The blue light special

The blue light special
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

Ten artists came from China for the opening ceremonies for an exhibit of their art at the Nan Hai gallery. This took place Saturday afternoon, and I went with the people from my Chinese painting class. The artists wore similar, if not identical, serious black suits and stood in a row behind local politicians as short speeches were made. They didn't speak, although a great deal of the even was in Chinese and translators were present. In fact, nobody seemed to pay the artists much mind. This bowl of grapes and a lot of other food was wiped out afterwards. Then there was an address in Chinese not by an artist, either. When I have listened to events in European languages, I could pick out words or phrases, but in Chinese, I am completely without any "hooks" and it was completely unintelligible to me. Some people fell asleep, and I found myself almost doing so. Just before I would have fallen asleep, I began to feel that I was making sense, or little narratives, from what was going on. I actually "heard" phrases in English. Then I would force myself to wake up because I didn't want to drool or fall off the chair. Things immediately stopped making sense, but I had a ghost image of the little narrative, which slowly faded away.

The paintings were ALL THE SAME SIZE, that of a big sheet of rice paper, They were mounted and then stuck to the wall, without any glass! It made them wonderful to look at, but we saw one man rest the back of his head right on one as he leaned on the pillar. P said that in a hundred years the museum will wonder where that grease spot came from. Which reminds me of the word "antimacassar."

Painting Bamboo

P1010535xx
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

A beautiful demonstration of bamboo leaves and reworking the composition by the teacher on a student work this last Saturday morning.

Early this Sunday morning the dachshunds caught a feral cat and killed it. We had been feeding that cat for many years; it had always avoided the fenced back yard that we let the dogs into about four times a day. The cat has always been in the front yard before. It was pretty terrible and S got scratched and bitten by the cat as he tried, unsucessfully, to rescue it. Later, Animal Control came to get the cat for rabies testing. Rabies is almost unknown here, but bats still test positive for it, so the testing must be done. Everyone we met today was very professional and helpful, from the Sunday doctor and nurses at Kaiser, to the animal control officer. It makes me thankful to live in an orderly society.

Waiting for hummingbirds

Waiting for hummingbirds
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

These healthy succulents were in bloom on the art center patio today. We all ate lunch together during class. I'm taking an all day printmaking class that lasts for 12 weeks. It is fabulous! The teacher knows nearly everything and is able to communicate it in a clear and friendly way. I'm jazzed and plan to paint myself some rice paper with acrylic tomorrow to use for chine colle. I have twenty-seven ideas for new prints and things to try. Excelsior!

My family 1947

My family 1947
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

These Kodachrome slides that were taken in 1947 have held their color much better than the prints that were made during the same visit to Uncle Karl and Aunt Molly's farm. I'm on the left. My four brothers were born within five years, and often funcrioned as a sort of pack of cubs in the late forties and fifties. My Mom and Dad and my youngest brother (in center) are no longer alive. My aunt and uncle are gone, too. On this summer day, we were a young family. I always wonder what it would have been like to have a smaller family. I like having a lot of siblings.

Our excellent trip in the Packard

Our excellent trip in the Packard
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

xxx

Shared chocolate mousse

Shared chocolate mousse
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

That's my fork in the foreground. To celebrate out year (we were all born in the Year of the Boar) we lunched in Gilroy last Friday and shared this light chocolaty dessert.

Tonight I met with my writer's group. We had a wonderful time. We learn a lot from thinking seriously about each other's work. And renew our enthusiasm to write more.

Landscape with pale ink cloud

Landscape with pale ink cloud
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

The teacher painted this in the last 10 or 15 minutes of class on Saturday morning. I am very fond of this sort of suggested landscape. It was great fun watching him put in the dark in details with the very tip of the brush.

That touch of red

That touch of red
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

Another backyard picture from that snowy morning last October. Today after Chinese painting class we were discussing the beauty of our teacher's trees in Chinese painting landscapes. Ir reminded me of the Michigan trees in our patch of forest. We are preparing to put a conservation easement on this land so that there will be a wildlife corridor almost down to the lake. It makes me happy to think about it; the natural beauty here is so great.

Smile of the Buddha AND The Paris Review

Smile of the Buddha
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

Three days old! She was still sleeping most of the time. A quite remarkably tranquil baby. And pretty cute. We sure enjoyed spending a week with her.

Tonight a show based on color movies filmed during World War II is on TV. Justice Frankfurter does not believe a personally-delivered report about the killling of the Jews. I hadn't remembered that. And Eleanor (I love Eleanor, the more I learn about her, the more I love her!) talking about training women for work.

