Channeling My Inner Van Gogh

                                                          COLORING PARTY

The Road Menders by Vincent Van Gogh

A few weeks ago some friends and I met at the house of one friend for a coloring party. Books containing pictures of all kinds have become popular and the number of books on various subjects can be overwhelming. There are books of flowers, sea creatures, gardens, books of pictures by famous painters and on and on. Whatever your interest you can probably find a book with pages to color. There are fancy colored pencils and markers that you can buy to color your pages with. The idea is that it is relaxing and stress reducing to spend time coloring in these pages. Although some are so intricate that I wonder how relaxing that can be!

There were 4 of us attending the party and we each had a different book. One friend did not have a book, so I brought along several that I had for her to chose something to color. We spent several hours coloring and then had dinner. Each person brought something to contribute to the "feast" so there was as much variety of foods as there was of pictures. Two party members finished their pictures and two of us only made progress. But it was relaxing and fun with lots of conversation flowing during the coloring and eating.

I chose a book of Vincent Van Gogh paintings and picked a picture of The Road Menders to color. I tried to stick pretty much to the colors that Van Gogh used (as much as my colored pencils would allow) in his painting. I think it would probably be fun also to chose a picture of something that allowed for wild and fanciful colors. We all had to admit that it was fun and relaxing to spend a few hours chatting while we colored away. I have to admit though that I have not picked up the pencils and pages again and don't really know why.

Where Has The Day Gone?

It is almost 3:00 P.M. and I am still in my pajamas. As I realize how quickly the day has slipped by I wonder, "just what have I done today? Do I have anything to show for the hours gone by?" Well, let's see--I got up at my normal hour, which for some is "late", gave the cat his insulin injection, made a cup of tea and some toast, loaded the dishwasher and started it. I then sat down to watch a little of the current "White House Drama" while I sipped my tea and ate my toast. After a while sitting in front of the television watching the minute by minute unfolding news, I decided to finish reading my current book and research some reviews written about it (Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World) most of them giving it good reviews except one). I had been attracted by it's cover when I saw it at the library and by the comments on the back stating that it "was so much fun to read", "Hilarious and original" a "romp of a book". Most of the online reviews mentioned humor. While I enjoyed the read I had to agree with one reviewer that it was rather dark at times. I recall some of the humor, but would not really call it "hilarious". In addition to finishing Bleaker House and looking for reviews I started two new books, checked my e-mail and played a few games of Solitaire (I won them both!).

Perhaps it is the weather (gray and cloudy), the cats have been sleeping all day, but then isn't that what cats mostly do anyway? Some how I don't think I can use that excuse, plain and simply it seems to be just a lack of motivation. Perhaps I don't feel that I have anything important or interesting to do? Perhaps I am just lazy?

THE SNOW QUEEN BALLET

                                                               SNOW QUEEN
 

Not long ago I commented to a friend that I wished we could find some activities to enjoy that did not involve going out to eat and that were relatively inexpensive. A few weeks ago she presented me with a few ideas. The first was a ballet performance of The Snow Queen a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson. The ballet company was Danse Etolie Ballet which according to the program "is a non-profit organization founded by Marie-Jose Payannet in 2005, dedicated to offering artists of all ages a place to refine their talent and an opportunity to perform. Since its first performance in January 2005, Danse Etoile has produced original story ballets ranging from classical to contemporary and folk styles, offered countless free performances, and participated in outreach programs with local schools and community events in Boulder and Broomfield counties."  The Artistic Director, Marie-Jose Payannet grew up in France and was able to dance and train with many great dancers and ballet masters. Marie-Jose moved to the United States where she performed in many classical and character roles. In 2000 she moved to Colorado and eventually founded Danse Etoile. Danse Etoile stages several performances throughout the year and offers classes to dancers of all levels.

The venue where The Snow Queen was being performed was a 288 seat auditorium. There were performances on a Friday, Saturday and a Sunday matinee. Two friends and I attended the afternoon matinee. In this intimate setting where every seat was filled, we were joined by several groups of seniors from and Assisted Living facility and parents with little girls dressed in sparkly and fancy dresses. Despite the many small children i attendance all was quiet once the performance began. Everyone was enthralled with the dancers, costumes, scenery and music. 

 I am not an expert in anyway about techniques and the intricacies of ballet, so I can not offer any well founded or authoritative opinions on this performance, but I can say that I was fascinated. The dancers seem to take on the personality of the various characters they played. The costumes were  beautiful and instead of shuffling scenery on and off for each scene, there was a large screen behind the dancers that set the scene and offered a sort of magic to the ballet. 

