The Art of Advent: An Adventure

A fantastic museum of treasures

 I realize that I am not much of a writer, but my visual sense of the world has really kicked in!  This week, I visited the University Museum at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, Mississippi.  It was a very cold and blustery day out.  As I got out of my car and headed towards the front entrance, I noticed this incredible work of art entitled "Madre".  I was captivated by this work!  Here in the midst of my adventure, I found a work that deeply resonates with Advent and Christmas for me.  A Madonna and child; so timely for our world.  It brought to mind the many mothers and children around the world: Gaza, Ukraine, and even here in the U.S. I will visit this again and again.

Now I Lay Me Down

As I made my way through the Museum, I discovered the art of a M. B. Mayfield.  Originally from Ecru, Mississippi, I found his paintings brought back memories of my own childhood.  I did not grow up in Mississippi, but as a child, I visited my grandmothers and several great aunts and uncles numerous times.  These images from Mr. Mayfield reminded in particular of one of my great Aunt's home. 

The room looks so familiar. This Aunt insisted we pray at bedtime in the manner presented in this painting.  Made me smile.

Woman at the Well

Another M.B. Mayfield piece is called, "Woman at the Well."  Many of my Mississippi relatives used wells for their water.  This image again, captured me and found me reminiscing.  I vividly remember assisting another great aunt in drawing water from her well.  It was later used for my bath in a big wash pot!  Again, a grand memory, even as I remembered the chill of the water.  I am grateful for Mr. Mayfield's work.  His story is also quite interesting.   You can read more about his work here:

https://mississippifolklife.org/exhibits/an-artist-yet-the-possibility-of-mb-mayfield

The Museum also had a beautiful display of artwork from Central America.  A few pieces of seasonal art were included such as this beautiful piece

Peace on Earth to Beings of Good Will

This piece is by a famous Puerto Rican artist named Marta Perez. 

After a time of wandering through the Museum, I headed to the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on campus to view the annual Holiday Village.  It is indeed a delight to the eyes and other senses.  My favorite Gingerbread House was based on Cajun Night Before Christmas. 

Amazing work by an amazing family!  A walk around the table that housed this piece brought a chuckle or two as I noticed the intricate and playful detail.  If you're in Oxford, it's worth your time. The Holiday Village is open until December 17. 

As I continue my adventure through this Advent season, I am grateful for visual images that help me to ponder this season.  These images help to recall days of my past and longings for my future.  More next time! Blessings. 

 

The Art of Advent:  An Adventure

John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."  These words seem to be the theme of my life.  This week has had many turns and twists to it.  However, this Advent Adventure is on.

I live in Oxford, MS for those who don't know me.  It is home to the University of Mississippi (aka Ole Miss).  There are also some very special parks in Oxford.  This week, I visited Lamar Park.  You can learn more about the park at this link: https://www.oxfordms.net/lamar-park

Lamar Park is home to some interesting pieces of art.  There is a walking trail.  As I moved around the Park, I thought of Mary and Joseph as they traveled.  What did they see? What did they hear?  It was windy and cold the day I visited Lamar Park.  Advent was very present in my mind. I paused by a piece of artwork titled "I want to See." It moved me; how much we all want to See.  Advent is preparation for Christmas, but also a time for pondering the Second coming.  I want to See.

I want to See

 

Another piece of work found me lingering awhile and perhaps laughing a little too.  It is titled "Big Dreams."  Remembering the dreams of both Mary and Joseph.  And thinking of my own dreams.

Big Dreams

Phoenix

I spent a good deal of time viewing this yellow work titled "Phoenix."  

USA Monument

This statue stopped me in my tracks.  It is called "USA Monument." As I walked around this piece, I was moved.  Take a close look at this one; bombs on the bottom make the letter A, and at the top a knife and fork.  I likely spent a full 10 minutes or more viewing this one as I uttered aloud the word "extraordinary." I had a strong desire to sit with the sculptor of this piece to hear more about this work.

The Mounds in the distance

Continuing on my adventure in the park, I needed a bit of a rest.  As I sat on one of the many park benches, I let my eyes wander over the park.  I discovered the Mounds.  Several mounds are built in the park.  From a distance, I considered our ancestors.  Much of the land around Oxford, MS was inhabited by The Chickasaws, as I am learning.  My first thoughts drifted to Native Americans.  I later learned these Mounds were built for enjoyment.  It is an inviting space for children and others to climb, go sledding when it snows and of course play king of the hill.  As I walked closer to the Mounds, I felt a oneness with the earth.  It was a Holy Moment.

I left Lamar Park with a sense of this dual message of the season of Advent.  It is truly a journey as we wait and watch. Preparations are underway for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  Very present to me this year is Jesus' return.  We live in the tension of the already and the not yet. However, leaving the news, being outdoors, feasting my eyes gave credence to this Art of Advent.  For me, it is quite an Adventure.  Thanks for joining me!

The Art of Advent: An Adventure

 A new liturgical year feels like a good time to start anew with my "almost forsaken" blog!  Happy New Year as we often say in the Church on the first Sunday of Advent.

Advent comes from a Latin word meaning "coming."  We await the coming of the infant Jesus; Christmas is a Birthday celebration. But Advent is also a time we ponder Jesus' return.  Advent is a season of expectation, of waiting.

