Blog Hopping

I've been visiting a number of blogs lately and seeing some interesting things, so I thought I'd share a bit with you. (Especially since my blogroll is out of date and I haven't updated it in a bit!)

First, Peter (Peter's Paris) is taking his visitors to wonderful sites in Paris and elsewhere in France in every post. Sometimes I fall in and feel like I may never crawl out! His photography is beautiful (but this picture is mine) and I learn something new with every visit!

Speaking of food for thought, Shoreacres will always inspire with her beautifully written, in-depth essays, one of the latest being about creativity, sharing and sustaining it. The post on one of her mentors in boat varnishing is a gem. If you're not a regular visitor, check it out!

Becca has been writing some astounding and thoughtful posts at Becca's Byline. Every now and then it's a Write on Wednesday post -- something I used to participate in often! There's lots of food for thought in Becca's posts. Recently she wrote about hidden talents, as she spoke of "Dancing with the Stars." We both agree it is a guilty pleasure! She also has a thought-provoking post about parents/children and role reversal as they age.

I've recently started visiting Bella Rum at Cul de Sac Chronicles. This is yet another of the blogs I've been stopping at that isn't on my badly outdated blogroll. Do check it out! Be sure to scroll down a bit and check out the post about the bathroom poofs -- you know, those net things we use in the shower. All I can say is "who knew?"

Mama K has reviewed a book by a cancer survivor that she heard speak. The author is a columnist at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland -- her story sounds wonderful and inspiring. And another cousin, Annie, has started Annie's Omnium. It's a brand new blog -- and she's quite the artist! Check out the cute rain barrel she painted for a commission! Stop by and say hi!

Finally, if you remember Anno from the dearly departed Anno's Place, she is back with a couple of sites. You can link to her photography and Postscripts site here.

But she is also hosting a new site -- and one in which I've been honored to participate called Unconventional Beauties. The blog is a series of conversations and -- this is the main thing -- self-portraits by various participants. Including me! (This isn't it, but I needed a spot for a Gyppy pic!)

The idea is to take a self-portrait (and you don't need to be Annie Liebovitz to pull this off!), and then write a narrative about you, the photo... Well, don't listen to my words; visit the site and check it out! I found it to be an interesting and soul-searching process.

More at Meijer Gardens!

Last time I shared with you the Chihuly glass exhibit at Meijer Gardens. But it would be a shame not to check out some of the colorful flowers at this wonderful spot!

Like these tulips, for example -- I love these ruffled blossoms.

This was another, somewhat different colors but still so lovely!

And for sheer tulip color, who could pass this up?

Of course, I had to get a photo of the blue hydrangea! But that blue and green is so perfect together!

The orchids in the tropical area were stunning...

...and this bud on the cocoa tree was interesting -- I'd never seen one like that before!

The tropical area also serves as the butterfly house. Most are gone now, but I did catch this one!

From damp and tropical to the desert!

And this flower was called a Pelican Flower. It's hard to tell in a photo but "in person" it looked to have a texture like a piece of fabric, maybe a printed flannel.

One of the show pieces of Meijer Gardens is the DaVinci Horse from a casting by the master. When you see it up close about the only thing that impresses is its size-- you almost can't photograph it (in an earlier photo, I think standing I was shorter than its knee!) But from a distance it stands guard and looks mighty impressive.

This not-quite-accurate or to scale version of Michigan and its lakes might have provided a nice spot to sail toy boats on a better, less blustery day!

So much beauty...

And on a mighty cold and gloomy day, this tropical garden was warm and wonderful.

The garden has a very large pond. Two geese and their five goslings seemed to be enjoying a swim.

But give me green and tropical any day!

There's a new post at Chopsticks and String -- I'll tell you about a mystery by Laura Childs.

And please stop by Unconventional Beauties, a new blog hosted by Anno. And, please join us in sharing self-portraits in words and pictures!

A Symphony in Glass

We only had an hour -- or so said the sign at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids when we arrived to view the Chihuly exhibit that was spread throughout the gardens.

Didn't matter! We were eager to see the work of the amazing Dale Chilhuly -- astounding pieces of blown glass with a distinctively organic feel to it, nestled amongst the tropical plants and tulips.

We were a merry bunch, Rick, his brother Tim and Tim's wife, Kim, who suggested this field trip. It was a terrific suggestion!

There are so many images, you'd regret it if I shared them all! But here are a few of my favorites...

... Loved these, sitting in water gardens like enormous lily pads!

These fascinated me, with curved shapes that reminded me of birds.

These looked like flowers themselves, calla lilies, I think! Bright, blue and blooming!

This was an odd one -- looked like a sea creature coming out of the ground!

Up close, well -- I'll have to play with this one! Is it under the sea? A monster? Aliens?

