tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2452837489320979262024-03-18T02:44:24.598-04:00wonder | wander | womenback and forth conversations and collaborations through the yearswonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.comBlogger496125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-35094904041871274412024-03-18T02:43:00.001-04:002024-03-18T02:43:48.658-04:00hand made, heart based<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Long before any arts, crafts or design movements were ever started the skill of hand work was born of necessity as well as creative enterprise. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Hands hold, make, do, and express so much. They grasp at even more - tools, objects, people, issues, concerns, etc. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_gvEuOB5gFpoycVQ63UlxMSg7DFlaNE_uTBOdqZFR4uwEhPHb4NWIgpuN2I4niitRQ-2jBAvCacnqGxHMbf-LGfVEvyUVhnFEut5JJrp3cN42bDxrTPoVAbMD82d5L7iuAuPWeUcgF8oGsXL7cHN5kFVyQABHL6PHZ4mUsQD8XJVAkY-4Bv5nXDMn8jE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="450" data-original-width="291" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_gvEuOB5gFpoycVQ63UlxMSg7DFlaNE_uTBOdqZFR4uwEhPHb4NWIgpuN2I4niitRQ-2jBAvCacnqGxHMbf-LGfVEvyUVhnFEut5JJrp3cN42bDxrTPoVAbMD82d5L7iuAuPWeUcgF8oGsXL7cHN5kFVyQABHL6PHZ4mUsQD8XJVAkY-4Bv5nXDMn8jE=w258-h400" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>exploring the wonder in <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/191866/the-hand-by-frank-r-wilson/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">everyday acts of manipulation</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">We lend a hand, shake hands, hold hands, raise our hands. Even taking matters into our own hands. Often admonished not to keep hands idle. </span></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"The fingers were the eyes of the heart." ~ </span></span><a href="https://josephchiltonpearce.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;">Joseph Chilton Pearce</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Hand work traditionally refer to activities such as sewing, darning, mending, embroidery, weaving and knitting. <span style="background-color: white;">Drawing, writing, crafting, designing - even to protect or protest, offer therapy and heal. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD2mDe-8eHp7qqMec5Sb0GC-1FrRoVdmJjyXXMpFkCaG_1pptk7hCArs3g3W1k3bYOY3Nuhz_g50bK_vaXYkAOt4ED4XjJMOIp9LaLR2HlVZraL41fBrMnbuz5dkHaO8e-zGRyEwg1vtmkqXOJlASvG_Ox-zdVufzELgwDWt7jn2Qm9I_z3JPo4bv6ec/s2474/Mar18%2002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="2112" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpD2mDe-8eHp7qqMec5Sb0GC-1FrRoVdmJjyXXMpFkCaG_1pptk7hCArs3g3W1k3bYOY3Nuhz_g50bK_vaXYkAOt4ED4XjJMOIp9LaLR2HlVZraL41fBrMnbuz5dkHaO8e-zGRyEwg1vtmkqXOJlASvG_Ox-zdVufzELgwDWt7jn2Qm9I_z3JPo4bv6ec/s320/Mar18%2002.png" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">calligraphy & art by <a href="https://www.behance.net/m_urra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mahala</a> ~ quoted from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Powers" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;" target="_blank">Hiram Powers</a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;">Any act of creation </span><span style="background-color: white;">by the use of the hands is hand work. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early learning encourages <span style="background-color: white;">hand work believing that it is deeply linked to the development of morality. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Throughout the ages and in all parts of the globe, </span><span style="background-color: white;">people busy their hands in art, manufacture, conservation, archaeology, research, and interpretation. Folks have crated, built, mended, planted, harvested, prepped, cooked, and washed. Among countless other things. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE7-Suo8d77DEKgfwGQCPVGBazVGc-uEybl04fTXRj3TlH5AL61gHuBrrKNq4AXVfE3vMJmb4k65EBS_tS8G_43SE0WWLd30UJnQaTF7ff6FZpUB6PzRIhCd2qjDxE_vCDjb5Tm5hDEOibI1JwKGXm6UdM-Du3i3pSkY9lbqvEG5Zzo8xJEsKzbWvLBA/s2484/Mar18%2001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2484" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE7-Suo8d77DEKgfwGQCPVGBazVGc-uEybl04fTXRj3TlH5AL61gHuBrrKNq4AXVfE3vMJmb4k65EBS_tS8G_43SE0WWLd30UJnQaTF7ff6FZpUB6PzRIhCd2qjDxE_vCDjb5Tm5hDEOibI1JwKGXm6UdM-Du3i3pSkY9lbqvEG5Zzo8xJEsKzbWvLBA/w248-h400/Mar18%2001.png" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>hand stitched & crocheted dish towel dolly dress by <a href="https://www.bhakticd.org/about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Issa</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Ancient civilizations for centuries had</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> goods crafted of indigenous and local materials still in use today. While others are modern inventions or popularizations of crafts originally practiced in remote or difficult to access areas. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Until recent history, from an early age we were taught to plow, sow, weed, cultivate, harvest, grind, bake, care for the animals and more. These life sustaining activities contributed to the family - nurturing and nourishing all. Through the training of the hand, a deeper understanding of the world we lived in is forged. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbYA4bkWr_5MqhH6wyPUjK4xIMzw6t-deFAvhUAIAWDLGL-DlbaucliClmzX154NVX6LWPPu9XbReBHNQXWK86KUbWcmvnxYhsF4w25Y-Yxew07q9G2_yRY-CRB2-rYjanNAd2WRkxorIAHgpWg04BG5imPeQMAolwtQX6rLid1wPlcXo5J3KoMeMU5M/s2474/Mar18%2003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="1730" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbYA4bkWr_5MqhH6wyPUjK4xIMzw6t-deFAvhUAIAWDLGL-DlbaucliClmzX154NVX6LWPPu9XbReBHNQXWK86KUbWcmvnxYhsF4w25Y-Yxew07q9G2_yRY-CRB2-rYjanNAd2WRkxorIAHgpWg04BG5imPeQMAolwtQX6rLid1wPlcXo5J3KoMeMU5M/w280-h400/Mar18%2003.png" width="280" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=660696912526899&set=a.536917614904830" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scholasticans support</a> our alma mater</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in</span> a privileged all-girls school they offered vocational courses, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ora_et_labora" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ora et labora</a> </i>(<i>pray and work</i>) our school motto taught that prayer is divine work. Benedictine nuns trained us in hands on trades and techniques to support ourselves and </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">make a living - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">in the event we needed to. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;">Many NGOs, LGUs, organizations, and foundations do so as well in support of local communities and causes, or to contribute and cover costs and to raise funds. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsV9kM_BWZCtAidFqj_qKMy8NZDtiOxc_gm4HR7CIomWEQwbFo_CKfJjcw3kOw1i8mcACI9PmhmfQ3G8mNcPhdQm7lXxFRZ1fjPhqQ0TYefxU08Mu7hz9diufGJJYvOWTkvIbGJy98UzLuuH0zrJNABpxqPe7SVUQsHkq-m_yBKpZvKY-xWZeORzpCVf8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsV9kM_BWZCtAidFqj_qKMy8NZDtiOxc_gm4HR7CIomWEQwbFo_CKfJjcw3kOw1i8mcACI9PmhmfQ3G8mNcPhdQm7lXxFRZ1fjPhqQ0TYefxU08Mu7hz9diufGJJYvOWTkvIbGJy98UzLuuH0zrJNABpxqPe7SVUQsHkq-m_yBKpZvKY-xWZeORzpCVf8=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com/blogs/what-we-do" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HABI</a>: The Philippine Textile Council</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Putting power in our hands and providing a lifeline to a fearless future in these uncertain times. Hard working hands <span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">bring artisanal creations and generational skills to a global market while delivering dignity and grace to their makers. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Cultural and familial arts are shared, sustained and kept thriving with </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">compassion, friendship, and respect across borders and barriers.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> Join in on a world wide collaboration - it's WIN-WIN for all. </span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-89768523911320130632024-03-10T19:01:00.007-04:002024-03-10T19:01:52.545-04:00planner art<div style="text-align: left;">wonder | wander | women love art journaling! Scrapbooking, watercolour, doodles and urban sketching, whatever it is, we want to try it. But over the past few years we noticed the trend of <a href="https://www.makerandmoxie.com/blog/2024-creative-planners" target="_blank">artistic planners</a>, from Hobonichi to <a href="https://littlecoffeefox.com/13-bullet-journal-spreads/" target="_blank">bullet journaling</a>, and last year we finally decided to try it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDPuQo8yw4YnszT4pSs-ZAVKBeaKJ1t3xJdI2PwPemOZzyeWXkIUeviH6qq3i3rOB5S47iC3qilYauVF9EW8-MG862rjSeGTqtpCjvuPw448DMmyXbj9j_bVt89-TvEO_Anfb9SjpYeK2g0qbtV_y8ydbR8XmepiW0teM6P9Nm-UCgp5WhNSAcEKQaK0/s604/bj2023_09a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDPuQo8yw4YnszT4pSs-ZAVKBeaKJ1t3xJdI2PwPemOZzyeWXkIUeviH6qq3i3rOB5S47iC3qilYauVF9EW8-MG862rjSeGTqtpCjvuPw448DMmyXbj9j_bVt89-TvEO_Anfb9SjpYeK2g0qbtV_y8ydbR8XmepiW0teM6P9Nm-UCgp5WhNSAcEKQaK0/s320/bj2023_09a.jpg" width="232" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used <a href="https://bulletjournal.com" target="_blank">bullet journals</a> for almost a decade, but aside from a single highlighter, a few stickers, and the occasional doodle when I didn't have my sketchbook, my planner was very basic. I preferred to keep art in my journals and sketchbooks. But watching others draw and paint in their planners, I really wanted to see if I would enjoy it too.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherDWnmLQ-5ae6sImM61I4j1m33zhQXrulGKNV0JWCsvYOjSwDZtEQQKDv2m2OPn6csgiBG37De4xChsWepPAuMtnaY6QTqmqmRrmvrlcvP4L0ybBNF5sX6t-UqDpjJfYCXjr1cdvcdXVSw7dxUQghGkG5pz1ITSNTIZEizudMoLzZF4ptPlCqmINitHM/s893/bj2023_09b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="893" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherDWnmLQ-5ae6sImM61I4j1m33zhQXrulGKNV0JWCsvYOjSwDZtEQQKDv2m2OPn6csgiBG37De4xChsWepPAuMtnaY6QTqmqmRrmvrlcvP4L0ybBNF5sX6t-UqDpjJfYCXjr1cdvcdXVSw7dxUQghGkG5pz1ITSNTIZEizudMoLzZF4ptPlCqmINitHM/s320/bj2023_09b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's something fun about drawing your own planner. When I was a kid I used to draw on the top of school <a href="https://www.bizasiatrading.com/products/intermediate-pad-1" target="_blank">intermediate pads</a> as a sort of DIY stationery. My classmates even paid me a few cents to make them a few sheets too. That's what this feels like.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCP9lq4GuNX1jnuDZLwbpEN4tZSTAtfaHOJFmD-sV82Nvf8iXvBooA2-82_3Pmbr3UpYWUpe48XfM9IziHFWRJWDz22cKsfrhKedKrJZqNJ8GzcXlO28N_Vxlk2C1WJcMAxSZgW0HRLNXcAHor6b4kfCoXCxpcUqqU67JCE3eSVxQF36mJLsh1Io4-Vg/s860/bj2023_09c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="860" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCP9lq4GuNX1jnuDZLwbpEN4tZSTAtfaHOJFmD-sV82Nvf8iXvBooA2-82_3Pmbr3UpYWUpe48XfM9IziHFWRJWDz22cKsfrhKedKrJZqNJ8GzcXlO28N_Vxlk2C1WJcMAxSZgW0HRLNXcAHor6b4kfCoXCxpcUqqU67JCE3eSVxQF36mJLsh1Io4-Vg/s320/bj2023_09c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In art planning, each month usually has a theme, and there are staples like habit trackers and monthly "covers", like magazine issues. Often the theme relates to the season or a holiday - cherry blossoms in April, or the trendy Halloween theme for October.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tQf-8VrBvmJr28hy3zHa9KzYYsm1DcW6WO8V4rZrhtAasRITT5z6gwZ510HZ_sjg1MW9wQV0GHKvt3simzyKV8CkxcxpAA_8p85rUWEYLtc6z4-9IZ7BtV-D584nu3Lx6_qfNJ92zEmMUX4hfYBhGdwrBqH2FpEBFeXkFKSrIAX5kLzsrVDU9RZj8Wg/s607/bj2023_10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tQf-8VrBvmJr28hy3zHa9KzYYsm1DcW6WO8V4rZrhtAasRITT5z6gwZ510HZ_sjg1MW9wQV0GHKvt3simzyKV8CkxcxpAA_8p85rUWEYLtc6z4-9IZ7BtV-D584nu3Lx6_qfNJ92zEmMUX4hfYBhGdwrBqH2FpEBFeXkFKSrIAX5kLzsrVDU9RZj8Wg/s320/bj2023_10a.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">October is also <a href="https://inktober.com" target="_blank">Inktober</a> month, so I must have been particularly inspired. The beam of light shining down to mark the weekly Sundays was a fun idea to paint into a dark, monochromatic theme.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA-bNYF5cndYMfrBi_PYaJb5YLxJNLNNCix-zjt6T2izG82RzsOnFTCjiK_Ul6viGg-2VPxFvQw_Wb-m3K1JB7vq9VF2at5rUoWUwE1VWicitM4tQ9YqgEyLLjUv9FV5ahIRuO9a8YxzH2Bnh0m33asXVYTFsywdGqBCPCozb_iViee8YDePCCE0dBdA/s881/bj2023_10b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="881" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA-bNYF5cndYMfrBi_PYaJb5YLxJNLNNCix-zjt6T2izG82RzsOnFTCjiK_Ul6viGg-2VPxFvQw_Wb-m3K1JB7vq9VF2at5rUoWUwE1VWicitM4tQ9YqgEyLLjUv9FV5ahIRuO9a8YxzH2Bnh0m33asXVYTFsywdGqBCPCozb_iViee8YDePCCE0dBdA/s320/bj2023_10b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Other times I like to do collage, just like in some of my art journals. The statues for October made me want to try a <a href="https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Light_Academia" target="_blank">light academia</a> aesthetic in the dimming month of November.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ng2qoq8mPLBzExDCGDgcyxFtv_-6gbmb5bfbHV2oh5ora9xLDc9QEUi4zXVD-9c1el4WPldKA_bckwM0rtWCtiZCCutLKWsVRRYdsHrEJqzwKL97yTrtOH-keaioam-wWZQHQ3irCgr5BM-HkdhSTXreHq2WGsk2_yasumhCpT2t52tlVNtpDqMh8qY/s603/bj2023_11a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ng2qoq8mPLBzExDCGDgcyxFtv_-6gbmb5bfbHV2oh5ora9xLDc9QEUi4zXVD-9c1el4WPldKA_bckwM0rtWCtiZCCutLKWsVRRYdsHrEJqzwKL97yTrtOH-keaioam-wWZQHQ3irCgr5BM-HkdhSTXreHq2WGsk2_yasumhCpT2t52tlVNtpDqMh8qY/s320/bj2023_11a.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Still, it takes a lot of energy to do these double-page spreads so I don't do the full set from month to month. And for the weekly calendar I just mark the date, appointments and to-dos as usual, no need for decoration. In fact I often forgot to fill up the trackers!<div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LXfcl9KiRJ3xcNBPDpw1MKcUgdTvkj2HizkgIPIRl2BAeCm5IJQGpn9TTz4jJeKLYwv7ulbpeoCXe3js_NgnGfUTBBUxfJYSVhnUezP_58jK7D8_xqKfyZewzx5NAZICCMwzfkmf-3H4Y3wJeg424KkO2Tk5PMV4A2nOTrJloZkxSeV3EauSZYvT4R4/s887/bj2023_11b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="887" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LXfcl9KiRJ3xcNBPDpw1MKcUgdTvkj2HizkgIPIRl2BAeCm5IJQGpn9TTz4jJeKLYwv7ulbpeoCXe3js_NgnGfUTBBUxfJYSVhnUezP_58jK7D8_xqKfyZewzx5NAZICCMwzfkmf-3H4Y3wJeg424KkO2Tk5PMV4A2nOTrJloZkxSeV3EauSZYvT4R4/s320/bj2023_11b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In other months, most importantly December, I never had time to do a Christmas theme. But luckily the bullet journal method doesn't require art to work; that's why I've been using it all these years. When January 2024 came I was inspired again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-59KFHEIKXOfFdU98TkkdZxhW5ZrI0qNW7MKdE8fdykFTaN7x6iRAwBHCVfYhlsHUt5CWcebsGjafYKAPxydC3yxu6SEcpe3mXlIsOdhX5P-t5aJpxE3b6EHpVxwvFj4I9e_PLp7bk1R3TRazVlpDv1Xn3qExWWaen6F5ousUW1KDfMbXFCJBvs2mqc/s858/bj2024_01b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="858" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-59KFHEIKXOfFdU98TkkdZxhW5ZrI0qNW7MKdE8fdykFTaN7x6iRAwBHCVfYhlsHUt5CWcebsGjafYKAPxydC3yxu6SEcpe3mXlIsOdhX5P-t5aJpxE3b6EHpVxwvFj4I9e_PLp7bk1R3TRazVlpDv1Xn3qExWWaen6F5ousUW1KDfMbXFCJBvs2mqc/s320/bj2024_01b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For February, of course I had to do the Lunar New Year and celebrate the year of the Green Wood Dragon, with metallic paints.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvk62UbjzRkuRohlB-cTTu95ri-8PXQQaX5Le4_TrNNUvpL0575XoSb_fn4jMdmKxfnqzHZc5Izo6N09JGNRiPqEoxhaLU-PsXfnMJhdRdtuXlpFPq-ULnkMLP7dZKlCZpJyc1aMASUaWnO6IGQOzx8oeNQajeNcBwogoVXgcH4_VBb3Pu-gKnZSFlyw/s601/bj2024_02a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="434" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvk62UbjzRkuRohlB-cTTu95ri-8PXQQaX5Le4_TrNNUvpL0575XoSb_fn4jMdmKxfnqzHZc5Izo6N09JGNRiPqEoxhaLU-PsXfnMJhdRdtuXlpFPq-ULnkMLP7dZKlCZpJyc1aMASUaWnO6IGQOzx8oeNQajeNcBwogoVXgcH4_VBb3Pu-gKnZSFlyw/s320/bj2024_02a.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And in March I was rediscovering a ballet manga I loved back in college days, so I was excited to copy the art into my journal...now that I had the skills to do it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgOsWRCc2Ylaho1IFyoeHYgJE2vLfgvhADwiv214Iww6MzvwJnRijBRWBOuT3ZUi1HyGuVaQAfDgtFGvXrpPuZ1kDpbhHkF1FB6dfokifnO0K1JVIwc0N61i0qCfGdoFysvoR_jV1GFLKIEYSGOUxW8yi9Ebh9SiPLB_yIa5rT3gacS7OBnARSAT4RPk/s742/bj2024_03a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgOsWRCc2Ylaho1IFyoeHYgJE2vLfgvhADwiv214Iww6MzvwJnRijBRWBOuT3ZUi1HyGuVaQAfDgtFGvXrpPuZ1kDpbhHkF1FB6dfokifnO0K1JVIwc0N61i0qCfGdoFysvoR_jV1GFLKIEYSGOUxW8yi9Ebh9SiPLB_yIa5rT3gacS7OBnARSAT4RPk/s320/bj2024_03a.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I learned a lot about the artist's style by following the lines she used, but I also felt like a little kid copying favourite pages of my comics and fairytale books, turning them into something just for me. It was like the calming pleasure of Zentangles or <a href="https://woaworld.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-growing-craze-coloring-books-for.html" target="_blank">colouring books</a>.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YYdsofwR7b3bZKnrKanvQinFpuj-WZao-W_9z_BCZUBOlW3MvBB4ry0Zt38P0CKqVjz_PP8SNCH1zMpTgqogFxkJnLyaJyMNr3zzB2YVamHNHWQilWU8ZEMAXampmfG5jx0sSMYySUy01PTTYCyJ0ep6mksnGPoUukxzKoui634tYjvt3zF9AiZ_Sqk/s1038/bj2024_03b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1038" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YYdsofwR7b3bZKnrKanvQinFpuj-WZao-W_9z_BCZUBOlW3MvBB4ry0Zt38P0CKqVjz_PP8SNCH1zMpTgqogFxkJnLyaJyMNr3zzB2YVamHNHWQilWU8ZEMAXampmfG5jx0sSMYySUy01PTTYCyJ0ep6mksnGPoUukxzKoui634tYjvt3zF9AiZ_Sqk/s320/bj2024_03b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Hopefully when we look back on 2024, we can see the journey we took through the year - a record of events, dates and milestones, but also a notebook filled with beautiful art and the joy of making it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfm9MB-2lAj_qR9-WknCjtEJaFlv6hK0SY-uzcXnmwazCEXKWtbjW6xUMjfzTfS9hn5Kd_6JISpEwvpO2PuA1RwHd2Q966JfUHKEkaBeufXkcFhKMASF21qYi9Ttkn0oFgtMKeM2J0xoo0cLM27wG9q0HCojDaDpH8zeib45xX49-STJys57nqx6dBHU/s842/bj2024_00a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="617" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfm9MB-2lAj_qR9-WknCjtEJaFlv6hK0SY-uzcXnmwazCEXKWtbjW6xUMjfzTfS9hn5Kd_6JISpEwvpO2PuA1RwHd2Q966JfUHKEkaBeufXkcFhKMASF21qYi9Ttkn0oFgtMKeM2J0xoo0cLM27wG9q0HCojDaDpH8zeib45xX49-STJys57nqx6dBHU/s320/bj2024_00a.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-70003957314802353402024-03-03T00:15:00.000-05:002024-03-03T00:15:15.602-05:00ageing well<p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>Every year, March is designated <a href="https://nationaltoday.com/national-womens-history-month/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Women’s History Month</a> by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor <a href="https://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">women’s contributions in world history</a>. </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Many countries honor women - giving tribute to their struggles and successes.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Every woman has a story to tell and gifts to share with the world. This month <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wonder | women</a> celebrate these magnificent women of advanced ages. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg01O2uN7KwxJZTMlipwUnGDZeDOXmdMvO05PNMuahFs_JjKiMNxBfGBX-H7TbI3suD0eQJzekj0r0DeIbFprZDINeQ53wuL7FIA1nWrs6YTrpxl7yV6XyM1na7QZcYG2xZwnYRKF8xuNORiQLV6wrB-Hk-nDojk4P0mrl66JiiOlGfiQ6aL7k7eKv-uQE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1065" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg01O2uN7KwxJZTMlipwUnGDZeDOXmdMvO05PNMuahFs_JjKiMNxBfGBX-H7TbI3suD0eQJzekj0r0DeIbFprZDINeQ53wuL7FIA1nWrs6YTrpxl7yV6XyM1na7QZcYG2xZwnYRKF8xuNORiQLV6wrB-Hk-nDojk4P0mrl66JiiOlGfiQ6aL7k7eKv-uQE=w400-h331" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(34, 34, 34, 0.85); text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/advancedstyle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Advanced Style</a>: Older and Wiser </span><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(34, 34, 34, 0.85); text-align: start;">by Ari Seth Cohen</span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444;">One such grand dame - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iris.apfel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iris Barrel Apfel</a> has passed on at 102 - fabulous style icon and <i>It Girl</i> of fashion. This poster child for older women has forced brands to diversify and embrace older women. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Among them - Charlotte Rampling, 69, for Nars; Jessica Lange, 65, for Marc Jacobs Beauty; Joan Didion, 80, for Celine; Joni Mitchell, 71, for Saint Laurent; Helen "Baddie" Winkle, 88, for Misguided; and Iris herself, 93 then, for Kate Spade. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-_8wrRhJRDv5MFFyjY8zVWHrFmj7jcqpfoNLTSJI4fJqDpyP9mUs1C8LwGc52lIrd1F7J2-2Jj8k_bfEELlJAt5MFyYKvwcH84kX0Fbs-uwCkPeKIaFRyEWX4o8KqS8UEdHHga_jxGJApdaznUBtEL74seNuyiqA2n0Z4XfqG98YcdgWAYpWQMzMGIDw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="813" data-original-width="646" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-_8wrRhJRDv5MFFyjY8zVWHrFmj7jcqpfoNLTSJI4fJqDpyP9mUs1C8LwGc52lIrd1F7J2-2Jj8k_bfEELlJAt5MFyYKvwcH84kX0Fbs-uwCkPeKIaFRyEWX4o8KqS8UEdHHga_jxGJApdaznUBtEL74seNuyiqA2n0Z4XfqG98YcdgWAYpWQMzMGIDw=w318-h400" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3_geMFu15Y/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iris</a> - an inimitable inspiration</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These brave and bold elders with nothing to prove have become trending style setters. <span style="font-family: inherit;">A</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ge has no boundaries with them showcasing their unique collections and personalities. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">These fabulous fashionistas have made their mark passing over popular brands to showcase thrift shop buys and vintage wares instead. Their wild choices and dramatic flair have caught on and inspired women of old ages to follow suit in the wake of such colorful flair. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM796I9CoVWWzMm27d5Vi8QUgYo-uNfyH3PQXy-BCDnN3-lDbhki8ijyELz7gbGAxSQ5judF6C5JcrPF6HTZckxp_6uvMzdCRAv-3RRJFqLFZmoQKYhnKgFKg-2FticMXLr1Eh25cc832fx7um2CrPl-8Wh78OP1x-v2dvFb2S0SCOwyD65U_3Wy6T_S0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="660" data-original-width="990" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM796I9CoVWWzMm27d5Vi8QUgYo-uNfyH3PQXy-BCDnN3-lDbhki8ijyELz7gbGAxSQ5judF6C5JcrPF6HTZckxp_6uvMzdCRAv-3RRJFqLFZmoQKYhnKgFKg-2FticMXLr1Eh25cc832fx7um2CrPl-8Wh78OP1x-v2dvFb2S0SCOwyD65U_3Wy6T_S0=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/baddiewinkle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baddie</a> -<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Missguided's partywear <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/11/128295/missguided-new-campaign-star-baddie-winkle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">campaign</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">These senior icons have put </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">themselves out there. Setting the bar that at any age - the way they look is still important. The way they act and their behavior trumps tends. Age has no limits when it comes to these beaming beacons.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Their startling style and bold moves have challenged and changed <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">stereotypical perceptions and standards of behavior. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNUFrp5ZznkS-5rmZ_V-pWxHIwRjhlM_anl3E5q_NEjfhYW2kvp6fT4s6fBvNuaucDFNq5x8qjSkdrDsnmxh4dj6lFBaCEAi47tcYwSIDWaXKyJI_UxjItCgBFi-d0FLXXbzgzf834aq2ePEpmKzD1YVxw-ZAMgqtND0Arp5AxOGA1rsZfbwoIuY3nrEU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="640" data-original-width="402" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNUFrp5ZznkS-5rmZ_V-pWxHIwRjhlM_anl3E5q_NEjfhYW2kvp6fT4s6fBvNuaucDFNq5x8qjSkdrDsnmxh4dj6lFBaCEAi47tcYwSIDWaXKyJI_UxjItCgBFi-d0FLXXbzgzf834aq2ePEpmKzD1YVxw-ZAMgqtND0Arp5AxOGA1rsZfbwoIuY3nrEU=w252-h400" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Jean & Valerie - NYC bloggers at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C36lj1gLHjW/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">idiocyncraticfashionistas</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It would do the world much good to follow where they lead and practice what they advise most sagely. </span><span style="background-color: white;">There are three things in life that never come back once they’re gone - time, words, and opportunity. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Make way world - these women rule with utmost fun and flair! </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQxBSkliZl3ktdZ8X-F9a76AD4K0ZGqyIgCyrkp3__H2FmhasOEqBThz00eaqJ_yrXv86Mcjsg6jM6N7w1re4TSDRXxq7HBFpJxVHwH3EF1LMSUoHL8UsM_Cj073NzmH4_-lw1S5GoFMa-NE8pTTDHCz57iuLM0SDIYCXw266ayoQReYfNBwW9SHczMI8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1198" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQxBSkliZl3ktdZ8X-F9a76AD4K0ZGqyIgCyrkp3__H2FmhasOEqBThz00eaqJ_yrXv86Mcjsg6jM6N7w1re4TSDRXxq7HBFpJxVHwH3EF1LMSUoHL8UsM_Cj073NzmH4_-lw1S5GoFMa-NE8pTTDHCz57iuLM0SDIYCXw266ayoQReYfNBwW9SHczMI8=w400-h178" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://twitter.com/jonimitchell/status/1475979881712271360?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joni</a> - rocker vibes</i></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i> for Saint Laurent </i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-38255139585991827782024-02-25T18:05:00.001-05:002024-02-25T18:05:13.384-05:00cozy winter comfort food<div style="text-align: left;">Living in multicultural cities, wonder | wander | women delight in finding all sorts of special cuisine from cultures all over the world. Still, we love to turn to a few comfort foods we've come to seek out when tiredness strikes and the cravings pop up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-z-l0GLMNJgHdciFfWYGl31rErvpPEOLWnIFgfAuMOdFrKzyItDApcAru8HeNjfbgJP1Klh9zBkJ5hIg7S4eHR4HOAIrY90mZ7Tm3IgNO-VTNdalrMGaxMgq7RBqns4jUcD95YvNTyowEAqjYu72Uew46p3b7QHrZ1x3dfZKiDSzNOxCFbnvU-KiKlY/s605/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="605" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-z-l0GLMNJgHdciFfWYGl31rErvpPEOLWnIFgfAuMOdFrKzyItDApcAru8HeNjfbgJP1Klh9zBkJ5hIg7S4eHR4HOAIrY90mZ7Tm3IgNO-VTNdalrMGaxMgq7RBqns4jUcD95YvNTyowEAqjYu72Uew46p3b7QHrZ1x3dfZKiDSzNOxCFbnvU-KiKlY/s320/IMG_0666.