Running through art
In the winter of last year, Anklebiter #1 and I went to have brunch with some friends at the Modern Museum in Stockholm.
After a lovely time catching up, we all decided to visit the latest exhibition of Lee Lozano’s Notebooks.
Little did we realize that these angry sketches of the private parts of the body – both male and female – would have our American friend running through the gallery as she tried to avoid seeing them.
There was a sense of violence and rage against the female body – and lots of nudity – that even my daughter and I avoided most of the art and just looked at the abstract pieces.
I was sure that the artist was a man – and was surprised to learn later on that she was a woman.
Back outside the museum, we enjoyed the more sedate pleasures of these abstract sculptures.
Just then – we rounded the corner to be greeted by playful forms of women’s bodies.
This caused by daughter (then eight) to burst out: “Why is so much art about women and their bodies?”
I still haven’t managed to find a good answer to that question.
For more artful posts, please visit: My World.
I’m still away in England — so please excuse my absence. Hope this finds you all well and full of the joys of life!
The Dalai Mama
Time for some silliness while I’m away!
As I was trying to give the anklebiters some advice, they turned round and said:
“There’s the Dalai Lama. And then there’s you: the Dalai Mama!”
Yes, you can find this lovely head in my garden!
Fingers crossed
My bags are packed and soon – I hope – I will be enjoying the enormous canvas of the English sky
And the golden sight of the rolling Sussex Downs.
My optimism is tinged with a little fear as a volcano in Iceland has inconveniently erupted
And may cause chaos and cancelled flights.
And that would be a bitter disappointment because family awaits in England
Including a sister I haven’t seen in four years.
So, fingers crossed we achieve lift off in order to enjoy
The joys of family, a country where the chimneys, like the people, are eccentric -
And who knows? We might even enjoy a little rain.
After all, this is England we’re talking about!
For more eccentric skies, please visit: Skywatch!
I have a couple of posts scheduled for you to enjoy while I’m away. But do forgive me in advance for not visiting you all in the next week.
The silver lullaby
Do you remember the joys of childhood rain –
How it used to call out your name as it thundered down
In a deafening chorus of music?
Rain was always warm back then
When it sounded like a silver lullaby
And strung the trees with its musical bells.
Even now it calls out my name
Asking me to join my childhood self with my daughter
As we twirl and dance in the rain.
For more rainy music, please visit: My World.
This is part of Jillsy’s Childhood Challenge too. Check it out!
The boy
Is there anything more pleasant than skimming knees and stones with your best buddy when you’re a young boy?
There’s a boy like this in every class: noisy, unafraid and full of life.
But somewhere along the line, he was too full of life –
Leading to problems at school, and visits to doctors
And then, a diagnosis with four letters.
Somehow, that label stuck with him, and although he’s only 11,
People whisper about his tantrums, violent outbursts and shake their heads.
I know this boy. He’s the one who walked up to school with me the other day,
The one bursting with love and wonder and tenderness
At the birth of his baby sister.
He spent 20 minutes describing how wonderful she is.
Yes – there’s a boy like this in every class.
Which leads me to wonder if the only labels kids really need are the four letters: L O V E.
For more stories, please visit: Camera Critters.
I’d like to give a special shout-out to Jillsy’s May Challenge, which is about childhood. Why not join in?
The sentinel
Only the sentinel sea gull and I stood watching
As the sun set – not with splashes of showy colour
But modestly, turning lake and photo
Into an oil painting –
And soul into a being with wings.
For more sunsets, please visit: Skywatch.
Snow motion
May is a month full of the fragrance of budding flowers, the chirping of birds…
And of surprises.
Big, fat snowflakes fell last week
As softly as the petals of cherry blossoms.
They twirled and danced in snow motion for several hours.
Later on, the snow melted
Leaving the lips of flowers dew-kissed
And trembling on the tips of brave buds
Bid farewell to winter and ushered in the glory that is spring.
(Perhaps I can finally put away my winter jacket…)
For more surprises, please visit: My World!
Spring goofiness
Spring brings out the goofy side of us in a wonderful way, don’t you think?
It can make our ears flap and our bodies tingle.
If you’re a dog like Oscar, then spring means only one thing: wild jumping and swimming.
Find a good diving spot, take the plunge, swim and repeat.
Again and again – for maximum joy.
For more goofiness, please visit: Camera Critters.
Angel dust
There is something magical about the light of spring.
It dances in the air like golden angel dust
And fills the soul with sun.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air’s salubrity.” — Emerson
For more sunny skies, please visit: Skywatch.
Smoke gets in your eyes
In ancient times, the last day of April marked the beginning of spring and was celebrated by letting out the cattle to graze once again
And the burning of bonfires to keep the evil spirits away. This pagan tradition is called Valborg (or Walpurgis Eve).
Here they come with burning torches in a procession just as the sun is setting.
The dry twigs catch fire and the flames roar like a dragon.
We all sing songs to welcome in the spring as the fire mesmerizes us with its primeval power.
It’s cold – oh so cold – as the sun goes down and soon it’s time to return to our cozy homes.
But don’t forget to turn around and gasp in amazement
As the heat from the bonfire turns the sky to molten glass.
For more stories, please visit: My World.
Bottoms up!
It’s a wonder the way a duck can transform itself
From being a clown in the water
To a poem of flight and song in the air.
Don’t let the fear of falling keep you from knowing the joy of flight. — Lane Wallace
For more graceful creatures, please visit: Camera Critters.
Humble reeds
Have you noticed the way water reflects the sky
As blue silk
Or how the sky lends even unnoticed reeds
A golden glory that is all their own?
One of the miracles of nature is the fact that even
The humblest of places are filled with beauty.
Just as in life.
For more humble beauty, please visit: Skywatch.
Man of peace
A couple of weeks ago, the Dalai Lama visited Sweden.
This caused a big stir and thousands of us bought tickets to listen to him speak.
People from all walks of life came to his talk
And all the money went to help Tibetan refugees around the world.
He didn’t preach, but talked about how the world needs more respect,
More love and compassion.
He spent a lot of time laughing and making jokes
And seemed to be not only a man of peace -
But also a man at peace.
“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” — Dalai Lama
For more kindnesses, please visit: My World.
Who says what?