A WEEK OF QUOTES - PART 2 - THEY'RE GROWING AGAIN!

AN OPTIMIST IS....

An optimist is a driver who thinks that empty space at the curb won't have a hydrant beside it.

~Jules Renard~

EXHIBITS AT THE FRALIN MUSEUM

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia is much smaller than ones I have been to, but their exhibits are as interesting as any I have seen in larger museums.

If you need to see anything up close, don't forget you can enlarge each photo by clicking on them for a better view, and an easier read of the explanations.

My tastes in art tend to be more traditional... 

but I can still appreciate an artist's work and their reasons for creating such a piece.

And I really liked the flooring, as I did the colors they used for painting this large room.

There were others on display but I think I have shared enough for today.  I will have one more post on an exhibit tomorrow, one that I found so interesting I am going to make it the main subject of my next post.

Enjoy your week everyone, and thank you for taking a look at my shares from the Fralin Museum of Art in Charlottesville, Virginia.

THE FRALIN MUSEUM OF ART, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA IN CHARLOTTESVILLE

Last Saturday we decided to visit the Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia.  We were in Charlottesville for a wedding and we had a few hours on our own before we joined our family.  The information on the sculpture reads "Oriform - stainless steel - modeled 1962, fabricated 1977 - Jean Arp, 1886 to 1996 - Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington to the American People in gratitude - Leon Chalette, Arthur Lejwa and Madeleine Chalette Lejwa, 1978.22.1.

There were other works of art on the grounds.  Above you can see The Fralin Bull (I have tried to find out who created it with no success), and pieces of old columns...

Also no information on these.

There were two planters on each side of the entrance...

and these very pretty Oak-leaf Hydrangeas on the street before you walk up the steps to the building.

According to the website, the Oakleaf Hydrangea is one of the few hydrangeas native to the United States (H. arborescens being the only other native they are aware of). 

The Oakleaf gets its name from the shape of its leaves, which turn into beautiful autumn colors later on in the year, red, orange, yellow and burgundy.  More information at the links I have provided.

I will share exhibits inside the museum on Monday.  

Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by.

A POEM BY...

Rita Dove  

I saw this on a wall in Charlottesville, when we were driving around town.  I was in the passenger seat and saw that it was writing, but didn't actually see that it was a poem until I got back that night and read it on a larger screen.  I really liked this poem.

"Back when the earth was new

and heaven just a whisper,

back when the names of things

hadn't had time to stick;

back when the smallest breezes 

melted summer into autumn

when all the poplars quivered

sweetly in rank and file...

the world called, and I answered.

Each glance ignited to a gaze.

I caught my breath and called that life,

swooned between spoonfuls of lemon sorbet

I was pirouette and flourish,

I was filigree and flame.

How could I count my blessings

when I didn't know their names?

Back when everything was still to come,

luck leaked out everywhere.

I gave my promise to the world,

and the world followed me here."

You can learn more about Rita Dove here.

DEER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

This is a continuation of the photos taken of the deer in yesterday's post.  We found them at the house we were invited to for the weekend.  

When we first arrived, a family of four deer were on the grounds in front of the house.  The trees were well established and looked many years old.  They offered a welcoming shade with lots of tasty grass, an idyllic place for these pretty animals.  

The next day when I was told one was back, I grabbed our other camera with the zoom.   She was aware of my presence but didn't appear threatened.  Her ears twitched a few times but when I didn't move towards her, she settled back to eating her grass, I took my photos and left her in peace.

"From all kinds of flowers,

Seek teachings everywhere,

Like a deer that finds

A quiet place to graze,

Seek seclusion to digest

All you have gathered."

~Namkhai Norbu~

Did you know that deer can swim at up to 15 miles per hour?  Our nephew told us that he saw a deer swimming across the river near his house the other day. They can also run up to speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, and can jump up to six to eight feet high.

Thank you for looking at today's post, and have a great day.  

I TOOK OUR DECK CAMERA ALONG....

on a trip this past weekend.  We were with family and we all attended a dear friend's wedding of her daughter.  I'm sorry I can't share any of those as I want to maintain their anonymity, but it was a wonderful wedding, one we truly enjoyed.  What a blessing it is to be with people you like, love and admire.

 I decided to take the motion camera we use on our deck for the birds, thinking you never know.  When we pulled up to the house where we were staying, the yard had several trees.  Under two of the trees resting from the sun, there was a small herd of deer.  Our welcome party got up and left shortly afterwards, but the very next day we hooked up the camera on one of the trees.  The trunk was very thick and our strap barely made it around (the camera could have done with being a foot lower but it was impossible to do that).  However, we got some interesting sights.  Not as sharp as we would like in some, but at least it was something, and fun to download on our return.

 The deer definitely noticed that something was up.  A spider came along and spun a web which made for an interesting set of photos.

 The web disappeared and in the shot below we saw the unmistable design of rings on the tail, identifying a racoon running by, mostly out of frame unfortunately.

Morning breaks and they scurry away.

The camera took numerous shots as there was a lot of coming and going over the weekend, with cars going back and forth along the driveway that leads up to the house.  Also there was a strong breeze and the leaves did their part.  In the photo below you will be able to see a deer in the bottom right-hand corner.

 Who knows what else the camera could have given us if we had stayed longer, but for a first time taking it away from home, I was delighted with what it picked up.

 A practice session for future trips.

We just had to keep reminding ourselves to pick up the deck cam before we left for home.

Now for the videos.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week.