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maomao and Jinshi buy street <i>yakitori</i>, from <a href="https://myanimelist.net/anime/54492/Kusuriya_no_Hitorigoto" target="_blank">The Apothecary Diaries</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;">Here in London there aren't many Filipino restaurants, and I especially miss Bacolod's chicken <a href="https://mamalolacooks.com/grilled-chicken-inasal/" target="_blank">inasal</a>. A partial consolation is Japanese yakitori - the grilled chicken skewers with a hint of sweetness help curb my cravings for the charcoal and <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annatto" target="_blank">achuete</a></i> flavour of my memories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRdPc6ks5XcG7OSKfOB98m1IFra4rQTSNtWa6t_PnfjnB06hRALe5aTQVA9lYh0hecN2PfleKY1cTQbagb8tnnwUNDEHMUDsv2FUEZTTY1jjKZ_EMoiXVHnRvVtn6cMO2QFuCVKTLsfN5f-K5EfTN7S4cM52o3Nqt9roEeWPdu_G7K_1UM7h-9pL004/s605/IMG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="605" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRdPc6ks5XcG7OSKfOB98m1IFra4rQTSNtWa6t_PnfjnB06hRALe5aTQVA9lYh0hecN2PfleKY1cTQbagb8tnnwUNDEHMUDsv2FUEZTTY1jjKZ_EMoiXVHnRvVtn6cMO2QFuCVKTLsfN5f-K5EfTN7S4cM52o3Nqt9roEeWPdu_G7K_1UM7h-9pL004/s320/IMG_0667.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama chomps into the juicy <i>yakitori</i>, from <a href="https://myanimelist.net/anime/54492/Kusuriya_no_Hitorigoto" target="_blank">The Apothecary Diaries</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's snowy in New Jersey, rainy and hot in the Philippines, but here in London it's been days of freezing wind and rain. wonder | wander | women are cold and tired and fighting off windburn and stiff fingers. The solution: nice hot comfort food in a cozy corner of the city. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0h3_QsrAN7rVCYiddcDG-3ewhqzjBalyylxWRiGXwZa2kMkbNnMSoPEcXUkUFsEjfZJSw8PfxmQf42vg5qikIUTUTJlvIu0kPUnRmReg-QiCzMkk7XrXcwo5GuAoqvaws8irN3lGaXqHdX90ELMn2yWf1GQz72zXIX4O0_cPSs7MP1Tv5Hx9BZM2fAM/s706/IMG_0642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0h3_QsrAN7rVCYiddcDG-3ewhqzjBalyylxWRiGXwZa2kMkbNnMSoPEcXUkUFsEjfZJSw8PfxmQf42vg5qikIUTUTJlvIu0kPUnRmReg-QiCzMkk7XrXcwo5GuAoqvaws8irN3lGaXqHdX90ELMn2yWf1GQz72zXIX4O0_cPSs7MP1Tv5Hx9BZM2fAM/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a tough morning doing some urgent errands, running around in the freezing weather of early February left me exhausted. Luckily on the way to the Tube I found <a href="https://caravanandco.com/pages/vardo" target="_blank">Vardo</a> in the Duke of York Square outside the Saatchi Gallery. And when skimming the menu I found something that made my heart sing a hymn to the food gods.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMFh7QvUVbUD2GHkLVU2vbcuydJZzlb4tt59edtXfXCKFiPJbBOQ8bYZNFC7ZN998R0VijJj1itBY7rhmZuUINCRnKOjFk6qm7qbx1rw3niWgBDUjPK5MdHpbtQogiRxROK_yu7qzXX68CdDWIiuAlmLkCBQSYI9GKV7-L_BSKsUeYWHazSpSXf-x3ew/s706/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMFh7QvUVbUD2GHkLVU2vbcuydJZzlb4tt59edtXfXCKFiPJbBOQ8bYZNFC7ZN998R0VijJj1itBY7rhmZuUINCRnKOjFk6qm7qbx1rw3niWgBDUjPK5MdHpbtQogiRxROK_yu7qzXX68CdDWIiuAlmLkCBQSYI9GKV7-L_BSKsUeYWHazSpSXf-x3ew/s320/IMG_0641.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Bone Marrow Pizza</i>. At home we love eating roasted bone marrow, <i><a href="https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/osso_buco/" target="_blank">osso buco</a></i>, <i><a href="https://panlasangpinoy.com/bulalo-stewed-beef-shank/" target="_blank">bulalo</a></i> and the Ilonggo specialty <i><a href="https://www.foxyfolksy.com/cansi/" target="_blank">cansi</a></i>. In other words, we're a bit obsessed with bone marrow. But it never occurred to us to put our favourite fatty snack on pizza. The charred taste of the wood oven-baked crust, the melting mozzarella and the crisp fresh onions set off the smoky beef bone marrow perfectly. It remains one of the best things I've ever tried.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlauu16KG2hcQ4MK78xv6hOzz-TjRsnOwFgLcEovCt-kNOYT3r8bQqvn6kW_5BkZ7IZftAGWKb2U0hauZJDPUAcfjoiTc5pc8j989LC7AyP9ZOEv9g0zI00bLe3OxxU534Xh16aDyQzwReVjLZkrhX24grpTdNpiappif3ISXP3vhM_4u3ycevQVapoY/s706/IMG_0683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="706" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlauu16KG2hcQ4MK78xv6hOzz-TjRsnOwFgLcEovCt-kNOYT3r8bQqvn6kW_5BkZ7IZftAGWKb2U0hauZJDPUAcfjoiTc5pc8j989LC7AyP9ZOEv9g0zI00bLe3OxxU534Xh16aDyQzwReVjLZkrhX24grpTdNpiappif3ISXP3vhM_4u3ycevQVapoY/s320/IMG_0683.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Another entry in the hearty winter fillers department is the crispy-juicy smashed burger of <a href="https://www.honestburgers.co.uk" target="_blank">Honest Burgers</a>, with coleslaw, chicken wings and onion rings. Their rosemary fries are also delicious, but the chicken wings with green onion sauce and deep-fried gigantic onion rings are addictive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-hnA3h43eFolLZq_EpCnvyDbZ8_nbQNVQRDVdL9Fm5SoHeY4XtM8vvPb6888nMxTu4wkc2GJMGfwSXXBmMW-HvsZec4fB_kKrgRVc8gH6Z7xNbECTMuKhbYYKHiMHJWXceZKPpfnQjQBdCFBUOwnqx0FlSgdPwVAkRqppxpFwl3JAQ1CWVzFmifxJr0/s806/IMG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="806" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-hnA3h43eFolLZq_EpCnvyDbZ8_nbQNVQRDVdL9Fm5SoHeY4XtM8vvPb6888nMxTu4wkc2GJMGfwSXXBmMW-HvsZec4fB_kKrgRVc8gH6Z7xNbECTMuKhbYYKHiMHJWXceZKPpfnQjQBdCFBUOwnqx0FlSgdPwVAkRqppxpFwl3JAQ1CWVzFmifxJr0/s320/IMG_0759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It may not be a bone marrow pizza, but the <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com" target="_blank">Pizza Express</a> Porchetta Valentine's Day pizza is also a delightful meat feast, with a smattering of herby potatoes. They also had a special appetiser of dough hearts, with garlic-infused butter. A true comfort meal (or three!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz7fMNiK-v-id6CdfHkHp_G0mzf1z1wTggDNQ8xMcrcT9nkfTAOXO1ghc1jCbDQbSBBLnpgPZJIAY2cRz-IC-dPORn4yd5iQjXG5rBf5n_-r_f4ndLYGAfQADzwKLzd1rMuAy1n0YjzPlLhDsmixJ_NBzft_ZW9U-9EXuRSObyI-yn-4n226HzdsjUno/s592/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="592" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz7fMNiK-v-id6CdfHkHp_G0mzf1z1wTggDNQ8xMcrcT9nkfTAOXO1ghc1jCbDQbSBBLnpgPZJIAY2cRz-IC-dPORn4yd5iQjXG5rBf5n_-r_f4ndLYGAfQADzwKLzd1rMuAy1n0YjzPlLhDsmixJ_NBzft_ZW9U-9EXuRSObyI-yn-4n226HzdsjUno/s320/IMG_0796.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Char Siu Don from <a href="https://www.kanada-ya.com" target="_blank">Kanada-Ya Ramen Bar</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A comfort meal doesn't have to be a feast. A bowlful of steaming Japanese rice, grilled char siu pork belly, seaweed, pickled ginger and one delicious ramen egg will see you through a cold night. We savour our happiness with simple gratitude and look forward to feeding our hearts and bellies again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-30892277206543567482024-02-17T01:04:00.004-05:002024-02-20T01:33:22.878-05:00golden gifts<p>What is it about class reunions and alumni homecomings that pull on our heartstrings?<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">These tradition of welcoming back alumni are opportunities to revisit our alma mater and pay homage to the staff, mentors and peers we learned from in our formative years. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdFQY7-XJHFNfwVJJ62vi7EXmDxYA6HG3DL8C0flW9U4DKn6P9n14LwKaC2uW9YrtnHlSrSnGlyiMxUKpjYyF_DOMMBDEMqsulcdiupiRf-PTeE2uN8z7BMmbHjPgf0HxF1icSx6Q4Eef-KnqsSwe5MTRY1eHme8IvdwaouLN_uoHo0Hl-MSiOlKm0zk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="2048" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdFQY7-XJHFNfwVJJ62vi7EXmDxYA6HG3DL8C0flW9U4DKn6P9n14LwKaC2uW9YrtnHlSrSnGlyiMxUKpjYyF_DOMMBDEMqsulcdiupiRf-PTeE2uN8z7BMmbHjPgf0HxF1icSx6Q4Eef-KnqsSwe5MTRY1eHme8IvdwaouLN_uoHo0Hl-MSiOlKm0zk=w400-h336" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Golderitas & Class of 74evers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=794538209142768&set=pb.100057597873016.-2207520000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">3 Feb 2024</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We acclaim the lessons, skills, and principles that transformed us and laid the foundation for who we are today. We make time to affirm our participation in enhancing the quality of learning in our alma mater. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS3mYu6XqtoiHqUXZoLUH61WNk9ZzX2wibKnC3_RZdNM3sidcA4XSjCReuRPBAM4cFjSMT6zEPI8fbF5d7nHuwq9LHRoxy0nVRrfBwLYjEOsC3dd8cCw5wMukPKtlf2kUNKyFQBoOV-vrqnrXVQ7bF2xp7f2YnXChY5uS0rxrnzbGwywjFoUdu4zPb75M" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1284" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS3mYu6XqtoiHqUXZoLUH61WNk9ZzX2wibKnC3_RZdNM3sidcA4XSjCReuRPBAM4cFjSMT6zEPI8fbF5d7nHuwq9LHRoxy0nVRrfBwLYjEOsC3dd8cCw5wMukPKtlf2kUNKyFQBoOV-vrqnrXVQ7bF2xp7f2YnXChY5uS0rxrnzbGwywjFoUdu4zPb75M=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>presenting the <a href="https://medium.com/@woawomen/mandala-cycles-292b77008c33" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mandala Cycles</a> coloring book onstage</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span>Education - the spark that lights the fire for character formation and leadership building - forms a cornerstone for our families and communities.</span><p></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0M4hcxhaGUntU6SaC6-FPh2p1DsIl5FiS40YwlAw6TsziMI5Xfb1zMSIJ-OPhfgBu0GmuWKKcP9vdBtWh5JjzMy7hAaFy_HqZXmXi_sBpb9_eAaE4oSwsztFvpMin2w703sIjJUFrbTv5Nm34YNU-yzPcNBZKTHgbIWWisuCiyIOrOnJZJnjDKGVroqY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1860" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0M4hcxhaGUntU6SaC6-FPh2p1DsIl5FiS40YwlAw6TsziMI5Xfb1zMSIJ-OPhfgBu0GmuWKKcP9vdBtWh5JjzMy7hAaFy_HqZXmXi_sBpb9_eAaE4oSwsztFvpMin2w703sIjJUFrbTv5Nm34YNU-yzPcNBZKTHgbIWWisuCiyIOrOnJZJnjDKGVroqY=w400-h243" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=842269581036297&set=pb.100057597873016.-2207520000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St. Scholastica's Academy</a> class celebrants of 2024</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">This gathering is often when and where we come to share our stories of challenge and success. Where we circle together - inspired and eager among colleagues. Cheering on those who have come before, our own peers, and younger graduates to achieve greater heights. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg62YWX4ItaNrB98VJu_u_IONsYIgCurs3Xip0OyyXVSE8X0kFsl9VUbBT81juPsqyhoH8pyV89XNwndLhblinZ-1ZSBrMhGy7gZFSNYiEa1HnKiOoK7Hq-6dAg3xjaBSh9uXZHfgaUGjXiUnT_SVsWEgaJww9KS7kaqceYsfqIV2IYj6JyVE3evhgxC58" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1580" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg62YWX4ItaNrB98VJu_u_IONsYIgCurs3Xip0OyyXVSE8X0kFsl9VUbBT81juPsqyhoH8pyV89XNwndLhblinZ-1ZSBrMhGy7gZFSNYiEa1HnKiOoK7Hq-6dAg3xjaBSh9uXZHfgaUGjXiUnT_SVsWEgaJww9KS7kaqceYsfqIV2IYj6JyVE3evhgxC58" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>74evers at the beach, <a href="https://puntabulata.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Punta Bulata</a> Resort & Spa</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Acknowledging the years of our lives - being productive and meaningful. Taking stock of how these turned out. Are they as we envisioned them in our teenage years? </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Did we channel our abilities and insights towards contributing to <i>kababayans</i> in our home base, as well as wherever in the world we now are, and around the entire world? </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqII2ooZuKkLXuWFSd3PNjG-AdaB80Z1anBGwtPw24Oc74mMIu_C7G_btdDR7r6wc38jTUh7gBAafIKrxiF-lI4idl7MbBQlY1JrgLyKBltdrxF6t_6WH-VfkWYzEMEwwCaMRiIp2TY8uiPswrRBZrHVetbHJ4vKCDVoev9PfSx3oR1HYHBuvZ3r8ASrI/s4013/SSA%20tech%20run.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4013" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqII2ooZuKkLXuWFSd3PNjG-AdaB80Z1anBGwtPw24Oc74mMIu_C7G_btdDR7r6wc38jTUh7gBAafIKrxiF-lI4idl7MbBQlY1JrgLyKBltdrxF6t_6WH-VfkWYzEMEwwCaMRiIp2TY8uiPswrRBZrHVetbHJ4vKCDVoev9PfSx3oR1HYHBuvZ3r8ASrI/w400-h246/SSA%20tech%20run.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806712617925327&set=pb.100057597873016.-2207520000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SCHOchella</a> technical run through, 2 Feb 2024</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How have we done? Success often does not hold as much satisfaction unless shared among those we grew up </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">around</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and shared our dreams with. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Homecomings are proud and loud celebrations of so much we long for when we are away. Reunions top us up - we go on from them with bonds </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">reaffirmed and relationships redefined. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrisEfrc-Vl_WM8LO7l8P2iA5R3EmF6Piw-4Nd1JDvrQSNnsBB-2xnmgO45cQfEHEzT4He8cz5Ohguu2D8GsUBd_oWMGPIpFeEE3TUoTl4Iz2RA0i6h-uABqh7yyTNnnI3ZW6KpHprJoXt4k3w1cb7MtGaA7tFgtvL9eDfQeCQNp0QYKmmLlT6upANtAE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="841" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrisEfrc-Vl_WM8LO7l8P2iA5R3EmF6Piw-4Nd1JDvrQSNnsBB-2xnmgO45cQfEHEzT4He8cz5Ohguu2D8GsUBd_oWMGPIpFeEE3TUoTl4Iz2RA0i6h-uABqh7yyTNnnI3ZW6KpHprJoXt4k3w1cb7MtGaA7tFgtvL9eDfQeCQNp0QYKmmLlT6upANtAE=w298-h400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>fragments that make us whole</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Golden moments marked well as we shine once more in a place of </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">delight</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and joy. </span>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-15740424277282288062024-02-06T16:47:00.005-05:002024-02-07T04:54:59.909-05:00botanical watercolours<div style="text-align: left;">The study of plants is an ancient science, and as with the oldest sciences, was tied to the mysteries of nature and the body. It was considered essential for anyone of learning to study and record plants and the way they grew. Even children in today's schools are encouraged to draw the parts of flowers and try to grow their own plants from seeds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLYT7tE71peLOobGng8s5BtSTlzQXImKFdWslvypD2ZLtceI7I9dXQn-kFwqyqvZW-xruR8ghzmpl2rO_PO-YprvKcge7pKYFDuMuqetNmTOqtahrS70-iXzaaLj8bcWJ9JkZP0-Rrgbx8C_IfWvN289Nfovp6jMFPZvaupJeJ-pWIOKhFgwSdkqVUNs/s1531/botan_01_col2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1531" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLYT7tE71peLOobGng8s5BtSTlzQXImKFdWslvypD2ZLtceI7I9dXQn-kFwqyqvZW-xruR8ghzmpl2rO_PO-YprvKcge7pKYFDuMuqetNmTOqtahrS70-iXzaaLj8bcWJ9JkZP0-Rrgbx8C_IfWvN289Nfovp6jMFPZvaupJeJ-pWIOKhFgwSdkqVUNs/s320/botan_01_col2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.botanicalartandartists.com/what-is-botanical-illustration.html" target="_blank">Botanical illustration</a> therefore is one of the oldest uses of art. It is both art and science, a study and an appreciation of the beauty of nature. With our eyes and hands, we are analysing the structure of a living thing. Using ink and paint, we are learning to understand a growing thing from the outside in.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dA9D9oeacnpAYUQ_sggKlFvjRs9G98hmjLVSp6ezoD1eY9q5AaEL7aEmiUJPrhBt8tn3rbRDFSM74LqvxL1aepI8Alwtxsclo7ApPoTgjHlGZtdtZs0gG9aIO37JhVzx7WWunLYKAALcUjEMFuR1FoXomoi2QgYja8oaiginUeVrbD_c_mPWXnLeMkc/s1531/botan_01_sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1531" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dA9D9oeacnpAYUQ_sggKlFvjRs9G98hmjLVSp6ezoD1eY9q5AaEL7aEmiUJPrhBt8tn3rbRDFSM74LqvxL1aepI8Alwtxsclo7ApPoTgjHlGZtdtZs0gG9aIO37JhVzx7WWunLYKAALcUjEMFuR1FoXomoi2QgYja8oaiginUeVrbD_c_mPWXnLeMkc/s320/botan_01_sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Unlike the scientists of the past, wonder | wander | women aren't as attached to the scientific accuracy of the drawing, although we are invested in as much visual accuracy as possible. We want to capture the transient beauty of flowers and plants in permanent ink and lightfast watercolour.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJT2PdTwOwmidHzD-_Q2LG5bmu0F1Xi1vvGroOlLTu3a2Hh_lUJqvcdWWFYetEN8FSLeJgHRGOfhLYvZauo7T8JOJt09c0hnZcQOn_iWmuYFjkvzBGHtBWBnQwaMTUB3GXgE7oQPMl6XDgIUpmowdPBHke5BKBtU_bpaRQyFSECmlrhnyHdccMEZTBMg/s1284/botan_02_sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJT2PdTwOwmidHzD-_Q2LG5bmu0F1Xi1vvGroOlLTu3a2Hh_lUJqvcdWWFYetEN8FSLeJgHRGOfhLYvZauo7T8JOJt09c0hnZcQOn_iWmuYFjkvzBGHtBWBnQwaMTUB3GXgE7oQPMl6XDgIUpmowdPBHke5BKBtU_bpaRQyFSECmlrhnyHdccMEZTBMg/s320/botan_02_sketch.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div>As much as we love taking pictures of gardens and flowers, there's a special joy in capturing them in this slow, focused way. We don't have gardens of our own but find fulfilment in painting flowers too troublesome to raise.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWy3Gc6KgBo-CGMBesblSpyGs4eEiJbqDgompa4UIgDpt47xhcyx-dN7hLu9elnMKims4lhMxvGau21fO179UBl8C3NzFNaSVnaLGV7Jr2E552zAl6fkQh7CmZcb25KKjukxLAMTTQ0-RmE25ubQ4rPnw9HWQt895TWY_gNnQm_m0Y2EzLtur1KVLPwU/s1284/botan_02_col1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWy3Gc6KgBo-CGMBesblSpyGs4eEiJbqDgompa4UIgDpt47xhcyx-dN7hLu9elnMKims4lhMxvGau21fO179UBl8C3NzFNaSVnaLGV7Jr2E552zAl6fkQh7CmZcb25KKjukxLAMTTQ0-RmE25ubQ4rPnw9HWQt895TWY_gNnQm_m0Y2EzLtur1KVLPwU/s320/botan_02_col1.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of digging, planting and grafting, we choose the instant (well, not so instant) gratification of recreating the specific bloom that caught our attention. We can "grow" a beautiful rose without the uncertainty of cultivating a garden through difficult seasons.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1-I_VGCI9PYvKrWIbb6oPsM9J78LBXUzSR_w0aylqfgDYBObo4AA7N7gU0Ip-zbgO5g9ELJAPo6BRAGHC6iAKSF7ITNWttLMSD6w6oOdlJreaNtcPUKkluOg95M-OXxWvOBcZzCloPEaeGNguUusJnt1v3i7evBiXb_yRCQZ-fy0YHnUBPKkQQXBXoo/s1284/botan_02_col2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1-I_VGCI9PYvKrWIbb6oPsM9J78LBXUzSR_w0aylqfgDYBObo4AA7N7gU0Ip-zbgO5g9ELJAPo6BRAGHC6iAKSF7ITNWttLMSD6w6oOdlJreaNtcPUKkluOg95M-OXxWvOBcZzCloPEaeGNguUusJnt1v3i7evBiXb_yRCQZ-fy0YHnUBPKkQQXBXoo/s320/botan_02_col2.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div>In botanical illustration, precision is key. The best illustrators work from physical specimens and look at the plant from all angles as well as take photos so they can capture the true colours of the plant when it's fresh. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cf2htUMrBCHXDx3BInMFpHH6zeDe1v6C5VqjCH-os3NgGeQI58MFVRd9OqET6zHF2sgK4s7Nj1tElGXZSp60ITzWMVKJ1Cq30qkkKbLEZif54-PqZ2EDUrpW6Z_6fIgJ14dZNGBTpILUqYmwR4fF8aBMP9JDW5Jd1lm5tMnuGjtWMm81RjnFf0JaYD8/s1366/botan_03_sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="654" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cf2htUMrBCHXDx3BInMFpHH6zeDe1v6C5VqjCH-os3NgGeQI58MFVRd9OqET6zHF2sgK4s7Nj1tElGXZSp60ITzWMVKJ1Cq30qkkKbLEZif54-PqZ2EDUrpW6Z_6fIgJ14dZNGBTpILUqYmwR4fF8aBMP9JDW5Jd1lm5tMnuGjtWMm81RjnFf0JaYD8/s320/botan_03_sketch.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The drawing is laid down with very fine lines, often in pencil and no ink, and very thin, transparent layers of watercolour, which have to dry before the next layer is painted on top of it. This painting technique is called <a href="https://www.louisedemasi.com/tips/2023/6/28/how-to-do-the-watercolour-glazing-technique" target="_blank">glazing</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsq369yDeVS17Pa3MvilVwFDINSRqdenKbe9-ORRPr8efHYhR8Mn0iDoifb9z-n2JvpGmC5Q4uefl380SSqJoP5-8TqDFT1hOOf2haDM7IIDz-V_OLmwQVkqEwbPA5Kfe6Iuvn1pPaLDpjtwgVq0qvMdoVomsKsaqrV5BPLc0-TedqxEepUHQpgZY7ko/s1366/botan_03_col1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsq369yDeVS17Pa3MvilVwFDINSRqdenKbe9-ORRPr8efHYhR8Mn0iDoifb9z-n2JvpGmC5Q4uefl380SSqJoP5-8TqDFT1hOOf2haDM7IIDz-V_OLmwQVkqEwbPA5Kfe6Iuvn1pPaLDpjtwgVq0qvMdoVomsKsaqrV5BPLc0-TedqxEepUHQpgZY7ko/w191-h400/botan_03_col1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Glazing builds up the brightness in the colours while maintaining the transparency and luminosity that imitates flower petals. It can be used to create the various textures and light effects that we see in real plants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2u9p1HZIq_Vn0ECY1b_yggsJAwzkgt4G2GAxqAgV5m_1XSrWgzzFcVFnMc6WNRw8nhnM2glXc-yP8LPmMXuoF2orojsmvPRvPgidEs1jxvS0So4Pb_hr9bfAllThSruK9_sU46kffbPElD75tx9M8cZgWe_JdnjWJ2lN6IKSukVjlfO0R7InVZpLoyg/s1366/botan_03_col2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2u9p1HZIq_Vn0ECY1b_yggsJAwzkgt4G2GAxqAgV5m_1XSrWgzzFcVFnMc6WNRw8nhnM2glXc-yP8LPmMXuoF2orojsmvPRvPgidEs1jxvS0So4Pb_hr9bfAllThSruK9_sU46kffbPElD75tx9M8cZgWe_JdnjWJ2lN6IKSukVjlfO0R7InVZpLoyg/w191-h400/botan_03_col2.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It's techniques like these that we strive to master - not to perfectly copy nature, but to reveal what we love most about it, and to save that feeling of inspiration we felt when we first saw the flower. Even the mistakes and imperfections are fun to discover, and each painting is a new lesson - one we're never tired of learning.</div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-16734826252994163162024-01-20T04:48:00.002-05:002024-01-27T05:12:06.775-05:00rune magic <p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The <a href="https://www.omniglot.com/writing/runic.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">runic alphabet</a> - </span><span style="background-color: white;">similar to hieroglyphics, pictographs, and even the Native American petroglyphs - </span><span style="background-color: white;">represent specific elements, animals, or gods. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Runes</a> had </span>specialized purposes and <span style="background-color: white;">were used to write </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_languages" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Germanic languages">Germanic languages</a><span style="background-color: white;"> before </span><span style="background-color: white;">the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_alphabet" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Latin alphabet">Latin alphabet</a> was <span style="background-color: white;">adopted</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><span style="background-color: white;">A </span><span style="background-color: white;">rune</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_(alphabet)" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Letter (alphabet)">letter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> in a set of related </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphabet" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Alphabet">alphabets</a><span style="background-color: white;"> known as </span><span style="background-color: white;">runic alphabets</span><span style="background-color: white;"> native to the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_peoples" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Germanic peoples">Germanic peoples</a><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_98yVWgURlHLQuV6x0kOJnFPjLzYjWeRiBGevMi0NapH0FuOxnKbCqQm57IZxKVvH8DOm0Tov13_BvDRbeoXPNhLRozi1XP_vm_Ct41GeywxdDlglpzFuYmOn-16C5hG1J-zXqte7t2gQEdKWD2aAr8-LglshpRMbkrc4roZ10yfg__bjPG7H46wzy5I/s2475/0127%2001.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_98yVWgURlHLQuV6x0kOJnFPjLzYjWeRiBGevMi0NapH0FuOxnKbCqQm57IZxKVvH8DOm0Tov13_BvDRbeoXPNhLRozi1XP_vm_Ct41GeywxdDlglpzFuYmOn-16C5hG1J-zXqte7t2gQEdKWD2aAr8-LglshpRMbkrc4roZ10yfg__bjPG7H46wzy5I/w242-h400/0127%2001.png" width="242" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>our personal set of runes made out of horn</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span>Little is known about the origins of the runic alphabet - traditionally known as <em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">futhark</a></em><span style="background-color: white;"> after the first six letters. </span><span _msthash="0" _msttexthash="6814249" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Runes are used by ancients for many purposes - with different interpretations and dynamics over time. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.048px; text-align: center;">Runes consist of 24 Nordic letters.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.048px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Old sagas record evidence that runic inscriptions hold magical powers. Runes are believed to predict the future, protect a person against misfortune, imbue objects with different qualities. They can be employed for conjurations, curses, hexes, and spells. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.048px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbR23NAOAwrdwozkRLo5qLKhuFqla6sAhunws-lUuZa5D0lE1Vm9viFTboyXgO59gYzB4ofE4RJP03W5k6czM4TjHhgV-fUjCGhDJ0UWogLOIYY5Pmjp3RocQipvanlpRRyJeow4mjJYbI85xnzPUSyhLtS5T2RNLZGlWrhpXgbVJVDc9frAQDJgweBHg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1685" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbR23NAOAwrdwozkRLo5qLKhuFqla6sAhunws-lUuZa5D0lE1Vm9viFTboyXgO59gYzB4ofE4RJP03W5k6czM4TjHhgV-fUjCGhDJ0UWogLOIYY5Pmjp3RocQipvanlpRRyJeow4mjJYbI85xnzPUSyhLtS5T2RNLZGlWrhpXgbVJVDc9frAQDJgweBHg=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #8b8b81; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Runic writing on from <a href="https://www.orkneyology.com/maeshowe.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maes Howe</a> burial mount on Orkney</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><p></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Generally, runes are a form of an ancient oracle that is used by people for seeking advice. They were first recorded in Germanic and Nordic tribes - the inscription on them usually Anglo Saxon. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">There is no standardized <a href="https://www.omniglot.com/writing/runic.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">runic alphabet</a> - variations have increased since 700 CE when a divergence can be noted. From the previous fairly uniform <i>Elder Futhark</i> to the reduced-character <i>Younger Futhark</i> in Scandinavia. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQW1SKosWGr520JdUw4j72hryu6tB_u5J2vPS7B7JIreKcGPCzB3_ht8tDGktbmeB-FqbcKwklHkoIQVrLNh_xc1032I6dNGvNgkgbAW4CbsnRcTFDHWao4XPHu6aVSpeJQokXRgapRofUQoqBm6BPBYepBWPVKWRzJ72R-rbMDTJw4HNumSl7cH2orGc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQW1SKosWGr520JdUw4j72hryu6tB_u5J2vPS7B7JIreKcGPCzB3_ht8tDGktbmeB-FqbcKwklHkoIQVrLNh_xc1032I6dNGvNgkgbAW4CbsnRcTFDHWao4XPHu6aVSpeJQokXRgapRofUQoqBm6BPBYepBWPVKWRzJ72R-rbMDTJw4HNumSl7cH2orGc=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/runes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rök Runestone</a> in Sweden</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span>This later developed into </span><i>Medieval Futhork</i><span> which evolved into the more elaborate </span><i>Anglo-Saxon Futhorc</i><span> across Britain and Frisia.</span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-afd61896-7fff-6734-d918-31471f0a177a" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Rune meanings can differ in many ways. Knowledge of these magic runes and what are they used for do offer a deeper look into their origins and application. