meadows with pride.

Spring is a cheerful refrain.
The day and the night welcome more light
And my heart starts to sing, again.

Spring is a lively time.
I hear the birds sing as they take to their wing--
And I begin spouting a rhyme!

I am a Romantic. This you know. Stir that into the artistic mix and you get an occassional odd product. When I was young, I spent a great deal of my free time designing princess gowns. Nowadays, I produce other results. Such as this painting, the image of which came from a photo I took at Tiffany's wedding reception. It's called "Wedding Punch." I'm not at all sure anyone would ever want to put it on a wall, but it was great fun to paint. I just indulged myself and did it! So, what do you think? I'd appreciate some honest comments on this. It's hard for me to judge it. (It's 18 X 24 in oil) Thanks!

Happy Valentine's Day

It seems sad to me that we need to set aside a day to exchange love notes and tokens in order for it to become a priority. I am grateful for a romantic husband who has a habit of making those expressions all through the year. Nothing cheers me up as well as a compliment or some other little kindness that says he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful and worth saying so out loud. Children relish Valentine's day--not just because of the cookies. We all need the affirmation and assurance that we are special to somebody. So I'm telling you, dear family, how much I love you. And your support is a great boon in my life. Thanks for noticing things, for remembering and celebrating each other. Happy Valentine's Day! And may the spirit of love and romance live on!

Taylor's Song

Part of Sacrament Meeting, yesterday, Taylor and Jordyn sat with us. During the closing song, Taylor sang along with gusto, picking up the words as we sang them, and so singing just a word behind time. She waved her arm with the chorister. Her enthusiasm was so delightful and robust! After the closing prayer, the organist played "I am a Child of God" as postlude. Taylor recognized the song and sang that, too. She knows all the words to that one. And I reccalled that it has always been her favorite. When she was little, it was the preferred lullaby. It comforted her when she was unhappy. It does that for all of us, actually. Taylor has always loved singing and music. She knows its value. I think we should all sing like Taylor.