New York City part 1

Over the years I've been to New York city many times. I started off hating the city but now it's starting to grow on me. I still wouldn't want to live there but I'm beginning to appreciate what it has to offer. And the latest offering I've been introduced to is the Museum of Modern Art. I really enjoyed my time in that museum; more so than other museums I've visited because of the element of "outrageous" that is in the air.....and some of the art.

Never before have I encountered nudity in a museum. Oh, I'm not talking about the paintings or sculptures of nudes. I'm talking about actual naked people...and they were an exhibit. And there were several nude people in various exhibits...all representing various concepts of the artist. For instance the naked woman up on the wall sitting on the bicycle seat..well, she was called Luminosity and represented aloneness..which is different from loneliness (which ones experiences with ones clothes on perhaps?). I joke a bit here but I actually do get what the artist means to a point. It's not as literal as I would make it but it's also not mine.

Another exhibit was of two naked people facing each other, starring straight a head, not reacting to anything in their surroundings. People visiting were expected to walk between the two naked people...and they did. I watched it and didn't understand the meaning at all. I found it interesting and daring but I didn't 'get it' and I felt stupid for that. Eventually a new couple were walked out to take the places of the first pair. Once they were settled into their positions I realized there was a plaque on the wall that might explain the piece.

As it turns out this piece has been done before many years ago in another country. The nude people were set up in a way that anyone entering the museum had to go between them. The artist began this as an experiment of sorts..a study in human nature; human sexuality; and psychology to some degree. People coming through them were watched to see who they would turn to face when they walked through the pair. They were close enough so a person walking between them would be forced to turn to fit through them. And of course when you are about to brush by someone naked you try not to have a lot of contact. (Is this part of being a prudish American?)

Armed with this information now, I watched people walk between the naked people with a different attitude. It wasn't weird now; it wasn't uncomfortable....it was interesting. Most of the women turned to face the woman; one or two faced the young man. (both the naked people were young and had great bodies) The men, without fail turned to the woman and one guy had a grin a mile wide on his face the whole time. I got the distinct impression that the experience had a sexual tone to it for the men...all the men. But the women gave me a different feeling. For the women it seemed like an exercise in trust and they seemed to have more trust in the woman for the most part. Perhaps they felt a camaraderie with the young woman, I don't know.

But the young woman did something that none of the others had done. When someone faced her to pass through, she looked up at them..she looked them in the eye. No expression, just met their eyes. The men appeared slightly confused or embarrassed by this but most of the women looked right back at her...and smiled. A lot of the women smiled at her but not one man did and not one man looked her in the eyes.

What does all this mean? I think it has so many meanings or so many possibilities that I have to think about it for awhile to decide what I think. I liked the display and I really enjoyed the psychological aspect of it...the human study that has so many answers and yet at the same time dredges up more questions too. And lets not forget that each persons own concept of sexuality has a direct impact on what you get from this piece. I loved it. And that's only one tiny part of what I saw at that museum.

The artist is from Yugoslavia and her name is Marina Abramović. I have included a link to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) if you are interested in learning more about her or her art.

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/965

KC's 104th Birthday

Well KC decided to have another birthday....I don't know why she keeps doing that! As near as I can figure she's about 104 yrs old now. And she looks pretty good for an old lady I have to admit.
The cake and presents were taken care of at her Mom's house and later the gang trooped off to Joanna's for a few birthday drinks. What some of you may not know is that KC is a twin. (I keep forgetting that myself) So of course her brother was at the party too. I got pictures of it all until they got too silly. Then I just gave up trying to make any sense of the evening.
Side note: I had a meet and greet with the infamous 'Corky' that night too. I was told the guy was just about foaming at the mouth to be introduced to me. We did indeed meet and greet each other...and that was about it. Perhaps the man was tongue tied by my beauty or perhaps the natural glow that surrounds me just was too much dazzle for him. (tee hee) He barely spoke a word and most of what he did say wasn't directed at me. Your loss dude. The paparazzi waits for no one!
So here are the pictures I took that night.

No Explanation Needed

I think that pretty much says it all!

Farm Convention April 2010

I don't own a farm...never have. So on the face of it I had no business going to a farmers convention. However, it was a learning experience for me when all is said and done. Not only did I spend time with some great farmers but I learned that farmers are people just like us. They know how to work hard and they know how to play hard. They are a great bunch of people and I had a fantastic time.

Now when you see these pictures you may think that this place looks like the inside of a bar, (I did at first too) but you'd be wrong. This took place inside a PALACE! It was called Jimmy's Pizza Palace. I never met Jimmy all night and I didn't have any of his pizza but his palace sure is a fun place and a perfect spot to hold a convention of any kind.

