Who do people love animals so much? Is it because we are needy? Out of touch with nature? Hungry for connection? Because they are a blank slate, and we can write anything we wish on them? Because they depend on us? Because we believe they love us unconditionally, and we need that? Or is because they are another nation, mystical spirits who touch us in ways most people cannot?
I don’t know, but I love to see it.
When the sun hits a flower the right way, it seems to be on fire. That’s when I try and get a photo of it. It has to be from the side, and with a setting or rising sun. Never in the middle of the day.
On a strange impulse, I stopped at Benson’s Pet Store in Saratoga yesterday and bought Maria two goldfish, who she promptly named Sophie and Iris. I knew she would love them – she loves all living things – and she does. They are good company when you are sewing, spinning or weaving. She of course arrange her own rock formations for them and is continuously moving the rocks around.
Today, we were in Saratoga and she stopped and got me a fish – Phyllis the store clerk named him Buddy and so now I have a Siamese fighting fish. I used to breed Betas when I was a kid – in fact I had 400 fish at one time and bred them for five or six years. Strange kid. Now I am quite taken aback to have one again. Fish can be peaceful, even spiritual. Or not. I’ll have to think about this strange gift. Maria loves hers, for sure. They will be well cared for.
Caught Minnie scratching herself at her favorite pole in the big barn. Minnie is a lot sweeter than Mother, and less murderous, although Mother is very affectionate to people. I think she mostly patrols the barn.
June 26, 2020- It’s a tough time for artists and story-tellers. All the more important to get our signals out, and fight for the opportunity tell our stories and find ways to live. The creative life is a seminal part of any culture, and people leading creative lives in America are getting a lot less worry and concern than banks and auto dealers these days. Maybe there needs to be a lobbyist. I try and tell my story every day, in words, colors and images.
Maria and I are making our own statement from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 24 at the Redux Art Gallery in Dorset, Vt. (directions on the website). Dorset is right near Manchester, and there is great shopping, eating and sightseeing all around. Sounds like people will be coming from all over the place to celebrate love, marriage and affordable art for the times. Nothing more than $15. Potholders, notecards, single and five-pack, cell phone cases and eyeglass cases. Fiberart and photography. Good stuff cheap. Maria and I will be there, along with a dog or two, including Chrtine Nemec’s exquisitively sensitive, beautiful and brilliant puppy Georgia. We just got the posters yesterday (see below)
