July 27: Hamilton, Essex, Massachusetts
This was the last day before I depart from New England and return to Dallas. This stint is almost the finale of my wanderings this summer. This trip was the fifth in a series of six. My sixth and final trip will be next week, from August 1-5, to Houston to visit the Venable contingent.
But before I address the future, let me expound on what happened today, as it was a day when we did not roam far afield. Marthe was anxious to show me her studio, and we spent a lot of the morning in the basement and in her studio examining her works—some of the beautiful textiles she has painted, a series of brightly colored mobiles, etc.—and speaking of her plans she has for future marketing of her work. Fascinating insight into the work process of an artist!
At about 10:00 a.m., Marthe’s granddaughter Norah came for a few hours. She is 3 years old, and we sang songs, read stories to her, had lunch together (she had a hand in preparing it); did some art, and in general had a delightful time with her. It is exhausting to keep up with the short attention span such a young child has, and I must confess that teaching that age group would be totally impossible for me. Once she was picked up by mother Sarah at 2:00, both Marthe and I took a nap, to awaken later for a walk to the post office to mail a package and to an indoor decorating shop. Soon after we returned, Josh came home and we left for Essex (their second house) and dinner, which we brought with us—salad, broccoli, steak, and rice. After dinner we gazed across the marsh and actually saw the blood moon. It is set to be the longest one in this century. During such an eclipse, the full moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the sun, and is momentarily darkened. Some sunlight still reaches the moon, refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere, however, illuminating it with an ashen to dark red glow, the color depending on atmospheric conditions. Dark clouds occasionally swirled in and out of the moon, and it was fascinating to watch!
It is now 10:00 p.m., and we are back at home. I am writing this blog, and Marthe and Josh are reading. We are all listening to Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony on WRR 101, and having a lovely time. I hate to leave tomorrow—have had such a good time! As ever, SV.
But before I address the future, let me expound on what happened today, as it was a day when we did not roam far afield. Marthe was anxious to show me her studio, and we spent a lot of the morning in the basement and in her studio examining her works—some of the beautiful textiles she has painted, a series of brightly colored mobiles, etc.—and speaking of her plans she has for future marketing of her work. Fascinating insight into the work process of an artist!
At about 10:00 a.m., Marthe’s granddaughter Norah came for a few hours. She is 3 years old, and we sang songs, read stories to her, had lunch together (she had a hand in preparing it); did some art, and in general had a delightful time with her. It is exhausting to keep up with the short attention span such a young child has, and I must confess that teaching that age group would be totally impossible for me. Once she was picked up by mother Sarah at 2:00, both Marthe and I took a nap, to awaken later for a walk to the post office to mail a package and to an indoor decorating shop. Soon after we returned, Josh came home and we left for Essex (their second house) and dinner, which we brought with us—salad, broccoli, steak, and rice. After dinner we gazed across the marsh and actually saw the blood moon. It is set to be the longest one in this century. During such an eclipse, the full moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the sun, and is momentarily darkened. Some sunlight still reaches the moon, refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere, however, illuminating it with an ashen to dark red glow, the color depending on atmospheric conditions. Dark clouds occasionally swirled in and out of the moon, and it was fascinating to watch!
It is now 10:00 p.m., and we are back at home. I am writing this blog, and Marthe and Josh are reading. We are all listening to Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony on WRR 101, and having a lovely time. I hate to leave tomorrow—have had such a good time! As ever, SV.
Comments
Post a Comment