Mini-hikes and bascule bridges

Bridge, 2011

Life is full.

The last several weeks and day have offered up an amazing array of opportunities and occasions. The short list is really a long list. Some of these moments become featured events in my memory. 

Last Sunday, during the first weekend of June, we went on a late afternoon jaunt to Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. The weather near the lakeshore was sunny, lovely and somewhat breezy. First, we stopped inside the building where we had to tear ourselves away from the indigenous prairie seeds and wildlife plus toys in the gift shop to begin our mini-hike before closing time at the park. Next, we wandered down to the beach that inhabits the Audubon Center and borders Doctors Park. We enjoyed sand between our toes and avoided just a few alewives who had pitched themselves on to the beach.

Our tour continued along nice trails through all manner of Wisconsin ecosystems, all found at this local treasure. On a northern loop, we found ourselves across the ravine from two wild turkeys. I'd never seen the large birds while on foot before. They were much bigger than I expected. Hiking further along the path, we spent some time peering at tadpoles in one of the many ponds in the park, and some large frogs in another. 

Just passed some old farm equipment, we commented on a fresh set of deer tracks in the mud along the path. Seconds later, their makers appeared. Happily unaccustomed to visits from humans, the two deer munched on their late afternoon snack of buds and grasses. Continuing around the next turn, our view got even better – we were probably no more than 20 feet from the pair.

So much wildlife in one lovely park just a short drive along Lake Michigan from downtown Milwaukee. We will be visiting again.

Last week, I started playing with my brand new Verizon iPhone 4 The rumors are true, it puts my Android smart phone to shame in functionality and quality. I can actually use apps on my new phone. Amazing. Plus, it doesn't randomly call my closest friends while I'm on the phone with my dad.

So, I've started snapping mobile photos everywhere and at events again. The one above is on the State Street bascule bridge, en route, on foot to the Journal Sentinel building last Wednesday. Just over an hour later, I dipped my toe into the "Summer of China" at Milwaukee Art Museum, thanks to a kind invitation by Art and Architecture Critic Mary-Louise Schumacher. 

As an Art City Contributor, I was delighted to be part of a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the breathtaking featured exhibition The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City. The show appealed to me on so many levels. I hope to go in-depth with my thoughts, ponderings and reactions soon. For now, I'd just like to say that MAM is offering visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some of these exquisitely crafted pieces will never be on full display again, even once they return to their original architectural locations within the Qianlong Emperor's Private Garden inside the Forbidden City. I recommend seeing them this summer, while you can.

Surprise

2011

The last few weeks have been very, very busy. That's a common refrain of mine, but on an imaginary line graph, the highest peak in recent months would have occurred on Friday night.

That's when Aqua Bleu opened at Racine Arts Council artspace. Months of thought, preparation and planning resulted in a nicely received art exhibition about water, inspired by our Great Lake Michigan. May First Friday in Downtown Racine helped bring nearly 200 people into the gallery, and I had a chance to breathe. Mission accomplished - show curated, reception snacks bought and eaten, and friends and artists visited. At the end of a nice evening, we headed home happy and tired.

Saturday brought a day of pure relaxation. I did as little as possible, despite the lovely weather.

The next morning brought more to do. In this case, mostly celebration was on the agenda. Mother's Day with Mom, Grandma Margaret and Grandma Joyce early in the day. Bob made waffles and deliciously crispy bacon. Joy abounded.

Then, off to RAM's Wustum Museum for the opening reception of the Racine Unified School District's Annual Student Art Exhibit, as well as the long awaited RAM on the Road Reveal. Nationally recognized Racine artist Bill Reid designed the artwork for the vehicle, which will bring the joy of creating art to children and adults of all ages.

With incredible skill, patience and diligence, the Sign Shop of Racine made RAM on the Road a reality. They transformed our thoughts, discussions and planning meetings  into a traveling billboard, soon-to-be filled with art supplies and teachers taking RAM's hands-on art projects to those who want and need them most. We applauded as the van arrived, with smiles and commemorative magnets all around.

Then, I got in Eve, and took my own show on the road. The trip northwest on a pleasant Sunday was shorter than I expected, and the rewards were great. Celebration continued with an all terrain game of croquet followed by delicious smoked salmon in the company of family and friends.

2011

Surprisingly, Mom's Day even continued into Monday morning. Walking from my usual parking lot along Racine's lake shore, I saw a few of our area's ever present Canadian geese. With a longer glance, I also noticed at least 25 of this spring's goslings wandering under their protective gaze. Happy Mother's Day, ladies!

Sláinte!