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSF-1iHXH46DEn9Gn_-2rJVYegFEJl5wbNIy8dCIOOw63L92fWWbFLJ3MmJ62qPjw6P8NpE0w_NgVFWs8-9q-w0nnQZa9diVN6kofDqIcn8uUUisnNuHioiDclKeN_MBxVOrwfFRtaQ75OGqjuGDKIQ_dQSeqyjh3PTd8NOBNLcN5e7ueqEBgT8cVF4j4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1000" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSF-1iHXH46DEn9Gn_-2rJVYegFEJl5wbNIy8dCIOOw63L92fWWbFLJ3MmJ62qPjw6P8NpE0w_NgVFWs8-9q-w0nnQZa9diVN6kofDqIcn8uUUisnNuHioiDclKeN_MBxVOrwfFRtaQ75OGqjuGDKIQ_dQSeqyjh3PTd8NOBNLcN5e7ueqEBgT8cVF4j4=w400-h323" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8938/vimose-comb/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vimose Comb</a>, found in Denmark</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br />Rune meanings are subjective and often interpreted in different ways depending on the reader. Each rune contains three aspects: </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The symbol itself - what the shape represents. </span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The name and what the word means - along with its letter value and sound. </span></li><li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The energy and spirit embodied by the rune.</span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizBTYm9hBEDVcVSPhLkAV6z4NyOJ_N8lhDcUMD0iOlN2bclcCBvTdcV3h8Bf2WfrDy0qMnXlS3HwELJI_WsRflfAHhBCOvOywWYs6188VCUD5b8Mb5Lr_6k6m3wMk2PZpl1_xStjSr4uzVUf065o0C7ZO1-jenOqxCrbA-M5zKiacjE0I27AG7HNDGW8o" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="775" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizBTYm9hBEDVcVSPhLkAV6z4NyOJ_N8lhDcUMD0iOlN2bclcCBvTdcV3h8Bf2WfrDy0qMnXlS3HwELJI_WsRflfAHhBCOvOywWYs6188VCUD5b8Mb5Lr_6k6m3wMk2PZpl1_xStjSr4uzVUf065o0C7ZO1-jenOqxCrbA-M5zKiacjE0I27AG7HNDGW8o=w273-h400" width="273" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">AM 28 8vo, known as </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes#/media/File:CodexRunicus.jpeg" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; text-align: start;" target="_blank">Codex Runicus</a></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; letter-spacing: -0.048px; text-align: center;"> have loved our runes from early on. They have been a consistent and formative helping and healing tool in our lives. We value and appreciate the clarity and direction they render. </span></span></div><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.048px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Try meditating on a rune and reading into each what it means to you. Pick one for each day, week, or month to see what unfolds. Have fun and enjoy what this can bring. </span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-17272359948777215382024-01-16T12:45:00.001-05:002024-01-16T12:45:50.613-05:00Islamic geometry: the construction of beauty<div style="text-align: left;">In our post about <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2022/05/sacred-geometry.html" target="_blank">Islamic geometry</a>, wonder | wander | women attended <a href="https://www.samiramian.uk" target="_blank">Samira Mian</a>'s class on drawing patterns from the palaces of Agra and the Alhambra. It's been a while but we haven't lost our love for those beautiful combinations of art, spiritualism and science.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygXld1ZYNQHv964iP-okfAKXBq02aLjljraLTeZiIyoTu-nvG1p29tI2Rf2izoru2f8-cwrYtlFDaBpTNUEJaGQ2TBIPtr2BUmDb_lUBUo4VZ5WsQmVuaTfxGDsPN4-vlgtWsfs1quS1UC1VxbWFt9XH2emyCUCcp6i8tZBFrtFiTB9wRYmFJAhxV-OY/s1386/star-4_0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1386" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygXld1ZYNQHv964iP-okfAKXBq02aLjljraLTeZiIyoTu-nvG1p29tI2Rf2izoru2f8-cwrYtlFDaBpTNUEJaGQ2TBIPtr2BUmDb_lUBUo4VZ5WsQmVuaTfxGDsPN4-vlgtWsfs1quS1UC1VxbWFt9XH2emyCUCcp6i8tZBFrtFiTB9wRYmFJAhxV-OY/s320/star-4_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the months since then we've returned over and over to the work that we did, contemplating the methods and lines of Islamic patterns: the traditions of different countries, the under-and-over weave, and the mathematical symmetry that makes up the construction of beauty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjcmMof92E8ggHmYOsIgl3mSYZZvziY9z42kjKItmy7ckyRJefiMBCuxA02dMvbinmSrCSlGCpHHjv7lBVr24z2PLmQiXHHyjFToS6dooyPYFhVRHI3GUuX_XZUMU9j4QC8Yx1P3-nkHUsymrTqDqdcSREHiYCZIzA-Mu6dfiGPuEpfP9MvgICVEzTow/s995/star-1_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="995" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjcmMof92E8ggHmYOsIgl3mSYZZvziY9z42kjKItmy7ckyRJefiMBCuxA02dMvbinmSrCSlGCpHHjv7lBVr24z2PLmQiXHHyjFToS6dooyPYFhVRHI3GUuX_XZUMU9j4QC8Yx1P3-nkHUsymrTqDqdcSREHiYCZIzA-Mu6dfiGPuEpfP9MvgICVEzTow/s320/star-1_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The math is so precise in fact, that I made a mistake with my first pattern and omitted one row - and a whole different pattern appeared instead of the regular row of hexagons we expected.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwNtepA4hVKUFmtaHrBAPtRIxiwXZvf2AKfovAwveWVSLGvYCTv51I0seQpA5sKlY53Gggg9M5zdUCrNaGEMyLxSOTN6VLM2lgGsZO0JWxZl-7ZntprjxBxIrRNOxdTtjyI78nlknG89AWy_DeCb_3OZQtLXutQVKSTtmfNnJ7zYZxnT9aoFNQYBQ4sI/s521/star-3_0001cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="521" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwNtepA4hVKUFmtaHrBAPtRIxiwXZvf2AKfovAwveWVSLGvYCTv51I0seQpA5sKlY53Gggg9M5zdUCrNaGEMyLxSOTN6VLM2lgGsZO0JWxZl-7ZntprjxBxIrRNOxdTtjyI78nlknG89AWy_DeCb_3OZQtLXutQVKSTtmfNnJ7zYZxnT9aoFNQYBQ4sI/s320/star-3_0001cut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After the workshops I followed Samira on Instagram, and she writes about how Islamic design incorporates ancient geometric concepts like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrature_of_the_Parabola" target="_blank">Archimedes' Triangle</a>. A single pattern is made of several of these triangles in different sizes forming a balance.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQcIEJTy_q2Qk34GxVy6QbKhRhOdJyojDY7ANCrZjt_zeHYy1HEqEsK04OMEmQRB5srj3CM5SuEk4QbqnTfuN1XkbJ6EUnSPn4ysdyPpmfy3cG0daQ9-BlxLrGBe2AufqK4GtUBivimYRBuIACqg-HUQITED3O7qs0JVoLYZ6gCdPBOhBdIBRSTTamho/s529/image06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQcIEJTy_q2Qk34GxVy6QbKhRhOdJyojDY7ANCrZjt_zeHYy1HEqEsK04OMEmQRB5srj3CM5SuEk4QbqnTfuN1XkbJ6EUnSPn4ysdyPpmfy3cG0daQ9-BlxLrGBe2AufqK4GtUBivimYRBuIACqg-HUQITED3O7qs0JVoLYZ6gCdPBOhBdIBRSTTamho/s320/image06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The <a href="https://www.desmos.com/calculator/fy6zoierjn" target="_blank">eight-fold rosette</a> is a simple-looking pattern with a surprising amount of math and engineering behind it, so it can be duplicated, enlarged and tiled endlessly. The mathematical formulas behind it helped ancient artisans and their apprentices repeat the pattern without mistakes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEdT1ZBgX6YwYXXLsZLLfMoQZxKgJuRQDHHr5YaNctgEP_t0hdqHzYpks4h1_I_ZcMbOCJRSds6Njhg_kU3rH6n0z5jvJ9-_XyVSqCIWlljCU26H8pLzZ3GvTN6bbiU_WDpgb0Wyamfmn7sN3V__O46ZWdxxCmDGWAyalrG6v68g-fKiCQ_IJBh5-YxY/s529/image07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEdT1ZBgX6YwYXXLsZLLfMoQZxKgJuRQDHHr5YaNctgEP_t0hdqHzYpks4h1_I_ZcMbOCJRSds6Njhg_kU3rH6n0z5jvJ9-_XyVSqCIWlljCU26H8pLzZ3GvTN6bbiU_WDpgb0Wyamfmn7sN3V__O46ZWdxxCmDGWAyalrG6v68g-fKiCQ_IJBh5-YxY/s320/image07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rosettes have a basic structure but can be made into any sort of pattern: angular, elaborate, floral, or as clean as you like. Once you master construction, the possibilities are endless.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K28TIRFMP6BZFYNipMyMYdsxBTUeZjS0Hyxs-ilE17QqUb_8J8hqhwsnxqm5Q0jQEIr601xKWyzYphMlkJ7tPowacXVUOO5J7C03LD4baPlmlbxy_JBB4J4pdGvmVOfLPjkAqty5AJBKlR0qlQRs1jIuZwb_HPWNGqmo1gcOM4iZo7Alz3fhqF9EMP4/s584/star-8_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="584" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K28TIRFMP6BZFYNipMyMYdsxBTUeZjS0Hyxs-ilE17QqUb_8J8hqhwsnxqm5Q0jQEIr601xKWyzYphMlkJ7tPowacXVUOO5J7C03LD4baPlmlbxy_JBB4J4pdGvmVOfLPjkAqty5AJBKlR0qlQRs1jIuZwb_HPWNGqmo1gcOM4iZo7Alz3fhqF9EMP4/s320/star-8_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not being an ancient Islamic architect, I struggled a lot. Having such a hard time reminded me of geometry class in school, having to prove a triangle or polygon had equal sides or that an angle on one corner of a triangle was twice as acute as the angle on the opposite corner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDzeEdPsFA3qEtvvxAQT9-0DCdVaH5qrmY5FzcHYcdQ550tV_mkKOgo9Jj6LUKhi0JQN8nSaKtUD95Hu6U5c7PtdyuIr64NvW5AP5Ipim6CjfOhKwHl2wSCAiOSalCNrOCEM_GO116fZfRbwlpxlUzcc8d6WHZcw4SbTo9mwzz8AjcKLUJI-TTB7i7xg/s806/image04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="806" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDzeEdPsFA3qEtvvxAQT9-0DCdVaH5qrmY5FzcHYcdQ550tV_mkKOgo9Jj6LUKhi0JQN8nSaKtUD95Hu6U5c7PtdyuIr64NvW5AP5Ipim6CjfOhKwHl2wSCAiOSalCNrOCEM_GO116fZfRbwlpxlUzcc8d6WHZcw4SbTo9mwzz8AjcKLUJI-TTB7i7xg/s320/image04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Still, it's very satisfying to watch a pattern take shape from a forest of squares, circles and lines. If our math classes had given us the chance to make a little art as well, maybe my grades would have been better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1WPHHqXFjoLRd6ouInG5FROmhEag5wtJrpbVf-CAu-XsCMYYTFpvrbQ5BGP4tqpdJl9t_IH0TrwZ7vgoEJFVjiSFFosKDnkOg5O6cE66NZhaHuEipjzPZmeEok5H31qMe5_0wWbm5i3WPkFGGh7uyKIDgbEcDkqzXr22dpwfBNXMFgWalf-JFl0zu7c/s496/alhambra-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="496" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1WPHHqXFjoLRd6ouInG5FROmhEag5wtJrpbVf-CAu-XsCMYYTFpvrbQ5BGP4tqpdJl9t_IH0TrwZ7vgoEJFVjiSFFosKDnkOg5O6cE66NZhaHuEipjzPZmeEok5H31qMe5_0wWbm5i3WPkFGGh7uyKIDgbEcDkqzXr22dpwfBNXMFgWalf-JFl0zu7c/s320/alhambra-d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Because of my <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-art-of-mermay.html" target="_blank">Mermay</a> project, I chose a pattern from the Alhambra. The basic unit of this pattern is a quarter piece which can be rotated to create a full square tile.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZhp6tSLL1RM4smRVov4HsyCJydVBmc5NE8A1CKeBQuUe9IOpra6SkC76BHxHHHBDVB8_HdWgORtcVkI_tMbclqEyh23sKcokxVAhqmhmMUn1959GvqS8PVWJ2nIJhUWRQGoJ3qgRDMiWObgrQMbs2ih6db5KsC75ZnZEyKWZrcy45CKAAC9HEZ29z14/s706/image01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZhp6tSLL1RM4smRVov4HsyCJydVBmc5NE8A1CKeBQuUe9IOpra6SkC76BHxHHHBDVB8_HdWgORtcVkI_tMbclqEyh23sKcokxVAhqmhmMUn1959GvqS8PVWJ2nIJhUWRQGoJ3qgRDMiWObgrQMbs2ih6db5KsC75ZnZEyKWZrcy45CKAAC9HEZ29z14/s320/image01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Of course the construction is only the opening act to my favourite part: the painting! Despite its universal formulas, Islamic pattern is not the same everywhere: the designs of Morocco are not the same as those of the Hagia Sofia, the Mughal palaces or the kingdoms of Islamic Spain. They also have their distinctive colour schemes and combinations.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ab-9-LLIrrdjG8-hLbVjO9i1WYOHZLcDzCIPXJvHHD0KiuCK5XRTStPjBappEau5ODtR3-aLPBaKPUWoEepfZ_XcBTbj8JAuSoTRVdeah0NGwy2rj6P5ZxrtLrMaudXaQiiS27tj5fQHNIH9gDF3L1ew74iR-0nQYKZj3tUJyvvPif2H_qv7niP8nVA/s605/image05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ab-9-LLIrrdjG8-hLbVjO9i1WYOHZLcDzCIPXJvHHD0KiuCK5XRTStPjBappEau5ODtR3-aLPBaKPUWoEepfZ_XcBTbj8JAuSoTRVdeah0NGwy2rj6P5ZxrtLrMaudXaQiiS27tj5fQHNIH9gDF3L1ew74iR-0nQYKZj3tUJyvvPif2H_qv7niP8nVA/s320/image05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Strangely once I added some squares and filled in the colours, the pattern I ended up with struck me as a bit Native. To me it looked less like the patterns I had seen in the great palace in Granada and more tribal. Maybe my Filipino sensibilities had intervened.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVYOdA5esOlPjvHwMlEwXLn3Ksp3rTN8BH1yIwNYCD8_OrLERZm19HCprAMRgQm_ZFc570TMjcN5GLrqTkBMEkfs19Nldmox1ErFaCd0QuxRCJTQNWuj4-g78PVCXj35xDB01vgp5RGNHzoahMFTIDCF6KU9z_Aov8FBNM8NuzBekZm06wpZnm4yQ0-o/s605/image00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVYOdA5esOlPjvHwMlEwXLn3Ksp3rTN8BH1yIwNYCD8_OrLERZm19HCprAMRgQm_ZFc570TMjcN5GLrqTkBMEkfs19Nldmox1ErFaCd0QuxRCJTQNWuj4-g78PVCXj35xDB01vgp5RGNHzoahMFTIDCF6KU9z_Aov8FBNM8NuzBekZm06wpZnm4yQ0-o/s320/image00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It just goes to show that even when the process is as methodical, repetitive and carefully engineered as possible, there is still a wide range of expression and the capability for surprise. This is what makes Islamic art just as much an art as it is a science. Either way, it's a joy.</div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-91198864399272744182024-01-08T11:06:00.001-05:002024-01-08T13:51:52.839-05:00winter wonder <p><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> find peace and solace watching the changing light over the water as we sort and pack through more of <i>a few of our favorite things</i>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJzC_U3RIuOECKtM0k3RNHqabbbMS00IQ0cvmPs4_j8mHM-iXNhUMs51FTSxWdBh0HaILGk3MdPL1DMPkYnfp-pU8ZEJQiB2RBXz4sWD7UirXyeV13kTqPz9nPBihbAybyH4cfzbKVArHwzB7mofpiLK2M6f2_d6QMJDh5KiNDJfiP8EzowAUoOvUTuQA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1998" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJzC_U3RIuOECKtM0k3RNHqabbbMS00IQ0cvmPs4_j8mHM-iXNhUMs51FTSxWdBh0HaILGk3MdPL1DMPkYnfp-pU8ZEJQiB2RBXz4sWD7UirXyeV13kTqPz9nPBihbAybyH4cfzbKVArHwzB7mofpiLK2M6f2_d6QMJDh5KiNDJfiP8EzowAUoOvUTuQA=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>neighborhood winter foliage</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p>Preparing again to leave for an extended journey back to our island home is a complex mix of earnest excitement and worrisome weariness. </p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>If there's anything these past years of pandemic have taught us it's that you never know what's coming - or going for that matter. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjql-iImVl6XjozbEPl6i_zrGasy4mL0MovUWGOVeyxkafHllbm1_p8eFSn6bR_9b_jWNhcxpuxqiVcnqattJjH9jqC8QZtGb6JiP9LkpQWa0jPjKm-jJmH02s80_uQ155ZjkQwjz1x1JuJNlerp9yo5muYH9NUxhaSpOvWhShfWcF-dGHFxE1US4KWzPE/s4400/010824%2002.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="4400" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjql-iImVl6XjozbEPl6i_zrGasy4mL0MovUWGOVeyxkafHllbm1_p8eFSn6bR_9b_jWNhcxpuxqiVcnqattJjH9jqC8QZtGb6JiP9LkpQWa0jPjKm-jJmH02s80_uQ155ZjkQwjz1x1JuJNlerp9yo5muYH9NUxhaSpOvWhShfWcF-dGHFxE1US4KWzPE/w400-h229/010824%2002.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>morning moon, December 2023 - <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/search?q=edgewater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edgewater, New Jersey</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><p>Vistas and visions vulnerable. Plans and promises plundered. Outlook and outcomes outed. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d074222-7fff-a80d-21eb-80d9f3affbe2"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. </i></span></span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d074222-7fff-a80d-21eb-80d9f3affbe2"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. </i></span></span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1d074222-7fff-a80d-21eb-80d9f3affbe2"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day. ~ <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer_Maria_Rilke" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rainer Maria Rilke</a></b>, Letters to a Young Poet</i></span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AkbcarlFUiHnh_qX2YADey9sxayb0lnqTHxGNSTXomkj3aQ7kF_-3CbZen7hltDOkIgm8O7Abg1eOgIshD1oNqGwJcfDafMchcCOmvw57pLVXaS4MRH64nFRqLKrdfSzwsOvXDzJmiO1rCRLvTBt7Ocja73KQ61pAyqFki_rqNotFUgXg1rx1PPK0uo/s4396/010824%2003.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AkbcarlFUiHnh_qX2YADey9sxayb0lnqTHxGNSTXomkj3aQ7kF_-3CbZen7hltDOkIgm8O7Abg1eOgIshD1oNqGwJcfDafMchcCOmvw57pLVXaS4MRH64nFRqLKrdfSzwsOvXDzJmiO1rCRLvTBt7Ocja73KQ61pAyqFki_rqNotFUgXg1rx1PPK0uo/w400-h225/010824%2003.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>pastel haze at dusk, December 2023</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Indigenous beliefs embrace a holistic philosophy. An all-encompassing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4e;">concept that provides rules for living, a moral code, and guidance for interacting with the natural environment. Providing </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4e;">for a total, integrated way of life.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4e;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityBzQNhk2_mq-3NsWon4rGw_rOywKVtRwmWuy3KMAM2T6THBhgifnYA0It6oSlk1QLzntwDK3mUBz0En2Kb_OnX7LTFUy7_9P_DSiXGVeZxAqbxKw5V6jsmO55IVZXBBqaAf1CQoL8G4yjSvK5I6p9TjQtYTWg6oRIbbg3oTfVjCjBz8au2-1LHsJ280/s4396/010824%2004.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityBzQNhk2_mq-3NsWon4rGw_rOywKVtRwmWuy3KMAM2T6THBhgifnYA0It6oSlk1QLzntwDK3mUBz0En2Kb_OnX7LTFUy7_9P_DSiXGVeZxAqbxKw5V6jsmO55IVZXBBqaAf1CQoL8G4yjSvK5I6p9TjQtYTWg6oRIbbg3oTfVjCjBz8au2-1LHsJ280/w400-h225/010824%2004.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>end of 2023 winter storm</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />As a way of life grounded in the land itself, the practice incorporates creation and other land-based narratives, social processes including kinship regulations, morality and ethics. A complex concept informs people’s economic, cognitive, affective and spiritual lives. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3jv3FhEzw1U3tG_nvtyxC85igDOL6Ud62Kt2uhJavcGy3Yt4-eNegARBgFt0aBoAZ_z0PTKQbOiT4fZV6Zg9venoFPXHGWj5KR9swoT0oUMpW4yV1w5K8zG8TvdXoOXpFYYhAYWYdblTQN7b2KQDIRzS9HfxSJ3E63WuRcYMVBMplCPl78TTO7h-38/s4396/010824%2005.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3jv3FhEzw1U3tG_nvtyxC85igDOL6Ud62Kt2uhJavcGy3Yt4-eNegARBgFt0aBoAZ_z0PTKQbOiT4fZV6Zg9venoFPXHGWj5KR9swoT0oUMpW4yV1w5K8zG8TvdXoOXpFYYhAYWYdblTQN7b2KQDIRzS9HfxSJ3E63WuRcYMVBMplCPl78TTO7h-38/w400-h225/010824%2005.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">end of 2023 winter storm</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rather than </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">timeless</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">infinite</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> life is </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">everything, everywhere, all at once</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Past, present, and future are intimately interconnected and intertwined. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4b4e; font-family: inherit;">It is really detrimental to humanity that most of us </span><span style="color: #4b4b4e;">nowadays</span><span style="color: #4b4b4e; font-family: inherit;"> have lost this way of being. Let us pray we find our roots and origins, connect with them closely, and learn to collaborate with each other more. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4b4b4e; font-family: inherit;">Happy trails! </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvcZnmDqlbABoz7e_CtLoyVyWLdSM-3QNxSTXnupz5Lpy3FNCB4KGe370a2QdRM5R-0QTJXH5UCaljcDckYqSRlBj86yIHQ7TM_oPDTfDaG0MYeyt949Vhjqw1HcwjkvMXuMoVaMl9x0u64vzgIdKcw2SM2mm9uGnyAkX8qRjLsMm94ecRWIojYv4fA/s4842/010824%2006.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4842" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgvcZnmDqlbABoz7e_CtLoyVyWLdSM-3QNxSTXnupz5Lpy3FNCB4KGe370a2QdRM5R-0QTJXH5UCaljcDckYqSRlBj86yIHQ7TM_oPDTfDaG0MYeyt949Vhjqw1HcwjkvMXuMoVaMl9x0u64vzgIdKcw2SM2mm9uGnyAkX8qRjLsMm94ecRWIojYv4fA/w400-h205/010824%2006.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>starting 2024 in a blaze of glory</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><p></p></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-81812722986276397842023-12-31T14:33:00.005-05:002024-01-01T09:44:21.441-05:00El Anatsui at the Tate Modern<div style="text-align: left;">One of the most famous museums in the world, London's <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk" target="_blank">Tate Modern</a> was once a massive coal power plant that supplied power to the City of London and the Southbank. Since it was turned into a museum of modern art, the Tate Modern's impressive <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/turbine-hall" target="_blank">Turbine Hall</a> provides the perfect space for ambitious contemporary artists wanting to create monumental work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFtXlx2NCJxXLbL4j5CsIpp-0jRd1zIbbWNLVPQ_n7L6NaNcMMDDr5EOxFofHVt4etxqXrEBHDoK4BjlJY0kd-0DZfv1r1v9SZQbCM8tRB53AAT-Du2i0ibpODX8rFJY6nfUOJLdxamcPs9gicI_l-7YSMb_GVzTBzm4QAbdOwbQVuCEe35PMWT-yYzw/s1210/IMG_9375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFtXlx2NCJxXLbL4j5CsIpp-0jRd1zIbbWNLVPQ_n7L6NaNcMMDDr5EOxFofHVt4etxqXrEBHDoK4BjlJY0kd-0DZfv1r1v9SZQbCM8tRB53AAT-Du2i0ibpODX8rFJY6nfUOJLdxamcPs9gicI_l-7YSMb_GVzTBzm4QAbdOwbQVuCEe35PMWT-yYzw/s320/IMG_9375.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technicians installing El Anatsui's <i>The World</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sculptor <a href="https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/el-anatsui-hon-ra" target="_blank">El Anatsui</a> is one of those creators. A globally acclaimed artist who grew up in Ghana and has worked as department head and Professor of Sculpture at the University of Nigeria, El Anatsui makes gigantic installations from discarded bottle tops and other metal fragments.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWq0g7BoTKe4fJsj5uJYp-nehVYmfZiYwEWBimY_X-nSkLtih-goV056WKYLR0RI5Sln6WI-zedlTNH0WbDOXaJTwScK6aYZ5exPC0f8LPbuanuBNgsVk0ZXc7mIYvwvZrgQi6icKO60ps5x1UnMJc5lZEQf4S7NiW45ohxmiIVU9zzDumTZfbUFRZdo/s1210/IMG_9735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWq0g7BoTKe4fJsj5uJYp-nehVYmfZiYwEWBimY_X-nSkLtih-goV056WKYLR0RI5Sln6WI-zedlTNH0WbDOXaJTwScK6aYZ5exPC0f8LPbuanuBNgsVk0ZXc7mIYvwvZrgQi6icKO60ps5x1UnMJc5lZEQf4S7NiW45ohxmiIVU9zzDumTZfbUFRZdo/s320/IMG_9735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">His newest work in the Turbine Hall is called <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/el-anatsui" target="_blank">Behind the Red Moon</a>. El Anatsui creates massive tapestries illustrating the history of colonialism, exploitation and the slave trade; the bottle tops are from goods which are still shipped around the world using some of the same trade routes that the galleons and slave ships used to steal the wealth and lives of colonised people.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F74n5lSMYPk" width="320" youtube-src-id="F74n5lSMYPk"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The bottle tops and metal fragments are stitched together with copper wire into giant sheets, and the sheets put together and hung up to cascade from a height, displaying the patchwork illustrations. The patterns can evoke a ship sailing on the sea, a piece of bloodstained cloth, patterned clothing similar to the traditional wraps of Ghana and Nigeria, or even the continents of the Earth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOEgcrcvqkZeLq_E8QamSs27oJU_gWZ82eY4Ot3Z2kB2re3eiDvUXtYHwvLxEAaVHh-sclW4lZO6uHqLcdwTavPzf4joYY9TZBupQ2eZlH9evEUFs4yo1ht40hVnzv6lg-y3SwIomfeuQhWRat1e0Ng6l50rI6NLpMJyTPsYeHkUS5_Z2xVa8ZfINDiQ/s1210/IMG_9745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOEgcrcvqkZeLq_E8QamSs27oJU_gWZ82eY4Ot3Z2kB2re3eiDvUXtYHwvLxEAaVHh-sclW4lZO6uHqLcdwTavPzf4joYY9TZBupQ2eZlH9evEUFs4yo1ht40hVnzv6lg-y3SwIomfeuQhWRat1e0Ng6l50rI6NLpMJyTPsYeHkUS5_Z2xVa8ZfINDiQ/s320/IMG_9745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Anatsui, <i>Act III: The Wall</i>, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Even when the material of El Anatsui's hangings drape along the floor instead of hanging from the ceiling, the installation is arranged in folds and ripples like waves coming up the shore, or the hem of a dress pooling at someone's feet. The metal pieces twinkle and shimmer, reminding us of the beauty and riches of these proud countries turned into commercial trade and everyday objects.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQop7IRud2vQ14n4lxAhc-tw0rZKSiF5F5F5irILs0Lkr2e3ESw-k_HibBqNaQX8RBWS7jzHMrktiLrUXXOsVHg0HCgSniGTfIs45X8jkItrSL66rny23Gs854C4YKR4iDuSSNii7NhqpeAR6leN9H9gUGoWUEMEXvgCnLA-s4M2ENuQtmkimCnqcjoUA/s1210/IMG_9732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQop7IRud2vQ14n4lxAhc-tw0rZKSiF5F5F5irILs0Lkr2e3ESw-k_HibBqNaQX8RBWS7jzHMrktiLrUXXOsVHg0HCgSniGTfIs45X8jkItrSL66rny23Gs854C4YKR4iDuSSNii7NhqpeAR6leN9H9gUGoWUEMEXvgCnLA-s4M2ENuQtmkimCnqcjoUA/s320/IMG_9732.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Anatsui, Act I: <i>The Red Moon</i>, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The first installation, <i><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/hyundai-commission-el-anatsui-behind-the-red-moon" target="_blank">Act I: The Red Moon</a></i>, resembles a massive billowing ship's sail with a giant red "blood moon" on one side. Sailors would use the moon and stars to guide them along the trade routes. Here the moon is depicted as if under eclipse, its face covered with the blood of innocents. <div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvc2sX_yvTUn9dPXEWjzfFtiRBmvQqbVN4xdtDrwuzat9d0RFP6SUCmjOQvXe-bZ-YVICe3mOx7F6C24jRpwWySU31aLZOSpHkgJY4iP4nUsk5oMLx_x5JvhoRcD9tD94EmZivEgTia-8JN-t60iMKhFx56QfTl4BP6pvnE3Oe-RBXTZzY8vX99O3kHA/s1210/IMG_9739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvc2sX_yvTUn9dPXEWjzfFtiRBmvQqbVN4xdtDrwuzat9d0RFP6SUCmjOQvXe-bZ-YVICe3mOx7F6C24jRpwWySU31aLZOSpHkgJY4iP4nUsk5oMLx_x5JvhoRcD9tD94EmZivEgTia-8JN-t60iMKhFx56QfTl4BP6pvnE3Oe-RBXTZzY8vX99O3kHA/s320/IMG_9739.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/hyundai-commission-el-anatsui-behind-the-red-moon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Act I: The Red Moon</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/hyundai-commission-el-anatsui-behind-the-red-moon" target="_blank">Act II: The World</a></i>,<br />seen from the mezzanine bridge in the Turbine Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The other side of the sail is a bright golden colour, the colour of the sun and of the riches the colonisers earned on the backs of the people they conquered. Anatsui's work makes it clear that as long as these riches are still held by colonisers, the crimes they committed are not left in the past.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJs7ksowQqSaPbKMRXWhYCWHzs0ufioIFmv9cIlhXywzuKlWtDA3K8VBOyS_m0mYxsvy3IFQlbci7CUU1W1s7gpinoHQu3vLnhv1fvxe34qewafWRt3MPDzDbuHaaIJ7y4JYly-sx-hLiKjzfz37Tyw0zBMOurYi0Pdz3Ze_yy9HADIFSlRLfFjJ73ZU/s1210/IMG_9741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJs7ksowQqSaPbKMRXWhYCWHzs0ufioIFmv9cIlhXywzuKlWtDA3K8VBOyS_m0mYxsvy3IFQlbci7CUU1W1s7gpinoHQu3vLnhv1fvxe34qewafWRt3MPDzDbuHaaIJ7y4JYly-sx-hLiKjzfz37Tyw0zBMOurYi0Pdz3Ze_yy9HADIFSlRLfFjJ73ZU/s320/IMG_9741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Act II: The World</i> (side view)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><i><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/hyundai-commission-el-anatsui-behind-the-red-moon" target="_blank">Act II: The World</a></i> is a series of dangling shapes made of mesh. More bottle top seals are woven into metallic, transparent silhouettes that resemble human figures. Walking around it one way, the figures seem to cluster together into a circle resembling a child's drawing of the Earth. Walking around it another way, the figures seem to separate and scatter, drifting far apart.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8edlhbOJO3iaOom5RP37xUVgLg1wDpE3znzSwPteWBvS8D53yORe_G7IqC3EwCSSOSLvkARuCyHo69AdbM7k9sVVbkWY7Jy2NhJpdvJlAUksNYMYH3lpIAs9nzWPF3DmAPQP6fJcf4eeWQ_wrbSrS9sCwZQ-8g4hJ7fm_MwtC8vain-QGxAK-Z_KFl6U/s1858/actIIworld.