The evening started off in an unusual way for a convention...some of the farm folk picked up some instruments they brought with them and started playing some real nice music. They were singing their hearts out and of course they had the entire crowds attention so I figured it's better than banging a gavel and making speeches.
It wasn't long before people started mingling and drinking, probably sharing farming techniques and swapping livestock stories all trying to outdo the other guys story. It got a little loud as the evening went on.
A cute little farmers daughter got up and belted out a few songs...and the crowd loved her. I imagine she's a favorite at most of these conventions. As the evening progressed I was drawn into different groups and I have to admit I was a little confused. I didn't hear not one word of farm talk or any discussion of livestock but there sure was a lot of laughing taking place.

A little later in the evening I noticed some Amish farmers had joined the crowd and a man that looked like he was a cowboy. I imagine he must own his own cattle ranch. He looked like a very knowledgeable fella and friendly too. The Amish folks seemed to enjoy his company a lot and he was always smiling. I've always heard about how beautiful the quilts are that the Amish people make so I was curious to see if they'd be talking about quilting squares and sewing tips. They must consider that stuff trade secrets because I didn't hear them utter a thing about quilts all night.

Eventually the cowpokes and ranch hands started filtering in with some of the local gals and this convention took on a lot of the qualities of a night on the town. There were people dancing in the aisles (I know because I was one of them); beer drinking; singing; laughing and joke telling all through the place...not a gavel in sight. All I can say is I may not have learned a darn thing about farm management but I sure had a great time! Can't wait for next years convention! Ride 'um cowboy!

Easter with Kaylee

Easter this year was a little different than usual. I didn't feel like cooking a big meal...nothing new about that really. But this time around I decided to do a 'picnic theme' for Easter. It's not that often we get such warm weather this time of year and it just seemed like such a waste to be inside cooking and missing all of it. Sooooooo we did a picnic. I dragged out the grill; bought macaroni salad; potato salad; seafood salad; pickles (for Kaylee); various fruits to make a lovely fruit salad; and of course the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers.

We (ok, really ME) hauled everything outside so we could eat at the picnic table in the beautiful sunshine. Justin was in charge of the grill and it wasn't long before we were all laughing at stories of crazy holidays of the past. Justin had changed the oil in my car this morning and while the car was up on jacks we agreed that it gave the yard a special flair that was just perfect for a "hillbilly" Easter! I had a sudden urge to decorate the car with stuffed bunnies and Easter eggs but Kaylee wasn't going for that.

Kaylee had a wonderful time during her egg hunt. Then she settled on the deck to open the plastic eggs and see what was inside. The prizes ranged from chocolate eggs to quarters and some 'extra' little gifts were found next to some of the eggs too. Kaylee found a blue stuffed bunny; a heart note pad with bunny pen and a little whirly launcher. She immediately used the note pad to thank the Easter Bunny. What a nice girl she is!
I'll let you in on a little secret....I found the notes on the deck later and threw them out, thinking she had forgotten them. Then Kaylee informed me she left them there for the Easter bunny to find. Whoops!

So here are the pictures from our Easter. I didn't take a single shot while we were eating, so you will have to take my word for it that I made some brownies in the shape of eggs and decorated them like Easter eggs. They were delicious and I will definitely make them again!

Over Easy

How do you like your eggs?? I like mine with a little less attitude myself!

Back to the Woods

I finally got smart enough to take only one dog with me when I hike. It's a little guilt trip for me because I don't like leaving either one of them behind. But trying to handle both of them together is beyond me. I keep telling myself it will get better. (if I say it enough it will come true, right?) I've had a couple of close calls when they are together and I'm not about to repeat that again.

This trip was the first time hiking with Kaylee this year. Now that the snow and ice has melted and the trails have dried out for the most part it's fun to be in the woods again! And apparently the beaver think so too because it looks like they have been out in force. I took pictures of their creative endeavors. Yet they never seem to finish anything. I would expect to see an entire hunting lodge put up by beavers by now!

On this trip I decided to take Nicki. She seems to have more energy than Bell and I was sick of her antics at home. I figured she would get nicely worn out and sleep good when we got home. What was I thinking? I swear Nicki sleeps with one eye open...always ready for fun that one.

I did find out that Nicki is not afraid of water. She didn't hesitate to jump in the river several times when we took a break. That doesn't mean she will like to swim but at least she has no fear of the water. I've had a couple of dogs that I had to actually teach to swim..they were that paranoid! One of them used to swim next to me and cry the whole time!

So here are the pictures of that outing with Kaylee and Nicki.