Each year, I set out my little statue of Mary on a Donkey, with Joseph beside her.  Each day I move them around my house in a symbolic way of their journey to Bethlehem.   What an adventure.  One can only imagine their journey! But this year, I need a different experience than my usual Advent practices.  I will continue with prayer and reading. This year, however, I am going on an Adventure with Art.  To be sure, there are many great works of art that tell the Advent stories.  My Adventure is more about the Art in my (home) town.

Being a visual person and a visual learner, art has impacted my life in a multitude of ways.  Discovering the art around my town excites me.  What will I encounter?  What message will I receive?  Each week, I will visit a place nearby, take in the images and I hope to share them in this blog with you.  Journey with me.

And please, share your own Advent Adventure, too.

Oh the times, they are a changing

 

Changes in the wind....

It has been some time since I entered into this blog space.  Life has had many twists and turns, and more are coming.  In the midst of a record heat wave, I am learning how to do things differently.  Aging, too, brings new challenges.

My beloved Labyrinth is no longer serviceable for me; some health limitations have prevented me from keeping it free of grass and weeds.  I have abandoned my daily walk for prayer with this sacred space.  

But not all is lost.  I am in planning a painted labyrinth on my patio.  It will likely be quite simple, but the invitation to prayer will continue by the newness of a space.  There is much to be done to prepare and this hot weather isn't making it easy.

Likely, I will sketch out something in chalk and get myself acquainted with the new space.  The next steps will be preparing the space by a good cleaning and rearrangement of somethings that now occupy space on the patio.  In the fall, I hope to begin the process of painting for a more permanent labyrinth.

If you're reading this; thank you.  Perhaps I can begin writing again. Peace!

"Always, we begin again!" --St. Benedict

"It is solved by walking." St. Augustine

 

It's time....

Her story leapt off the page... the video cutting to the core of my being.  No name...only that she was an Asian woman, aged 65, in a brutal attack. Asian American woman beaten in Manhattan outside luxury condo building, police said - The Washington Post  I was stunned; still am! It was time to write on my blog again.

I have previously written that my husband and I tried to adopt a child from South Korea many years ago.  To sit back and watch Asian Americans and others of Asian descent be victimized is very, very difficult. We continue to wonder about a child that might have been a part of our family.   Why? Why, I ask myself again and again.  What motivates people to act out in such brutal ways?  What part of love one another do folks not understand?

Years ago, when our daughter was small, we enjoyed Family Nights.  There was generally a theme and we often used a book called Just Family Nights to set up our weekly events. 

I recall one "lesson" vividly, because I later used in in a Sunday School Class.  It was around the time of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.  I selected red, green and brown M&M's, placed them in a bowl, and each family member drew out a few to examine.  On the outside, the candies looked very different, but on the inside each was the same.  This image sticks in my mind as I think about the rich mix of our American culture.  How simple the exercise; how complicated is today's response to those who are labeled "different; other."  I like variety...

The name of the Asian woman may never be known ( if you know it please share in the comments below), but I am thinking of her...thinking of how she will heal, how will she trust again, how will she love again.  Words from my mother come flooding back to me in this moment.  She once said, "Either we all need to learn to get along, or we will kill each other off."

Join me in prayer for this woman; and for the man who attacked her.  God knows who they are.

After a long absence

After a long absence.....

     Seasons come and go.  After a long absence, the urge to return to writing on this blog is calling me.  There are so many who cultivate words that are profound,...this is just a simple way of reflection.  So, with the words of St. Benedict, "Always we begin again, " I am starting over in this life as an eclectic episcopalian.  Stay tuned....

(I saw this tree stump on a recent Sabbath walk.  It reminds me of hugs...and all the hugs we are missing in this pandemic.  We will hug again.)

Blessings and peace, 

Ann

Staycation continues...

When I envisioned our Staycation a few months ago, I had no idea the Pandemic would be raging by this time of year!  Numbers soar daily; it is heartbreaking to say the least.  Our decision to do a stay at home vacation is proving to be a good one for us.

Grand Teton

One of the things we are noticing is that God's hand is everywhere!  Our theme of visiting National Parks is so exciting; the research, the videos, the glory of seeing such beauty restores the soul.  Each day we have a different table theme; I've tried to capture something of the area.  We love being able to "sample" foods from the area, too.  Online research has provided a number of delectable dishes! I actually made Chicken fried steak for the first time in my life!

art by Hannah McCormick

We did take a real ride together in our truck!  Only one other time since February 14 have we been in a vehicle together.  We rode to Water Valley, MS to view a painting by MS artist Hannah McCormick.  This beauty sits on the beautiful grounds of the Church of the Nativity.  It was worth the trip and the time.




One of the things we try to do is keep a sense of humor.  It keeps us going despite the news.  We designated our Saturday to fishing!  I remembered a T-shirt I bought several years ago, and wore it for our fishing day! We spent part of the hot summer afternoon watching a trout fishing video.  It was wonderful.  We are learning so much.  I remember the simple days of  cane pole, string and a safety pin!

Old VBS props

Our Table theme for the day was "A river runs through it."  A little imagination, and a check of my "junk collection" provided all of the necessary items!  Our evening meal included salmon because trout is hard to find in our area.




All in all, we are having a marvelous time as we hunker down at home.  If only we could get to a fabric store or a thrift shop!  Maybe next year!! We're staying safe, the only way we know how: AT HOME!
More later!