I continue to be enchanted by this ballet and look forward to attending another event upcoming in June which presents The Firebird & Petrushka. I did some research and found that The Firebird is based on a Russian fairy tale of a magical glowing bird. The ballet was written by Igor Stravinsky for the Ballet Russes of Sergei Diaghilev a Russian art critic, patron, and ballet impresario. Petrushka as Stravinsky was completing The Firebird.  Petrushka according to Wikipedia, "tells the story of the loves and jealousies of three puppets.  The three are brought to life by the Charlatan during the 1830 Shrovetide (Pre-Lenten Season) Fair in St. Petersburg, Russia." Those puppets were Petrushka, The Ballerina and The Moor. Petrushka is in love with the Ballerina, but she rebuffs him in favor of the Moor. In response Petrushka challenges the Moor who slays Petrushka with his sabre. Then as night falls Petrushka's ghost rises over the puppet theatre and "he shakes his fist at the Charltan, then collapses in a second death."* 

I imagine beautiful, colorful costumes of the magical flowing bird in The Firebird and the emotion and drama of Petrushka and look forward to seeing this performance. It was much more enjoyable than just lunch! 

*From Wikipedia

WHIRLWIND

For weeks now I have been "glued" to TV, watching endless hours of Cable News Network channels coverage of mostly the current political situation. I don't seem to be able to tear myself away from watching and I am foregoing some of my usually watched programs (though if I remember I do record them for watching later but later I am still watching cable news!). I haven't read much, have neglected housework and chores, barely took the time to cook or plan meals.  My emotions run the gamut from fear, anger, frustration and depression. By constant viewing am I blowing events out of proportion? Are they becoming magnified in my mind and thoughts? Wouldn't it be better to think of more pleasant things? The answer to that is YES! But so far my thoughts keep swirling around and around.

After several weeks of almost 24/7 watching I told myself that it was time to turn it off.  It is hard to do though as each new morning brought a new bomb or land mine thrown out in 140 characters or less!  I never know what will be happening next. This morning brought news that the current administration is stating that the former administration wire tapped phones at The Golden Tower. It is hard to describe the sinking feeling this newest accusation gave me. Is this a deflection? Taking attention away from some new action to follow?  Changing the subject to cover up something else? I just can't accept the idea that there is any truth to it. The description "side show" came to mind:  "a diversion or spectacle that is incidental to a larger set of circumstances  or a bigger issue of concern". Is the famous line from Shakespeare's Macbeth more apt: "...it is a tale told by and idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."? 

Tomorrow I vow to stop all the whirlwind of thoughts and hours spent in front of the television and try to focus on ways to enjoy time with my friends and family, reading good books, food to enjoy, to write about fun times and events. I am going to write about "little things" that make me happy.

"In the age of technology there is constant access to vast amounts of information. The basket overflows; people get overwhelmed; the eye of the storm is not so much what goes on in the world, it is the confusion of how to think, feel, digest and react to what goes on"--Chris Jami

What Will Tomorrow Bring?

The endless hostile campaigning is over.
The combative debates are over.
The election is over.
The inauguration is over.
What will tomorrow bring?


Most of the people I know held their breath and wondered what tomorrow would bring?  It wouldn't take long before we found out. Executive Orders flying out of the White House with speed of lightening.  Everyday brought something new and concerning. Alienating Mexico regarding building of "The Wall".  Then on Friday, the most distressing so far. A ban on immigrants from several countries effectively immediately. Some people were in airports waiting to board planes for the United States, some people were in mid-air on their way already, some had landed and were being detained and held for hours. But another day has passed and we know that it is only the beginning. Citizens have flocked to the streets, parks and airports demonstrating in opposition to policies and appointments. Attorneys have given pro bono help to immigrants who have been detained. Senators and Representatives joined demonstrators in protesting this Executive Order. People are being fired leaving holes in important agencies. Protests keep happening. George Orwell's 1984 is the most requested book on Amazon and in fact has sold out; library copies area all checked out. 

Why are some Congressmen afraid to speak out if they think it is wrong? Aren't they supposed to represent us, "We the People"? Confirmation hearings are continuing tomorrow, but it's difficult to halt a speeding out of control train. There seems to be so much chaos that my head is spinning trying to keep up and stay informed. This is just my opinion and I am not an expert by any sense of the word, but I am a voter. 

"If you can't convince them; confuse them."  Harry S. Truman

TEARS

OK! I Admit It, I Have a Problem!

On February 9, 2015 I wrote a blog page entitled "Is There Such Thing as Too Many Books" . At the top of the page was this quote: "It is impossible to read all the books on my to-read shelf but I keep adding books anyway". This is exactly what I do! I have added and added and added every chance I got. I somehow convinced myself that I would be able to read all these books and I would keep buying and buying and buying!

 Recently my oldest Granddaughter moved to an apartment while attending her last semester of college, leaving her bedroom and adjoining bathroom without an occupant. While I will always think of it as her room, I didn't hesitate long to take over. There is a bed in the room to accommodate guests should there be any, but my intent was to build a sanctuary library. I bought three 30 inch wide bookcases just like the two I have in my bedroom downstairs. It is when I began filling those shelves with books that I truly realized the scope of my problem!! I have a shelf of Christmas books and one or two shelves of some of my favorite books (books that I have already read, but love the gentle stories that I almost feel I could live in), most of the books are unread by me. Once I started adding unread books from one room to the other and from boxes in the basement, I admit that I have problem. If I keep going the way I have been I will have to remove the bed and line every wall with bookcases. I seem to be spending more time buying books than reading them!