Monday Report

My friend Lotus and I made a quick trip to California the end of February, leaving behind biter cold temperatures in Boulder to enjoy beautiful mid-70's weather in lovely San Diego.  

We went specifically to see the an exhibit of art quilts at the Visions Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts + Textiles.  Entitled "A Better World: Heroes Working for the Greater Good," it featured thirty-two pieces, each 30" x 50", which were "designed to inspire and educate viewers about heroes --both anonymous and well known-- who have worked to improve our world."   While the subject of the exhibit was interesting, I primarily wanted to see the artworks themselves up close to study and admire their details.   

As an example, here is a piece by Lyric Montgomery Kinard entitled The Light Keepers. It shows Carolina Nunez, a law professor who talked with people at the immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas in 2018, hearing their stories and aiding them in their legal process.  Her efforts inspired other lawyers to visit and assist detainees. 

courtesy of Visions Art Museum 

The artist stated that her work was made using several techniques;  painting, screen printing, handwriting, and stitching.  I think maybe the portrait itself and the gold words were painted ... 

...and the images of the immigrant detainees were screen printed.  The red is hand stitched embroidery and the background text was hand written.   It was very interesting to see the works and analyze the various ways they were made, and I was really glad I had the chance to see them before the exhibit closes in early April.     

I got back to Boulder just in time to see Mrs. D., my old chum from when I worked at Paul's school library in Maryland.  She was the band teacher and I was very lucky to have the band room right across the hall from the library.  Not only did I like hearing the kids play throughout the day, but Mrs. D.  shared her knowledge of teaching with me, which was a huge help.  And she was lots of fun!  The art room was also next to the library, so I really did luck out.  Of course we had to see her while she was in Denver.... 

 ...as did Paul.  Mrs. D. was his first music teacher, not only teaching him band at school but teaching him flute in private lessons.  

 

We all agreed that it was too bad that she couldn't make her trip the next weekend when Paul's band, The Fists of the Proletariat, played at the Fox Theater.  She would have enjoyed hearing them and seeing Paul in action.  Ben and I were able to go, and snapped a few shots. 

   

After Mrs. D.'s visit I turned my attention to getting ready to serve as a judge for  the preliminary rounds of Colorado's National History Day competition.  I had seen a notice in the local paper for experienced teachers, librarians, and historians to volunteer to guide students doing research for their History Day projects and to judge their work, and I put my name forward.  I spent an afternoon advising several students on their searches and was looking forward to being a judge. This year's theme is Debate and Diplomacy in History and it turned out to be a fair amount of work to review and rank eight student websites on topics such as "The Troubles: How the Debate Over Northern Ireland's Independence Led to Years of Conflicts."    It was stimulating job and I learned a lot!  Next time, I'll plan on spending more time on the work.   

The background hum of my days is the new concern about the invasion of Ukraine.  As if we didn't already have enough to worry about -- Covid, January 6th and its related political issues, the upcoming mid-terms, global warming --we now have a major war. 

Dave Whamond, PoliticalCartoons.com 

I'm finding that being outside is a big stress-reducer.  Not only does exercise help, but nature itself, as Anne Frank wrote, "...offers solace in all things." 

I thought of that yesterday as we took a six-mile hike on the newly opened Anemone Trail, which sits on the edge of downtown adjacent to the beautiful Red Rocks in the People's Crossing park.    

Of course there was a lot of "up" and it was a long trek, but the exercise was refreshing and the beauty was soothing.     

Part of the hike passed through the area that was burned a few years ago, bringing back memories of how scary it was to have a wildfire start so close to town.     

As we worked our way up to the summitt we were rewarded with great views west to the Indian Peaks.     

I always love to find the "end of the trail" sign.  It's all downhill from here.     

Note to myself:  Spend more time outside and less time reading the news!