Some were tall and thin, like narrow reeds or colorful blades of grass.

Others looked more like vessels.

This didn't photograph well -- it looked like an enormous tower of huge rose quartz pieces. But I think you can get the idea -- then imagine it about 25 feet tall!

These were in the butterfly gardens, which were pretty tropical in nature.

Dale Chihuly is a remarkable glass artist whose installations are world wide. I would suspect that this will travel to other gardens throughout the country. If it comes your way, check it out!

(Next time we'll look at some of the beautiful flowers and sights in Meijer Gardens!)

Just Perfect

Sometimes you have a day that's just perfect -- or pretty darned close to it! And you think, "Could anyone be more grateful than we are?"

On Saturday we celebrated Greg's graduation from Kendall College of Art and Design. It was such a great day -- well, not the weather, but everything else! The ceremony was followed by a small family gathering back at Greg's house. Rick and I cooked like crazy people the day before -- and it all fell together like clockwork!

Greg had a lot of the same challenges kids have getting through school -- a transfer half way through, all the challenges of combining work and relationships and school in ways that don't always bring the best results, and cause setbacks.

He also had -- as longtime Gypsy readers know -- another big challenge, with several thyroid cancer surgeries and the post surgical treatment.

And yet, there he was in his black gown, and boy! Was it ever terrific!

We were especially proud...He told us that morning he was graduating with honors!

Immediately after the ceremony we walked over to the art school to see his work in the senior exhibit -- here are a couple of the things he's done.

The pictures above and below are watercolors from photos he took on an overseas study in Ghana.

This mouse is one of his favorites. He took a photo of this dead mouse as it was floating in his bathroom toilet while at U of M. And I don't even want to know the back story on that one. I must say, I really do like it -- and I'd probably like it better without knowing the part about the toilet!

This is a portrait of his grandfather. I didn't know him during the period where he had the dark hair -- it was done from an older photograph. But there was no mistaking who it was!

Sometimes I just kept thinking, "I know this kid. I've known him for a long, long time!"

Honestly, I had little to do with the growth and maturation of this young man. He was born with the talent, and I had no part in that. Greg has been a big part of my life, though, since he was nine. In that time, I've seen him develop lots of passions and interests. He likes bicycles and classical music, like his dad does; he is our resident organic foods and recycling advocate; he's a kind human being who cares deeply about others, and the stars in his eyes are brighter than any in the sky.

But one passion that has never wavered was the art.

If I had anything to do with his upbringing, it was just listening to him, loving him, and hopefully letting him grow and be. Counseling him when it felt appropriate, letting him learn his own lessons when he had to, serving as an intermediary when two generations didn't always gibe.

After the exhibit, party time at Greg's house! Rick made sushi the night before, and I did salads, dessert, salsa.

Rick got the best bread at Panera! We thought we'd have more leftovers than we did! (Darn!)

Saturday's festivities were an ending -- and a beginning. He'll have ups and downs. We'll want to butt in (and sometimes against probably what is anyone's best judgment, will).

The other good part -- we'll get to do this again next year for that fellow in blue, above. That's Kevin, Greg's younger brother with Molly.

After the party, Rick and I went with his brother and his wife to see the Chihuly exhibit in Meijer Gardens. Yes, I took my camera -- and yes, I'll post pictures in a day or two!

Bits and Pieces

Our spring is very up and down. I've hugged my little pet therapist more than a few times in recent days.

The weather is "up." It has been beautiful -- and I'm finally feeling brave enough to put some things in the ground!

I've been feeling pretty good lately -- which means I am going to the gym! I may have talked Rick into taking a one-evening salsa class (I'll believe it when I get him in the door!). Dancing is the kind of exercise I can get into!

Greg graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design on Saturday. Three cheers! (I'll add a photo or two to this post as soon as they are downloaded!)

On the more melancholy side, I'll soon be saying farewell to my friend Jane Rosemont -- artist extraordinaire, good friend, blogger. She'll be moving to Santa Fe. Our art group said farewell to her last week and Friday was the opening for her final art show here. I'll have more on that later, too.

We're dealing with some family illness in our extended family, which is deeply distressing and concerning, so please send good vibes, prayers or wishes to us for Rick's uncle, Bob's, recovery.

And, it's Mother's Day -- a day that gives me some pause. I'm missing mom, as I always do. I think it was last year when I wrote this post -- When Mother's Day Doesn't Apply. If you're new to the Gypsy, please link!

And now, my favorite Mr. Gyps, has a blog recommendation for you:

"Sunday, May 9, is the last day to enter a at Oh Books, Oh Paper, Oh, Life! Two lucky folks could win either Peter Mayle's "Hotel Pastis" or A.S. Byatt's "Posession." Since I am a lowly cat and don't read, I can only hope my Mummy-Cat enters and wins something she can read to me."