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="1239" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8edlhbOJO3iaOom5RP37xUVgLg1wDpE3znzSwPteWBvS8D53yORe_G7IqC3EwCSSOSLvkARuCyHo69AdbM7k9sVVbkWY7Jy2NhJpdvJlAUksNYMYH3lpIAs9nzWPF3DmAPQP6fJcf4eeWQ_wrbSrS9sCwZQ-8g4hJ7fm_MwtC8vain-QGxAK-Z_KFl6U/s320/actIIworld.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/el-anatsui/exhibition-guide" target="_blank"><i>Act II: The World</i>, 2023<br />photo courtesy of Tate Modern</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div></div><blockquote><div><i>I use multiple elements to talk about the world: not a world made up of just one culture, but a world shaped by all of us coming together.</i></div><div>El Anatsui</div></blockquote><div></div><div>The sculpture, its circular shape echoing the "blood moon" of Act I, looks like the Earth made out of people, breaking apart and coming together again. Anatsui has spoken of this as breaking apart but also reforming: cultures and civilisations were broken, but over centuries these fragmented people have been forging new lives and connections.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwvyeVZBt_Po3bHPGbrPO4LVPBUFVWH59OFCA2U9g81_yQhGigvJw2PMugyLVsvWkIh29OQHMOFfPMW_NeNCnm54jrPbOfp1EbPNNEZ1qhIGDHIWGvhHbgqTJ70EFavI6am8iF2TXVVETd8twx2aNQdakMeQO9_Q1CEd7aB7duLGwKDkH2aMmXYOUvOM/s1210/IMG_9734.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwvyeVZBt_Po3bHPGbrPO4LVPBUFVWH59OFCA2U9g81_yQhGigvJw2PMugyLVsvWkIh29OQHMOFfPMW_NeNCnm54jrPbOfp1EbPNNEZ1qhIGDHIWGvhHbgqTJ70EFavI6am8iF2TXVVETd8twx2aNQdakMeQO9_Q1CEd7aB7duLGwKDkH2aMmXYOUvOM/s320/IMG_9734.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/el-anatsui/exhibition-guide" target="_blank"><i>Act III: The Wall</i>, 2023</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Act III: The Wall is a glimmering black curtain that falls from the ceiling rafters to form deep puddling folds on the floor, with a mosaic-like depiction of a sailing ship travelling over the shimmering dark waves.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHmTuuN5PbBmsnwYCNart6bloL9QbAN3cEee0vdOGoZZ2c6hYt5fV-XUjPgW3WoElgNOYl5XEWPP6CLJ4Y11hEAa2ZR-QbzYZakMwCBoqH3HGNyzgPGvdftT9tRE6RKMf6FEqdppuaV2jyhWCAccUcZ0LdhZpudw3uh9pIzTAiigXs6D8T7zHxzlf9kU/s1210/IMG_9748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHmTuuN5PbBmsnwYCNart6bloL9QbAN3cEee0vdOGoZZ2c6hYt5fV-XUjPgW3WoElgNOYl5XEWPP6CLJ4Y11hEAa2ZR-QbzYZakMwCBoqH3HGNyzgPGvdftT9tRE6RKMf6FEqdppuaV2jyhWCAccUcZ0LdhZpudw3uh9pIzTAiigXs6D8T7zHxzlf9kU/s320/IMG_9748.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>In contrast with the black metal scales of its surroundings, the "ship" glimmers with gold and jewel-like colours, implying the wealth carried by Spanish galleons and English merchant ships in the "great" Age of Colonization. Like the other installations, The Wall invites viewers to walk all around it, examining the tiny bottle lids and foils that construct it as well as its giant mural and rich patterns.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEv7C3iUg9gcbazCGq2Jo0lq6x3VE1GvgjrFd5ILwf2oB95DfjIStJWfCZIX0HF_5cvJlu5PgKn7DrZ-ymHLshvn5lcue2QZhDhelbchjs1D7YaPXnSJGvRUjQMkAWWp91EALBVUs8M17RVNLUMDoJJSV6Q9Oa0EOltuE4f1YuGvE4pkW_cbMGwFQqtI8/s1210/IMG_9746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEv7C3iUg9gcbazCGq2Jo0lq6x3VE1GvgjrFd5ILwf2oB95DfjIStJWfCZIX0HF_5cvJlu5PgKn7DrZ-ymHLshvn5lcue2QZhDhelbchjs1D7YaPXnSJGvRUjQMkAWWp91EALBVUs8M17RVNLUMDoJJSV6Q9Oa0EOltuE4f1YuGvE4pkW_cbMGwFQqtI8/s320/IMG_9746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This installation specifically tells the ancient story of the earthen wall of Notsie (present-day Togo). Built by King Agokoli to confine and oppress his subjects, a revolutionary uprising by the Ewe people led to the wall’s destruction and the Ewe’s escape. The tapestry symbolises both earthen wall and diaspora ship, landing on foreign shores. Anatsui's use of the colour black, says the <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/el-anatsui/exhibition-guide" target="_blank">Tate website</a>, "refers to the continent of Africa and its global diaspora, charged with the potential of homecoming and return."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBuWuU_ampj1sE1xO7aqffOzyn-hxKHYeDdYeo4b4KyJjMXfyHwmxf-4DskyB9hUPGLkCdKUDJZrf-xzITTCgTVOQDoHl8uLjdDas9G-utgRTdoDjx2eDO2KO_-1OJ21zCDYyVksaET8aaessvQ_ZyCFyGfCgg02U6gxgafp8dd1Do-mth4GDKOReOWk/s1210/IMG_9733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBuWuU_ampj1sE1xO7aqffOzyn-hxKHYeDdYeo4b4KyJjMXfyHwmxf-4DskyB9hUPGLkCdKUDJZrf-xzITTCgTVOQDoHl8uLjdDas9G-utgRTdoDjx2eDO2KO_-1OJ21zCDYyVksaET8aaessvQ_ZyCFyGfCgg02U6gxgafp8dd1Do-mth4GDKOReOWk/s320/IMG_9733.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>His work is massive, moving and a vivid reminder not just of the atrocities committed against African peoples, but also of the imagination, capability and sense for beauty of contemporary African artists - not only the equal of European or American modern artists, but with a passion and drive uniquely their own.</div></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-13743700900971348082023-12-18T12:09:00.023-05:002023-12-21T11:48:55.666-05:00midwinter vigil<p><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yule</a> is a twelve-day festival beginning December 20th - <i>Mother’s Night</i>, when the celebration of Yule officially starts. </span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This is the day known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C5%8Ddraniht" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mōdraniht</a> in Old English, and <i>Mother’s Night</i> in modern - we honor and offer thanks to our female ancestors, those who watch over our families and help us in times of need.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJNnC_19cbEGZP4_gKNyzwWTeXrhyphenhypheng8GfgfGy9jeBsD_uHY6diB3rU8_A3Enk0yTFNCfx2ou9nBdfxWGPZy5lWbcT8lBvnXZAGdRqmVFqqdT4rluFLiqqQtDsMdevx_VE-gqhvi85lN6onqsdqeZ6jVRQGDnJV3UPrFVT0y43P6XR-XJC6RK9pp8ZRi4/s4396/yule%2006.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJNnC_19cbEGZP4_gKNyzwWTeXrhyphenhypheng8GfgfGy9jeBsD_uHY6diB3rU8_A3Enk0yTFNCfx2ou9nBdfxWGPZy5lWbcT8lBvnXZAGdRqmVFqqdT4rluFLiqqQtDsMdevx_VE-gqhvi85lN6onqsdqeZ6jVRQGDnJV3UPrFVT0y43P6XR-XJC6RK9pp8ZRi4/w400-h225/yule%2006.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Edgewater, New Jersey, 20 December 2023</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; white-space-collapse: collapse;">The winter solstice is often seen as the pivot on which the year rotates, the shortest day followed by the longest night after which the days grow longer again. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">The solstice is a pause at the darkest part of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">year. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The power of incubation and Gaia’s darkness are gratefully honored at this festival as the Sun returns. </span></span></div></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #444444;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>The sun is now holding its place in the sky. Daylight is neither diminishing nor brightening. Things are at a stand-still, as though the world were poised for the change that is coming. <span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; white-space-collapse: collapse;">For the ancients who lived in the absence of clock time </span></span>this was a tremendously sacred time. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWROlnm7AHs94-9WThkTzeXzkHTs_PJPCrr1pb3bWB9E1nafocXY1jYcv4ynYP5WIiIVB4udB4I04FHxPgODtyiJLotvU7pwGfV8Kekvd1Vpae4SC6RUOWkDWZltaHq-5NPiuYwwXsk-p4oh31lFl4xNta4z8mzujHSjufm0t-kA1ANo1jP1IiXAVIQE/s4396/yule%2003.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWROlnm7AHs94-9WThkTzeXzkHTs_PJPCrr1pb3bWB9E1nafocXY1jYcv4ynYP5WIiIVB4udB4I04FHxPgODtyiJLotvU7pwGfV8Kekvd1Vpae4SC6RUOWkDWZltaHq-5NPiuYwwXsk-p4oh31lFl4xNta4z8mzujHSjufm0t-kA1ANo1jP1IiXAVIQE/w400-h225/yule%2003.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>George Washington Bridge against a wintry NYC sky</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The planet continues its annual rotation - day continues to follow night. Yet something deep is occurring to our planet. It has reached a significant pivot point in the annual cycle. Opposite to its parallel summer location, the earth now holds still. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmAGkYZWwMBT2hBj3G6E4QmAeUlUUOaOPEA9RlEviLkdy7Peyc8axNU-TK9hkW9VQJIjTt1x2T2johcYNZzoYXjk7pod9umBQ8YtGDH11hffMJAfN5whjoa7WvsrDs3OJazDje7ckhNpK15ODOsx-qW-tLBLAJBOqhM3QmNBlPOyO9oov8JApBJWfBVY/s4396/yule%2002.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmAGkYZWwMBT2hBj3G6E4QmAeUlUUOaOPEA9RlEviLkdy7Peyc8axNU-TK9hkW9VQJIjTt1x2T2johcYNZzoYXjk7pod9umBQ8YtGDH11hffMJAfN5whjoa7WvsrDs3OJazDje7ckhNpK15ODOsx-qW-tLBLAJBOqhM3QmNBlPOyO9oov8JApBJWfBVY/w400-h225/yule%2002.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>early morning meditative light</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Our ancestors observed that the sun stood still in the sky for several days - rising and setting at its southernmost position. This original meaning is revealed in the Latin etymology of the word solstice -</span><em style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">sol stit</em><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: collapse;">. In the unnerving depths of winter’s dark the sun stands still. </span></span></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z9V2sKPdwI0MOfrfFG6B9kKfZwVYqfglo4jjDy1FcR2uFZuYWuUEWN3nfCMjNgi6kiasRXe2_5cdllubD63uSXVe7ukMCQVB8UgEZeihDmxm7IfbCAW5gEInHqjZiGWvqjCg_GZmQu7hA88Mbfv0LuiG_TMGStFGVOD3CNQA5YUunJbWtz3dHhnbPxw/s2475/yule%2001.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1392" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z9V2sKPdwI0MOfrfFG6B9kKfZwVYqfglo4jjDy1FcR2uFZuYWuUEWN3nfCMjNgi6kiasRXe2_5cdllubD63uSXVe7ukMCQVB8UgEZeihDmxm7IfbCAW5gEInHqjZiGWvqjCg_GZmQu7hA88Mbfv0LuiG_TMGStFGVOD3CNQA5YUunJbWtz3dHhnbPxw/w225-h400/yule%2001.png" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>golden harvest front entrance arrangement</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; white-space-collapse: collapse;">In <i><a href="https://katherinemay.substack.com/p/keeping-the-long-midwinter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Clearing</a></i> by Katherine May she suggests </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">it is possible to restore our connection to the pause in the year. That to do this we need to return to an older understanding of this moment. It is not a build-up to a single day followed by a season of atonement, but instead a time between times - this season within </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a season. </span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtgJndU8jZv5HFf3G5glc3TPkLyCF4LTRPFiUd9KNrpP4ZE2-k9GYnzJQxpBq53ZoaH4byvkrZge8KadSg68mO0b4tzav-jqtQ-Tf6kQLBW_LArajEHDqLkanUTkJIINLaPnfWhp64gMaulAXDk7Ko8eSi32dsVdUwbw_lTwh_47gTKhtRV7vN_33rx8/s2475/yule%2005.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1408" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtgJndU8jZv5HFf3G5glc3TPkLyCF4LTRPFiUd9KNrpP4ZE2-k9GYnzJQxpBq53ZoaH4byvkrZge8KadSg68mO0b4tzav-jqtQ-Tf6kQLBW_LArajEHDqLkanUTkJIINLaPnfWhp64gMaulAXDk7Ko8eSi32dsVdUwbw_lTwh_47gTKhtRV7vN_33rx8/w228-h400/yule%2005.png" width="228" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>12 year old lush indoor fig tree</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is Yule, the Northern European winter festival that pre-dated Christianity - the Twelve Days of Christmas, the Slavic Koliada, the Celtic Omen Days. What if we approach Midwinter as a process, not an event? Clearing space for it - </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">making it experiential - to be lived? Then </span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">we allow ourselves to be changed by it. </span></span></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ab4f173b-7fff-7c10-edfe-6f6d16613aa8" style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApnmlfX-_21VFIcFFEcNnzPAnAKRZgsldgOif2Ykrq1DcxQZXNksyCZFPMNGJE4nxG7-Zg5mMC49QM8_AxZUUKxThQAX7F4aEmYOuzpCJk8qaveItVj38fB6lGKyLBtza98VZ1jNfKU2LBBoqIVG93iHh3X09sBCMEbdlA8qt-Cd7PuDsFr4-Bx9ppqM/s2475/yule%2007.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1737" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApnmlfX-_21VFIcFFEcNnzPAnAKRZgsldgOif2Ykrq1DcxQZXNksyCZFPMNGJE4nxG7-Zg5mMC49QM8_AxZUUKxThQAX7F4aEmYOuzpCJk8qaveItVj38fB6lGKyLBtza98VZ1jNfKU2LBBoqIVG93iHh3X09sBCMEbdlA8qt-Cd7PuDsFr4-Bx9ppqM/w281-h400/yule%2007.png" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>quartz crystal bowls out in the sunshine</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h1 may="" s="" span="" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;" suggestions=""></h1><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/245283748932097926/1374370090097134808#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">May's five suggestions</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> for keeping the long midwinter.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline;"><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><i>Celebrate the hibernal solstice. </i>As the sun rests we
give thanks and find calm in this moment of transition into another state.<b><o:p></o:p></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><i>Remember your ancestors. </i>Remember and honor those who
have gone ahead and paved our way.<b><o:p></o:p></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><i>Bring in the green. </i>Evergreens are not mere decor,
they freshen and drive away the dark by bringing in the divine and ever
growing. <b><o:p></o:p></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><i>Turn the tables. </i>Remember to give to the children,
allow them to lead and show us what they can do. <b><o:p></o:p></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><i>Stretch the feast. </i>Balance the feasting across the
holidays instead of cramming it all in a day.</li></ol></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzkJj9c6Ak86mlvixZkZ7GFTUrBrI6AoBPFd3HZB7BiweoDvnhyd1geSuo8VpjL0YqkSBVrrdQDTn6u0j18AlchD4exc3MJsdfB00Bo-yfqQbfofIt2eT92cxIx30iuLy0Q-AcI_e8wslGM7BlcdJVA0XvPXjyqMZk9N19noIoKEXAlET5aYZksu7TU0/w400-h225/yule%2004.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>river reflections at high tide</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzkJj9c6Ak86mlvixZkZ7GFTUrBrI6AoBPFd3HZB7BiweoDvnhyd1geSuo8VpjL0YqkSBVrrdQDTn6u0j18AlchD4exc3MJsdfB00Bo-yfqQbfofIt2eT92cxIx30iuLy0Q-AcI_e8wslGM7BlcdJVA0XvPXjyqMZk9N19noIoKEXAlET5aYZksu7TU0/s4396/yule%2004.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i></i></b></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Retreats and vigils between Christmas celebrations and the new year keeps the energy mindful rather than frenetic or fraught. </span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">A lovely way to keep the holiday spirit special every day this very precious time of the year. <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> greet all our readers a happy yuletide season! </span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64Mhg00wNljBLWKxCIqNXq6QdKvV1fGwLt1GJTztVtN6JSJ1eXylxZLpJTreoHqjAPsfWcB5LTZAuPTtiGYxMnQzUEnuKDs_nERnzRUPfIlXAdzIfVQT_xLeWR6GhxdHwJGi6P_BH1GQBOgv22wYzsmFliEqwb-yCkt_0jvrrQIWwV_UnTnQHmliKN8E/s4789/yule%2008.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4789" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64Mhg00wNljBLWKxCIqNXq6QdKvV1fGwLt1GJTztVtN6JSJ1eXylxZLpJTreoHqjAPsfWcB5LTZAuPTtiGYxMnQzUEnuKDs_nERnzRUPfIlXAdzIfVQT_xLeWR6GhxdHwJGi6P_BH1GQBOgv22wYzsmFliEqwb-yCkt_0jvrrQIWwV_UnTnQHmliKN8E/w400-h206/yule%2008.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>winter solstice sunrise on the river</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-81548772365466491172023-12-10T14:44:00.001-05:002023-12-10T14:49:14.265-05:00year end 2023<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The holy days are the oasis of our soul where we ritually recalibrate ourselves - express our full spectrum of expression, our innate being, in worship and devotion<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Rejoice! For the Light is birthed once more as we rediscover body and divinity are one and the same. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is the breath of the holy passes our lips - a kiss of renewal on every brow, a cry of awareness kindled, the fresh taste of wonder ignites awe - sparking joy within, reborn on this day.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikmjd1D_7Jv5xAgp0fxvjeYfgQF6-2rZDkML2DWbFy2w_z19HdF6gPGdnjiwKCkW53r8zVzhQv1CMgnqBFybyD60XoTbseeXSUhdec2_9m8Ru5PGoDphVuuI9h_R3i_CyiEZh6bczd7DNofScNct4Xe37l3V3gj7pWj8WhcwQ46S9X_cXAt903DRoIlmI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="420" data-original-width="630" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikmjd1D_7Jv5xAgp0fxvjeYfgQF6-2rZDkML2DWbFy2w_z19HdF6gPGdnjiwKCkW53r8zVzhQv1CMgnqBFybyD60XoTbseeXSUhdec2_9m8Ru5PGoDphVuuI9h_R3i_CyiEZh6bczd7DNofScNct4Xe37l3V3gj7pWj8WhcwQ46S9X_cXAt903DRoIlmI=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/alternative-christmas-getaways-in-the-philippines/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cathedral</a> in Imus, Cavite</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Infused with joy and sublime gratitude, our choices and actions made more potent. Rites of celebration and honor open the weave - inviting all the tender ways of the sacred. The unbroken ancestral connection back to ourselves. </span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Half of the Earth's quest for regenerative healing takes place in dormancy and darkness with the advent of winter solstice. Needing us fallow with the land and trees as much as our activism in its protection. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoDDw8YZxP5tkmOwQKCpJwcYOLYRYcyuMiqW9NivPB8-NcpYFYPdBNE0dHnqB4QDy5XvPo1IS7RTO-qiRy6hTLmz8cSHAtB6OK_uafX7afy-n4ppayU8vlQdR72zlC3cgZesl4lWD6R4fELJplfbtoMlj85PSMMHFD53aZ8PCIOX8UTpnedJuxGbbdjGc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="867" data-original-width="2352" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoDDw8YZxP5tkmOwQKCpJwcYOLYRYcyuMiqW9NivPB8-NcpYFYPdBNE0dHnqB4QDy5XvPo1IS7RTO-qiRy6hTLmz8cSHAtB6OK_uafX7afy-n4ppayU8vlQdR72zlC3cgZesl4lWD6R4fELJplfbtoMlj85PSMMHFD53aZ8PCIOX8UTpnedJuxGbbdjGc=w400-h148" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1201929/home-of-pampanga-lantern-tradition-wins-in-festival" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">giant lanterns</a> of San Fernando, Pampanga</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dark holy days are restorative and deepening - especially attuned </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and in tune with our body's phases. Moments of heightened consciousness - as we emerge from the womb, born or giving birth, bleeding or not, coming of age and dying. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our tender bodies the microcosm in an ever expanding world - birthing and bringing the cosmos into being, in vastness and eternity. Independent and free we find fulfilment and thrive - nurtured and invested in our wellbeing. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2AFJU-p6QPmBixOOEeyVexOahadz8Y3DVb4r2J3VzqE0C5VGu4P_zxk-gvcykX97Z5ahbDTt6Oll7obNJkw5XJSUnL5-uNviKfOEpun2wpPbJWpNAmeXAItJDPNLW02FmLsUMDFhnu1Ch1VypBA0k3Z0cjklSmJpfKn97cq5Jab2WvbIKCDhxxTPsjSE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1200" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2AFJU-p6QPmBixOOEeyVexOahadz8Y3DVb4r2J3VzqE0C5VGu4P_zxk-gvcykX97Z5ahbDTt6Oll7obNJkw5XJSUnL5-uNviKfOEpun2wpPbJWpNAmeXAItJDPNLW02FmLsUMDFhnu1Ch1VypBA0k3Z0cjklSmJpfKn97cq5Jab2WvbIKCDhxxTPsjSE=w400-h229" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.panaynews.net/bacolod-lights-up-public-plaza/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">city plaza lights</a>, Bacolod, Negros Occidental</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-333a36fc-7fff-0c42-39d3-a32e05e36889"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>In the depths of cave time, when the silver glow of moon shadow and the leaping heart fires of home comfort us, we gather fibers to knit our communities whole. ~ </i></span></span></span><a href="https://brigidsgrove.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Molly Remer</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> © Mother Tongue Ink 2022 </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">from We'Moon 2023 page 168.</span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-34797984685264136152023-12-03T18:39:00.007-05:002023-12-03T19:51:55.539-05:00National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One and Two<p>Last October wonder | wander | women took the train up to Scotland for <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2023/08/fonab-castle-and-pitlochry-dam-scotland.html" target="_blank">the second time this year</a> to see our good friends the Milligans. They had generously offered to host me when I mentioned coming back to see the <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2023/10/unicorns-of-scotland.html" target="_blank">tapestries at Stirling Castle</a>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fEROgHJRuKZcjeGIFs7hogwUIlu_Jp1eFHemYr_i9UengNUhoD_7cADsJxpARyP0gMICWK1qlmWPpOicIDuVAWR5_rYWPmWSpmByDjRmyv0Jqbm0fGKMHVbBgT74Br8WYlUI5Nt1UPPLtc4eq9T7cR9PvCkZ6P1KBt2JZkvcIw1rUexHIwRGXwkLLDA/s1210/IMG_9527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fEROgHJRuKZcjeGIFs7hogwUIlu_Jp1eFHemYr_i9UengNUhoD_7cADsJxpARyP0gMICWK1qlmWPpOicIDuVAWR5_rYWPmWSpmByDjRmyv0Jqbm0fGKMHVbBgT74Br8WYlUI5Nt1UPPLtc4eq9T7cR9PvCkZ6P1KBt2JZkvcIw1rUexHIwRGXwkLLDA/s320/IMG_9527.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>countryside flooding, seen from train</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Of course we didn't expect when we booked the trip that I would arrive in the middle of <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/interesting/2023/2023_08_storm_babet.pdf" target="_blank">Storm Babet</a>, a massive rainstorm that battered the North Coast and turned the creeks and pathways of Scotland and Northumbria into rivers. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bcsN7pt2rdZmk9-m7jiuBjKloL75vgTBaWPvCJJj84DKS6f4CjQLUTw9jfXvxIz7hKT98QqKu_7R_b8NPQJT9ZooLQ-zOgsWDKPVxlb9JwUClBxjkcqbNQVl0HrlXIPcURc0FT6qL78D3jt5z0-7NrJZ1gMP-GTG39wAeSgtnuMSoRV-EGxr9rN9oXg/s1210/xBfSQS3PSbWWzrFuN1bIVQ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bcsN7pt2rdZmk9-m7jiuBjKloL75vgTBaWPvCJJj84DKS6f4CjQLUTw9jfXvxIz7hKT98QqKu_7R_b8NPQJT9ZooLQ-zOgsWDKPVxlb9JwUClBxjkcqbNQVl0HrlXIPcURc0FT6qL78D3jt5z0-7NrJZ1gMP-GTG39wAeSgtnuMSoRV-EGxr9rN9oXg/s320/xBfSQS3PSbWWzrFuN1bIVQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>the North Sea battering coastal villages</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Half the trains running that day had been cancelled. Luckily ours wasn't, but it crept up the countryside delayed by almost an hour, advancing at a cautious pace through icy sheets of rain.</div><div><br /><span></span></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0w8tAlIGt0Ls-WGkviABcVRqiHRsXPRQth5zvmNuGZwowWQuVISmtPZcNbLEZpH748hJFrev9Lkx2204zcg0js3PEdLKLMJGiSAfJ9v_VdUX4tyVYAzVAXIPhZFBavs3FJoz5ccqVRnNmQWTz9bTWL7hjDl8k_74PMibalke4s7MLPx3Kj48M5Wxwtk/s1210/IMG_9530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0w8tAlIGt0Ls-WGkviABcVRqiHRsXPRQth5zvmNuGZwowWQuVISmtPZcNbLEZpH748hJFrev9Lkx2204zcg0js3PEdLKLMJGiSAfJ9v_VdUX4tyVYAzVAXIPhZFBavs3FJoz5ccqVRnNmQWTz9bTWL7hjDl8k_74PMibalke4s7MLPx3Kj48M5Wxwtk/s320/IMG_9530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Mahala with the Milligans</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>We made it safely to Edinburgh Waverley Station and I met our friends for a cozy lunch at their regular pub. Luckily the rain and wind receded after lunch and we were able to go around in their well-heated car and see a little bit of the town. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPlcv0uSVZXY_ztyQ7yMNN5x_lpi1DVm3sJA-lex801gU4RAodlAZZtTsy5lTshJSCQAynFGR_5IvwGOG3W_ys8D0YzBz9tDzbcrFs9_NWYf5OXLfMkS3XGLnKzwGrTcbqOKWCUVhj2DMOcdoFeb_NHMYxzQX1pMOnZOD_evGXLHXep2DaSGejvxen_w/s926/IMG_9541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="926" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPlcv0uSVZXY_ztyQ7yMNN5x_lpi1DVm3sJA-lex801gU4RAodlAZZtTsy5lTshJSCQAynFGR_5IvwGOG3W_ys8D0YzBz9tDzbcrFs9_NWYf5OXLfMkS3XGLnKzwGrTcbqOKWCUVhj2DMOcdoFeb_NHMYxzQX1pMOnZOD_evGXLHXep2DaSGejvxen_w/s320/IMG_9541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Looking for local tourist spots that were warm, dry and indoors, we drove up to the <a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-gallery-modern-art" target="_blank">National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One and Two</a>. Modern Two is especially famous because it hosts a collection personally donated by legendary Italian-Scottish modern artist and sculptor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Paolozzi" target="_blank">Eduardo Paolozzi</a>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t_dmIqhhrI1K8SAhlNO17XExYTtLMEoIRrJr8F8cHEf8puWRUk38TJPjwrXoH2NFgNAxben-shQW-znfpsWW9pBJkvpY_WuWtjxYe5iq3_i4uZFrkRqyQcwu5CIObHlSjKupLipVoqHIKA2FNmbMXs64uc4X_3PwobdtkB2ucTqzrRN1AASaF_9pIoo/s1210/IMG_9540.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1t_dmIqhhrI1K8SAhlNO17XExYTtLMEoIRrJr8F8cHEf8puWRUk38TJPjwrXoH2NFgNAxben-shQW-znfpsWW9pBJkvpY_WuWtjxYe5iq3_i4uZFrkRqyQcwu5CIObHlSjKupLipVoqHIKA2FNmbMXs64uc4X_3PwobdtkB2ucTqzrRN1AASaF_9pIoo/s320/IMG_9540.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Master of the Universe, Eduardo Paolozzi (1989)</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Paolozzi worked, taught and created art all over Europe from the war years with Surrealists like Giacometti, Jean Arp, and Brancusi, throughout the post-war modern and postmodern years to the innovative periods of the 60s, 70s and 80s, all the way through the 90s until his death in 2005. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yalk5mCqSk88bj8Qfi0bghucT2MY5OkDdlgAqzY8e25YGOVnYo8TblSDOeEHMYSqLDe_ZuOyq1CmS4KVkoDEspJVAoaxsvaO3hf4orqFRiFx6Jik5Zz0v30fhi6d7RUXsQm0J4HZPeJHivYGC5hwAy6betZHfduQx516ZmlNbg90qwAK8H87R240e-s/s1210/IMG_9531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Yalk5mCqSk88bj8Qfi0bghucT2MY5OkDdlgAqzY8e25YGOVnYo8TblSDOeEHMYSqLDe_ZuOyq1CmS4KVkoDEspJVAoaxsvaO3hf4orqFRiFx6Jik5Zz0v30fhi6d7RUXsQm0J4HZPeJHivYGC5hwAy6betZHfduQx516ZmlNbg90qwAK8H87R240e-s/s320/IMG_9531.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Vulcan, Eduardo Paolozzi (1998-9)</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The museum houses a recreation of Paolozzi's studio, an artist haven of organised chaos. Books, busts, models and other treasures crowded ceiling-high shelves. Carvings and tools surrounded a small loft sleeping area.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyBvx8MEKgAfSqH5v8Eq6LIB5ko6L-NOW4Wa-kLeZtZ4pyq1rKxsHaX4NAhUIeBSr7DKCsqU-VDyN-J98DpZ6JCFfAo9HkNT2S6yziipVVTedPtdYLg5m07jlZiCeHwglWG9OkE3HImgE4NctNPzoOZlI_SxslaXny_70txMqqkOCw9Sv_tiCCZ3bcKI/s1607/IMG_9537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="1135" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyBvx8MEKgAfSqH5v8Eq6LIB5ko6L-NOW4Wa-kLeZtZ4pyq1rKxsHaX4NAhUIeBSr7DKCsqU-VDyN-J98DpZ6JCFfAo9HkNT2S6yziipVVTedPtdYLg5m07jlZiCeHwglWG9OkE3HImgE4NctNPzoOZlI_SxslaXny_70txMqqkOCw9Sv_tiCCZ3bcKI/s320/IMG_9537.