Words + Music = Poetry Plus

Written last night:
Dear Friends,

This evening ended with art — or ukulele class, which is an art to me. I’m lousy, but coming to love it. (I hear Clark chuckling.)

After that — give me more art — I went to a poetry reading at the Crocker Museum. Each poet had musical accompaniment — piano, guitar, flute...  It was great to end the day this way.

Love,

k

Poetry emcee Rhony Bhopla

I flew above the sidewalk

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Less than an hour ago I was flying low above the night sidewalk, screaming “Oh! Oh! Oh!” and Zing was stretching his leash in the opposite direction, while a man on a bike was entangled on Zing's leash between us. You know how you feel when you’re flying and think to yourself, “I wonder what I’m going to break when I land”? Well, luckily, nothing but a skinned elbow. I checked each of Zing’s legs, and he didn’t squeal in pain. The man on the bike was also fine. He  was going fast, didn’t ring his warning bell (that’s rarely done) when he saw me but not Zing. I think that in Sacramento it's not exactly illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk.

I should walk with Zing close by my ankle but I don’t. I let him on a loose leash so he can wander in the grass. Patrice gave Zing! a blinking night-time leash for Christmas, but I wasn’t using it. After we got home, a little shaken, Zing! made me take him for another walk with the flashing leash. “There,” he said. “That’s better.” (Thanks, Patrice!)

Also today, I had fun drawing this back-to-school owl on a little notebook for Juliana. I love this bird. I actually drew it in Tallahassee, and copied it for her today.

Love,

k

Three cheeses and some celery sticks

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Again, a busy day: Farmers Market, where I got a baguette and some dark figs (I really miss our Tallahassee fig tree!), then I  went to Freeport Bakery, which everyone says is the best in town, to pick up a lemon birthday cake for Darrius. She is a friend who lives here, and this afternoon Tony had a party for her. He asked me to bring a cheese plate with veggies, etc., too. Well, three cheeses and some celery sticks just didn’t sound festive, so I found online inspiration  I love how it turned out, beautiful and delicious. Not to get all cookbook-y, but you could make it anytime, with almost anything — for a party or an easy dinner. That’s pimento cheese,* like they make in North Florida, with the spoon in it. It’s a southern staple, good with Ritz crackers.  The other things not immediately identifiable are candied pecans, beet slices, tomato jam, and dried pears. 

Love,

k

*Mix lightly in food processor: 8 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar, 4 oz. pimentos, drained, 1/3 C. mayo, 1 tsp. white vinegar, and salt to taste. Mustard too, if you like it. (Anything else, Southerners?)

Sweet, cool, casual

Written last night: 
Dear Friends,

It was so cool that you needed a sweater this evening. Everyone is saying this is not normal, but nobody’s complaining.

My mind is jumping around. (I’m watching the news.) 

It was an uneventful day — for me. I loved having an impromptu dinner with family in the courtyard restaurant around the corner, and talking on the phone with friends. Small pleasures are big. 

Love,

k

12" x 12"

Pecans with brown sugar

I was making these for a friend, but ... 

I burned a few. (They're still good.)

I'd rather draw a goat than milk one

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

I got lost in the country again, but ended up in the right place — a goat farm at 8 a.m. Other artists found their way too, and we all drew, painted, and took photos … we were even invited to milk a goat. I declined, and instead spent two hours (after that it was too hot) sitting on a low stool exchanging stares with these animals across a (mildly) electrified fence. They were all kinds — fuzzy and sleek, floppy ears and some barely there … and they didn’t smell bad … I’m not good at drawing animals yet, and mine ended up resembling people I know.

On the way home I stopped at the Davis Art Center, where a friend is having a poetry reading tomorrow.

Then I couldn’t’ resist the Davis farmers market ... I just can’t pass one by!

Patrice asked me to show Zing! this photo that she took at her farmers market in Chicago this morning. Zing! admits these big city dogs look happy, but said he prefers to walk. That way, he leads me.

Love,

k

Faithful Companion

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

This past week I’ve been recording Zing! when I leave him alone — not in the nervous way of before, but I’ve been told he barks sometimes, and I want to see just how much so I can tell the vet. Maybe he needs a medicine update. He did bark three times tonight, at about half-hour intervals -- maybe when he hears the elevator. We’re getting this down to a science. I want us to be comfortable when I leave him alone.  The neighbors are more than understanding — they’re solicitous. Everyone loves Zing! But one neighbor is a night nurse and he sleeps all day. So I'm watching you, Zing!

We also drove to the countryside around Winters, CA, today. I’m going to the art-farm event there early tomorrow, and don’t want to get lost. Along the way the sunflowers were dry and drooping, but the corn, strawberries and grapes look good. (What do I know??) On the way home we stopped at UC Davis and strolled in the park near the veterinary school. Here’s a photo of Zing! on the lawn in front of a statue dedicated to Faithful Companion. Zing! thinks every town square should have such a monument.

Love,

k

Jennifer Hammond Landau: Artist in felted wool

Written Wednesday night:

This morning Mary Kaye and I drove to an art quilt meeting (SAQA of Northern California and Northern Nevada) in Walnut Creek, CA. We passed burnt hills and drove through smoke -- and then the scenery looked “normal” again. 

At the meeting, artist Jennifer Hammond Landau led us along the creative path of her life so far -- she has a prevailing interest in wool, from the nettle-filled fluffy stuff right off the animal's back to her refined felted wool pieces. 

Love,

k

Jennifer Hammond Landau

burnt hills

 Next three photos show Jennifer Hammond Landau's work and material.

Next three photos show work of others at the meeting.

Painted on iPad, then printed and quilted

Combined processes: Printing and piecing

Or was that paint on top? I can't remember

3-D

Witches or goddesses?

Words and glitter and paint

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Words and glitter and paint! It sounds like art a kid would make … a slightly older kid … me.

Here’s part of my latest painting. It’s got lines of poems referring to stars; here, Andrew Marvell’s The Definition of Love  and Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

I know — it looks kind of messy. 

Love,

k

Amaranth: It's not bitter -- it's beautiful

Written last night:
Dear Friends,

Did you ever eat amaranth? Until tonight, me either. That’s why I love the farmers market. The farmer told me to sauté it  with olive oil and garlic. It’s not bitter — it’s beautiful; I had it with a side of polenta. 

Love,

k

Painting that made me forget about zucchini

Written last night:
Dear Friends,

It’s hot here, but cool in the morning and evening. 

Yesterday the police broke up the demonstration in front of the ICE offices across the street. Tonight they’re back, on a smaller, quiet scale, and without the line of tents along the sidewalk.

I just got home from dinner with Mary Kaye and Leigh. We went to Frank Fat’s a few blocks from here. They said it used to be a politicians’ hangout, but they don’t think politicians hang out anywhere anymore.

Earlier today I had fun painting.

Love,

k

Sunflowers at night

20" x 20"

Paint and zucchini

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

I burned dinner, or part of it.

I was painting and forgot to check the zucchini. 

I love painting, and luckily had more zucchini, so I threw these out and made more.

I’m lucky to have paint and zucchini.

Love,

k