The whole family was in Seattle for the holidays. Needless to say, it was indescribably fun, kind of
like Christmas morning for two weeks! One afternoon Dan decided to go for an extended
visit to the newly renovated Seattle Aquarium. Recall that his
scientific research area is fossilized fishes, so it's likely he popped in just to see the specimens move.
Dan Inspecting the Moon Jellies [Aurelia Aurita]
But first, back up to October
News & Notes
In Autumn J finished a weaving / artwork using a (new for her) technique called Rya. The project, which spanned months, began by working out a detailed pattern using several shades of green and a few highlight colors. Her pattern specified where each thread would be placed. She then warped her loom and proceeded to tie on every thread individually. The result is pretty amazing -- enlarge it!
J's Completed Rya Weaving
Speaking of art, we purchased a photograph by our friend Adam Ekberg. Entitled "Precise Equilibrium," it shows two balloons in tension - one holding them both down, the other holding them both up - amidst a verdant forest. Like most of Adam's work, it offers the viewer plenty to think about.
In November we visited Washington DC to see the National Gallery's exhibit, Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment. The Paris Salon of 1874 marks the transition from Realism to Impressionism, and the show emphasizes the speed of the direction change. Manet's "The Railway 1873" and Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," were both in the Salon and both influential in the realignment. In fact, Monet's painting is credited as providing the name for the new style.
Édourard Manet, "The Railway 1873"
Claude Monet, "Impression, Sunrise"
While in DC, we stopped by the National Archives. We can report that the United States Constitution was still in one piece as of Mid-November.
One other impressive artwork was shown on the top floor of DC's Renwick Gallery. Titled "Renwick 1.8" by Janet Echelman, the two part fabric sculpture (hanging and carpeting) shows her interpretation of the forces present in the Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011 in Japan. The quake was strong enough to shift the Earth's axis, shortening the day by 1.8 microseconds. Slowly changing colored lights bathe the hanging in a spectrum of hues. The artist says, "lines on the carpet below trace the topographic patterns of the three-dimensional form above." We don't get the seismology, but we really liked the art.
Echelman's Interpretation of the Tohoku Earthquake
After DC we flew to New York to spend Thanksgiving weekend with Anna and Dave, and their two good boys, Frankie and Charlie. They focus very intently when dinner is near.
We four humans also focused intently on cooking, hanging out at Left Bank Ciders, playing games, trimming the tree and visiting the Vly House. It was a fun and relaxing visit.
A Delightful Dinner at Casa Susanna's
As mentioned, we were all in Seattle for the holidays. We baked cookies, walked on the beach, invited the relatives to brunch, and opened and ate oysters almost daily.
Opening Oysters as a Competitive Sport
BEST OF ALL: ANNA AND DAVE BECAME ENGAGED!!!!! Celebrate! Everyone is delighted for the happy couple, including, no doubt, Frankie and Charlie.
The Start of a Future Together
