Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Transparent Abyss Forgive me for the self-glorifying tone of the above title, but my annual SUNY summer course on the Hudson River School painters and the 19th century thinkers is starting on Thursday, so I'm trying to make a shift into the transcendentalism amid my present moving fiasco. I've always had only a borderline number of students signed up for my course so I was going to cancel it this year, but of course, I have twice as many as usual... I will just have to allocate more time for discussion and less for lecture! Last year, I had a student in her 60s whose dream was to go to college and was now realizing that dream, two in their 50s, a single mother who had her son fighting in the war, the other a Christian spiritual leader, a thirty-something who came from Russia several years ago, and a twenty-something Woodstock native whose family are artists/hippies. All were women. Boy, was that an interesting dynamic! Each class started on a topic like the use of light in the HRS's paintings, effect of booming economy on art, or nature as religion in the 19th century, but somehow we always ended up talking, if not arguing, about the Iraq war. But it was not until the last class which was held on top of a hill looking at the sunset with bottles of wine, that everyone agreed Bush had to go. Once we all knew where we stood, there was a sense of relief. The Christian leader said she was afraid to speak up against him. The poor mother was worried sick during the whole time, but she had just heard the news that he was coming home... One thing I'm sure we didn't predict back then is that things were to be worse, much worse, a year later. I look forward to even livelier discussions this year (I may not have to do any preparation after all). * * * * * I am much obliged to Sam at Thistle and Hemlock for mentioning my blog. I always feel I'm not doing enough (now especially), no one cares about a trillium or hemlock or skunk cabbage any way, or too hedonistic to be intoxicated by a peony during a war time. She is my source of hope and inspiration, and words of encouragement coming from her is a sweet nectar for my soul. Of course there are several others I am more than grateful to for their kind support(you know who you are). Thank you, from my heart. The more descriptive title for the above photo would be Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata), by the way. 1:54:40 AM    comment []

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

The second growth of Hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis). Hemlock was an important resource for tanning leather. They were cut down almost to extinction, but have come back since the decline of the industry. This property was once a rough cow pasture. The hemlock woods allow the light to filter through their fine textured needles, creating a smokey golden haze that is just the right backdrop for fairy or monster tales, depending on the behavior of your children. We have many erratics (boulders carried and left behind by glacier). They serve as magnificent visual focal points, nesting grounds for wild turkeys, perfect spots to create Haiku, and needless to say, castles and forts for little knights and princesses. Hemlock woods punctuated by mighty white oaks, sugar maples and white pines afford little light on the forest floor. Only along the edges and where a big tree fell, you find these little gems. Pictured here are Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) and Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides). And a little something in my indulgent category Suika... 11:42:07 AM    comment []

Friday, May 14, 2004

Oh YES! This is it... Almost there... 8:48:29 PM    comment []

Thursday, May 13, 2004

Patience, my love...! 8:58:34 PM    comment [] It's coming... 2:45:14 PM    comment [] Could it be...? 11:54:05 AM    comment []

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Anticipation I planted this tree peony two years ago. For the first time it has buds. It is certainly the queen of all flowering small shrubs. Everything about is so noble--from the deeply lobed leaves with edges etched in red, the open and round shape, and the perfectly shaped pointed buds, to (hopefully) the voluptious flowers packed with traslucent crepe-paper petals. It has such a presence in the garden, arresting everyone in thrilling expectation. 11:07:04 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 Keiko Sono. Last update: 5/25/04; 2:06:34 AM.