Rachel and Noah Arrive for the Thanksgiving Holiday
After my busy morning of a ribbon cutting event in Pompano Beach, I made a quick stop at the Inverrary Life Care Center to visit my friend, Lynn, who surprised me because she wasn't there!! Her husband, Richard, picked her up to take her home for a visit. So I left a long note so that she knew I was there and headed home. About 20 minutes later we got a call from Rachel, her plane landed about 30 minutes! So we jumped into the car, headed over to my dad's house, because he wanted to go with us to the airport, and along the way, we came across about six vultures having a feast on an opossum. I know, I know, it is gross, but it is part of the circle of life and always intrigues me when I have my camera. Sorry for the faint at heart.
Later, after we picked up Rachel and her boyfriend, Noah, we headed to Winn Dixie because Rachel wanted a home cooked meal! We went to this particular Winn Dixie because it is like Whole Foods, or Fresh Market! I cannot get over the design of the store.
Once again, I had fun with my camera as we made our way through the store. I am sure that the shoppers thought I was crazy, but that is fine. It is what I do.
Pompano Drum Circle
One that I can always count on in my work life is that I will NEVER be bored.
Since August 1, I have been the Interim Director of the Broward Cultural Division. The pace of my day has changed to a whirlwind and I am no longer in control of my schedule. However, I am not complaining. Each day starts quietly since I choose to arrive early, before anyone else. This gives me time to get settled . . . get my cup of chai tea, eat my Greek yogurt, catch up on email. Then as the staff arrive, the noise level increases, the phones start ringing, the appointments begin and I am off! At the end of the day, as I am driving home, I unwind by calling my daughter, who is now in her senior year of college. If she is available, we chat for a bit, but sometimes she is in class or at a meeting and we can't connect. But that is when my iPhone comes in handy since I have all of my favorite tunes out there and I just turn up the volume and reflect on my day.
This week we prepared for a ribbon cutting event that took place on Saturday morning for the new transfer transit center in Pompano Beach. Because of the Broward Cultural Division's two percent public art ordinance, public art was part of this new transit center and the grand opening of the public artwork, Pompano Drum Circle, was the same day.
The artist, Bill Buchan, who is also a percussionist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway, was on hand to demonstrate how the artwork can be "played" and I say that because the artwork is made up of five different types of drums made out of stainless steel.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony and the speeches of all of the elected and appointed officials, we moved over to the Pompano Drum Circle. These photos are from the artist's demonstration as well as some local artists who brought their own percussion instruments to play along! My friend and colleague, Bill Nix, from the Palm Beach Cultural Council drove down to participate!
This was such a wonderful event. Not only was the weather perfect, a clear, blue sky with temperatures in the low 70s, but there was a steady breeze so that the hot sun didn't feel so hot!! There were about 50 people in attendance and I could see them swaying with the beat of the instruments, tapping their feet and there were smiles. Many, many smiles.
That is what art is all about. It connects us. And that is what the public art was all about. This is why I love what I do.
So when I come home and I am tired from a long day of being Interim Director, all I need is one day like Saturday to remind me of why I do what I do!
Dad Learns How to Cook Salmon
So it has been about a month since I last did an entry on this blog. Do I feel guilty? Yes and no. Once I completed my one year mark, I decided that I would only blog when I had something to blog about, not on a daily basis. So here I am with something to say.
My dad mentioned to Joel that he wanted to learn how to cook salmon for himself so that he could eat at home now and then. Normally he either goes out to eat with us or with Elaine. But occasionally he wants to stay home and do nothing. So hence, the cooking lesson!
Today I spent a couple of hours cleaning the house in preparation for Rachel's homecoming for the Thanksgiving holiday. While I was cleaning, Joel and my dad went to BJs. They bought a whole bunch of stuff that we didn't need, but also bought enough salmon for dinner and to teach my dad how to cook and have a little left over for lunch tomorrow.
These are the photos of Joel's teaching. I was having fun and took way more photos that I am posting, but these are the best of the best.