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div>The museum itself was a delightful doll's house of staircases, large bright rooms and long hallways. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Two" target="_blank">English Baroque building of Modern Two</a> was once an orphan hospital called the Dean Orphanage, designed by architect Thomas Hamilton. It was the Dean Education Centre before being converted to a gallery in 1999.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-1sVrvNgpVW0vIef_PXytf5mtYLUZm6v-spaPHUi521QxS8398Wmw1hgMedX7zb79D7p07hERXAcytszZBaLsGOl3vEX3JKxuahsA3EwLi7gQmcP0LU6jUWRzJjJufmxPdP9_2b-_4IVKcuIafh1wsDcTmoEM6zftSPMAH_FLOzegtMkaHRhNpXozcA/s1210/IMG_9532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-1sVrvNgpVW0vIef_PXytf5mtYLUZm6v-spaPHUi521QxS8398Wmw1hgMedX7zb79D7p07hERXAcytszZBaLsGOl3vEX3JKxuahsA3EwLi7gQmcP0LU6jUWRzJjJufmxPdP9_2b-_4IVKcuIafh1wsDcTmoEM6zftSPMAH_FLOzegtMkaHRhNpXozcA/s320/IMG_9532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The main stairwell is covered with what looks like tiny starlings, actually the shapes of honeysuckle flowers hand-painted by <a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/118453" target="_blank">Turner Prize-winning artist Richard Wright</a>.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8y8w4G3qU-rY-dTPQkCqgtbdqT-FWwz0QORGyFmta_RoLh_SntEzo2MWBnN-is6EbUJ_1G9iuT0p9g3UVzEOk-aINTUMsxIIm8E3JVn0fBtplkk0_PNXmgiDcPuGFyWIKmXahn6pCxvhDWol-jJX4cfYpWGO30L_bc1N8zJH59NAV1mwAuJcIgVa3fY/s1210/IMG_9543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8y8w4G3qU-rY-dTPQkCqgtbdqT-FWwz0QORGyFmta_RoLh_SntEzo2MWBnN-is6EbUJ_1G9iuT0p9g3UVzEOk-aINTUMsxIIm8E3JVn0fBtplkk0_PNXmgiDcPuGFyWIKmXahn6pCxvhDWol-jJX4cfYpWGO30L_bc1N8zJH59NAV1mwAuJcIgVa3fY/s320/IMG_9543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Across the street was the original Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, with Martin Creed's neon artwork <a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/106670/work-no-975-everything-going-be-alright" target="_blank">Everything is Going to Be Alright</a> over its facade. The gallery hosts a range of paintings and prints by European and Scottish modernists, while Modern Two was more focused on sculpture.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RP1ar5f4MVeXZsICdkcLncGzZfcyFwYG-UnUbMmgDXHwWQT-fVljzX9W85XAvcokpoi8Wj2_XFUZyj6TBIWCoTI2kNBfUtPp7mWiWYbOFu9sAV-lvWx25QB3Shg3un_mkYYY1S1igjGNq6nF0qfpqJEHRCnXrnqLOFSmavQ-PMyHeYz90L1AlyxhOY0/s1210/IMG_9544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RP1ar5f4MVeXZsICdkcLncGzZfcyFwYG-UnUbMmgDXHwWQT-fVljzX9W85XAvcokpoi8Wj2_XFUZyj6TBIWCoTI2kNBfUtPp7mWiWYbOFu9sAV-lvWx25QB3Shg3un_mkYYY1S1igjGNq6nF0qfpqJEHRCnXrnqLOFSmavQ-PMyHeYz90L1AlyxhOY0/s320/IMG_9544.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Landform, Charles Jencks (2004)</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The beauty of Modern One is in the sculptured landscape of the front grounds, designed by architect and landscape designer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Jencks" target="_blank">Charles Jencks</a>. It evokes the lawns and ponds of Versailles if designed millennia in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwNw162YLPPoxVgnO05K_2UkvfsfPEPP-W1Rp8rIglx3pYkD6n4EFlfrwsNcvuwB4pHSq5Mra2jUM5dAy3z7KoTLqxhrPCZVhegW9-ZT-aG7NfhkoN0Qi3rqnG5WCni37tQ5u-aERwKIBPbEkGaBFHuKs48A9d7UXKrpBeJWAoBgwo8XeGqoPCdyaiuQ/s1210/IMG_9534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwNw162YLPPoxVgnO05K_2UkvfsfPEPP-W1Rp8rIglx3pYkD6n4EFlfrwsNcvuwB4pHSq5Mra2jUM5dAy3z7KoTLqxhrPCZVhegW9-ZT-aG7NfhkoN0Qi3rqnG5WCni37tQ5u-aERwKIBPbEkGaBFHuKs48A9d7UXKrpBeJWAoBgwo8XeGqoPCdyaiuQ/s320/IMG_9534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Like the best modern art museums, this Northern gem was a little world of its own, swirling with mystery, beauty and strange, bold ideas. It was the perfect peek at a side of classical, cultured Edinburgh that visitors don't often see, and an unusual refuge for storm-tossed art lovers escaping the Northern winds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj6kx4Cq7gG2c8a2R_k6Ql3_djcxI79ZdjOV9p72UZBiTu6EzUJsgMq27ZVAGObu-zOFJopKTWo8emU39SAb_BBLbDfChmhWeqbIXKcWUHIZMkwCXjH29VdCQnp0lmgYNfg64KbZ0wOXKWrLqunclllSaFWUt2RNOpU-uflpPa_-DyvgWal9XegHqt-I/s1210/IMG_9538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMj6kx4Cq7gG2c8a2R_k6Ql3_djcxI79ZdjOV9p72UZBiTu6EzUJsgMq27ZVAGObu-zOFJopKTWo8emU39SAb_BBLbDfChmhWeqbIXKcWUHIZMkwCXjH29VdCQnp0lmgYNfg64KbZ0wOXKWrLqunclllSaFWUt2RNOpU-uflpPa_-DyvgWal9XegHqt-I/s320/IMG_9538.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-62200683560102245432023-11-20T10:29:00.004-05:002023-11-20T13:23:22.309-05:00untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play at the Young Vic<div style="text-align: left;">One autumn day in the 90s wonder | wander | women visited the US for the first time and saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Saigon" target="_blank">Miss Saigon</a> on Broadway. It was a magnificent, stirring romance, but left us feeling betrayed. The white lover saw his Asian marriage as less real than his American one. The Americans were viewed as saviours and Kim's own people as pimps and murderers. And why did Kim have to die so her son could live a better life? How could his life be better knowing his father and "new" mother didn't see him as part of their own future together?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ziGrEiLEho4dDi4Rtl019vTpeI1aVbGidIXLLlc4NjCMz_RrrlwwAUdsufc5yfG01YFqT2ikfwfxqh1aa08bMum8-BO0VRAsaQAiJDzvJ3ukuRpYNuM63DeBTuqtpOkBET3-8HvF9M5vmwXkhXjbx0fRnyn25fZpoOy3lzY3pYRO22W63Ma1L9oFVg/s900/youngvic_untitledfuckmisssaigon_webportraitimage_700x900px.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ziGrEiLEho4dDi4Rtl019vTpeI1aVbGidIXLLlc4NjCMz_RrrlwwAUdsufc5yfG01YFqT2ikfwfxqh1aa08bMum8-BO0VRAsaQAiJDzvJ3ukuRpYNuM63DeBTuqtpOkBET3-8HvF9M5vmwXkhXjbx0fRnyn25fZpoOy3lzY3pYRO22W63Ma1L9oFVg/s320/youngvic_untitledfuckmisssaigon_webportraitimage_700x900px.jpeg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play</i>, poster (2023)<br /><a href="https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/untitled-fck-mss-sgon-play" target="_blank">Courtesy of Young Vic</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That is one of the questions asked by <i><a href="https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/untitled-fck-mss-sgon-play" target="_blank">untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play</a></i>, a time-warping, trope-skewering riot of a play written by Kimber Lee and directed by Roy Alexander Weise. It first appeared at the <a href="https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event/untitled-fck-mss-sgon-play-2023/" target="_blank">Royal Exchange Theatre</a> in Manchester for the Manchester International Festival in summer 2023, and migrated to London's <a href="https://www.youngvic.org/" target="_blank">Young Vic Theatre</a> in the autumn.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fs6I7Ez5hSA" width="320" youtube-src-id="fs6I7Ez5hSA"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Award-winning actress Mei Mac plays Kim, the sweet, romantic lead who falls in love and is betrayed over...and over...and over again, slowly gaining awareness of the cruelties that are happening to her over the decades.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpEh4421_ed0CqGzoZskR4xIJaBCZjdSpCwNytymOg3y4J0ekKULmQIUTZJw6eEtRZkmXnahGAJspCQbNCFcyoa7j3PSiPaT1rlXFGLhL33DbZJoxsboGvF8PJmuM6SiNgrsa4hHxqd3Bo6tERoRQl9D5qw-_rTnIZTYHaghVsCoyH6OgmLMh8nFp4dA/s1618/YV_cast.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1618" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpEh4421_ed0CqGzoZskR4xIJaBCZjdSpCwNytymOg3y4J0ekKULmQIUTZJw6eEtRZkmXnahGAJspCQbNCFcyoa7j3PSiPaT1rlXFGLhL33DbZJoxsboGvF8PJmuM6SiNgrsa4hHxqd3Bo6tERoRQl9D5qw-_rTnIZTYHaghVsCoyH6OgmLMh8nFp4dA/s320/YV_cast.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cast: Mei Mac (Kim), Lourdes Faberes (Rosie, Cio-cio-san), Jennifer Kirby (Evelyn, Richards),<br />Tom Weston-Jones (Clark), Rochelle Rose (Narrator/Brenda), Jeff D'Sangalang (Alfie, Goro)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The cast is tiny, but they play several roles with the greatest of energy and charisma. Filipinos Lourdes Faberes and Jeff D'Sangalang were standouts as Kim's mother and brother/fiance/second love interest (it all makes sense in the play!), and Rochelle Rose was inspiring as the Narrator who occasionally steps into the narrative.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1CWfDn_p4-VChdYwzzhTmoGqkiTltV1gOhPyQJSVee823L3xur_vh5NExNYAPHolCyEUjLJ-vdWj2JCT393in_p6gkBJJpw_w1RkK6peZxvx803b1lcIs8I9TZWxBGRgWMOgc1JjYLdo29TOelLNmvowUG0NnIo5RLQYwwO9DXT8TJkNwRyCJjkVpRY/s1244/YV_rosie.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="926" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1CWfDn_p4-VChdYwzzhTmoGqkiTltV1gOhPyQJSVee823L3xur_vh5NExNYAPHolCyEUjLJ-vdWj2JCT393in_p6gkBJJpw_w1RkK6peZxvx803b1lcIs8I9TZWxBGRgWMOgc1JjYLdo29TOelLNmvowUG0NnIo5RLQYwwO9DXT8TJkNwRyCJjkVpRY/s320/YV_rosie.jpeg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lourdes Faberes as Rosie plays Tina Turner's "Proud Mary"<br />on the shamisen. Photo courtesy of Young Vic website</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My favourites were lead actor <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/mei-mac-interview" target="_blank">Mei Mac</a>, who recently won an award for her portrayal of little sister Mei at the Barbican's staging of <a href="https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/royal-shakespeare-company-my-neighbour-totoro" target="_blank">My Neighbour Totoro</a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0264525/" target="_blank">Lourdes Faberes</a>, who played her mother Rosie. I already loved Lourdes for playing Pollution on our beloved BBC show <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Omens_(TV_series)" target="_blank">Good Omens</a> and a powerful CEO in a very dark episode of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_(TV_series)" target="_blank">The Sandman</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYORroBEf64TVxac8WuOnRPyT8YA8bTtESzjkEAO-fjWF7UamXwUJgl-3FhkR1ZbqyeQG7iDN1vC6wNTLN86gRlFPDpW7SIiU2w5ZAUJcJKTMcwYcFBoFuea15q3E5StSoubIweVA57bJvSIlKTrudlY58tG5r8okdb6by8rwdBRZUKrLDbV-b4jtdbBU/s1000/Pollution-MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYORroBEf64TVxac8WuOnRPyT8YA8bTtESzjkEAO-fjWF7UamXwUJgl-3FhkR1ZbqyeQG7iDN1vC6wNTLN86gRlFPDpW7SIiU2w5ZAUJcJKTMcwYcFBoFuea15q3E5StSoubIweVA57bJvSIlKTrudlY58tG5r8okdb6by8rwdBRZUKrLDbV-b4jtdbBU/s320/Pollution-MP.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lourdes as Pollution in <i>Good Omens,</i><br />courtesy of the <a href="https://goodomens.fandom.com/wiki/Pollution" target="_blank">Good Omens fan wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As Rosie and the grocery store attendant Cio-Cio-san, she flitted between hope and cynicism, bitterness and loving patience. She made a heartbreaking speech on being "guests" in America and being content with the crumbs of representation and acceptance we were thrown by our colonisers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLELEaOuSJwCBST0MQmYnmMqiRtP76pFJP0V0lWNgp0PwnINqvgO2fhRXVN4pzG9ztCQXEcQaUjtG7bXRwDG8nHG5IdRJfVKSymiu8I5qQ4Ri7r53zp5yknMQCr9I9ds-vtgoFOE_lafSOibKSH5rM9I52wWS5OTk-ppWDRh0SMMvMgAyZFraBA5eoXI/s1210/IMG_9617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLELEaOuSJwCBST0MQmYnmMqiRtP76pFJP0V0lWNgp0PwnINqvgO2fhRXVN4pzG9ztCQXEcQaUjtG7bXRwDG8nHG5IdRJfVKSymiu8I5qQ4Ri7r53zp5yknMQCr9I9ds-vtgoFOE_lafSOibKSH5rM9I52wWS5OTk-ppWDRh0SMMvMgAyZFraBA5eoXI/s320/IMG_9617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In contrast to the multilayered and complex performance of the actors, the stage was very simple and modular. Half the action took place in a hut wheeled around by stage hands (and sometimes actors) and strewn with various “Asian” props that could suggest East Asian, Polynesian, or Southeast Asian culture to the audience. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1dxd6aWym5DDk6eh6XpA18DNHpNNLit2sXkWGn2h6whOGi3Fg8_8qXIc2hdT9-Engy8NMeXb0e9SS-v7YHYvMGvLnDrhneiIY1C2lGJQNKXQUIEEuMtKjg1guYPU0WF-wubxemj2drU6Pm0Y9yOix9JnHn2QXeaNYvO9Yxfu1R__I45WVSa0BuFL440/s1440/YV_UntitledMS.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1440" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1dxd6aWym5DDk6eh6XpA18DNHpNNLit2sXkWGn2h6whOGi3Fg8_8qXIc2hdT9-Engy8NMeXb0e9SS-v7YHYvMGvLnDrhneiIY1C2lGJQNKXQUIEEuMtKjg1guYPU0WF-wubxemj2drU6Pm0Y9yOix9JnHn2QXeaNYvO9Yxfu1R__I45WVSa0BuFL440/s320/YV_UntitledMS.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Production stills from the <a href="https://www.youngvic.org/sites/default/files/attachments/YV_Untitled%20Fck%20Mss%20Sgon%20Play%20Freesheet_v4.pdf" target="_blank">Young Vic website</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>But as the tropes rained down, the comedy peeled away to reveal pain, tragedy, rage, and the resilience of characters who refused the narrative that others tried to write for them. It’s an angry play, but somehow full of tenderness and a love for life and this messy, problematic world we live in as we try to make it better.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasXeRf-BsFho7GY02fQnnAMVwPNO61EmDbp3KLh1kPccgLTl0gdnTBEef5qbFtYEl-EMp_H6PWK9_ZHFoafzjlJIOQKPZqqoVKq0CFy0gX8Gz9HWorKTs7hAytyJ1gapQmGRVYWxzacQZ83mLMfvom3XhdYAFdzf1jPf2Xvc8BMqxC3nZhCIG0DXRq7Y/s926/IMG_9619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasXeRf-BsFho7GY02fQnnAMVwPNO61EmDbp3KLh1kPccgLTl0gdnTBEef5qbFtYEl-EMp_H6PWK9_ZHFoafzjlJIOQKPZqqoVKq0CFy0gX8Gz9HWorKTs7hAytyJ1gapQmGRVYWxzacQZ83mLMfvom3XhdYAFdzf1jPf2Xvc8BMqxC3nZhCIG0DXRq7Y/s320/IMG_9619.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div>untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play is a rollercoaster of comedy and tragedy, stunning acting and piercing prose. It’s not just for us angry Asian romantics yearning for Kim to get her happy ending (maybe with a better man!). It’s for everyone who’s felt the sting in the tail of an old story, and wished for better.<br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-34611843817198325562023-11-13T11:03:00.190-05:002023-11-26T15:54:09.037-05:00grace & gratitude<div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">A great people traveled from the north and west. For many, many years they moved across the land, leaving settlements in rich river valleys as others moved on. Reaching the eastern edge of the country, some of these people settled on the river later renamed the Delaware. </span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Others moved north and settled in the valley of a river where the waters, like those in their original homeland, were never still. They named this river Mahicannituck and called themselves the muh-he-con-neok, the people of the waters that are never still…</span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJkgukKUAOUa4x1HKQG8ArJbGenVOfO84TYxjDUlxmkZK_NOrLH1xaPNp5DrT6uvwMTgRqOp84rniC61uCubZpfAD1ntuUo6Skb-_szoRaJW8gezGrg_v4BbtEWMgt-nbuBWxoKZRfFFtAklk1q2ISpmbnEsRIix4Jvt6VcHGFa9uwWoK6bRWKV0rTdCc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><img data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJkgukKUAOUa4x1HKQG8ArJbGenVOfO84TYxjDUlxmkZK_NOrLH1xaPNp5DrT6uvwMTgRqOp84rniC61uCubZpfAD1ntuUo6Skb-_szoRaJW8gezGrg_v4BbtEWMgt-nbuBWxoKZRfFFtAklk1q2ISpmbnEsRIix4Jvt6VcHGFa9uwWoK6bRWKV0rTdCc=w400-h266" width="400" /></i></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.wikiart.org/en/edward-moran/henrik-hudson-entering-new-york-harbor-september-11-1609" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Henrik Hudson Entering New York Harbor</a> by </i></b></span></span><b style="color: #444444; text-align: left;"><i>Edward Moran</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Chronicled by late-1700s Mohican historian <a href="https://collections.dartmouth.edu/occom/html/occom/ctx/personography/pers0257.ocp.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hendrick Aupaumut</a>, tells the story of the people who truly discovered America, including the river valley in which we now live. </span></span></em></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The names of the river and valley were usurped by a man named Hudson, whose people came from the east and nearly obliterated a history that stretches back perhaps 13,000 years.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Today, about 1,500 men, women, and children - most of whom live in Wisconsin and trace their ancestry back to these people who traveled from the north and west as the </span><a href="https://hvmag.com/life-style/history/hudson-valley-ice-age/" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: normal; pointer-events: auto; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ice Age glaciers</a><span style="font-style: normal;"> receded and humans first populated our land. </span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_EoUSV5JZLXu1meNp8nH2qYTamNpIHc-i6DDi_dithPnFPPHjYPKfQxy3E0WBCo7ek6UAdMxtdazLZeNoRb8w2tdf58_F8AVh3bDkInPQSOz2h2O6u3Eo52_rvjXyyr9EzNatF0fNUieC6IEtZqH9nU0fZvodKGXDO7wFJwNwMZSF9l5XdgyNmGwp3TQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1200" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_EoUSV5JZLXu1meNp8nH2qYTamNpIHc-i6DDi_dithPnFPPHjYPKfQxy3E0WBCo7ek6UAdMxtdazLZeNoRb8w2tdf58_F8AVh3bDkInPQSOz2h2O6u3Eo52_rvjXyyr9EzNatF0fNUieC6IEtZqH9nU0fZvodKGXDO7wFJwNwMZSF9l5XdgyNmGwp3TQ=w400-h231" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_DXn9cl1f6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North-South Lake Campground</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">That the descendants of these original settlers are doing well, after 400 years of disease, degradation, and dislocation, is miraculous and a true testament to their enduring spirit. </span></span></em></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">We are honored to know their story in full, to appreciate their history, and respect their pride of place as the first people of the Hudson Valley.</span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The US half of <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> have made our home along the <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2018/10/living-along-hudson-river.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hudson River</a> - from <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/search?q=Hoboken" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hoboken</a> New Jersey to Weehawken, Edgewater, and Hudson New York. The river and valley's moving history and enduring beauty have deeply impacted and enriched our life. </span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3a9SExfsQZzAmobx_99ERqxaVKPhz_8do6kt70N9fx5OfmYUbCk20yeXwL61UW7klX07nX_GVfIS3XYJHeFRoqmXHniN0C-sX6Yi24SqNx9sihchfw0gLCkYGyyO_jYa4l_4HBlQbK14nBR-yiaQzEt7JS615at2zxijppILCSKlt_i8V53NyLrmejgQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3a9SExfsQZzAmobx_99ERqxaVKPhz_8do6kt70N9fx5OfmYUbCk20yeXwL61UW7klX07nX_GVfIS3XYJHeFRoqmXHniN0C-sX6Yi24SqNx9sihchfw0gLCkYGyyO_jYa4l_4HBlQbK14nBR-yiaQzEt7JS615at2zxijppILCSKlt_i8V53NyLrmejgQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #3366cc; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Hudson River">Hudson River</a><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa;"> at </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Mountain_State_Park" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #3366cc; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Bear Mountain State Park">Bear Mountain</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanksgiving celebrations hold an even more profound impact this year as we gather as family together in this new home. Fresh perspectives and deeper roots are put down and expanded in our </span>ever-growing<span style="font-family: inherit;"> exploration. A glorious holiday to all from our home to yours! </span></span></span></div><div><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></em></div><div><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">“When old habitual modes of interpretation become dysfunctional, it is often painful, a dark night of the soul, but that kind of confusion can be fruitful.</span></em></div><div><h5 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin: 15px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">“It motivates the system to self-organize in more inclusive ways, embracing and integrating data of which it had been previously unconscious.” </span></em></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">~ <a href="https://www.joannamacy.net/main" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joanna Macy</a> from World as Lover, World as Self</span></em></h5></div><div><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhhuY_hJTqJfCOq-zobYX_TnAoKFRIT-lv1yaCQmn42FrDs2JNfw3zwGbtPRoaaj_K1zjQpTxs4Fg7zxixBxltfBxVAiBsCW_KtaBlPcLpzoOeOJHWMmRbmK-BTCwSvGypFT0d93MRSH1sZjjszKKr2ZR_f99f76X9QeCCyCN3_wn93rBkSGvLEpP-2A/s4400/hudson%20NY%20thanksgiving.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="4400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhhuY_hJTqJfCOq-zobYX_TnAoKFRIT-lv1yaCQmn42FrDs2JNfw3zwGbtPRoaaj_K1zjQpTxs4Fg7zxixBxltfBxVAiBsCW_KtaBlPcLpzoOeOJHWMmRbmK-BTCwSvGypFT0d93MRSH1sZjjszKKr2ZR_f99f76X9QeCCyCN3_wn93rBkSGvLEpP-2A/w400-h225/hudson%20NY%20thanksgiving.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>November's full <a href="https://earthsky.org/moon-phases/november-full-moon/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beaver moon</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></em></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-86738497923813559922023-11-06T19:55:00.004-05:002023-11-06T20:24:44.267-05:00love locks<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;">On a recent visit to </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evans%2C_Georgia" rel="nofollow" style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Evans, Georgia</a><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> had the sweet </span><span style="color: #212529;">privilege</span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;"> to visit one of its famous nature parks - the Augusta Canal. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPJmaS3EyBWl2oyYaPkGRX_ZFi3WSfivYGKJ0KpmmAnVjcWFYqvTyWhtK7iXUUcPehp4KIwYE-jn8tg9zciPr2Ulta-q-mUZZ2RNhdlHXgp2M1hlFQFA-vlqnlhKR8DszOcvhczRrSzTcTn1WmK6JPWWl14D0DwBBHoU5ie6-ZhVVsnsl0qShdF7jIr0/s4400/Georgia%2001.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPJmaS3EyBWl2oyYaPkGRX_ZFi3WSfivYGKJ0KpmmAnVjcWFYqvTyWhtK7iXUUcPehp4KIwYE-jn8tg9zciPr2Ulta-q-mUZZ2RNhdlHXgp2M1hlFQFA-vlqnlhKR8DszOcvhczRrSzTcTn1WmK6JPWWl14D0DwBBHoU5ie6-ZhVVsnsl0qShdF7jIr0/w400-h225/Georgia%2001.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://augustacanal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Augusta Canal</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: inherit;">The canal and industrial district </span><span style="color: #202122;">were</span><span style="color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"> designated a </span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Historic_Civil_Engineering_Landmark" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #3366cc; font-family: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark">National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"> by the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_of_Civil_Engineers" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #3366cc; font-family: inherit; outline-color: rgb(51, 102, 204); overflow-wrap: break-word;" title="">American Society of Civil Engineers</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"> in 2018.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQvh-cnigHZKvhXjcjGuMdSVs1faQXPnGGqmeGEobsNpEkszvNlI3JkZXqqb730m6G8n4z1lB_pUTWfu6P9Ep2QN1VyoypJ_thHssSs_aUBSeJKN2PpdJoKkWXI8XGJd1hEDIO3wLwpVYpXeqFuTOrOyMBG2i0zDcra6rv-r8vvGcrX4D0ALJ__v7AR8Y" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="240" data-original-width="960" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQvh-cnigHZKvhXjcjGuMdSVs1faQXPnGGqmeGEobsNpEkszvNlI3JkZXqqb730m6G8n4z1lB_pUTWfu6P9Ep2QN1VyoypJ_thHssSs_aUBSeJKN2PpdJoKkWXI8XGJd1hEDIO3wLwpVYpXeqFuTOrOyMBG2i0zDcra6rv-r8vvGcrX4D0ALJ__v7AR8Y=w400-h100" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The Power of Water by <a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery-item.htm?pg=6128930&id=04b9b75c-ec88-4cce-9907-4ce670b865e8&gid=29390C5B-2463-46BE-97A4-A41C2E4C78E9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reginald D. Fraser, NHA</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;">One of the only intact functioning American 19th century industrial power canal systems and home to diverse plants and animals of the southeastern Fall Line. </span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniYs0EO34e_e8W3RbLWDlCRpcxO6CktKVtq2O9meFi66aPOhgLmL5kGaVD2VlZeru_9midJIOx4imzbCuzomyIacDnSt7kmepMi0J1wlZEmHtXYEprKjH_MSxf-khVRvqvbr9yqvc4-fAmthHZ3u3W78GwV7mFTC2WYgtYVpFXN6fslymIFmaCfODioY/s2474/Georgia%2008.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="2079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniYs0EO34e_e8W3RbLWDlCRpcxO6CktKVtq2O9meFi66aPOhgLmL5kGaVD2VlZeru_9midJIOx4imzbCuzomyIacDnSt7kmepMi0J1wlZEmHtXYEprKjH_MSxf-khVRvqvbr9yqvc4-fAmthHZ3u3W78GwV7mFTC2WYgtYVpFXN6fslymIFmaCfODioY/w336-h400/Georgia%2008.png" width="336" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>at the entrance / exit<br /></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://augustacanal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Augusta Canal National Heritage Area</a> is an oasis for outdoor recreation. It has nature trails for walking, running, biking, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;">kayaking,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529;"> or </span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;">picnics with indoor and outdoor areas for a variety of events and </span><span style="color: #212529;">activities</span><span style="color: #212529; font-family: inherit;">. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefHt43MgmehFdqjPp0VB2mbak9c2JmrpE4TjDmXkizNtj-grWCo3PqjmYeVY6yrf6u9Nw5uhxxVIoQEjhFoU91fEJkfLt0aXYl2XueLh5nYFWzg_N6QavjpkLRG0TlraJETmHrfibrdojUNhuxzQMLnOjJogmgJ6Z1lro_I85HxWCda5yukhZlhzE0rU/s4400/Georgia%2003a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefHt43MgmehFdqjPp0VB2mbak9c2JmrpE4TjDmXkizNtj-grWCo3PqjmYeVY6yrf6u9Nw5uhxxVIoQEjhFoU91fEJkfLt0aXYl2XueLh5nYFWzg_N6QavjpkLRG0TlraJETmHrfibrdojUNhuxzQMLnOjJogmgJ6Z1lro_I85HxWCda5yukhZlhzE0rU/w400-h225/Georgia%2003a.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">some stunning locks - Shiva, lion, owl</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">The <a href="https://www.columbiacountyga.gov/325/Savannah-Rapids-Park-Historical-Canal-He" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Savannah Rapids Park</a> is a 33-acre passive recreation park </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">set along the Augusta Canal and Reed Creek waterfall</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">. It has been a destination of nature lovers for over 150 years. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeQpJM_g0mMnYEKMg0ZnanXwBMOZGfk44-9f4G7Y3Cp64p8O31J-ud05oy5CBh2WGrw0BpyjCaePBGUe03AI6SOO4sY9UHjdqjwgucKs2CkQhmoQv_V-Q8-ia8ZvhepL06iNP_jIY8ih7ibRdnHuqqtm0oPnKqLp70NUv2qc6dU48_3HQeVS_sxjkg2s/s4400/Georgia%2004.