July catch up, and the annual memorial ride for Gary Purnell

post #393
      Hello from our post windstorm Kentucky. Many in the Lexington area lost power, Friday, and it won't be fully restored for another two days. Lots of trees downed. Around where I live, there wasn't damage but there could have been.
      After all these weeks, I haven't yet shared that I have two photos hanging together in the Bluegrass Biennial exhibit at the Art Gallery at Morehead State. It's a juried exhibit for Kentucky artists, every other summer, under the guidance of Jennifer Reis, the Gallery Goddess. (That means, thanks as always, Jennifer, for the excellent work you do!)

        The exhibit continues through August 29; there is a reception for the exhibit that evening 5-7pm. The Gallery is open irregularly because of summer hours (and draconian state budget cuts....) but from 9 - 3:30 weekdays it is open more often than not, in the MSU art building.  



      
        Saturday a week ago was the 4th annual memorial ride to honor Garry Purnell, who loved his horses.  It was pretty hot this year, so the ride began at 9 a.m.  The first photo shows what I saw when I arrived early, in hopes of benefiting from the great light at that time of day for photos. I didn't go on the ride itself because of the heat.  

 early arrival at Jean's house, from my car

 looking back the opposite direction....

I've known Jean since she was in the 7th grade -- she is so kind and remarkable.

Jonathon, the maitre d'

looking from the house over to the former tobacco field

Jonathan's new project -- longhorn cattle -- seen from the house, at a water hole

 Some other recent activities around here, while my daughter and family were gone a week:

with thanks to Melva for her help and friendship, including spoiling these hens

watering plants for my traveling away from here family

working on my photo note cards in the gallery part of my front room

    

surprised by the sky's artistry, once again

       And, last night, my daughter and I met the two traveling grandkids at the airport in Louisville. That flight seemed to end up closing down the airport, since their departure from Denver had been delayed 3 1/2 hours.  The kids seemed totally unfazed by their long day, and this lasted during the whole remaining 2 1/2 hour drive east to home! They are old enough, at 7 and 9, to make the journey on their own.  But it meant we could meet them at the gate. Thank goodness the Starbucks food options were still available before we left the airport. 
       This summer's week of what we call Cousin Camp has begun. Yea!

In times like this, we need community even more than ever.

post #392
       It has been two weeks of hot weather -- and our shared worry about the soccer team kids trapped in a cave. Also there remains no resolution for the shoddy situation at the USA border that has made life even harsher for immigrants who are fleeing horrific situations and who were separated from their children with no warning.  How can it be that there are no reliable records or notification to parents where their kids would be sent! This is beyond cruelty for thousands of kids.

      However, at least yesterday evening on this ridge was a good day for community -- at an annual post 4th of July picnic, with music making (not country or bluegrass) on the lawn, and, some fireworks, though I had left by then. The weather was perfect -- so I left, before the wonderful light was all gone, in order to get a few more photos at my pond.  

welcome sign

      
 My photos at the picnic were very random, but I hope they are of interest even to those of you who don't know the people. This is the first year I have been able to join in the fun connected to the 4th.. 

arriving

later, looking back from the family cemetery

the "hamburger cooking" host

tending to a bee sting

recent Morehead State graduate and musician! Bravo!

thanks for all the prep work done!!

"snappers"

anticipation

Two pond area photos: 

       I got so absorbed in the photos that I was taking from the car window (using the car as a tripod in the evening light) that, yes, I must have had the headlights on because I ended up not able to start my car.  Blush, blush, blush !!   Thanks, J, for the jump start today!  

Here is the photo I made with my iPhone to show what I was doing while the car lights were on, by mistake:

The camera is resting on my trusty bean bag placed on the open window next to the driver's seat.

 Again, I am delighted to be able to share these photos, in honor of community and family. I thought it a wonderful occasion. As always, thanks to everyone for letting me take a few informal photos.

Note: if I may, I'd like to speak up, apart from my art and Appalachia and only because I have this way of presenting my concerns. I remain upset that our democracy is under such enormous strain, including the choice of another Supreme Court judge who seems to be selected because he (or she) is just like several judges already on the bench. How boring is that when everyone's decision can be predicted! Brings to mind the phrase "rubber stamp". I always thought that having nine justices of great talent works best if there were to be a lot of interpretation possiblities that benefit from multiple perspectives. Otherwise, why bother to have a supreme court in the first place! I have seen the table where the nine sit in a room that is totally private to discuss the decisions they are reaching during the term.  When I was there, it felt impressive and condusive to thoughtful consideration.  By now I imagine it to have a dimension that might be considered a brawl. These are all brilliant people, but I guess that never guarantees open minds -- or a willingness to acknowledge a common good.