Well, this is the news here at this time. They came home from the hospital this morning. The baby is VERY mellow and sleeps well. But also responds attentively when you talk to her. The hair is red! Sweet dreams.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
New grandchild
Born January 4, 2007 at 5:15. I'll meet her tomorrow mornign when she comes home. Photo taken by a nurse at the hospital. More to follow, I am sure.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Her delight: making cookies for Santa
Her little sister was born this afternoon at 5:15. No pictures yet. We are going up to stay with them (and play with her!) tomorrow.
Today I went to visit a friend who has recently entered a retirement home. It is a very nice place, very clean. It seems well run. Still, I was glad that I didn't have to live there.
Today I went to visit a friend who has recently entered a retirement home. It is a very nice place, very clean. It seems well run. Still, I was glad that I didn't have to live there.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Baby Jack Hicks Hopper, my father
Here he is again, the way he sat in his frame on the front room bookcases all through my childhood. About as cute as it gets, in my opinion.
Gerald Ford has finally been laid to rest. Twenty-one gun salute, the whole nine yards. A decent human being, by all accounts. I am surprised to feel nostalgic about a Repulican politician. When I saw his college letter M draped near the coffin, it brought tears to my eyes. It also made me wonder whatever happened to my father's letter A from University of Arizona, where he captained the polo team. I went through everything after Mom's death and it never turned up. I do have the A blanket that he got for being the person who came the farthest distance for the Homecoming Game my freshman year at the U. of A. He had come to visit me while he was on a business trip. The blanket is laprobe size and very heavy navy blue wool, almost like felt, with the red A sewed in the center. I keep it in the cedar chest my mother in law brought to her marriage. In the January, 2007 issue of Art in America, which came today, there is a report on the Gwangju Biennale, which many of you may be forgiven for never having heard of. It's a major art show in Korea, with artists selected from many countries. The main prize was given to two artists, one of whom was Korean artist Song Dong. He gave top credit to his mom, Zhao Xiang Yuan, a nice gesture, considering the exhibit is very neatly arranged stacks (and a couple of chests) of all the things she has saved over fifty years while she lived through many terrifying times in Korea. It has given her a deep sense that anything might come in handy. The article called the exhibit, notable in a single small photograph for its neatly arranged stacking, "the biennial's most poignant work." I wish I could see it. Often this kind of art does not appeal to me, but this was different. Good night.
Gerald Ford has finally been laid to rest. Twenty-one gun salute, the whole nine yards. A decent human being, by all accounts. I am surprised to feel nostalgic about a Repulican politician. When I saw his college letter M draped near the coffin, it brought tears to my eyes. It also made me wonder whatever happened to my father's letter A from University of Arizona, where he captained the polo team. I went through everything after Mom's death and it never turned up. I do have the A blanket that he got for being the person who came the farthest distance for the Homecoming Game my freshman year at the U. of A. He had come to visit me while he was on a business trip. The blanket is laprobe size and very heavy navy blue wool, almost like felt, with the red A sewed in the center. I keep it in the cedar chest my mother in law brought to her marriage. In the January, 2007 issue of Art in America, which came today, there is a report on the Gwangju Biennale, which many of you may be forgiven for never having heard of. It's a major art show in Korea, with artists selected from many countries. The main prize was given to two artists, one of whom was Korean artist Song Dong. He gave top credit to his mom, Zhao Xiang Yuan, a nice gesture, considering the exhibit is very neatly arranged stacks (and a couple of chests) of all the things she has saved over fifty years while she lived through many terrifying times in Korea. It has given her a deep sense that anything might come in handy. The article called the exhibit, notable in a single small photograph for its neatly arranged stacking, "the biennial's most poignant work." I wish I could see it. Often this kind of art does not appeal to me, but this was different. Good night.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Through the car window
Look at the scenery! Isn't the American West a spectacular place?? It would be hard to make a living on a farm here, which is why it still looks so good. In the last six years we have driven across the heartland on all the major east-west roads. It has really given me a different sense of the size and qualities of America and Americans.
There is so much space and so many interesting things to see. I want to especially recommend the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby, Kansas. It has been a couple of years since I was there, but it made a lasting impression on me; I plan to visit it again. Based on the collections of a farming family with plenty of money and big attics the collection ranges from Meissen and art glass to American toys and ephemera. Changing exhibits juxtapose artifiacts of all kinds that begin with letters of the alphabet. I have to congratulate the curators on this idea and its execution. Unexpected associations are a delight, and thought-provoking. This is Samuel Ramey's hometown and there is a very nice exhibit on his life in the opera world. They also have some lovely dolls and other toys. There is such a richness in the collection that they can change the displays quite a bit. The Museum is located just off Highway 70, between exits 53 &54 in Northwest Kansas.
There is so much space and so many interesting things to see. I want to especially recommend the Prairie Museum of Art and History in Colby, Kansas. It has been a couple of years since I was there, but it made a lasting impression on me; I plan to visit it again. Based on the collections of a farming family with plenty of money and big attics the collection ranges from Meissen and art glass to American toys and ephemera. Changing exhibits juxtapose artifiacts of all kinds that begin with letters of the alphabet. I have to congratulate the curators on this idea and its execution. Unexpected associations are a delight, and thought-provoking. This is Samuel Ramey's hometown and there is a very nice exhibit on his life in the opera world. They also have some lovely dolls and other toys. There is such a richness in the collection that they can change the displays quite a bit. The Museum is located just off Highway 70, between exits 53 &54 in Northwest Kansas.
Monday, January 01, 2007
On Crooked River
This year one of the boathouses in Alanson collapsed. This stretch of the Inland Waterway can take you by water from here to Lake Huron. In the newly remodeled building on River Street, a local group has begun a museum on the waterway. They already have much interesting stuff to exhibit.
Along the river here the water always looks very green; I am not sure why. It is quite picturesque; local watercolor groups meet here to paint in plein air.
Well, the Saddam execution went poorly and the phone video is already in circulation. I didn't see how they could prevent pictures when there are so many little cameras everywhere. And indeed they did not. It's a black eye for everyone involved.
On a brighter note, the San Francisco people who made a compact (like the Mayflower compact) not to buy anything new this year except food and medicines were happy about the success of the experiment and many plan to continue it. It's a great idea!
Along the river here the water always looks very green; I am not sure why. It is quite picturesque; local watercolor groups meet here to paint in plein air.
Well, the Saddam execution went poorly and the phone video is already in circulation. I didn't see how they could prevent pictures when there are so many little cameras everywhere. And indeed they did not. It's a black eye for everyone involved.
On a brighter note, the San Francisco people who made a compact (like the Mayflower compact) not to buy anything new this year except food and medicines were happy about the success of the experiment and many plan to continue it. It's a great idea!
Western vista
Well, it's the New Year. Saddam is buried. We watched Audra McDonald and Garrison Keillor to ring in the year. And celebrated with small pizzas and champagne. Christmas decorations are packed up. It is very quiet now, as the dogs have gone to sleep.
This picture was taken from the car on the trip in November. I love the soft muted colors and how far you can see.
This picture was taken from the car on the trip in November. I love the soft muted colors and how far you can see.
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