The Third Act

last weekend...

...at the National Gallery...

 

 

 

 

I guess there's a reason...

...why they call them "coffee table" books.  Taschen had a sale recently.  Many of the books were half price (well, at least the ones I was interested in).  I purchased a couple more editions from their esoteric series.  Then there's this photo book about San Francisco.  It weighs close to nine pounds (yes, I weighed it).  It's not something to have in one's lap, unless you want to cut the circulation to your legs off (hmmmm...that may be hyperbole).  But it's pretty perfect to have on the coffee table and meander through, maybe even leaving it open to a two page lay out.

 

 

 

bread and tea

...two of my favorite things.  although, I have many favorite things...

 

 

 

spring is coming

You can tell spring is coming.  In the longer days.  In the angle of the sun. In the crocuses and daffodils.  In the birdsong.  I wished for a snowy winter but it didn't materialize.  Still, I can't deny the delights of the soon to be next season.

 

 

 

 

Friday...

...and the morning light.

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine's day 2024

I had a session with my counselor today.  I noted how my life feels pretty stable right now.  It's not that there aren't concerns and lots to work on.  It's just that, my emotional state is at an even keel.  Part of that is probably due to having some pharmaceutical assistance.  But more than that, it's been the opportunity to discover the best ways for me to live my life and know what's important, that have grounded me.

It was on Valentine's day over a decade ago, that I first knew my life was going to drastically change.  I knew that a different and solitary way of being was on the horizon.  For many years I struggled with this, wanted my old life back, felt like I really needed a partner.  But now...nope, not really.  I've grown accustom to living alone, but at the same time I've built deep friendships and community.  And now, I'm grateful for the upheaval that led to this, because I feel like I've had the chance to uncover and move into my authenticity (which is a work in progress, till the day I die).

So, I don't begrudge anyone their romance on this day.  I'm not envious, I'm glad for anyone who has this in their life.  Valentine's day has never been exclusively about romance in my mind anyway.  It has always felt primarily like a day to celebrate friendships and familial love.  And with that in mind, I wish you all, dear friends, a happy and loving and Valentine's day!

 

 

the sun has returned

The rain has moved on and the sun returned.  It's as good a day as any to get the new art hanging in the oak out front.  A good day for that in fact.  I'm pleased with how this turned out and will be making more (single circle) pieces to sell on Etsy.  

In other news...apparently it's paczki day?  My mom used to call this Shrove Tuesday, the day before lent starts.  We never made nor sought out pazcki on this day.  It wasn't part of my family's traditions.  We always used to have this pastry at Christmas eve, which seemed odd to me.  Nowhere in my books on Polish Christmas did they note this food being served.  Recently, however, I learned that this was more of a Ukrainian tradition at Christmas.  This then made sense to me, since my maternal grandmother grew up in a village that's now part of Ukraine.

There were some paczki I froze from Christmas so I thought I'd bring one out and heat it up for an afternoon treat.  So now, probably for the first time in my life, I had paczki on paczki day.

 

 

 

 

gray Monday

It's been a few days again, since there has been any strong sunshine.  I must say, I'm beginning to miss it.  Not cold yet not warm, not light but not dark...it's a very in between time right now (which sometimes messes with my head!).  There are signs of spring, but it could yet get cold, although my sense is, it won't.  Another rather non-winter winter.  I won't complain about the rain, though, since we're out of drought now because of it.  

 

 

 

 

at the VMFA

I spend a couple hours at the VMFA yesterday afternoon.  I wanted to see  Elegy again before the exhibit ends at the end of this month.  With a renewed membership (senior rate, yay!) I need to take advantage.  It was fun simply wandering around too.  After several years of going to this museum, I think I finally have my bearings in there (it has felt like an inscrutable maze at times...not that that mattered).

 

 

 

 

 

Friday

Some morning light via instant photos...

(btw...been busy moving mulch around in the garden these days...before more rain comes.  it's still winter, even if it won't feel like it (again) the next couple days.)