Nick Cave Performance was Stellar!

The Nick Cave performance at Ponce City Market on April 24th exceeded my expectations on every level!  The not-yet-open Ponce City Market is stunning - urban rustic and open in design.  The performance was in two parts - the first was Sound Suited dancers rocking it to a five piece drum ensemble.  (I got quite a reaction from these guys when I gave them the notorious "Whiplash" hand signal ✊🏼!)  The dancers moved freestyle around and through the crowd.  I was shocked/delighted when two dancers locked arms around me and pulled me into their movement!  I just went with it and danced with abandon instead of being self- conscious!  The second part was a slow motion dressing of eight human mannequins with all sorts of raffia, fake fur, pony beads, yarn mandalas, quilt squares, a mini silver Christmas tree, tinsel, fake hair, cheerleader pom poms, and a myriad of other craft supply bits and pieces.  The "Sound Suits" created were about 7-8 feet tall when completed and the mannequins walked slowly and cautiously around the stage to the sound of a slow, melodic keyboard.  After a short while they quietly walked down the ramps and out of sight.  After I got the congratulate the performers AND shake Nick Cave's hand, a true honor!  I can't wait to see what's next from this guy!

Superwoman!

There was a two car collision on a LA street on February 2, 2015.  One of the cars was pushed up onto the sidewalk, striking this young actress and pinning her under the car.  Both ankles were broken and she had a compound fracture of the two bones in her lower left leg.  (A compound fracture is where the broken bones protrude through the skin, greatly increasing the risk of infection.)  She was hospitalized for over two weeks while the orthopedic surgeons performed several operations to piece her ankles back together and repair her left leg.  She endured weeks of bed and wheelchair confinement while continuing to parent her 8 month old baby girl.  She posted updates on her Instagram and was deluged with love, encouragement and admiration for her brave recovery.

I was particularly saddened that she had this unfortunate freak accident as she had already battled Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma at age 17, creating serious doubt of her ability to become pregnant due to the extensive chemo required to defeat the cancer.  This all seems to me like too much for one person to have to endure at the young age of 26.  But she has chosen to focus on getting well instead of the unfairness of the accident.  While I am sure she has had private moments of pain and despair, she has publicly presented a positive outlook - saying she was motivated to recover for her little miracle baby, Aleda.  I thank you, Linsey, for teaching me the power of staying positive throughout the battle.  I hope it is your name that is announced for that Emmy so we can all see you climb those stairs on your "two working legs" and flash that infectious smile of yours! 

A girl on a swing

Farewell Laura till we meet again

Nick Cave & me!

I blogged about Nick Cave on December 5, 2010, after seeing one of his pieces at The High.  I am enthralled with his work, particularly the textural aspects.  So I am thrilled to be able to see Cave's new "Up Right Atlanta", presented by Flux Projects at Ponce City Market on April 24, 2015. Can't wait!

Icons by my favorite iconographer, Lu Bro

Christ Pantocrator

Holy Nativity

Saint Monica

Saint Augustine



Alive Day

I learned something new on this 4th of July while watching the 2007 documentary, Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq.  While Alive Days are not exclusive to the military, the film demonstrates the "victory over death" significance of the term.  The story of each wounded veteran was told through their memories and graphic video of the events that altered their lives forever.  (Most of the videos were posted on the internet by insurgents, apparently a common practice to celebrate their successes.)  While viewing these heart wrenching stories, I was struck by the numbing insulation we have from our country's military battles and the casualties, both ours and those of the people we are fighting.  I felt blessed to see the scars, the tears, the struggles, the hope and perseverance that these heroes shared.  I hope it makes me more aware and more grateful for the freedom that I should never take for granted.

Want real bad!



We reupholstered my mother's antique love seat in a beautiful quilt, but this is just over the top stunning!  I would be willing to buy a new house to put this in!

Prayer of St. Ephraim

Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian 

O Lord and Master of my life,

Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,

of discouragement,

of lust for power,

and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant,

the spirit of chastity,

of meekness,

of patience,

and of love.

Yea, O Lord and King,

grant that I may perceive

my own transgressions,

and judge not my brother,

for blessed art Thou

unto ages of ages.

Amen

The luckiest girl in the world

Few people have touched my heart in the last almost sixty years like this lady - Stephanie Nielson, or NieNie.  In December of 2008 I discovered the NieNie Dialogues from a typewriter widget on some random blog.  I looked it up and began to read the story of Stephanie and Christian Nielson's plane crash in Arizona in August of 2008.  While Stephanie lay in an induced coma, burned over 80% of her body, her sisters not only took on the day to day care of her four children (Christian was also seriously burned in the crash), but they also kept up her blog by posting health updates and archived posts that has accrued since NieNie started her blog in November, 2004.  It was shortly after I started reading the blog that it was announced that NieNie was out of the coma and well enough to come home to continue the long, painful recovery process.  Her first post was on January 16, 2009 ... and she has posted regularly since then.  She has shared the agony, depression, love, healing, humor, acceptance and most importantly, the faith that has allowed her to recover and to live her life as "the luckiest girl in the world".  She tells her story in Heaven is Here - check here to see more.  (This photo is the first she published of herself, thanking the anonymous person who knit her the cap.)

I agree

Shame on us

I was hungry -

and you formed a humanities club

and discussed my hunger.

I was imprisoned -

and you crept off quietly

to your chapel in the cellar

and prayed for my release.

I was naked -

and in your mind
you debated the morality

of my appearance.

I was sick -

and you knelt and thanked God

for your health.

I was homeless -

and you preached to me

of the spiritual shelter

of the love of God.

I was lonely -

and you left me alone

to pray for me.

You seem so holy,

so close to God,

but I am still very hungry

and lonely... and cold.

Author Unknown

Lake Malawi in Salima

Artist of the Day - Nick Cave

Soundsuit 2008

Soundsuit 2009

Soundsuit 2009

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Installation, May 2009

And now, our favorite Santa ...

Sooooooooo wrong!

The selection of Gretchen the bag lady over the spectacularly creative Mondo on Project Runway last night was an abomination!!!  Mondo consistently created colorful, playful and daring outfits that are unique and intriguing.  Mondo will always be a winner in our eyes - Gretchen not so much.

too gorgeous not to post

More fabulous fall scenes

Fun fall finds

So pretty!