Black and White oil on canvas.
Church Building in Balboa Park San Diego.
This building was part of the World’s Fair in San Diego and was kept up by the wonderful people of California. What a treasure.
Thoughts
Point Loma California
Ferruccio Furlanetto as Leporello in Don Giovanni
I am sharing an from Don Giovanni the opera written by Mozart. One of the premiere Basso voices is Ferruccio Furlanetto who sings Leporello’s part.
This is an enjoyable and funny Aria where Leporello, Don Giovanni’s servant is convincing (this abused woman by his Master) to see that he is not worth the trouble.
Leporello lists all his Master’s conquests all over the world, explaining that he has a “catalogue” of his paramours. He produces the book and invites her to read with him the lists he made.
Please enjoy!
Shopping in person
“Women who shop by telephone do not know what the pleasures of buying are.”
The Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen.
It is true that people who shop by telephone or as it stands now, by internet miss the communication that shopping in person allows.
When buying fabric one touches and feels the textures. When buying food, one smells the sweetness, the sourness or sees the freshness of a melon or a peach.
The actual act of choosing and putting back a purchase is in itself a satisfying action of the soul. It gives the buyer the right to pick and choose what they buy, making it satisfying to their senses.
A persimmon in a picture is beautiful. But, it will not be the same persimmon delivered to your door if you are not there to pick it. Children and adults go to pumpkin farms to pick their own pumpkin right out of the ground. The pumpkins are there on the dirt they grew out of and get chosen to be taken home by a child. There is almost an act of love in that choice.
The actual interaction between buyer and seller is lost in the telephone and internet shopping venture. There is direct human contact with the act of giving and receiving, in buying and selling. Money has to be exchanged. Trust has to be built. Smiles are exchanged. A feeling of wholeness and well being as you walk away with your purchases having been satisfied by the interaction.
Money seems removed from people who are wealthy. In that, they do not use actual currency. Very few carry cash. In this day and age of computers and automation, it makes no sense. Everything is delivered, from merchant to laborer. Even money in the form of credit cards, is delivered from the bank to the credit card company without involvement of the buyer.
Things are moving forward and that is good and wonderful. We have to progress and move along with the times. Yet, just a reminder, be careful how much you automate your life, be careful how much you separate yourself and be aware of the consequences of isolation.
On My Walks What I See
Summer days in Hawaii have harsh sun but evenings are heavenly sent. After changing my routine from day person to night owl, I have reveled in my discoveries and enjoyment of the island. Nighttime walks are the best. Quiet, cool and yet warm Trade Winds never disappoint.
Here I share with you some of the wonderful plants, edible or not. Share my wonder at the beauty.
Blue Ginger: a gorgeous flower and when the petals open, yellow insides make a delightful spectacle.
Fig Tree with Figs: May not be ripe yet. But this tree emits the strongest delicious smells as I pass by it. One can never ignore the deliciousness it promises.
Grapefruit for lack of a better word: I am never sure what it is called but it tastes like grapefruit and grows everywhere here.
Mangoes at eye level. Yep! Oahu is loaded with mango trees. Still not ripe, they make my mouth water.
Papaya Trees and fruit: Usually these grow like palm trees, high and inaccessible but in this yard they have six trees at head level.
Skunk Tree pods that open up to hearts: Nope sorry, not edible and it smells icky. But for all that, when the pods open up in the drying process, they look like hearts. Used often in flower arrangements and craft work.
Hairy Starfish or the technical name Stapelia Gigantea: A hairy succulent, not edible and also emits nasty smells but looks amazing.
Thank you for joining me on my evening walk.