Book Group: April 2014

Book: The Burgess Boys

Author: Elizabeth Strout

Group meeting: Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Place: Jane's house

Dessert: Tiramisu

An engaging book that centers on one horrific event and how a family comes to grips with it. There are three siblings: a big shot lawyer and his public defender brother (both living in NYC), and their sister (living in their hometown in Maine). The story is compelling and takes on many issues facing modern society: immigrants (Somali in this case) in a small community, sibling relationships (including twins), the burden of fame, big city anonymity versus small town notoriety, family secrets, marriage and much more. There is lots to discuss. I particularly liked how the author dealt with the bonds of family. These kids didn't really like each other, but they were bound by blood and in each of their own ways watched out for the others. Well, sort of . . .

Finding the Artist in Me

I wouldn't call myself an artist, but I have some skills and a good eye. My plan now that I am retired is to explore art forms that have interested me in the past and assess whether they are right for who I am right now.

I too eagerly signed up for a basic drawing class in February before I actually retired. The first class reminded me of how much I love to get lost in the process. I'm a musher. I blended and erased and piled-on and removed charcoal with my fingers. It was quite messy and I loved it.

But, after a couple classes, life interrupted and the class ended. I know I do not want to create art with nowhere to go. What would I do with hundreds of charcoal or pastel drawings but throw them away. What's the point? (I know. The process is the point. But, it's not the most important thing to me right now.)

Next class: Color, a two-day workshop in Minneapolis taught by Sabrina Ward Harrison. The main motivation was to spend time with my daughter. Result: learned a fun board book technique to create a ready-made journal and a paper-and-glue technique for backgrounds. Too much meditative journaling and not enough art for me. But, worthwhile overall.

Meanwhile, the real-life class: working on sections of my kitchen that never got "finished." 

This relatively small space above the stove with a shelf and a bar has taken at least two months to finish. The details amaze me. It might take 5 minutes to put a coat of varnish on the shelf, but it needed 3 coats/3 days. The construction decisions were trial and error. I love my big saw. My chiripa (happy accident) moment came when I realized that bracing an edge behind the cupboard was better than affixing it to the wall. The shelf items will change with the seasons and my mood. For now there's a space for a fun little cat on a chair.

Eventually, I want to create nichos of significant moments, places, or people in my life. This was inspired by the tin nichos I came to love from travels in Mexico. Many of those are related to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) or the Virgin of Guadalupe or Frida Kahlo. Those are the commercial "best sellers" but the concept of shadow box art really excites me.


I will continue to explore making boxes and adorning them with muchas cosas (many things) as I move along in my retirement.