Yesterday the Paris Review came. After George Plimpton died I was quite cross about the changes in the magazine. I liked the old paperback sized format, and just the familiarity of it. No color, nothing fancy. Lots of poems, usually only one from each author. Everything just top rank and guaranteed to be interesting. And the interviews! I loved the interviews! Well, with this issue, I am almost reconciled. There is an interview, an excellent one, with Javier Marias from Spain. There is less poetry, but portfolios from the poets included, which can give a better sense of the poet. The poetry in this issue is a little disappointing, though I like the idea of groups of poems from each poet. The portfolio from Dean Young does not seem like his best work. Translations from a 14th century French poet have a certain antiquarian interest, but are not compelling. Matthew Thorburn seems too young somehow, for his poems to have the requisite depth. But the translations from the Chinese on interviews about "The Corpse Walker" and "The Leper" and wonderful stories by Joseph Heller, Gish Jen and T. C. Boyle made up for that this time. And the spectacular, beautiful and terrifying portfolio of color photographs, including foldouts of interiors with paragraphs spoken by the inhabitants, of the huge slum outside Nairobi is completely unlike anything I could have expected from the classic Paris Review. Images re still echoing around inside my head. Now that I have raved about it, I should tell you that it is Issue 179, Winter, 2006. Should be available at a bookstore now. Good night.

The glorious day

IMG_0587
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

This was the most stunningly beautiful weather! We were driving through Eastern Idaho on our way back to California. For mile after mile the clouds piled up in the sunny sky and the golden desert seemed to go on forever. I took about 50 pictures. I know that one reason it is so beautiful is because not many people can live here. There's not much abandoned junk around, But it makes one want an invisible house and road so one could live looking out at these vast and open expanses,

Winter Camellia

Winter Camellia, Markham Hse
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

Every life needs flowers. Here is one that blooms in front of the house where Edwin Markham wrote his famous poem "The Man with the Hoe." "Bowed by the weight of centuries he leans . . ." This little house has been moved to the San Jose History Park and is now the scene of poetry events. Our haiku society met there last Saturday. By the way, our web site is: www.youngleaves.org

Tonight we watched a 2002 documentary on Elie Wiesel. Narrated excerpts from Night were interspersed with Wiesel interview segments and photos and film clips. It was riveting, Near the end he talks about the bar mitzvah gift (his grandfather's watch) which he buried in the yard the night before they were to be taken away to Auchwitz. Later, he found it and then put it back. His small home town was the same, the buildings the same, the streets the same, but without Jews. I feel abashed for any of my complaints. My life has been quite easy. Good night.

Frog Rock

Frog Rock
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

It was VERY cold in the canyon when we stopped here on our way back. It was even too cold to walk the dogs and we went on to a lower elevation and stopped again. It wasn't as pretty there, but warmer.

I got a swell letter from my cousin, Rosie. She wrote it all over the lightcolored spaces on a large calendar photograph. The text went this way and that, according to the space available. It was the best letter I've gotten for a long time, quite long, personal, warm and funny. It made me sorry that email is so easy that it is hard to get a letter this good any more. I love email, don't get me wrong, but , , ,

First Bath

First Bath
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

She's not sure she likes it much, but the dish sprayer works well, I think. She is a much more mellow baby so far than her two-year-old sister.

Here in San Jose, the freeze continues and all the epilhyllum baskerts are on the floor in the family room. We have water spraying on the lemon tree all night. And we're crossing our fingers. In the last forty years we've lost four other lemon trees. Once this one froze back to the trunk.

Jack Bauer is back on 24 and, in the first hour, has already done some torturing, which seems to be one of his specialties. But, hey! It's just TV. I hope. . .

How to hold the brush

How to hold the brush
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

One of the first things students of calligraphy and Chinese painting are taught is how to hold the brush: between the thumb and forefinger and third finger and braced on the other side by the fourth and fifth fingers. I took this picture today in Chinese painting class. The teacher is a well-known Chinese painter who has lived in America for many years. A city in China recently established a museum for his work, which is grounded in classical technique, yet demonstrates a very modern sensibility. The photo shows clearly how the brush is held. I still find it hard to do; it is different than how I have always held a pen or pencil. But I love the strokes of ink on rice paper and will continue to experiment with this art form.

Secret smile

Secret smile
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

These are my husband's hands. The baby is our seventh grandchild. We've been visiting her this week and these hands have made a blueberrry pie, a carrot pie and an apple crumble, using half Splenda instead of sugar. All were extra good. I've been so busy I forgot my resolve to post something everyday for several days. Is this auspicious for my New Year's Resolutions, or what?? Home tomorrow. I've been writing quite a few haiku and plan to post some when I can.

Peaceful sleeper

Peaceful sleeper
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.

New grandchild

New grandchild
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.

Her delight: making cookies for Santa

Her delight
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.

Baby Jack Hicks Hopper, my father

BabyJack Hicks Hopper
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.

Through the car window

Through the car window
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.

On Crooked River

On Crooked River
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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!

Western vista

Western vista
Originally uploaded by jhhymas.

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.