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeQpJM_g0mMnYEKMg0ZnanXwBMOZGfk44-9f4G7Y3Cp64p8O31J-ud05oy5CBh2WGrw0BpyjCaePBGUe03AI6SOO4sY9UHjdqjwgucKs2CkQhmoQv_V-Q8-ia8ZvhepL06iNP_jIY8ih7ibRdnHuqqtm0oPnKqLp70NUv2qc6dU48_3HQeVS_sxjkg2s/w400-h225/Georgia%2004.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>love these hearts - birds, roses, skull</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On a bright crisp fall day, we went down to the lovers locks and added our own </span>padlocks<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to the great collection decorating their rails. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje663RROvQTxkvgRbaX-bZl0n8T3T1pXAWIzlRqKtg7utQCPW-9C6lYmPxwQVdFSFgONrEy0fLtUu-hPZpk2VwbGdWSqaNpmEMYSQ4Fq9KVi2k1IFl99V5w53ci53aqAOfKPegYqvObT78CRW33VpckgQwGllu9FmdQym4sZsilyR1_E2yJRw3lnzEmYU/s2474/Georgia%2010.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="2101" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje663RROvQTxkvgRbaX-bZl0n8T3T1pXAWIzlRqKtg7utQCPW-9C6lYmPxwQVdFSFgONrEy0fLtUu-hPZpk2VwbGdWSqaNpmEMYSQ4Fq9KVi2k1IFl99V5w53ci53aqAOfKPegYqvObT78CRW33VpckgQwGllu9FmdQym4sZsilyR1_E2yJRw3lnzEmYU/w340-h400/Georgia%2010.png" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>our travel love locks</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div><p>Visitors from all over the world have made their mark and locked on their private and personal wishes on these bars. Symbols of love everlasting shining on and rusting away under a brilliant sky. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR3HRQCGBLCUvARDzQkH5GrZcsryVL2lA3mFpk2fI-aGNOGoxsewtVBeBsyzzghkAhy0wMr2Mt2XOqAGpXOue0t3JuzIVdGPZaUyKDJ7Q7jw_r73YvYPGy7OyBFZEmJ5I7F3SIALVE0GO6iqx130fyBJAohNWfA4lHevupj-syNldq50rRJ0n0MlUpHw/s4399/Georgia%2005.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4399" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaR3HRQCGBLCUvARDzQkH5GrZcsryVL2lA3mFpk2fI-aGNOGoxsewtVBeBsyzzghkAhy0wMr2Mt2XOqAGpXOue0t3JuzIVdGPZaUyKDJ7Q7jw_r73YvYPGy7OyBFZEmJ5I7F3SIALVE0GO6iqx130fyBJAohNWfA4lHevupj-syNldq50rRJ0n0MlUpHw/w400-h225/Georgia%2005.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>lots of turtles</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Other arms reach out to me</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Other eyes smile tenderly</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Still, in peaceful dreams, I see</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">The road leads back to you</span></i></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8KJeM-9CsWTTthGutqotdtebbSvKgoBJIE301Arz_zyQwR1SyVgSMJ0FXeVwzxhczkUKxGY9Yj48GzeDlsjc9xFGmaKFGjO7e1iBWaty6AnJbxJA-aPRJO2v82iOB4DYZU2s3NGkD7PvX8dCQJUU-KiBlCfQn8biLJr1hxyv9sIIpGXzyrgS9GUnszQ/s2475/Georgia%2009.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2064" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8KJeM-9CsWTTthGutqotdtebbSvKgoBJIE301Arz_zyQwR1SyVgSMJ0FXeVwzxhczkUKxGY9Yj48GzeDlsjc9xFGmaKFGjO7e1iBWaty6AnJbxJA-aPRJO2v82iOB4DYZU2s3NGkD7PvX8dCQJUU-KiBlCfQn8biLJr1hxyv9sIIpGXzyrgS9GUnszQ/w334-h400/Georgia%2009.png" width="334" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>bird viewing & view<br /></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Oh, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Georgia, </span><span style="background-color: white;">Georgia</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">No peace, no peace I find</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Just an old, sweet song</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Keeps Georgia on my mind</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">(Georgia on my mind)</span></i></span></div></blockquote><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JSh6vQBbifNv4Iqkin70gIj24J6wb3xpkMzlEt4zkKPUwSW6Wx8srsC1BFPXqy30DYKBZLpsHO1_2eQnBsfltPhz4Xv2OzPBuZAB4O7IZCgvsqIqf84uf55HtxSu8z5z4r6OlUpuSAA_HZZyTI_6L41ARP-PoHVgmmSPC7GBJHWBWSq3SXzkxQA-7l0/s4400/Georgia%2006.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JSh6vQBbifNv4Iqkin70gIj24J6wb3xpkMzlEt4zkKPUwSW6Wx8srsC1BFPXqy30DYKBZLpsHO1_2eQnBsfltPhz4Xv2OzPBuZAB4O7IZCgvsqIqf84uf55HtxSu8z5z4r6OlUpuSAA_HZZyTI_6L41ARP-PoHVgmmSPC7GBJHWBWSq3SXzkxQA-7l0/w400-h225/Georgia%2006.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>lots of fish too</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"></blockquote><p>Just like its state song - made famous by Georgian resident artist <a href="https://raycharles.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ray Charles</a> - Georgia on our minds until our return. Where we long to be washed in peace by the waters of this nature park. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x37t9pnTerLP_rJFYxjVEg8AfktqIYB2fLrImbyC0oEedOt9bnk8bYzgMWyiFdHXDzviDr7I-l18J0tpvoEBMeV7pL4nmBoat5Kk1k8krZrrIsMMoEkW2AXM9p58CcL39RTEEF93NB8E6FCT3k-QKsBUVSnluepYMevOxjBeO2-VnfiTCRrL4OmwSfs/s2475/Georgia%2007.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1391" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x37t9pnTerLP_rJFYxjVEg8AfktqIYB2fLrImbyC0oEedOt9bnk8bYzgMWyiFdHXDzviDr7I-l18J0tpvoEBMeV7pL4nmBoat5Kk1k8krZrrIsMMoEkW2AXM9p58CcL39RTEEF93NB8E6FCT3k-QKsBUVSnluepYMevOxjBeO2-VnfiTCRrL4OmwSfs/w225-h400/Georgia%2007.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>some local humor</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-91197222510071167132023-10-30T16:33:00.001-04:002023-10-30T16:33:05.877-04:00unicorns of Scotland<p>When wonder | wander | women went to see <a href="https://woaworld.blogspot.com/2020/08/heavenly-bodies-at-met-cloisters-2018.html" target="_blank">Heavenly Bodies in the Met Cloisters</a>, we checked something else off the bucket list: seeing the original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunt_of_the_Unicorn" target="_blank">Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries</a>. Little did we know that someone had recreated them and hung them in a real Renaissance castle in Scotland.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VgrBu3kRNog/X0GCqUco2lI/AAAAAAAAceY/MEtljUVPKxgo8Johlr52OmL4lM6Pac6wQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/merlin_137856411_ff02a4c5-c515-462f-9bb3-087cbff2a11e-superJumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VgrBu3kRNog/X0GCqUco2lI/AAAAAAAAceY/MEtljUVPKxgo8Johlr52OmL4lM6Pac6wQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h266/merlin_137856411_ff02a4c5-c515-462f-9bb3-087cbff2a11e-superJumbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://woaworld.blogspot.com/2020/08/heavenly-bodies-at-met-cloisters-2018.html" target="_blank">From our Heavenly Bodies blog post</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br />The origin of these legendary tapestries is shrouded in mystery. Historians believe they were woven in Brussels, perhaps for the royal family, but no one knows for sure. The noble French family of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_La_Rochefoucauld" target="_blank">La Rochefoucauld</a> are the first recorded owners, but the tapestries were looted during the French Revolution and only found again sometime in the 1880s. In 1922 John D. Rockefeller bought them from the family and donated them to the Cloisters in 1938.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr4ZbpCpsOYcJlLHwJ_cGJ9aofGBIYtGmO4-kokv0UEfKU1bXfhkh3skwBMIuM_poTxq_f97hxfmCx4docUbS22u25alCQNiL412MmfOv6_KedTgkp3gANhpIObWt1JNlGoTepTFxhvVhP7OAoAlBkWLtGmauopm95OOOWXk9FTDnslnf6E-_Lg0qTYQ/s4032/IMG_0106.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbr4ZbpCpsOYcJlLHwJ_cGJ9aofGBIYtGmO4-kokv0UEfKU1bXfhkh3skwBMIuM_poTxq_f97hxfmCx4docUbS22u25alCQNiL412MmfOv6_KedTgkp3gANhpIObWt1JNlGoTepTFxhvVhP7OAoAlBkWLtGmauopm95OOOWXk9FTDnslnf6E-_Lg0qTYQ/w300-h400/IMG_0106.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unicorn Tapestries, Stirling Castle, Scotland</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In 2001 the UK organisation Historic Scotland commissioned several studios, including West Dean Tapestry Studio, to recreate these masterpieces and hang them in the historic <a href="https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/discover/about-the-castle/" target="_blank">Stirling Castle</a>, an ancient Scottish castle with a Renaissance palace built by Scottish king James V.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1_dNdj9aUy84yLwtofrV5RW7VGxz4hA6LHLKI1hQWL0RNeoxNdzXbAr0NhxfzTP8wdF2m3sYPTzqMNH9AKEIPWi1HlpRle4A7GQuHbr5sG_Xio5uzv9hdxHDynh9rX7VLE_r6VjhHjXfnqGPDa9yGMFlQXtESFK87uxFloVk9eXAYDZjSFo51vJptPc/s4032/IMG_0045.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1_dNdj9aUy84yLwtofrV5RW7VGxz4hA6LHLKI1hQWL0RNeoxNdzXbAr0NhxfzTP8wdF2m3sYPTzqMNH9AKEIPWi1HlpRle4A7GQuHbr5sG_Xio5uzv9hdxHDynh9rX7VLE_r6VjhHjXfnqGPDa9yGMFlQXtESFK87uxFloVk9eXAYDZjSFo51vJptPc/w400-h300/IMG_0045.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stirlingcastle.scot">Stirling Castle, with a statue of Robert the Bruce</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The heads of the project travelled to New York to take meticulous digital scans of every inch of the tapestries, then spent fourteen years using traditional methods to recreate each beautiful stitch. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cBO9DmySARM" width="320" youtube-src-id="cBO9DmySARM"></iframe></div><br /><div>Now the tapestries hang in the Queen's Inner Hall in the Royal Palace. Historical records show that James V did have a set of tapestries called The History of the Unicorn, made by a very similar workshop to the one in Brussels where the Met's collection was woven, but those have been lost.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RJcTrZL6i3KUEL_-wfMsYE6CsZMQartUVF98ZluNXDX8D1Tznq3QbyFQrNPlERZO3D8cDoGTsxgoF0eBNnwDkfvhMgstrPzEm4_LWEMcmALkP352rR-pZLlQrxEv61_FoCYVnmeIGvY_C_zqqFoQtPg5YjDrrkxCZBFV-ONatz3eHvbYWmkdg-0LAU/s4032/IMG_0103.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RJcTrZL6i3KUEL_-wfMsYE6CsZMQartUVF98ZluNXDX8D1Tznq3QbyFQrNPlERZO3D8cDoGTsxgoF0eBNnwDkfvhMgstrPzEm4_LWEMcmALkP352rR-pZLlQrxEv61_FoCYVnmeIGvY_C_zqqFoQtPg5YjDrrkxCZBFV-ONatz3eHvbYWmkdg-0LAU/w400-h300/IMG_0103.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen's Inner Hall, Stirling Castle, Scotland<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />There is also a<a href="https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/discover/highlights/the-stirling-tapestries/" target="_blank"> beautiful exhibition</a> on the grounds of the castle showing how the tapestries are made. Visitors can touch sample pieces of weaving as well as the skeins of wool used, and sit at one of the looms used for the project.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBRqtqcp0e1RHGkYvTelbn7pxZxUk_iyRbN2C4htWW-Axer3uRln5PcThc_bsmfPOupNj5yxIZITNneMEzioUJdPqxutjQYxR0IeHMEphtRqVGS1cTD9jeUtAYGO0VrjOecac1UsfWFbuAhRjQ7Gw1HpiKKF5Fh4qTyi1t_LtWis-b60J1TpH3qmYBZI/s4032/IMG_0066.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBRqtqcp0e1RHGkYvTelbn7pxZxUk_iyRbN2C4htWW-Axer3uRln5PcThc_bsmfPOupNj5yxIZITNneMEzioUJdPqxutjQYxR0IeHMEphtRqVGS1cTD9jeUtAYGO0VrjOecac1UsfWFbuAhRjQ7Gw1HpiKKF5Fh4qTyi1t_LtWis-b60J1TpH3qmYBZI/w400-h300/IMG_0066.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample pieces of the recreated tapestries<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Through a peephole next to the loom, you can also see a part of the long 14-year process of weaving these masterpieces. <a href="http://www.medievalists.net/2015/06/the-mystic-hunt-of-the-unicorn-tapestries-unveiled-at-stirling-castle/">Medievalists.net</a> has a fascinating article on the exhibition.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWygbTtLfXR9koBZtQksCI9lFIcOyNFJCm5bxbDkSEl0__cWILtysTQM19eqgRWIC3uE_1t690EZSltxGVZYPv1OG29dxA-1E1gfpRsx14ONC7rlMDdTQF5U9ZU1qwI1wc9DEogK3s4_U9u06KZ4rzawW6XE7lSP0zn9NpeC1FnY2n4F_z7r1CTuCsTVs/s4032/IMG_0068.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWygbTtLfXR9koBZtQksCI9lFIcOyNFJCm5bxbDkSEl0__cWILtysTQM19eqgRWIC3uE_1t690EZSltxGVZYPv1OG29dxA-1E1gfpRsx14ONC7rlMDdTQF5U9ZU1qwI1wc9DEogK3s4_U9u06KZ4rzawW6XE7lSP0zn9NpeC1FnY2n4F_z7r1CTuCsTVs/w400-h300/IMG_0068.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exhibition space (with a peephole on the left of the loom)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We also saw the "cartoon" - the drawing used as a guide for the craftsmen to place their stitches. It brought back memories of a colouring book we got on our first visit to the Met, as well as the cross-stitch projects we used to do in school. This time though, it was an experience on a grand scale reaching back through the centuries.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXFpCA79QH5xNyPhGn-OAkEWcnQAKTw_qEKjovUHCt1rRJpAwpVKx9ZMCWqYRgpAc-q0trJIK3NYCNBGeyH8YU6QboHJ1X06qcO3-zuFLZdPgNvAhgI2Zded5TV6wAJWeMBseC9Y0zmwLKZ6XvdhDTSUFQ5zJFDbQH0sJwwb7boVnBvKTK0aWeMi1ABk/s4032/IMG_0071.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXFpCA79QH5xNyPhGn-OAkEWcnQAKTw_qEKjovUHCt1rRJpAwpVKx9ZMCWqYRgpAc-q0trJIK3NYCNBGeyH8YU6QboHJ1X06qcO3-zuFLZdPgNvAhgI2Zded5TV6wAJWeMBseC9Y0zmwLKZ6XvdhDTSUFQ5zJFDbQH0sJwwb7boVnBvKTK0aWeMi1ABk/w400-h300/IMG_0071.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tapestry "cartoon" with images of the finished tapestry superimposed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Around the room was a series of panels depicting the history, planning, scale and craft that went into the project. It was an awe-inspiring exhibition, set in one of the very studios that was used to weave the tapestries. As usual we were struck with creator envy and wished we could have a studio just like it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSTqqHBqdPO0qnOSmWQWsgNoyrx5So86ifPMXtuevomPblFygxgoKDevjgS8O2nWPdaG_fFmZgCSyiRCOuL8WcjFP3_MhYhl_T5mz_0uJbSX2F9S9ktJmTOQSViM2B45sg2-sw_xZGNoF0hiesO0ca5bxuy1qyNGyBGo4B6bHkMO_LKQ0esoWq4J4sGQ/s4032/IMG_0078.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSTqqHBqdPO0qnOSmWQWsgNoyrx5So86ifPMXtuevomPblFygxgoKDevjgS8O2nWPdaG_fFmZgCSyiRCOuL8WcjFP3_MhYhl_T5mz_0uJbSX2F9S9ktJmTOQSViM2B45sg2-sw_xZGNoF0hiesO0ca5bxuy1qyNGyBGo4B6bHkMO_LKQ0esoWq4J4sGQ/w400-h300/IMG_0078.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Seeing the tapestries in fresh, living colour, in their natural setting - the royal chambers in a real 14th century castle - was even more astonishing. We couldn't take our eyes off them and almost forgot to take pictures. Luckily we did manage to record those memories for posterity!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmioip3oVAwWRfaOcTp5fneCTxSFYiaoF24ay7pAPlhcEJoDI1vBLr-WRIUxBdlNKfx1a47tKam6oZRaybyZTDvYT9iF8FCOOsWtVr91GY9uuTW7yrMzzCvXNDy9fmeYQbYjOe-PqXLT0_j3LVXlBOglGDaFZGXp-FlCxK34gEGs8Q936b1sMJH_IqB8/s4032/IMG_0104.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmioip3oVAwWRfaOcTp5fneCTxSFYiaoF24ay7pAPlhcEJoDI1vBLr-WRIUxBdlNKfx1a47tKam6oZRaybyZTDvYT9iF8FCOOsWtVr91GY9uuTW7yrMzzCvXNDy9fmeYQbYjOe-PqXLT0_j3LVXlBOglGDaFZGXp-FlCxK34gEGs8Q936b1sMJH_IqB8/w400-h300/IMG_0104.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Aside from being one of the most majestic of mythical animals, the unicorn is also the royal symbol of the Scottish Kings, renowned for its purity and strength. Seeing the most famous unicorn legend installed in its rightful place filled me with joy and reverence. May it continue for many more centuries!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI8GBSGd2-T-VjsvdMQYvDDCjEW8Es6PcB0F4Xvoe2brM0bDQ4tdXvMKCDKh5kAAz6RyW7Pdv1REkAgAi60Gct9i7JZHoI9drySqFzdEjCFgknWFqBL2XKkiGi7LklzzuuCsRxmDPduImEPMvjE5hRwrAKv22ooKHWPzjvERnfvf8UrmNbKj4GlQITJ0/s4032/IMG_0105.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijI8GBSGd2-T-VjsvdMQYvDDCjEW8Es6PcB0F4Xvoe2brM0bDQ4tdXvMKCDKh5kAAz6RyW7Pdv1REkAgAi60Gct9i7JZHoI9drySqFzdEjCFgknWFqBL2XKkiGi7LklzzuuCsRxmDPduImEPMvjE5hRwrAKv22ooKHWPzjvERnfvf8UrmNbKj4GlQITJ0/w300-h400/IMG_0105.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-6506565599830081622023-10-17T13:38:00.006-04:002023-10-17T13:40:29.364-04:00lies & love <p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Does true democracy stand a chance when old-school authoritarianism is disco-fied to a beat we dance to? </span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span><i style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><a href="https://herelieslovebroadway.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here Lies Love</a> - </i><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">whose title comes from a quote of Imelda Marcos concerning the words she hopes appear on her tombstone - plays like a </span></span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">coked-up</span></span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"> cartoon. This 2010 Marcos concept album is a collaboration between </span></span></span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">David Byrne and FatBoy Slim (AKA Norman Cook). </span></span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQrA_fk8hPzCi3-LhdFDniS7Nx4w0fbSk9Arcke9VF9MyO3zIsRps48gFA5kIH6fEo7cPPe24LWo2rz5_XhZNV0AjgOlXU8ulPSGeQRlyCkukoxsfxlBNf3Uoarcbkm2wOvlqhpv86tCT6sOeREt3wiCigUiou_5gIbqZ-VAzRtHSyUyZsi1xcG34QOaA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1640" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQrA_fk8hPzCi3-LhdFDniS7Nx4w0fbSk9Arcke9VF9MyO3zIsRps48gFA5kIH6fEo7cPPe24LWo2rz5_XhZNV0AjgOlXU8ulPSGeQRlyCkukoxsfxlBNf3Uoarcbkm2wOvlqhpv86tCT6sOeREt3wiCigUiou_5gIbqZ-VAzRtHSyUyZsi1xcG34QOaA=w400-h261" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>the new <a href="https://herelieslovebroadway.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Broadway production</a></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Though it features cameos by legends such as Florence Welsh and Natalie Merchant, as well as regular contributions from Byrne himself, it feels more parody than actual pleasure-conveyor and plays through as overzealous mental masturbation. </span></span><p></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">As Filipinos who lived through the conjugal dictatorship of the Ferdinand and Imelda martial law years all this pomp and glitz is just lipstick on a pig. We are insulted and defiled by the blatant manipulation - another users' abuse to make big bucks off the Marcos circus. </span><p></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> are torn between cheering for the talented all- Filipino cast and bemoaning yet another fairytale farce of the real horror years lived through Marcosian atrocities. So much for all the pain and suffering that brought on our People Power Revolution - if this is all it now amounts to. </span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2it-IfiDY5tKaaZScVG66SyXXx5uw0r9rV0jQZNytqXCSwJOY-chNoGe5THnUo8Cga8gMyDYzG6gDBHYCmfjs43_6dC7z2j3UfOvQWS27JHAIFd5OWgVP5og3jomIg-x0vRxmeDIybz42htzot8zzaSEOvf0xGZwOT-FJFPLYzmCBa33KiBCRiwbTYGc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2it-IfiDY5tKaaZScVG66SyXXx5uw0r9rV0jQZNytqXCSwJOY-chNoGe5THnUo8Cga8gMyDYzG6gDBHYCmfjs43_6dC7z2j3UfOvQWS27JHAIFd5OWgVP5og3jomIg-x0vRxmeDIybz42htzot8zzaSEOvf0xGZwOT-FJFPLYzmCBa33KiBCRiwbTYGc=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="text-align: start;">Lea Salonga as Aurora Aquino in </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://herelieslovebroadway.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here Lies Love</a></span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-variation-settings: "ital" 0.75;">Here Lies Love</em><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)"> hits Broadway in 2023 - as t</span><span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;">he show haunts us with the living nightmare of</span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"> Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand and Imelda, sitting as the current president of the Philippines - after last year's questionable election and results. </span></span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">This latest theatrical iteration fails to transform any of the songs into unforgettable anthems that fans blast out for years to come. Even if the all-Filipino cast breathes life and feeling into the original source material - we cannot bring ourselves to want this project to succeed.</span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">In recent weeks, the show has been criticized for glossing over the pain of the Filipinos who suffered at a </span></span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">corrupt family’s </span></span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">plundering</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"> greedy </span><span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">hands</span></span><span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">. There are more </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;">controversies like how the show glorifies the Marcoses as well as the musicians’ union at loggerheads with producers to put more live players in its karaoke-baked concept. </span></span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBDBm2tZHDjrq4ZYsctvyBcneoBYhipUxDlZr7YPw5xORIezRnM7Hc4VgxKTbQIvfGN3FePdENzYaa3b8AcqlSvgMVwj1Qc5p5geC7zkl70IBf0NthPwQiwN9GaRPs5UiMJMb8GdVG7rW12375mVkDXyg6exxTLDDq5-IVyi9q_iUYqtjUwfed7zFLONU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><img data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBDBm2tZHDjrq4ZYsctvyBcneoBYhipUxDlZr7YPw5xORIezRnM7Hc4VgxKTbQIvfGN3FePdENzYaa3b8AcqlSvgMVwj1Qc5p5geC7zkl70IBf0NthPwQiwN9GaRPs5UiMJMb8GdVG7rW12375mVkDXyg6exxTLDDq5-IVyi9q_iUYqtjUwfed7zFLONU=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://herelieslovebroadway.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">300 pax audience</a> on a dance floor & sitting directly above in the balcony</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><br /></span></span><span>Judging by the sentiment that surged during scenes fronted by longtime Marcos challenger Ninoy Aquino and the closing song - an acoustic number whose lyrics are a burlesque of slogans from anti-Marcos protesters - there is little doubt as to who are the true heroes of this frothy bubbly production. </span></span><p></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;">How powerful was the people's peaceful revolt if the defeated dictators' son can return to rule after a few decades and </span><a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/14/opinion/philippines-marcos.html" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; outline: 0px; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration-thickness: 1px; transition: color 0.15s ease-out 0s;" target="_blank">whitewash his family name</a><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;">? Did we overestimated the power of electoral democracy to make lasting positive change in the world? </span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yW2weVPToec" width="320" youtube-src-id="yW2weVPToec"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/yW2weVPToec" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hear Lies Love</a> teaser</i></b></span></span></div><p></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The show's DJ who acts as master of ceremonies throughout the musical openly invites the audience to consider these questions on their way out. This all too closely resonates with an America presently where basic democracy is under attack on too many fronts. </span></span></p><p class="dcr-19m3vvb" style="--source-text-decoration-thickness: 2px; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">If love lies here, maybe political hopes do as well. We await the outcome in great anticipation. </span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-62481913377951102502023-09-30T14:56:00.002-04:002023-09-30T14:59:19.491-04:00London time<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the <i><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2022/09/moon-feast.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moon Festival</a></i>, is more than just an annual lunar event. It is an important celebration that brings together families, rekindles friendships, and unites communities. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The holiday stretches back 3,000 years, when </span><span>Orientals</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> worshipped the moon as a symbol of rejuvenation and a good harvest. Today, the holiday is all about bonding and togetherness. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikuxqGF3AXdjHPeBKX2NwoikHSY27dmN1dFcFdNbhUxlMVrvBAoCP-4SvpauYhNxTM20CJePneIgIkCYwJ4za8VcTIdOS6l5EnRxn4H4qhCGQD3eEbU3iI5jfm-kwdaMI-TGdRjGa1uh4eWlmBPlgZb86t5YBl8hfvPZIowFggTSx7OIdxikVDgQlZwjg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img data-original-height="383" data-original-width="900" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikuxqGF3AXdjHPeBKX2NwoikHSY27dmN1dFcFdNbhUxlMVrvBAoCP-4SvpauYhNxTM20CJePneIgIkCYwJ4za8VcTIdOS6l5EnRxn4H4qhCGQD3eEbU3iI5jfm-kwdaMI-TGdRjGa1uh4eWlmBPlgZb86t5YBl8hfvPZIowFggTSx7OIdxikVDgQlZwjg=w400-h170" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Chang’e</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-09/25/content_116694841.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Moon Goddess</a> and her celestial companion the Jade Rabbit</span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In an intricately woven tapestry of traditions and shared experiences </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">many around the world</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> are captivated and celebrate along. While its origins are deeply rooted in East Asian cultures, the festival’s universal messages of family bonds, friendship, and gratitude is universal. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival occurs when the moon is in its most luminous phase. No mere coincidence since the full moon is a celestial metaphor for unity and completeness. Its radiant glow a nocturnal beacon drawing people to come together, share stories, and bask in its ethereal beauty. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK5PhPTlElU0HrHKrAzEXd2gf8UGQRY0DK09KF0daeNKJSvBW9AdX0s24cOzKOPMJJLg9nVG-ixDVrsD86MCUdrKWyshuZUDZ6d6BonhJ5-jHNy-8muklLR74QUw1kNCHIFTpjfqschN6ABXnv2etMJQMqyZoMIJXaibAtwHVgTVBR9LoPsnFpGXLg8E/s2475/London%20M&I%2001.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1860" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK5PhPTlElU0HrHKrAzEXd2gf8UGQRY0DK09KF0daeNKJSvBW9AdX0s24cOzKOPMJJLg9nVG-ixDVrsD86MCUdrKWyshuZUDZ6d6BonhJ5-jHNy-8muklLR74QUw1kNCHIFTpjfqschN6ABXnv2etMJQMqyZoMIJXaibAtwHVgTVBR9LoPsnFpGXLg8E/w300-h400/London%20M&I%2001.png" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>#wonderwanderwomen inside <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2021/10/baroque-by-river-architecture-around.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St. Paul's Cathedral</a>, London</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The Mid-Autumn Festival is steeped in folklore that adds layers of cultural meaning to the celebration. One of the most enduring tales is that of </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Chang’e</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> the Moon Goddess and her celestial companion the Jade Rabbit. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This legend is often recounted through storytelling, puppetry, or even opera performances during the festival, enriching the experience and connecting participants to ancient traditions. The<span style="font-family: inherit;"> festival </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">transcends its origins to touch upon universal human themes. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsy88GD6I3JPTX9pIAlikMUS9GZVnThaYEXqYaQO0DM0ZBFzqDhfhX7NRoj1i7ibEqM_k_wyCEtWiPGognJfomWDrthbQcRfS0_5EZljtnL9uLvKvZtvapzrhweYUQ6SwN0QIigAc8aWGkyJYn5mK2pnUSSJKTEq007J2X0gO9ExYURp49eKuuIOZy_w/s2512/London%20M&I%2004.