My World of Wonders: June 17, 2026

 

Where have I been this week? Down to the Alexandria waterfront to tour three "Tall Ships." The grocery store, they gym, a walk to Wegmans, the indoor pool, the outdoor pool, the farmers market, out to lunch on King Street. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Hmm, a pork spanish rice dish, tortellini and salad, roast pork tenderloin with cheesy mashed potatoes and green beans - nothing terribly exciting. I started my second batch of dill pickles for the summer. 

Who have I talked with this week? Amy, Kevin, Jon, Giuseppe, Ruth, Paul, Renee, My Sweet Bear. 

When is the next adventure? Mid-July a few days to visit family. 

What is on the easel? A large canvas primed in blue, the theme for August show is "Explosion of Color." I need to create something. 

What will keep me busy this week? The current art gallery show comes down on Wednesday morning, the new show goes up on Friday and Opens Saturday afternoon. I have two paintings and six photos ready for this show.  I have printed the wall tags, and I am working with the graphic artist to finalize the program.  The PowerPoint for the opening reception is almost finished. Joan and Pratibha are curating the show after this one. I am organizing two more in the fall,  Still Life and Real Life, and Landscapes and Dreamscapes.  

Travel Tuesday: Milan Duomo Up On The Roof

We started our tour of the Cathederal in Milan, up on the roof.  We had booked tickets ahead of time, you go to the entrance at the right rear of the church, and the elevator takes you swiftly to the top. The stone work is simply amazing. 

 

Monday Moods: Things that work

We had been having intermittent problems with the washing machine not wanting to start, for probably a year. Most of the time it would start, then it wouldn't.  The advice was unplug it, and plug it back in. That worked, until it didn't. Then the advice was leave it unplugged for five minutes, that worked, until it didn't. Finally after being asked to repeat that process, a technician was sent out to look at it. The technician repeated the unplug and stare at it routine, consulted with the manuals and announced it needed a new circuit board and door latch mechanism. The repair estimate was nearly half the price of a new machine. And I was so frustrated with the old one, I said, "no - thank you." I wanted to say "fuck no" but I am too polite to say what I am really thinking sometimes.  

A quick trip to Lowes, we had narrowed the choice down to two options, and they had both on display, side by side, and both on sale for the same price. We went with the LG, it was delivered a few days later. The simple joy of things that work. Everytime, at the push of a button. 

I had not really allowed myself to acknowledge how stressed I was about the intermittent problems with the washer. A low level underlying stress, for months. Hesitancy to run a load of laundry. Angst over will it start on the first try or will I have to fiddle with it to get it to work today. That had been going on for months.  That is gone. A little concern the first few times I pushed the buttons on the new machine, but it works. There is nothing to stress over. Life as it should be. 

For those wondering, the washer dryer is in the kitchen. The condo is relatively small (a little over 1,100 square feet, about 100 square meters.) In nearly all of the floorplans the apartments came with a stacked washer dryer in the kitchen. Unusual in the USA, convenient as could be.  The integrated washer/dryer stacks work very well, and fit the space nicely. 

The Sunday Five: Politics

Graffiti near the Vatican in Rome. 

I rarely talk about politics on my blog. I have strong feelings, but try to keep this blog a happy place. On the occasion of a cage-fight on the White House lawn for HWSNBN's birthday, I am making an exception (what a national embarrassment.)  

The Cage Fight Structure on the White House Lawn for this clown show.
So much for dignity and respect. 

1: Did you vote in the last election? 

2: Have you ever regretted a vote? 

3: Have you written (or emailed) your political representatives? 

4: Will you vote in the next election? 

5: Today is "his" 80th Birthday, what is your wish for him? 

My answers: 

1: Did you vote in the last election?  Yes

2: Have you ever regretted a vote? Yes, a couple of times. 

3: Have you written (or emailed) your political representatives? Yes, not often enough. 

4: Will you vote in the next election? Yes, please join me. 

5: Today is "his" 80th Birthday, what is your wish for him? Two million people crowding the streets of DC cheering his name, it will likely happen at his funeral. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning Post: Creativity as Meditation

This was carved out of a single block of pink marble, I can only imagine the years of concentration that went into this. 

At times we create in a mad flurry of activity, working fast, as it is described being in flow. But more often, we create slowly, focussing on the details, working slowly, make minor changes, improvements. I have read that the Mona Lisa took years to create. It had been paid for, and had to be delivered.  

An interesting article linked by Angus in Scotland a few months ago, talks about a shop in Japan that creates tea caddies, boxes to store tea in. They are made one at a time, slowly, all by hand, as close to perfect as can be done. It list three essential steps: 

    1: Slow down

    2: Focus on something worthy

    3: Try to get a little better each day. 

A great article, a good reminder to focus on developing the craft of creativity. It describes the creative process as an active meditation. When I am painting, I lose track of time, and forget the clutter in my mind. 

Funky Friday: What Knockers of the Borgo Pio

  If you are unfamiliar with the title reference, watch this clip from Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein, 

"Thank You Doctor"

The Borgo Pio was the street our hotel was on in Rome. 

The Thursday Ramble: Death

In Vienna we visited the Royal Tombs, and last weekend we attended a "celebration of life" for a dear neighbor who died a few weeks ago. All of this gets me thinking about death.  If, I live to the age my parents died, I have about 20 years to go, at my weight, that is unlikely, more likely I have 10 - maybe 15 years left to go. My greatest wish is that I am able to enjoy life, and that when the end comes, it comes suddenly. 

I have no fear of death.  I am sure I will be surprised, disappointed that there were things I had hoped to do, that will be left undone. But I see little reason to prolong the dying process. "To die, to sleep, to sleep perchance to dream," I have no concerns about what lies after life. 

What to do with this mortal coil? I greatly dislike the the stuffed guy in a box funerals that have dominated the United States almost 200 years in the USA.  Rolling me off the side of the road, to feed the critters is not an option in the USA. So incinerate what is left. Then I really don't care what happens with the cremains.  Toss them in the River, or off the side of a cruise ship. I really don't care. 

The celebration of life was a first time model for me. It was a private event, hosted in a live music venue, with buffet food, and a cash bar. Loved one's spoke, a family member performed live music, old friends - one dating back to school days, spoke. There was lots of conversation, more hugs than tears.  A DJ played background music and controlled the stage lights (Larry was a live music fan.) Dress was casual, with a reminder to wear your favorite concert T-shirt. It was comfortable. It provided closure, without the usual religion filled sadness. 

Would that work for me?  I don't know. Larry had a larger social network than I do. Maybe fly in a dozen bloggers for steaks and really good bourbon. Finally something to do with the bottle of Forged Oak in the cabinet in the dining room. But I would really sooner be around to sample the golden nectar - come for a visit why don'tya?  Celebrate that I was here, not cry over my being gone.