Land Line, 2009

Feels like a spring day today, am happy that Friday is tomorrow, a huge full moon arrives on Saturday, and Spring officially begins on Sunday. Thank goodness!


It's been a long winter with days featuring redundant weather. In the same moment, that shared Midwestern experience is draining, yet somehow comforting. As I was walking from the public parking lot near the Lake (a boat launch in more temperate months), I consider the positive aspects to wintry temperatures. One example is going to the grocery store without worrying about anything melting or spoiling during the trip home. Other perks include easy-to-wear wardrobes of sweaters and boots and a wealth of indoor events doing their very best to bring warmth and color into the gray days.


With spring, adventure moves outside. Yesterday, I basked in the sun very briefly in the enclosed patio of a pleasant Riverwest coffee shop. And, I look forward to muddy walks in the woods in my extremely effective Hunter boots.

There are still plenty of things to do inside, too. Tomorrow evening, I'll be at RAM, surrounded by the cheerful palette of Ruth Grotenrath and Schomer Lichtner's paintings for the show's reception and behind-the-scenes tour with Bruce W. Pepich. We learned just yesterday that the event was serendipitously scheduled for Lichtner's birthday! The date was chosen months ago via staff meetings and dependent partly on the schedule of some of the attendees. No mention of his birth date throughout the process, until the discovery yesterday. Talk about happy coincidence.

Today, I say, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The accordions played on..

RIP Betsy

She was a very good car. So good that she had two names. Her Southern name was Bertha, while in the Great Lakes state of Wisconsin, she was usually called Betsy.

Betsy spent just under five years with me. We drove many thousands of miles together; many trips to Racine were taken. She even carried me on an impromptu trip to the Eastern Seaboard for a lesbian wedding at a Quaker meeting house in Brooklyn. She didn't care for the mountains of Pennsylvania, though she respected that they bordered my grandfather's hometown.

I wish her peace and quiet now.

In Betsy/Bertha's honor, I will soon be attaching a "Pro-Accordion and I Vote" bumper sticker to my newer Toyota Tercel. She goes by Eve.

Happiness for the holidays

Cave Point, 2010   

The holidays approach oh-so-quickly! In fact, we're already in the midst of all the festive parties and building beautiful memories with friends and family. All sorts of moments have warmed my heart - by the hearth - and I look forward to the approaching celebrations of the next few days.

Tonight, presents will be wrapped, ornaments will be find their rightful place on the tree and a handmade glistening wreath (with thanks to my creative friends) will be added to the living room "gallery."

December has been busy and bountiful. I send out gratitude and joy to all for our gifts, significantly the one right outside the window - Lake Michigan - lovely lady that she is.

Wandered

Quilted, 2010

Last week Sunday, I took an opportunity to wander out into winter. I had a mental list of destinations, a warm coat and my walking boots. It had been too long since embarking on such a meander, and it was well worth it.

Destination one was the Holiday Artisan Market at Discovery World, where I found kind folks, a serendipitous St. Nick's Day gift and the memory of a tasty cupcake, which I'd enjoyed the day before. Much of Saturday was also spent at Discovery World with family enjoying the electrifying and fascinating Tesla Lives performance and the museum's informative exhibits. We enjoyed the evening in the Pilot House listening to Great Lakes singer and storyteller Lee Murdock.

Destination two would be the brand new HoverCraft at Bay View Brew Haus - another enticing local craft fair that helped me do some holiday (and otherwise) shopping while supporting local artists, hearing great music and testing yummy cheese buregs. The path there was as much an item on my day's list as the terminus. I took the long way - walking via Lakeshore State Park, under the Hoan Bridge, through the Fifth Ward and down KK Avenue. Photos and detours were taken.

By the end of my day, I'd walked over eight miles (yay!!!), enjoyed the journey as much as the destinations, got to see Laura and April's Living Photo Booth Project in action, and procured some enameled seahorse earrings.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

watercolor by Racine artist Joyce Ottum

I would like to begin this blog as simply as possible with an image of December beauty, with thanks to the artist Joyce Ottum. She has many fans in the Racine area, and is in the collection of the Racine Art Museum. Her private collectors can often be heard saying things like, "I have 9 Joyce Ottums!"

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm very proud to say she's my grandmother and very talented. She worked as a fashion illustrator for publications and daily newspapers before fashion photography changed the industry. While best known now for her impressionist landscapes, I adore the pieces that show her background in illustration. Joyce captures fleeting gestures and postures brilliantly.

And, her memories are fascinating. I'd probably have months of blogging if I just shared her life stories. 

On future days, I hope to talk about all the people, moments and things of beauty that bring me joy. I will do so with gratitude.