rajafacesbothways

Across State Lines

I rode shotgun to IKEA in Cincy with a friend and her daughter who is putting together an apartment for her senior year at University of Louisville. And yesterday went with friends Juilee and Ellen to see the  exhibit at New Albany's Carnegie Center, "Heartbeats" by internationally recognized fiber artist Penny Sisto.  Her art quilts are incredible--the exhibit embraces Native American history--she would have been a tough act to follow! Glad we got there first!

The day included a visit to the Frazier History Museum for an exhibit of the genius of diVinci. There are several models of his brilliant inventions along with a fascinating examination of the Mona Lisa done with a 1500 pixel camera capable of analyzing the original colors of the painting.

My kind of day--new discoveries in art and dining.

For the Birds

In this constant midwest heat cycle, my final meal of the day has been a dish of ice cream and a beer on the rooftop. The sky is ever changing, there is always an evening breeze and the  air show is terrific.

The chimney swifts are the most delightful, happy, tweeting daredevil fliers in the sky. In the past couple years, so many people I care about have died. (not "passed"--currently the latest term for death--passing to me refers to grades or gas) Instead of souls whisking off to heaven to deal with oversized wings, out of tune harps and  tarnished halos, I like to think of the tweeting chimney swifts as the souls of those who have died and are enjoying a great time, including wintering in Peru.

Okay. Let me make this clear. I only drink a cold beer--I don't do drugs.

Hanging It Up

All evidence of the 20/20Vision exhibit has left the (Carnegie Center) building.  And photos are stashed in various places. However the banner now hangs against the brick wall facing my space.

It can be viewed from my kitchen window, the rooftop and the rear deck/porch. Seen by invitation  only--unless you're a bird.

Into the Sunset

Our 20/20 Vision exhibit closed on Saturday and tomorrow I pick up the photos and the banner and return them here--to much lesser, dramatic space. (a friend's basement and a corner of my loft).

(moving on down the road--Nebraska)

Now where can we possibly exhibit next? Looking for direction---

(Route 20 in Oregon)

(Route 20 in Iowa)

Maybe the exhibit will go nowhere. The ride, not the destination is what is important.

And many more photos can continue to be viewed on our website:  accidentalhighway.com

 

To Market, To Market

At the court house square on Fridays, local farmers set up stands with homegrown fresh produce, herbs, eggs and meats. Food doesn't get any fresher and better--to me it's "foodie heaven".

(above) I got beets and kale here.

Tomatoes and peppers,lettuce, corn and radishes.

Beans, cantaloupe, peaches, jalapenos and squash here. Also homemade brats. All that should get me through the weekend.

Talk About It

The talk I gave on the 20/20 Vision exhibit went well and Saturday the show will close. The attendance was a bit larger than the rodeo photo below, and probably quieter without the Coors.

Rodeo--Fort Robinson, NE

Looking Over My Shoulder

Today I'm  giving a talk at the New Albany Carnegie Center on the experience of documenting  the country's longest highway; the 20/20Vision exhibit will close on Saturday.

I hope the audience will show the same curiosity that this Nebraska cow showed about the project.

Lots more photos on our webiste: accidentalhighway.com.  Check them out.

Movin' On Up

The last of the previous generations in my family just died--Aunt Helen was over 99 years old, breaking the previous record set by 97 year old Aunt Teresa. I recall the  members of two generations that came before me vividly, along with my great grandmother, a feisty French woman whom I found scary!

Now that I am truly the matriarch on all sides of the family, it'll be interesting to see if others turn to me for wisdom and offer the respect that is now my due.

Hmm. Don't bet on it.

Visual Delights

Visited a friend near Keenland who has built a solar panel house and converted 10 acres of bluegrass into an earthly paradise, with some advise from the Nature Conservancy and a keen personal knowledge of native plants of Kentucky.

Over a period of 18 years the plants have emerged from being dormant in the ground and replenished the earth with only a few additions on her part. Any plant that isn't native to Kentucky is removed, but Kentucky was a big beneficiary of the glacials ending above the Ohio River. Beauty, birds, deer surround her space. It is a feast for all one's senses.

Wild grasses and flowers rise above your head when walking a path and springs bubble up along the way. It proves that the earth would recover very nicely if we would just disappear.

Wha-Hoo We're Covered!

Getting news coverage is always a difficult proposition for unknown artists, so I am delighted to see an excellent article by Brandi Terry on our 20/20 Vision exhibit in this week's issue (July 6) of the LEO (Louisville's Eccentric Observer) LEO WEEKLY in Louisville, KY. It includes one of my photos and a fine description of what Karen and I discovered as we documented our country's longest road.

AND--as a bonus, it has an article on Rick's White Light Diner in Frankfort, my favorite place to eat. Go check both articles out.

We are here:

Here is Rick's White Light Diner: