Solace in a Book

August days: My grandmother was a poet

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I haven’t been posting a lot but I have been thinking about life events and the end of life. I got a little crabby the other day. Is it the weather? Midsummer blues? Aging? Just impatience and frustration on my part? That’s what has been on my mind lately. One of my siblings is moving and came across these printed cards. They are poems written by my grandmother Bertha L. Wade. She lived to be well into her nineties. Almost all her children (including my father) … [Read more...]

Glimpse of solace: Kerry James Marshall at MCA

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Tuesday I had the most pleasant afternoon, spending it on the fourth floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art, taking in the art of Kerry James Marshall. The “Mastry” exhibit goes to September 25. I watched the short video of Kerry James Marshall. He spoke about the Old Masters, how he studied them. He couldn't help but notice how the Black Experience was absent (invisible) in these works. He also said something to the effect that his artwork was not simply for … [Read more...]

Guest post: Laura Rodley “Luna”

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Luna Sure sign of summer, the pale translucence of the luna’s green wings, the green of emerging blades of grass, or new rose leaves. How such delicacy battles her way through thunderstorms, clouds, the dust of a dry summer, how her path is unerring; she returns every time, not herself, but a replica, someone born from her eggs. In April, too early for lunas, one appeared anyway, flapping at the back porch window Let me in. Walking outside, I bathed in her … [Read more...]

Glimpse of solace: Kathleen Buckland captures Oregon coast

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Thank goodness for Kathy Buckland! On a day when many are concerned about the Brexit vote, it is great to have the diversion of the beautiful natural world. Kathy recently traveled to the Oregon coast. Here are some of her photographs from that trip. Kathy is a frequent contributor to this site (thank-you, Kathy); you can see more of her work here and here  and here and here and here.  Originally from Long Island, NY, Kathy Buckland spends as much time as she can being … [Read more...]