Natural Inspiration

On Facebook, Beautiful Planet Earth shared this photograph (January 13th) and my heart began to sing.  So I thought I should share with my blog mates. 

I find such inspiration in nature, and like lots of other people, it makes me feel closer to God somehow.  I heard someone say that this is because the beauty of nature is only a dim reflection of the unfathomable, overwhelming beauty of the Creator.  That rings true for me... in my experience God has shown Himself to be immeasurably beyond all of my imagination of beauty.  And isn't it always more enjoyable to share beauty (art, music, nature) together with another who also admires the subject?

Nighty-night!  Hopefully I'll dream well of God and nature...

A Day of Artistic Pursuits

My brother and sister-in-law and a friend of theirs came into the city last Friday and we had the prix fix lunch at Giovanni Venti Cinque on E. 83rd Street, NYC.  Pictured is my delicious and nutritious appetizer, Asparagi Gratinati (fresh asparagus tips served warm with melted Parmigiano), which was accompanied by the Pesche del Giorno, a fine Pinot Grigio chosen by my brother, and a selection of biscotti.  This was one of the best meals of my life--you should try this restaurant!  The service was impeccable, the servers respectful yet friendly.  We were all delighted.
Afterward we all went to the Met Museum, particularly to see the exhibits Duncan Phyfe, Master Cabinetmaker in New York and the new galleries for Islamic Art.  I had not been to the Met since before my knees began their campaign of pain and they didn't let me down--even after several hours of standing!  So this was a special day in many ways.  A return to a pastime that I had always enjoyed.  There is just nothing like a day of good food, great conversation, and a few hours contemplating art and beauty.  At the end of the day I realized how much I'd missed the this side of life.  Visual art, culinary art, performance art... they are a big part of me.

What's Going on with Me

Well, hello again.  Been a while...  but today I thought I'd check in and maybe start to take this all a little more seriously.  I need to design a remarkable page, add a few bells and whistles, and let the witty reparte (or mildly pleasant banter) flow. 

I think I have at long last set aside the Harry Potter series.  I'm sure I'll miss those magical characters.  That last movie was just marvelous, but now, with nothing further to anticipate, I'm ready to move on.  My girlfriend said she is going to take up quilting, but that's not the next big thing for me.  I have already tried cross stitch, James Patterson novels, Facebook, opera (that went well back in the day--got 2 degrees in singing it!)  But what now?  Since I live in New York City and like to travel to other places, a puppy is kind of out. 

Perhaps a return to music...?  I keep toying with that idea but, alas, my enthusiasm has waned.  My competitiveness has had the air let out of its tires and I just don't enjoy practicing for hours with no practical outlet.  I always loved being in good choirs--maybe I should find one again and audition.  For me to practice singing would take a dangling carrot--performance for an enthusiastic live audience, or a recording gig!  YEAH, BABY!!

It just seems such a shame to not use a perfectly good voice (by all counts).

In other news, my knew bionic knees are doing quite well now, a year out from two total knee replacements.  My legs still feel somewhat weaker than I remember them being.  So I keep working to increasing my walking time, stair climbing, and other forms of utilization.  It is delightful to be able to walk again without knee pain.  On the down side, my left hip and right ankle have taken over in pain production.  But that's life in an aging body and I'm not going to complain!

I hope all is well with you today.  Please keep warm this winter and find a good snuggle partner.  I would also highly recommend a big cozy sofa, a good cup of tea, wicked good shearling slippers, and a roaring fire in the fireplace.