Words and weaving, Milton Avery, Miss Marple and cardboard carving

Late out of the blocks today, mainly because I thought I'd done my post. I hadn't. I'd only thought about it. Oh. 

I found a great word for Joanne and other weavers, from favorite etymologist Haggard Hawks

You don't have to be a weaver to recognize this situation, but it's more  vivid if you are.

Today was about laundry, changing the bed, even washing the blanket, a sign of spring right there.  

About spring -- the juncoes haven't left yet, meaning they're not convinced it's spring yet. They're even overlapping with the arriving redwing blackbirds and summer robins. 

I noticed quite a crowd of them in the trees with blackbirds and mourning doves, when I was out walking this afternoon. Sunshine and 60s, rain back again tomorrow.

I got back to the cardboard carving this afternoon, and here's where we are up to now

I have to see what should happen in the upper part, the mountains and clouds, to balance the foliage in the trees and buds on the foreground plants. 

I also need to do more foliage after I've thought about it a bit more.This is really fun to work on, figuring out which ideas to pursue and which not.

And, on to a true master, Milton Avery, the painter's painter. This is a fairly early work, i think, but the vertiginous raking viewpoint is there

And his color choices, much more subtle than at first glance.

I was also thinking  more about actors in roles already well known from books and found that a whole lot of actors have played Miss Marple

Some of the names surprised me, but of the ones I've seen, in movies or TV, I  think Joan Hickson is the definitive one. She was also favored by Christie to play her. 

Next comes June Whitfield on radio and audiobooks, very astute portrayal. 

Next Geraldine McEwan, after I got used to her and dialled back the expectation of keen intelligence Hickson had brought, 

Then, far behind, Julia Mackenzie, who didn't seem to grasp the role at all, playing it like a little know-it-all wiseguy.  But to be fair, she played Ariadne Oliver in radio productions and was very good.

And sadly last,  Margaret Rutherford, really miscast, the movie set up like a slapstick horsey comedy idea. She tried gallantly to save it, but I think it was doomed.

Those are my completely unhumble opinions on this vital, gripping,  topic.

In other contexts, too, some actors simply own the part. Like Harriet Walter playing Sayers' Harriet Vane, and Edward Petherbridge playing Peter Wimsey. 

Or the Sherlock Holmeses Sandra mentioned. And Hugh Fraser playing Captain Hastings, back in Christie. And performing her audiobooks. Or Jonathan Cecil performing P.G. Wodehouse audiobooks, pitch perfect.

Which brings us to suppertime, and this morning I'd microwaved a couple of sweet potatoes I'd had for a few days and didn't want them to shrivel before I got to them. 

They were all mashed and spiced in the fridge, for whenever I decided what to do about them.  So supper was an easy salad of hardboiled egg, cilantro, parsley and sweet potato in a pita bread.  I do like a meal I can pick up and eat while I read my current Barbara Pym.

Happy day, well for a few of us, evening, everyone.  Enjoy unexpected combos where you find them.

Hot, surprise. Textiles and Tea , glorious Bonnie

The weather is hot again, all week, indoor time

So glad of air conditioning, and food delivery. And despite the heat yesterday, climatic and political, my member of Congress was out there

Along with a lot of other MOCs arrested for protesting at the Supreme Court for reproductive rights. Why did they arrest peaceful protesters? . She's a great Rep.

Yesterday's Textiles and Tea featured a very nice guest who talked rapidly, nervously and inaudibly,  so i give you what I can. 

I could not find out the scale of her work, but she's clearly interested in three dimensional structures rather than color,  And she has a new book out. I'd like to track that down and learn more.

Because art will save us all, here's Milton Avery, the painter's painter, whose influence is seen in all the 20th century painters who became famous, very influenced by his color blocks, simplified shapes and vertiginous composition . 

Few people outside the art world know of him. I used to make visits to his work in the old Princeton Art Museum to pay my respects. I hope when the new buildibg finally opens,  I'll be able to continue.

And continuing on the theme of art saving us all

When I first started learning violin in my forties, my earliest lessons were with a teacher whose summer studio was an enclosed porch.  

As I struggled to learn the open strings and play a few notes, birds would join in. I had numerous teachers, human and avian!  Lovely collaboration.

My shoulder reacted to the cord making yesterday. I'm thinking of learning to make it with my left habd, just to rest the right side! I really would like to continue at least a bit. It cheered me up so much.  We'll see.

Happy day everyone, and tell us what's saving you?