I am pondering the "beautiful works of nature, music and art" that have graced my life. Nature was the first and foremost beauty, as I was born and raised in the magnificently beautiful boondocks of central Pennsylvania. We didn't live on a farm, but we were surrounded by them. My mother had a huge garden and with her preservation talents, she provided us with fruit and vegetables year-round. There were always flowers blooming, too--her roses were her pride and joy. My designated "most beautiful spot on the planet" is Alan Seeger Nature Area which was about ten miles from my PA home and the site of many a family picnic. My mother's creativity lives with us today in the braided rugs on the floor, the doilies here and there, and the crocheted afghans that warm us in the winter.
I have very limited musical talent, as in, I will sing out loud when no one else is around. Luckily I get my music fix from my very talented husband, who graces our home with mandolin and guitar music on a regular basis. One of the things our sons said they missed the most after leaving home was going to sleep at night listening to Dad playing music. My most recent spectacular musical experience was a symphony concert at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in Australia.
One of my favorite things to do in a new-to-me city is go to the art museum. Imagine my joy, when a few years ago at a "drink and paint" adventure with friends, I learned that I, too, could paint! Monet, I am not, but if you can smear paint on something, well, there you have it--you can paint. I've been making art for several years, taking classes even. I don't expect to have my work in the Louvre, but I certainly have enjoyed the spiritual expansion that painting has given me.
I'm so grateful that nature, music and art enable us to rise above the apparent ugliness of the world.
Leta
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| One of the barn quilts I painted during the pandemic |
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