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2512" data-original-width="1637" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsy88GD6I3JPTX9pIAlikMUS9GZVnThaYEXqYaQO0DM0ZBFzqDhfhX7NRoj1i7ibEqM_k_wyCEtWiPGognJfomWDrthbQcRfS0_5EZljtnL9uLvKvZtvapzrhweYUQ6SwN0QIigAc8aWGkyJYn5mK2pnUSSJKTEq007J2X0gO9ExYURp49eKuuIOZy_w/w261-h400/London%20M&I%2004.png" width="261" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>outside St, Paul's - our day of revelation</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Its emphasis on family, friendship, and the simple act of giving thanks resonates deeply, regardless of one’s cultural background. In an increasingly globalized world, the festival serves as a moving reminder of the values that unite us all. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> are delighted to have spent this special time together. These transplanted Pinays may have made our home in America and Europe yet we are eager to celebrate the ties that bind us still - wherever it is we find ourselves. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTqYj5d74rMZdnpTHXAGIN1qm_6g5zEC98R3hMCMf9C7aa4CEklsOUfBN1Q4tAdb6x_z-J22IRqe3q1oR1FsFR9Y6va_9QAR85N2og604Zz0NeHp0AzJacH8F9sDzGSc4YPEGET9xZvEBFCB-8hdKZn15-H-izge7hXusQAlCI-tehF5akFvsnshaCxA/s2475/London%20M&I%2005.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1860" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTqYj5d74rMZdnpTHXAGIN1qm_6g5zEC98R3hMCMf9C7aa4CEklsOUfBN1Q4tAdb6x_z-J22IRqe3q1oR1FsFR9Y6va_9QAR85N2og604Zz0NeHp0AzJacH8F9sDzGSc4YPEGET9xZvEBFCB-8hdKZn15-H-izge7hXusQAlCI-tehF5akFvsnshaCxA/w300-h400/London%20M&I%2005.png" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>a pocket sanctuary nearby</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">We acknowledge the immense cultural value of global festivities like the Mid-Autumn Festival. These traditions are not historical relics but vibrant expressions of community and identity kept alive today as we move to other parts of the world. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Through our transition and localization it is our goal to promote and celebrate diversity and inclusivity - crossing borders and dismantling boundaries. Happy celebrations all around this mid-autumn festival!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dZpdzot0Lvif5dEk3iV-cgEHn2wosJDh0-LfJ6akXZrKGgUTGXNkHbBijXU2WH6TO2rNUd9AEmlgMzKPf_pnIghyphenhyphenbG2uEm-1wvNeoR9YWuXKXCEX-xJK9qWki_CYEEH7OD6v5M-0lhyImTe6xHBeGYkDsF0Q_Z6HpXMLfFApjlNgXSqrx8VKoyJdXL4/s2477/London%20M&I%2011.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="1540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dZpdzot0Lvif5dEk3iV-cgEHn2wosJDh0-LfJ6akXZrKGgUTGXNkHbBijXU2WH6TO2rNUd9AEmlgMzKPf_pnIghyphenhyphenbG2uEm-1wvNeoR9YWuXKXCEX-xJK9qWki_CYEEH7OD6v5M-0lhyImTe6xHBeGYkDsF0Q_Z6HpXMLfFApjlNgXSqrx8VKoyJdXL4/w249-h400/London%20M&I%2011.png" width="249" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>world famous <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2022/03/views-from-top-deck.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">zodiac clock</a> across the street</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-64715826048010276972023-09-20T12:50:00.210-04:002023-09-24T15:07:20.285-04:00Mabon, back to balance<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/245283748932097926/6471582604801027697#" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Autumn Equinox</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the start of the fall season where the day and night are equal in length. Also known as </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/search?q=autumn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mabon</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, it marks the official time where summer ends and fall begins. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBrhGUhulPVIKoFKh7n_w6bFwgmsQsfKwySfRtiPdbP88_IQrNi077K2-l62plPftyUCyjmVCyHbCZpfdFdrd_8VXPBYr_RjWNL9iS7EznG8hmYUsg5vwzz5YglPm4z_G5cdtqEHbYy0EXPSq6EDLosVUitVyqYwy_Pl9JYeUXb8Ba2veZTuHgEjHK0k/s2887/London%20M&I%20too.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2887" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBrhGUhulPVIKoFKh7n_w6bFwgmsQsfKwySfRtiPdbP88_IQrNi077K2-l62plPftyUCyjmVCyHbCZpfdFdrd_8VXPBYr_RjWNL9iS7EznG8hmYUsg5vwzz5YglPm4z_G5cdtqEHbYy0EXPSq6EDLosVUitVyqYwy_Pl9JYeUXb8Ba2veZTuHgEjHK0k/w400-h343/London%20M&I%20too.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Mahala & Issa on our guided tour, London 2023</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9a4eb4c2-7fff-df3a-398f-2de8091946a6"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://wisdom-of-astrology.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-cosmic-story-autumn-equinox-2023.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Autumn Equinox</a> is a celebration of the harvest - the foods to sustain us through the winter months. It is considered the <i>second harvest</i> of fruits and vegetables. The first is the wheat harvest at <i><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2023/07/breaking-bread.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lammas</a></i> (August 1), and the third harvest is </span></span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">for seeds and nuts </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">at </span><i style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://woaworld.blogspot.com/2020/10/samhain-2020.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Samhain</a></i><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (November 1).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.magoism.net/2016/03/essay-autumn-equinox-thanksgiving-and-grieving-by-glenys-livingstone-ph-d/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></a></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.magoism.net/2016/03/essay-autumn-equinox-thanksgiving-and-grieving-by-glenys-livingstone-ph-d/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Autumn Equinox</a> is a sacred moment in time for grieving our many losses - as individuals, as a culture, as Earth-Gaia. We join Demeter and other Mother Goddesses from around the globe as they weep for all that has been lost. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wJcr7sjEImY7dTG_7gmo9rePVgo9dLlZfM-LvvbAdgJHE22HUmA_a6oH7Ov0DVvtaejFnw4x6vjBIXmWhETqKn6BXX7B2W7NrhF74ouK5ANKPxzlf74lRQQPtqGuJe-hVgQUPDjaK4FCt46xN4eFPZVECkziewfZafFp-Kzbi8aobeAIsCxkoa4haYs/s3300/London%20M&I.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="3300" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wJcr7sjEImY7dTG_7gmo9rePVgo9dLlZfM-LvvbAdgJHE22HUmA_a6oH7Ov0DVvtaejFnw4x6vjBIXmWhETqKn6BXX7B2W7NrhF74ouK5ANKPxzlf74lRQQPtqGuJe-hVgQUPDjaK4FCt46xN4eFPZVECkziewfZafFp-Kzbi8aobeAIsCxkoa4haYs/w400-h225/London%20M&I.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Mahala & Issa watch "Matilda", London 2023</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The Mother weeps and rages, the Daughter leaves courageously, the Old One beckons with her wisdom and promise of transformation. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">For millennia, in Greece, this seasonal shift has been the holy celebration of Persephone’s descent to the Underworld. In the earliest Goddess tradition, she descends of her own volition to comfort the dead. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNfQNyG1OzRFMAiYy24Mwn1TdjAZ4kAuF3MREWIxyVM9IUmhvixynCVZ3DPwWJjQoi_GbYphH20k3w9WbweiqyzGkEZDqCX268VJ3d7LZp2sBIwuEpMdJciJTJPGD1wmyxmyVx5__pySihPbzfnefjmdzWIfn33a5dApBJTb8fxjPoL9IbopqaRmPTJlw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1136" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNfQNyG1OzRFMAiYy24Mwn1TdjAZ4kAuF3MREWIxyVM9IUmhvixynCVZ3DPwWJjQoi_GbYphH20k3w9WbweiqyzGkEZDqCX268VJ3d7LZp2sBIwuEpMdJciJTJPGD1wmyxmyVx5__pySihPbzfnefjmdzWIfn33a5dApBJTb8fxjPoL9IbopqaRmPTJlw=w400-h316" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>excerpt from "<a href="https://www.npr.org/2005/10/02/4933011/louise-erdrich-and-the-painted-drum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Painted Drum</a>"</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The process is one of gaining of wisdom and restoring beauty. She is the seed planted in the earth that sprouts again - growing to maturity and carrying life forward. </span></span></p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-98e2ddd6-7fff-7efc-040b-40dbd44ebd10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Understanding the Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone has infinite depth. Being able to hold the tension of the grief and the joy of existence - the essence of creativity.</span></span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-43191615831218182712023-09-10T11:09:00.219-04:002023-10-04T13:58:16.972-04:00Fil-Am convoluted history<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Each year, American renew a solemn vow to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001, or those who lost their lives.</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-77ae0c4e-7fff-7538-aba1-a931bd2d10a2" style="color: #444444;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On <i><a href="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/patriot-day-and-national-day-of-service-and-remberance-september-11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance</a></i>, we honor every life lost that day. We honor the first responders - firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency workers, and service members - who answered the call of duty, and the brave civilians who rushed into action to save lives that day. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT16uUuhKdIPQE1_-A4zrgMbI4_Yr0S0Y-o45cP5AIAd-1ajhpvNKFDenEXHXDxvLw8B7XeOyMQlykgYqX0mrWBdHzeLe5PztWqu6gUIh1ET3E7MB5m2alr0Ap0DYOQ2PWAfh_vka9w01qW9lt90WCibATVVQLj5Nln1lFDLZQTP6JOG9SvQD6qa7ntak" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT16uUuhKdIPQE1_-A4zrgMbI4_Yr0S0Y-o45cP5AIAd-1ajhpvNKFDenEXHXDxvLw8B7XeOyMQlykgYqX0mrWBdHzeLe5PztWqu6gUIh1ET3E7MB5m2alr0Ap0DYOQ2PWAfh_vka9w01qW9lt90WCibATVVQLj5Nln1lFDLZQTP6JOG9SvQD6qa7ntak=w400-h200" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="September 11 attacks">9/11</a> anniversary</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Their courage embodies the best of our American spirit and resilience - their heroism continues to inspire generations of Americans. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To the detriment of the Philippine nation and its people </span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.15008px;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Marcos" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos</a></i></span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.15008px;">, the 10th president of the Philippines and its lone dictator from 1966 to February 1986 - was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. An unfortunate event we all still have to recover from. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Marcos Senior was an <i>AmBoy</i> - a favored puppet of the American government. From </span><span style="background-color: white;">1972 until 1983, the US government provided $2.5 billion in bilateral military and economic aid to the Marcos regime, and about $5.5 billion through multilateral institutions such as the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="World Bank">World Bank</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fund" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="International Monetary Fund">International Monetary Fund</a><span style="background-color: white;"> (IMF)</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMDNsNbihsgyTIAw8ROa6TuAs-tDZ8V6wQUBSZuFqNqyK-MGjPBMP9MD0kzoLVZN6TvPuJ_bftdVlDXh1ONKEB6uwb-BUO5P_Ierg5-38vGufzNc1Op7eCjrCI_-8HPK_9xZiGQ2uIuae6XXAQdO2POEBKmE3EuWteVb63pBbuRg2YaigBkCyz2KihK4c" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1280" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMDNsNbihsgyTIAw8ROa6TuAs-tDZ8V6wQUBSZuFqNqyK-MGjPBMP9MD0kzoLVZN6TvPuJ_bftdVlDXh1ONKEB6uwb-BUO5P_Ierg5-38vGufzNc1Op7eCjrCI_-8HPK_9xZiGQ2uIuae6XXAQdO2POEBKmE3EuWteVb63pBbuRg2YaigBkCyz2KihK4c=w400-h270" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon" style="background: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Richard Nixon">Richard Nixon</a><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: left;"> with the Marcos family, 1969 - thick as thieves</span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;">In a 1979 </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: collapse;" title="United States Senate">US Senate</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"> report, it was stated that US officials were aware, as early as 1973, that Philippine government agents were in the United States to harass Filipino dissidents. In June 1981, two anti-Marcos labor activists were assassinated outside of a union hall in Seattle. On at least one occasion, CIA agents blocked </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: collapse;" title="Federal Bureau of Investigation">FBI</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"> investigations of Philippine agents. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;">By 1984, US Republican President </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: collapse;" title="Ronald Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"> started distancing himself from the Marcos regime that he and previous American presidents had strongly supported even after Marcos declared martial law. The United States, which had provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, was crucial in buttressing Marcos' rule over the years. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHbwl20TBvf_W221Dzzbfjr8ZNsikkYuLGEoDGmsAGVebIwQaMR2cVXFQSTlcWzNdC9eNGX865OSyeh4byojjZS9lchrqqNMXk7K5j3qp37lQ_lZZC0-jsyI_h4c1d85DSx5z-qJaGcDkXRtUfOYRv_Hwgph6g-vLpDTGpd_kqjaUd32nNg5axX4sCiis" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><img data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1280" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHbwl20TBvf_W221Dzzbfjr8ZNsikkYuLGEoDGmsAGVebIwQaMR2cVXFQSTlcWzNdC9eNGX865OSyeh4byojjZS9lchrqqNMXk7K5j3qp37lQ_lZZC0-jsyI_h4c1d85DSx5z-qJaGcDkXRtUfOYRv_Hwgph6g-vLpDTGpd_kqjaUd32nNg5axX4sCiis=w400-h261" width="400" /></i></b></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: left;">Ferdinand & Imelda Marcos at the White House with </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan" style="background: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Ronald Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a>,<span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: left;">1982</span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">During the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Jimmy_Carter" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: collapse;" title="Presidency of Jimmy Carter">Carter administration</a><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"> the relationship with the US had soured further when President Jimmy Carter targeted the Philippines in his </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: collapse;" title="Human rights">human rights</a><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;"> campaign. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">All five American presidents from 1965 to 1985 were unwilling to jeopardize the US-Marcos relationship, mainly to protect and retain access of the US military bases in the Philippines.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each year, Filipinos around the world renew a solemn vow to never forget what happened under the Marcos dictatorship. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Marcos left an economic legacy of debt, hardship and excess of dictatorship. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzGwrqrNG9pv0F9ExIvwc8J7lC_kN7VuCZhzds6pbjwN1IjHLCofwP-NAz3Xe0DnaCubql-OvDjVRxmUs3J2E-aPO8c9GyJoQRmxCvog9PjGRkEq105mX3-byg8kwjrszvEBokwxRxNGiviljTEqatTDM4veti0YuWbfOLhSdGcm1Byru6zUeMptwaqWM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1072" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzGwrqrNG9pv0F9ExIvwc8J7lC_kN7VuCZhzds6pbjwN1IjHLCofwP-NAz3Xe0DnaCubql-OvDjVRxmUs3J2E-aPO8c9GyJoQRmxCvog9PjGRkEq105mX3-byg8kwjrszvEBokwxRxNGiviljTEqatTDM4veti0YuWbfOLhSdGcm1Byru6zUeMptwaqWM=w400-h223" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/05/10/watch-imelda-tapes-treasure-trove-marcos-history-right-under-our-noses/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">treasure trove of archival footage</a> helps tell the story <br />of the Marcos dynasty’s Hawaiian </span><span>exile</span></i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;">Authoritarianism, human rights abuses - abductions, torture, terror killings or "salvagings", disappearances, murders, massacres - ill gotten or unaccountable wealth and kleptocracy, historical manipulation and Marcos family denial, monopolies, international and national debt. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span>The list of Marcos era atrocities continues to today. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Marcos and his wife, Imelda, were jointly credited in 1989 by </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_World_Records" style="background: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Guinness World Records">Guinness World Records</a></i><span style="background-color: white;"> with the largest-ever theft from a government (an estimated 5 billion to 10 billion US dollars),</span><span style="background-color: white;"> a record they still hold to this day. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-PkKolKPiXFhkjRem2xph9obs2afhuZrcmwUjxegSPai1mdqB2QLcX8I69IuRjVwQnbhh78oF2TrvLmYLJUe8L2AWbU7MX8mCoxcJfP607FuF37RLVAkZNC59dxwN0VdI5TsVQAwysPU9PfhFthIBG9xuV822IXTeLUjlbHYr8kyuNuAWMURPdpEKDdc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-PkKolKPiXFhkjRem2xph9obs2afhuZrcmwUjxegSPai1mdqB2QLcX8I69IuRjVwQnbhh78oF2TrvLmYLJUe8L2AWbU7MX8mCoxcJfP607FuF37RLVAkZNC59dxwN0VdI5TsVQAwysPU9PfhFthIBG9xuV822IXTeLUjlbHYr8kyuNuAWMURPdpEKDdc=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos with the Johnsons, 1966</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Their whole family and minions remain free and unaccountable. As does the US government and their role in this horror show. Never again! we cry against these hooligans and monsters. </span></span></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-56093900099934891502023-08-30T11:25:00.228-04:002023-08-31T10:52:55.032-04:00precious child's breath<p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.behance.net/m_urra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mahala</a> celebrates her birthday on September 1 - this year I will be with her in London to celebrate together. Can't wait to be with my one and only spawn and favorite being of my life. </span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse67Buf-scda837RIF7Lo0WAnAMLZowWsnlMKZOLKDafPoe3obToInwkLKAPRj2YgA5CBALyTgI37A6bBeE2UM_tsAyn53mvM4riBi4ZgIgcqWeg8NGSNnZTqU5CZ1YTbh-RDmQnwMwf-_MfO9ujtH90qqEI4jGWv42CQthwfw5SsiPVhswdHDBtQ8Tg/s960/divine%20M%20bday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse67Buf-scda837RIF7Lo0WAnAMLZowWsnlMKZOLKDafPoe3obToInwkLKAPRj2YgA5CBALyTgI37A6bBeE2UM_tsAyn53mvM4riBi4ZgIgcqWeg8NGSNnZTqU5CZ1YTbh-RDmQnwMwf-_MfO9ujtH90qqEI4jGWv42CQthwfw5SsiPVhswdHDBtQ8Tg/w400-h300/divine%20M%20bday.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2020/09/songs-of-september_9.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Issa</a></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">’s digital decoupage of </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2020/09/songs-of-september_9.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mahala’s art</a></span></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.numerology.com/articles/your-numerology-chart/core-numbers-numerology/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Numerology</a> charts </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">claim</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> being born on the first day makes you </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">a self-starter with very innovative ways of creating opportunity. Never afraid to be the first to try something new. </span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Determination and endurance are powerful and a great help to get through times of struggle to reach success. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">As solar systems are aligning in the Universe our planets are aligning with our sun. So too are Mahala's life years and numbers lining up - 1, 2, 3, 11.</span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw6_Ml_wAygW4LBlZ97KU7Js2BDNqP2-_Hu-KKv90SCYV8MpTuefX9DKYqTaIG5FOeUZXzIGI29YG0OGN2VxC2vNGZk94yOhM5HXiUGag4xxkwLrqUgWaPm9AHxuD0O2e9A6Yb6ezoOlAW-bVETuyah_ua5cqakP8MHAijnLhnUTWMWOSdQVElwkHMp4/s3613/divine%20M%20bday%20too.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="3613" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw6_Ml_wAygW4LBlZ97KU7Js2BDNqP2-_Hu-KKv90SCYV8MpTuefX9DKYqTaIG5FOeUZXzIGI29YG0OGN2VxC2vNGZk94yOhM5HXiUGag4xxkwLrqUgWaPm9AHxuD0O2e9A6Yb6ezoOlAW-bVETuyah_ua5cqakP8MHAijnLhnUTWMWOSdQVElwkHMp4/w400-h231/divine%20M%20bday%20too.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Mahala birthday girl - Earth angel? NYC bug!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Then there's the astrological aspect to it - in all of constellation mythology, few legends are as misunderstood as the <a href="https://greekerthanthegreeks.com/the-ancient-greek-myth-which-portrays-the-zodiac-sign-of-virgo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Virgo myth</a>. </span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">By most accounts, the typical interpretation of Virgo mythology is a series of goddesses from various cultural mythologies that combine to create the myth of <i>Virgo the Virgin</i>. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is inaccurate and misleading. Th</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">e word <i>virgo</i> is Latin and means <i>self-contained</i> or <i>self-sufficient</i> - the proverbial pure vessel. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin9Z2DorHc4vOAVeno5XcHfF7Kf3Dp9CyLYYSH5gVOpBfo_brxZc4PAa6kKTkURKcR2MS1ODSgp7PjKJ8Q11dTvYZ1Hbee8ahOFE4OzAtsrd0wkoi5vSYndUpCw0fmujTKFKpKlMsr8LBuukDuG1ur_hvK8sFoJFSUfNTURjrBgVrmTsuLRyIDiQDGcQE" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin9Z2DorHc4vOAVeno5XcHfF7Kf3Dp9CyLYYSH5gVOpBfo_brxZc4PAa6kKTkURKcR2MS1ODSgp7PjKJ8Q11dTvYZ1Hbee8ahOFE4OzAtsrd0wkoi5vSYndUpCw0fmujTKFKpKlMsr8LBuukDuG1ur_hvK8sFoJFSUfNTURjrBgVrmTsuLRyIDiQDGcQE=w400-h400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-40b36862-7fff-fefe-f8b1-b9d9680fbaf9"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="https://www.theoi.com/Titan/Astraia.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Astraea</a>, star maiden, Virgo goddess, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Gallego#/media/File:Fernando_gallego-boveda-virgo.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fernando Gallego</a></i></b></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Virgo is the six</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">th sign of the zodiac - from </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">August 23 to September 22. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Its</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> symbol is the </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Maiden, its <span style="font-family: inherit;">element is </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Earth. It is ruled by the planet </span><a href="https://greekerthanthegreeks.com/astra-planeta-when-greek-gods-were-planets/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mercury</span></a>. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><em style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">The Thunder, Perfect Mind - </em><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">a gnostic text, states:</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><em style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">‘For I am the first and the last.<br />I am the honoured one and the scored one.<br />I am the whore and the holy one.<br />I am the wife and the virgin.<br />I am the mother and the daughter.<br />I am the members of my mother.<br />I am the barren one and many are her sons.<br />I am she whose wedding is great,<br />and I have not taken a husband.' </span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><em style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBUyH6L-XHyQqXGLLb9n6EOyxCQq4t671Oyy3ySMkpYtPSAcWnCK9moDJ_iMZxPdAcDLAXytjgkIIbkiTBTG-VhoQFLAC85k1HCVODS53Aw2BsNVURruQsqbHGEzarwGn5Hpg0wbqSwEW_HjyD9bFtWYfiOHPoEaPZsQztqkNYRyqUA1yCW1bV6fCUwMM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1200" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBUyH6L-XHyQqXGLLb9n6EOyxCQq4t671Oyy3ySMkpYtPSAcWnCK9moDJ_iMZxPdAcDLAXytjgkIIbkiTBTG-VhoQFLAC85k1HCVODS53Aw2BsNVURruQsqbHGEzarwGn5Hpg0wbqSwEW_HjyD9bFtWYfiOHPoEaPZsQztqkNYRyqUA1yCW1bV6fCUwMM=w400-h229" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="caption-text" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.space.com/17021-virgo-constellation.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Virgo</a> between the constellations Leo & Libra </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;">(image credit: StellariumWeb)</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></span></em></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a class="hawk-link-parsed" data-component-tracked="1" data-url="" href="https://www.space.com/17021-virgo-constellation.html" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", "Open Sans-fallback"; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444;">As Abraham Lincoln said, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count - it's the life in your years."</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In the words of the saints and sages, "It's not the number of breaths we take that count but the moments that take our breath away." </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.41px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Breath of my being, thank you for being born to me. xoxo </span></span></p>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-33717624753048034802023-08-20T08:22:00.014-04:002023-08-20T13:12:08.750-04:00Fonab Castle and Pitlochry Dam, Scotland<p>In late July <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a> enjoyed a visit from family - my nephew had turned 14 earlier in the year and we were celebrating. As a present, my aunt took him and my cousin to the UK. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEssMtKU6Q_x_c481YNwW0ZOXv6ZuwLSnhi-Z6TaL4v0BwSsdHjQIIrroYE0h36qRx1A4WPh0x7lSP7L-aAo1G4gC2X5boGlH1t-lC9Cotz2fau98-rWVwbEVQ7rnbeUI8cPuGWAyIA6PGbfXCU7HWhiJL7XdXcPgVFUhjGwDcWPsKpHFvEm47Brq5gio/s1210/IMG_8314.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEssMtKU6Q_x_c481YNwW0ZOXv6ZuwLSnhi-Z6TaL4v0BwSsdHjQIIrroYE0h36qRx1A4WPh0x7lSP7L-aAo1G4gC2X5boGlH1t-lC9Cotz2fau98-rWVwbEVQ7rnbeUI8cPuGWAyIA6PGbfXCU7HWhiJL7XdXcPgVFUhjGwDcWPsKpHFvEm47Brq5gio/w300-h400/IMG_8314.