Vicki Lane's Blog, page 57

A Fire Next Time

I can never see a rainbow without the Carter Family singing in my head.
God Gave Noah the Rainbow SignThe Carter Family
I've got a home in that rockDon't you see (don't you see)I've got a home in that rockDon't you seeI've got a home in that rockJust beyond the mountaintopHide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.
God gave Noah the rainbow signDon't you see (don't you see)God gave Noah the rainbow signDon't you seeGod gave Noah the rainbow signNo more water, but the fire next timeHide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.
Poor old Lazarus, poor as IDon't you see (don't you see)Poor old Lazarus, poor as IDon't you seePoor old Lazarus, poor as IWhen he died he had a home on highHide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.
East and West the fire will rollHide thy me (hide thy me)East and West the fire will rollHide thy meEast and West the fire will rollHow will it be with my poor soul?Hide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.
When this world's all on fireHide thy me (hide thy me)When this world's all on fireHide thy meWhen this world's all on fireLet thy bosom be my pillowHide me over, Rock of Ages, cleft for me.

I wonder if any other religious sect has the wealth of popular/folk music that Fundamentalist Christianity, mainly in the southern USA, has in Country and Gospel music. And I wonder how many folks' beliefs are, to some extent, based on this music.
I'm not a believer--but I do like the music.

You can listen to the Carter Family performing the song HERE

 

Out of the Blue--Out of the Past

In one of our previous lives, John and I taught at the young Independent Day School in Tampa. It was a diverse bunch of kids, mostly smart, many from families impressed by the progressive, free, nature of the school. 
One of the most memorable was Ellen--sharp, funny, persistent, and an amazing athlete in her early teens. 
That was about fifty years ago. We lost track of her, and then intermittent letters let us know she was in California, operating a muffin bakery. Later I received a copy of her book--Fitness for Dummies--and found out she was doing the Ironman Events. Also that she was married, and she and her wife were starting a family.
Last week Ellen got in touch. She was coming to Asheville for a six day bike ride and would like to see us, if possible.
It was amazing! She came out for lunch on Saturday. and it was as if no time had passed, she was still so much the same Ellen--still giving off the energy of a coiled steel spring. We saw pictures of her son and daughters and tried to fill in some of the gaps.
It's such a delight and a privilege for a teacher to get re-acquainted with old students. John and I have been fortunate that way.

 

Rainy Spring Day

 

More Learning Opportunities

                                                                          
The artist Fleta Monaghan, when I was working in oils and acrylics in her classes (20-some years agone,) always advised us to keep our work in progress out where we could look at it from a distance and when we weren't actively working on it. Over time, various problems and possible fixes may become clearer.
It's really excellent advice. Which is why I had this trio placed so I could look at them during mealtimes.


The white iris--done from a photo--was a real challenge just to draw and then to paint. Trying to get the shadows dark enough and not too dark, keeping the edges crisp, and reproducing the squiggly bits in the center of the flower proved too much for me. Nothing I could do to fix these problems. I did try outlining the petals with black ink, in hopes of clarifying things. Not an improvement, alas. This baby is probably going to become bookmarks--the fate of many of my watercolor attempts. 

It doesn't matter. I enjoyed making the picture and I learned some stuff.

The orchids I drew from life--they were sitting right in front of me. For some reason, I find this more difficult than working from a photo or picture. Not happy with this one either--I tried to punch up the yellow a bit and darken the blue background.

Nope. Not a keeper. Another learning experience and some more bookmarks--after I use the other side for a bit more painting.

I've painted this frog before. He's a step-by-step lesson in a book and after two unhappy attempts, I thought to get back to basics.  But I was unable to resist adding a bit of story--the princess and her golden ball, hurrying down the steps. The ball will fall in the water and, after a lot of carrying on, the frog will turn out to be a prince under an enchantment.
So, darkening the background behind the frog and the princess, darkening bits of the frog. Not done yet, now I see those irises on the left need to be darker too . . .
Sill learning . . .                                                                                        Well, hell. I hit PUBLISH before changing the date. This is meant to be Saturday's post. (Still learning, indeed.)

White Iris

Just beyond the basement door . . .

Waiting for the early light . . .

Such perfection . . .

Eagerly anticipated every year.

 

Not Dead Yet

Every Christmas, Claui's folks give us amaryllis bulbs, planted in beautiful tureens or other containers. They bloom and bloom on our dining table and when they are finished, I move them to the greenhouse, in hopes of a repeat performance. Which hasn't happened until now--this beauty from several years back is putting on a show. And there's a bud on another one in the greenhouse! Where there's life, as they say, there's hope!

Which brings me to the subject of my recent doctor visit--I have to go once a year and have blood drawn so they can make sure my thyroid medicine is working properly. So off I went and when, after a bit of a wait, the young man in skinny jeans who is my provider popped into the room and said, "Well, I didn't think I'd ever see you again," I was a little puzzled.
Did he think that at my advanced age, I wasn't likely to return? (I was already a little rattled by some of the questions the intake person had asked before taking my blood pressure. Did I experience feelings of hopelessness? Did I ever feel like life wasn't worth living? Or words to that effect.)
When I asked just what he meant about not seeing me again, he grinned and held out a copy of Crows. He'd purchased after my last visit a year ago and wanted me to sign it. 
Well, okay then. See you next year. I hope.

 

Rabbit, Rabbit

With a May Day posy for everyone and muguets de bois especially for Vagabonde, Therese, and Miss Yves. 

Iris and Other Pleasures of the Season

 

A Good Year for Epiphyllums

 

                                                                                                

Our greenhouse is home to an assortment of these lovelies--also known as orchid cactus. I acquired my first one (the one pictured here) about forty years ago (can it have been that long?) when Justin was in a youth soccer league and my friend Sue (whose son was also playing,) found ourselves in an unfamiliar part of Asheville and after the game, just had to check out a local greenhouse. 

                                                                                                  

They had a wonderful selection of epiphyllums in various colors, but they weren't cheap, and I had to be content with selecting the gaudiest of the lot.                                                                                         

The weather has been too uncertain to put them outside yet, but they have been blooming exuberantly in the crowded greenhouse.

Somewhere along the way, I was given this red variety below.

And my friend Lisa S. brought me this dainty pink one below.  

When the weather is reliably warm, I'll try to get these babies outside and do some repotting and propagating. May they all last another forty years!

Florentine Butter Chicken

 A recipe from Food and Wine that John suggested we try. It's not especially complicated and is quite delicious. It does include an artery-choking amount of butter...which is, of course, why it's so tasty.

Ingredients1 large egg, beaten1/4 cup all-purpose flour2 (7-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lightly pounded to 3/4-inch-thickness1 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons (5 ounces) cold salted cultured butter (such as Vermont Creamery), cut into pieces, divided3 tablespoons olive oil1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)DIRECTIONSPlace beaten egg in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Spread flour in a separate shallow bowl or pie plate. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working with 1 breast at a time, dip chicken in egg, letting any excess drip back into bowl, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.Melt 1/4 cup butter with oil in a 10-inch stainless steel skillet over medium-high, and cook, swirling occasionally, until milk solids begin to sink to bottom of skillet and start to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add chicken, rounded sides down, and cook, swirling skillet occasionally, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn chicken over, and add remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Tilt skillet toward you so butter pools, and cook, basting chicken often, until chicken is just cooked through and golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.Remove from heat, and carefully pour in lemon juice (butter will start to bubble). Serve immediately.