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: small;"><i>Fonab Castle, with dining pod</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I was excited to meet them in London and ride up with them to Scotland, where we walked our happy feet off through Edinburgh's most famous castles. </p><p>As an extra treat, we went with some dear friends up into the beautiful and ancient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairngorms" target="_blank">Cairngorms</a> area of the Scottish Highlands. We stayed at the <a href="https://www.fonabcastlehotel.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fonab Castle Hotel</a>, a gorgeous Victorian castle with phenomenal views.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0DWC6fzTrWBBpmpiBBavomMffEwxo02TME1tQ18xqQPfPCkaiizvSVXWGIKwPOSTAOqbpmdXHQ6xSfIU2FgNRynnYQ37b6uu1K0h9ZsMnJUF0kpjrRk7ED0wyqdEru-DT7Q1fbf6ZUoGwuCHtcHchOJ8Kvx2X_-ao7Jn9v1t8NIzBw8PcSgQhjgYQN0/s1210/IMG_8342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0DWC6fzTrWBBpmpiBBavomMffEwxo02TME1tQ18xqQPfPCkaiizvSVXWGIKwPOSTAOqbpmdXHQ6xSfIU2FgNRynnYQ37b6uu1K0h9ZsMnJUF0kpjrRk7ED0wyqdEru-DT7Q1fbf6ZUoGwuCHtcHchOJ8Kvx2X_-ao7Jn9v1t8NIzBw8PcSgQhjgYQN0/s320/IMG_8342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>The hotel is famous for its spa and fine dining and is the only five-star hotel in the area. The spa was fully booked, but we made the most out of its restaurants and upstairs lounge. After the crowds and bustle of Edinburgh, it was amazing to look out over the loch with an iced latte or a pot of tea and enjoy the panorama.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0XHY15hM-22xJZSl6_B9gG8O0xBWpDO8X7LFG6duKPb6qCrrNN8XmD4kwR6uiY8Pvah2HlrKD7bvvr5Nj_VyTyCXMccDwarf0h1KA_eDIY98xTfWzX4GMgxtx5GcmpcG5ZsNmLKM4b7npgy88q2UXQ0eU0hp0N7h1ex-2Q9bwD0ONXDX7DU_DOSWbfA/s1210/IMG_8247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0XHY15hM-22xJZSl6_B9gG8O0xBWpDO8X7LFG6duKPb6qCrrNN8XmD4kwR6uiY8Pvah2HlrKD7bvvr5Nj_VyTyCXMccDwarf0h1KA_eDIY98xTfWzX4GMgxtx5GcmpcG5ZsNmLKM4b7npgy88q2UXQ0eU0hp0N7h1ex-2Q9bwD0ONXDX7DU_DOSWbfA/s320/IMG_8247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu8W_5Xy_xvokQXLW6d57SkU0orpwy1mSwVtNH8_6PjMLYUUB36fmc3bp68727ZtPQQThXrIqHT4_yEWyQq8TIHFzN7xMRNaIt0NouqiUAIFRTYVCjT5Ry_3QYvSsMwhCVOZaSFclTF_2im3-sbOxv_FJ1deaL6QzboACUPmLx9Q9fLfz4UTDlA0glJM/s1210/IMG_8252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu8W_5Xy_xvokQXLW6d57SkU0orpwy1mSwVtNH8_6PjMLYUUB36fmc3bp68727ZtPQQThXrIqHT4_yEWyQq8TIHFzN7xMRNaIt0NouqiUAIFRTYVCjT5Ry_3QYvSsMwhCVOZaSFclTF_2im3-sbOxv_FJ1deaL6QzboACUPmLx9Q9fLfz4UTDlA0glJM/s320/IMG_8252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The castle was built in 1892 in the Baronial style and overlooks the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Faskally" target="_blank">River Tummel and Loch Faskally</a>; it reopened as a hotel in 2013 and has been a coveted luxury destination since. It is surrounded by pine forests and by mountain peaks that may be up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grampian_Mountains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">800 million years old</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48B1mcIrZ8-GQ5Pk-iOaoP_oSXRN7fILn5Pz4sv_1z33tPvlqo77UARAd-QrlLJmYNW-5oUK-7VAkXmh3XG6Xd12BO1W2rS3Wlfec1SfJh0FHIhwNzUMaqk2vFB-3Yr2ziREF_IssyG84S5g-aLmeroPGPQY0dN4jI3Iqj0F-TQRG5pHhZQr_YoHma3I/s1210/IMG_8334.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48B1mcIrZ8-GQ5Pk-iOaoP_oSXRN7fILn5Pz4sv_1z33tPvlqo77UARAd-QrlLJmYNW-5oUK-7VAkXmh3XG6Xd12BO1W2rS3Wlfec1SfJh0FHIhwNzUMaqk2vFB-3Yr2ziREF_IssyG84S5g-aLmeroPGPQY0dN4jI3Iqj0F-TQRG5pHhZQr_YoHma3I/s320/IMG_8334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A little path goes down from the dining deck and leads right to the water, and a serene view of the woods framing the loch. Visitors come from around the UK to camp, fish and picnic around Loch Faskally, which is teeming with salmon, trout and other native fish.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzS0nXRfS69wifYPSRXcRVfbxtuiGgi8yOEOcyWFf11TirIWSfQeQnm0aJ5tFwUUIApU8oV6dTjSRiu26LTVMQNEnSR9X0JdOLpAPa_Dj8xdY4lHs7NAniA3HhAVyV4MUs65S0XTIdBrGrQr2KEaQPoLxgbIFpqomaI-NxicUX1NniI59Z5LPliyTwuE/s2894/IMG_8326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="2894" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzS0nXRfS69wifYPSRXcRVfbxtuiGgi8yOEOcyWFf11TirIWSfQeQnm0aJ5tFwUUIApU8oV6dTjSRiu26LTVMQNEnSR9X0JdOLpAPa_Dj8xdY4lHs7NAniA3HhAVyV4MUs65S0XTIdBrGrQr2KEaQPoLxgbIFpqomaI-NxicUX1NniI59Z5LPliyTwuE/s320/IMG_8326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As we proceeded down the trail we heard a roaring sound and emerged at the <a href="https://www.pitlochrydam.com" target="_blank">Pitlochry Dam and Power Station</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASS5G4h-xq4C7jyKzX4A5jqQwtebU26fMGk05VE5wcVblWJ4XUf1Lq34_cxUhnykCT4Gb7AZfIjiZfmqqM01H1GOh1AR8AZKkY4KIGHQyeuOv0TJZAskdaBQj0uFT4qw9w4P5WGNeRXH3X-vBQvNb38-OOo84HRsc0lAUw5XReg8DOyIKhp5cBazrkb0/s1210/IMG_8295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASS5G4h-xq4C7jyKzX4A5jqQwtebU26fMGk05VE5wcVblWJ4XUf1Lq34_cxUhnykCT4Gb7AZfIjiZfmqqM01H1GOh1AR8AZKkY4KIGHQyeuOv0TJZAskdaBQj0uFT4qw9w4P5WGNeRXH3X-vBQvNb38-OOo84HRsc0lAUw5XReg8DOyIKhp5cBazrkb0/s320/IMG_8295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This historic dam was built in the middle of World War II as part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tummel_hydro-electric_power_scheme" target="_blank">Tummel Hydro-electric Power Scheme</a>, and was the first hydroelectric dam to power most of the Highlands. Even now it provides electricity for 15,000 homes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0SqPw8gGvaI0alat5M1sy5DZxu8rwkOT3KDi80Rx8IzszMAccEkTYO97bxIrxWNa6s-N9OF8S0VLUakXNLjqy7eHC2M9TdSZ39D_X-Zhc55xm9Fqzcb9aqTXw4qDqhnvkzMbhnKb9tKvTP0zG6GWOl1DQzDcCsCEVcE4S-xqqCSbmKADPsN-tD4fq_M/s1210/IMG_8296.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0SqPw8gGvaI0alat5M1sy5DZxu8rwkOT3KDi80Rx8IzszMAccEkTYO97bxIrxWNa6s-N9OF8S0VLUakXNLjqy7eHC2M9TdSZ39D_X-Zhc55xm9Fqzcb9aqTXw4qDqhnvkzMbhnKb9tKvTP0zG6GWOl1DQzDcCsCEVcE4S-xqqCSbmKADPsN-tD4fq_M/s320/IMG_8296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The dam is famous for being built on the principles of green energy and the accommodation of local wildlife. There is a bustling ecosystem with many thriving species along the dam, loch and river.<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJem6TE3KfxWq54GFMfWa4QI_MtwlcqvRUBAJuhz1Ss6Nd8kMxQSugEGOsz_bpH9q4vxgACmI9kMyEkZkKtSpxGPYqPgA9tltC4YvQXjzO0Kp2GMcHsCvn00QZsGBeBky9m5LzQNOgFWBl1b6INJoWmpqsw1SYCvg2Az_pxcaU1r1SvWTm7uPgAzsjR_g/s1210/IMG_8276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJem6TE3KfxWq54GFMfWa4QI_MtwlcqvRUBAJuhz1Ss6Nd8kMxQSugEGOsz_bpH9q4vxgACmI9kMyEkZkKtSpxGPYqPgA9tltC4YvQXjzO0Kp2GMcHsCvn00QZsGBeBky9m5LzQNOgFWBl1b6INJoWmpqsw1SYCvg2Az_pxcaU1r1SvWTm7uPgAzsjR_g/s320/IMG_8276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Pitlochry is particularly famous for its <a href="https://www.pitlochrydam.com/about/local-area/" target="_blank">ingeniously engineered fish ladder</a>, developed so that the yearly run of Atlantic salmon would not be disrupted by the power station. </div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/194633933?h=6e5841182f" title="vimeo-player" width="540"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Adult salmon returning to breed are kept safely away from the dam turbines and have an easy swim up the 34-chambered salmon ladder to the Loch and upriver, while the turbines are designed to safely allow young salmon to swim through and downriver to the sea. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsduRT09xXTZoJ4emLto_ieJkzdM7RoSuHZKEhmmRJRUw_DfWNPJ6PZqOwfjs59gzax9Msv-tD2jT5DSxi59kA96N0sveXA4wtilXv4-IZN6J4aMkUGAWdSEluSZPFRg7zL7_bWxs0d3JG5sfL6mlRIrwVf_kSSXuPx-__ba3m09J0vNXIaefI6gHb5Q/s1210/IMG_8299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsduRT09xXTZoJ4emLto_ieJkzdM7RoSuHZKEhmmRJRUw_DfWNPJ6PZqOwfjs59gzax9Msv-tD2jT5DSxi59kA96N0sveXA4wtilXv4-IZN6J4aMkUGAWdSEluSZPFRg7zL7_bWxs0d3JG5sfL6mlRIrwVf_kSSXuPx-__ba3m09J0vNXIaefI6gHb5Q/s320/IMG_8299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Up the road is the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitlochry" target="_blank">Pitlochry</a>, a Victorian tourist town visited by travellers interested in the camping, hiking, golf and other outdoor pursuits that are popular in the area. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ01_ek_UFIcEFMWNDQ_9hpaYen4z8zhK3y5gTypROXKp4KcCwnYGDx90mH_EPL9x9PvMYJ9pgjLEva7V2tTQiZSH8kaKNQLoMg5rlu6hync1O6G1jIKKA7yLoHd5FeooQcJRpeh-WRSTJPd3LrV6iHbhatXmZQD1AMSzNqoBwyg_dovbySurfTgOVw0/s1210/IMG_8282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1210" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZ01_ek_UFIcEFMWNDQ_9hpaYen4z8zhK3y5gTypROXKp4KcCwnYGDx90mH_EPL9x9PvMYJ9pgjLEva7V2tTQiZSH8kaKNQLoMg5rlu6hync1O6G1jIKKA7yLoHd5FeooQcJRpeh-WRSTJPd3LrV6iHbhatXmZQD1AMSzNqoBwyg_dovbySurfTgOVw0/s320/IMG_8282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>For those with less energetic hobbies (like me), the town also offers historic buildings, charming gardens and lovely views around every corner.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-pm28Nld4mncpv4082ElHUTCp6NPqEuavrxtIehNrEv1b1ltl0-R2d-fyL8tobkBGnuvaK0ISg_1vwn_lhxbrXKI0YM-OTgHu8vLEJnxSW6d193KivgxYccvJEsGVPMmNBhrmbh3PNylE1HcMLbVri5dNhokWDMmPEmdFP8Waqgic1T1KpEepnNFmo8/s1210/IMG_8283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-pm28Nld4mncpv4082ElHUTCp6NPqEuavrxtIehNrEv1b1ltl0-R2d-fyL8tobkBGnuvaK0ISg_1vwn_lhxbrXKI0YM-OTgHu8vLEJnxSW6d193KivgxYccvJEsGVPMmNBhrmbh3PNylE1HcMLbVri5dNhokWDMmPEmdFP8Waqgic1T1KpEepnNFmo8/s320/IMG_8283.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>There are "living sculptures" dotted around the neighbourhood, shops selling local crafts and delicacies, and a very pretty mill creek running through the town.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ6o2-Ts_Mkl4f1lWQbyRwIO91OTc9-MY6rTDFH8gqghlfIgQK5aiD8XY_wQj38msLxxuuNslW4izJg6DFlkKenCWFWdus_e86yyNq-A-VR21C4MEi1ARuSsr7GDUpXxuU_omT0-6VwuD26xKyqqs_uvs52cqR4BmBhu_z8DnidjEPeLiUIPh7g0r6mQ/s1210/IMG_8284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ6o2-Ts_Mkl4f1lWQbyRwIO91OTc9-MY6rTDFH8gqghlfIgQK5aiD8XY_wQj38msLxxuuNslW4izJg6DFlkKenCWFWdus_e86yyNq-A-VR21C4MEi1ARuSsr7GDUpXxuU_omT0-6VwuD26xKyqqs_uvs52cqR4BmBhu_z8DnidjEPeLiUIPh7g0r6mQ/s320/IMG_8284.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>And on the way back, the peace of the woods and water helps to settle us down again and we're ready for a hearty meal and a restful sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh857UPTT-pVhP1Qnz0yvfHIue7Zyz8KgC8tnJEVcWngwIAjyf5KGOs3gG7ss6xpgP7fmIoA92dcAjuRWId54q7CRilfyolaSo5pAGtkXI3CXwDpwba1SgDoTfmlWjzfCqgJLgTrMtbgl0KjHcGeV56XkobV8tIXFoGU-fO4i4SkkYeWDnN2sI0VqDXfg0/s1210/IMG_8265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh857UPTT-pVhP1Qnz0yvfHIue7Zyz8KgC8tnJEVcWngwIAjyf5KGOs3gG7ss6xpgP7fmIoA92dcAjuRWId54q7CRilfyolaSo5pAGtkXI3CXwDpwba1SgDoTfmlWjzfCqgJLgTrMtbgl0KjHcGeV56XkobV8tIXFoGU-fO4i4SkkYeWDnN2sI0VqDXfg0/s320/IMG_8265.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I'd love to return someday!</div><div> </div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-87736931083685076332023-08-12T09:52:00.001-04:002023-08-26T10:50:20.812-04:00blast from the past<p><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander |women</a> have been on Blogger since 2014 and only joined Medium in 2020. Separately we have been writing on other platforms since the early 2000s - when only a few of them were available. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">Many of them have since folded and given up their ghosts, yet here we remain slugging on word for word, idea for idea, interest for interest. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UnRgLCGlYRBfCJC-iIMBLiamd8b9-Ji1nnO-x4vfBPqIYrxhuAdOzW5LsvAKs9tuobGltJNwomgImemgm4ZUu7hELPFpcbjLqmhkvSzKFbCUY2RxPnUCdKYoCFI4XErHXzTG_aiUVaRj-rcVEGDKwdmLy9JQ8vXE1bqIUfjDGpuDte7iR7X5ShNesRA/s2475/NYC%202014%2001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1856" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UnRgLCGlYRBfCJC-iIMBLiamd8b9-Ji1nnO-x4vfBPqIYrxhuAdOzW5LsvAKs9tuobGltJNwomgImemgm4ZUu7hELPFpcbjLqmhkvSzKFbCUY2RxPnUCdKYoCFI4XErHXzTG_aiUVaRj-rcVEGDKwdmLy9JQ8vXE1bqIUfjDGpuDte7iR7X5ShNesRA/w300-h400/NYC%202014%2001.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>mural by Carolina Ro at Kate's Paperie, Soho NYC</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">In the meantime lives have gotten busy once again post lockdown and we thought it would be a great time to resurrect some of our past posts that have yet to get to a wider audience. Be prepared to be roped into our latest catch up project. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="color: #444444;">Starting now we will be posting them between every other freshly written post for you to enjoy as much as we have. Let us know which ones you prefer and we would be grateful to write more on the topic. </span><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2xG8puVjoZKJNdIygv_7n0toB3i4oGps-9cIdLHYJ6mxzjIS4L9BD18K-1JYy64xoGnsqBBeaYzhSk-HtQx2_muLo2uJ06gDNadH8LF_obHgR21t6VRrUMUD2gJ8xSz1VerRmYbc41I_LgYanJQUfcUnYXxwgTXrVIN1JzClX3rZ6ts0EARy8e3bqx4/s2475/NYC%202014%2002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2475" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2xG8puVjoZKJNdIygv_7n0toB3i4oGps-9cIdLHYJ6mxzjIS4L9BD18K-1JYy64xoGnsqBBeaYzhSk-HtQx2_muLo2uJ06gDNadH8LF_obHgR21t6VRrUMUD2gJ8xSz1VerRmYbc41I_LgYanJQUfcUnYXxwgTXrVIN1JzClX3rZ6ts0EARy8e3bqx4/w400-h400/NYC%202014%2002.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>breakfast at Sant Ambroeus on Prince & Lafayette, Soho</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">Working our way back through our first post here at <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wonder | wander |women</a> we begin with <a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/04/nyc-touching-down-and-reaching-out.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a visit to New York City</a> - a favorite destination for many, ourselves included. Enjoy! </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;">Join us today for a blast from the past - <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/04/nyc-touching-down-and-reaching-out.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">NYC: touching down and reaching out</span></a>. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkovLkrZyF2BXV-ywy3Mc5VXwVvkIQ3HDIndDCQMCsLHJ0N4NlK_BF1PBQ8oHY6mh0zAKlmPcQ2aQLIpiQ-z3vXaULrHYV5Gg0gHB1BthxZGYV_WIHjJP1wBOrQKcAMb42-jOorkB2kG7_mAhaNLggsnzRjk3UYbw6jtL1mqhS3IzMcJhiazahNYwQEzY/s2475/NYC%202014%2003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2475" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkovLkrZyF2BXV-ywy3Mc5VXwVvkIQ3HDIndDCQMCsLHJ0N4NlK_BF1PBQ8oHY6mh0zAKlmPcQ2aQLIpiQ-z3vXaULrHYV5Gg0gHB1BthxZGYV_WIHjJP1wBOrQKcAMb42-jOorkB2kG7_mAhaNLggsnzRjk3UYbw6jtL1mqhS3IzMcJhiazahNYwQEzY/w400-h400/NYC%202014%2003.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>giant "homemade" Oreo cookie at Crave Espresso on Canal Street</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">One of our favourite cities to explore together is NYC. Sprawling out and upward, this metropolis is so different from my adopted hometown of London, but I enjoy so much of it in the same way:</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">ferreting out welcoming spots to feast on big breakfasts and foamy cappuccino, </span><span style="background-color: white;">making the most of the New York street colours and exciting backdrops.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpCINH6j7mZyEjms5EOBmYaW6fl3qwEkZO1IrtAW9SLPSaC_5o6ZMCdeFRgd6NOHTFaFnEyjhmid1xmqcaQS0QuhacNOd-rJK8ugFpbyAhT44Rtfp35wr9Xg-SYpLGJMs7rYvtDxTLT_yPEvksfl8ExLn3uFbD4A1vZMJTqJ6XTzUbrS96clVABbjWY8/s2475/NYC%202014%2005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2475" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpCINH6j7mZyEjms5EOBmYaW6fl3qwEkZO1IrtAW9SLPSaC_5o6ZMCdeFRgd6NOHTFaFnEyjhmid1xmqcaQS0QuhacNOd-rJK8ugFpbyAhT44Rtfp35wr9Xg-SYpLGJMs7rYvtDxTLT_yPEvksfl8ExLn3uFbD4A1vZMJTqJ6XTzUbrS96clVABbjWY8/w400-h400/NYC%202014%2005.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>street art mural in front of Kate's Paperie at 188 Lafayette Steet</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I'm often awkward and self-conscious when posing for photographs, but Mom delights in drawing me out of my comfort zone. </span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Life is sillier, and happier, when we're together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHJhYA9qX01sKxcigGDXBZ8S5qM8lK3A5QSUC_bFuAY8eH1YN_gOI05w-PLVTTH7_u1i8qzEOE-peuizXUiwPmc6tyP4tnUmFlZS-GKVRhxDYoMlfSDHtsvqpXs-QgojU_w9bSi7pGW0h5FQCtdCjt_-Ahl2nvEiRI1SpCGn-QEwt7_MrLtcgomA54N0/s2475/NYC%202014%2004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="2455" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHJhYA9qX01sKxcigGDXBZ8S5qM8lK3A5QSUC_bFuAY8eH1YN_gOI05w-PLVTTH7_u1i8qzEOE-peuizXUiwPmc6tyP4tnUmFlZS-GKVRhxDYoMlfSDHtsvqpXs-QgojU_w9bSi7pGW0h5FQCtdCjt_-Ahl2nvEiRI1SpCGn-QEwt7_MrLtcgomA54N0/w396-h400/NYC%202014%2004.png" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>on the subway heading home after a full day in NYC</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245283748932097926.post-68226555153996119042023-07-31T22:45:00.000-04:002023-07-31T22:45:15.334-04:00breaking bread <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #33244a;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lammas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lammas Day</a> celebrated every August 1 is the first of three autumn harvest festivals that falls between summer solstice and autumn equinox. It is known as <i>Loaf Mass Day</i> to Christians and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Lughnasadh">Lughnasadh</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> which is the name used for one of the eight sabbats in the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_Paganism" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Contemporary Paganism">Neopagan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Wheel of the Year">Wheel of the <span style="font-family: inherit;">Year</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="background-color: white;">The other two harvest festivals are <i>Mabon</i> and <i>Samhain</i>. </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lammas was historically a festival that celebrated the first wheat harvest of the year. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrSRCQ6QCIFd055vC_8noTMFwklX6XrHIJ1ly8v18QiVKKmkL9FgYTPgb7SAXLwTAa6SuW6e6D8B5N_FB5G8C6U057Vkn8RUTghsIyxiYoTs8blEs-fS2yurMp0biHb3hV6O2baPt9f5bDBhd0Ba7XaAo8R6XkVHjKBwimt3ZAtO9-SXoTEnPMxLnQhc/s4396/Lammas%2001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrSRCQ6QCIFd055vC_8noTMFwklX6XrHIJ1ly8v18QiVKKmkL9FgYTPgb7SAXLwTAa6SuW6e6D8B5N_FB5G8C6U057Vkn8RUTghsIyxiYoTs8blEs-fS2yurMp0biHb3hV6O2baPt9f5bDBhd0Ba7XaAo8R6XkVHjKBwimt3ZAtO9-SXoTEnPMxLnQhc/w400-h225/Lammas%2001.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Lunar Lammas 2023</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was a time of gratitude and celebration for the abundance of the land and the fruits of agricultural labor. Communities would come together to harvest the crops and bake the first loaves of bread using the newly harvested grain. </span></div><div><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a>These loaves were often offered as a symbolic representation of the harvest’s bounty - blessed in ceremonies held at local churches. <p></p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5db61091-7fff-f9f4-1a02-8e186e8c5ee4"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is a deeper spiritual significance to Lammas beyond its agricultural aspect. It was seen as a time of transition - marking the beginning of the harvest season and the gradual shift towards autumn. </span></span></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzyzuBGlv9HYEGuuGfYejjL6s3DvXFbDaqzhlPBLRMgvwwwWuAFsMW0wiYXWK7WdmZ6T52ItcsGJfdSEtptRZ0C3ILAIzZiN3RbdyfqPZozy0S4NHfPdh4XHYqg8MWmyA6FckO4U_YVnzUdXWl6oI7DM5aPCoZXOvTrX7bFRtiAO1kJ6tEhaULfyRj_w/s3712/Lammas%2004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="3712" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzyzuBGlv9HYEGuuGfYejjL6s3DvXFbDaqzhlPBLRMgvwwwWuAFsMW0wiYXWK7WdmZ6T52ItcsGJfdSEtptRZ0C3ILAIzZiN3RbdyfqPZozy0S4NHfPdh4XHYqg8MWmyA6FckO4U_YVnzUdXWl6oI7DM5aPCoZXOvTrX7bFRtiAO1kJ6tEhaULfyRj_w/w400-h266/Lammas%2004.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>rustic olive bread</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was believed that the God - representing masculine energy of the harvest began to decline in power. While the Goddess - embodying the feminine energy of the Earth started her descent into the underworld. </span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This cycle symbolized the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In Celtic mythology, Lammas is associated with the god Lugh - </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">God</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of light, skill, and craftsmanship. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>Lughnasadh</i> was a time to honor his skills and talents as well as celebrate the harvest. </span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Games, athletic competitions, and performances were held to showcase various skills and talents, paying tribute to the god of light and the harvest’s abundance. </span></p><p><span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexQJ5EZgchmXgl4OaGiFbjVZDSVVGnUge4KFYYUWCU1E10qVO7t9TdencYrcbFCltRlDtysEwygwbgbHkRmmfpsirSlOdGFS-A98cTxUmqoovYtX504u-8E3oJPt7qOA3GWL6H2XkU8r6KaD6Ms9zlNF8Cg6WqToxhA5himgkpVVr7GWzGBP_FHw78zA/s4396/Lammas%2002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexQJ5EZgchmXgl4OaGiFbjVZDSVVGnUge4KFYYUWCU1E10qVO7t9TdencYrcbFCltRlDtysEwygwbgbHkRmmfpsirSlOdGFS-A98cTxUmqoovYtX504u-8E3oJPt7qOA3GWL6H2XkU8r6KaD6Ms9zlNF8Cg6WqToxhA5himgkpVVr7GWzGBP_FHw78zA/w400-h225/Lammas%2002.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>rainbow after a summer thunderstorm - New York City</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333; font-family: inherit;">During the pandemic quarantine - as we contemplated the physical distance between us and our loved ones - </span><a href="https://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">wonder | wander | women</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333; font-family: inherit;"> also meditated on the distance between us and our food. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In our blood and bones food is </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">inextricably woven into our</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #343333; font-family: inherit;"> agricultural practice and culture - </span><span style="color: #343333;">impacting</span><span style="color: #343333; font-family: inherit;"> all aspects of our lives. Celebrations of all kinds are punctuated by communal feasts and fiestas. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #343333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Food so precious, so savored, it is eaten with our hands, not with utensils. Eating is a sensory immersion stimulating our </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">touch and spirit connection to each other as much as satisfying our smell and taste. </span></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAO5pq8wVqpk1pL3-8En9IRK6uEjjZkzfdDDaSLPWw_EpMpoqpjJUvWYmumyoz4HkGl6IqC3Ys-UQ8GCCGMIcSgvYs6A9JmRE44Tq_B8_UolPoOK6I1sjGqviisVHDW5xjO3QcNwZhqF-hx6uhoPzOOMMCxJT9pG484M401GAdSfQN12BL0EFDwa1Fy0/s3499/Lammas%2005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="3499" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAO5pq8wVqpk1pL3-8En9IRK6uEjjZkzfdDDaSLPWw_EpMpoqpjJUvWYmumyoz4HkGl6IqC3Ys-UQ8GCCGMIcSgvYs6A9JmRE44Tq_B8_UolPoOK6I1sjGqviisVHDW5xjO3QcNwZhqF-hx6uhoPzOOMMCxJT9pG484M401GAdSfQN12BL0EFDwa1Fy0/w400-h283/Lammas%2005.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>golden buttery brioche</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #343333;">How could we reclaim this after years of denying </span><span style="color: #343333;">ourselves</span><span style="color: #343333;"> this birthright? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">Food is so deeply symbolic on so many levels. A physical manifestation of our cultures, our histories, our desires to connect and nourish people. It is very closely tied to our cultural practice - our values and our traditions. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333; font-family: inherit;">Serving food to our dearly departed is customary in our culture. We light incense and kneel before our ancestral altars. we normally did this at our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">grandparents'</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333; font-family: inherit;"> house with the rest of our family. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #343333; font-family: inherit;">Moving abroad and living on our own meant doing it alone which felt different. Yet we invite our dearly departed to come to eat. We apologize for not feeding them sooner, more regularly, or generously. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KMhbg9aYQYyna7WmIOjAD1nhpbnHccVKVE7S7i-PDUfXvyve3wV2mxVouIivof3apLH2QoR96iI7d1ot6yi2PZ4XtqYnPD-xUGR9EqGXI-N01Qa7RhBFWpqINbGeHJ5dheqUuhfvGfSPoAqzl9jVSVnsYv_SZiYaZqTavPiTXnwQLSxjbUKgZ7g6HHU/s4396/Lammas%2003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4396" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KMhbg9aYQYyna7WmIOjAD1nhpbnHccVKVE7S7i-PDUfXvyve3wV2mxVouIivof3apLH2QoR96iI7d1ot6yi2PZ4XtqYnPD-xUGR9EqGXI-N01Qa7RhBFWpqINbGeHJ5dheqUuhfvGfSPoAqzl9jVSVnsYv_SZiYaZqTavPiTXnwQLSxjbUKgZ7g6HHU/w400-h225/Lammas%2003.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>dawn breaking over New York City</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">Preparing our meals in this manner brings a closer understanding of the nourishment in food beyond mere consumption. Inside each dish, within its chosen ingredients, resides connection, nostalgia, joy, deep nourishment, and maybe even regret and grief. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #343333;">A dish can open a portal to our past, to the parts of us long neglected, revealing invisible bonds that tether us to loved ones, the past, and our lineage throughout time and distance. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #343333; font-family: inherit;">It is an ever present gateway we can </span><span style="color: #343333;">readily</span><span style="color: #343333; font-family: inherit;"> access and cross through as we break bread together. May our life's harvest be bountiful and fulfilling. A blessed feast to all! </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhbr571fn4k7KBaseFIN85anUIl3Ny2wpxQsSwzr_W7hZ27MecCPRmGGiGN3EhWpu5qVyJ2LG9sjt4TwWsYFtG7Y4yCOrzVu2D0sAtEu26yVLrOsM7vbjauddINa4H9ABhsu8KAyH405nA0Q8w_1y8KxgwkdI9-H0ImH4s48mYO6P0hbkFQO7XBLQ2f8/s3715/Lammas%2006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="3715" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhbr571fn4k7KBaseFIN85anUIl3Ny2wpxQsSwzr_W7hZ27MecCPRmGGiGN3EhWpu5qVyJ2LG9sjt4TwWsYFtG7Y4yCOrzVu2D0sAtEu26yVLrOsM7vbjauddINa4H9ABhsu8KAyH405nA0Q8w_1y8KxgwkdI9-H0ImH4s48mYO6P0hbkFQO7XBLQ2f8/w400-h266/Lammas%2006.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>assorted Challa bread</b></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p></div></div>wonder | wander | womenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097535578307218812noreply@blogger.com0