JACKSON POLLOCK

I don't really love Jackson Pollock, but I still have been intrigued with his work. People always tell me I have to go see his drip paintings in person to appreciate them. Nevertheless, when I heard they were showing his famous "Mural" at the Columbia Museum of Art, and it was free, I had to jump at the opportunity. His effort to create this piece was featured in the biopic POLLOCK, starring Ed Harris (who was wonderful). At first I was hesitant when I looked at it, but then I started to feel it, felt the strokes and could (probably incorrectly) discern figures. Some people say it is people marching, and Pollock himself said there were animals, but for me it seemed as if it was a crown of people almost dancing en mass, somewhat fitting for a painting done in New York City. It hung first in Peggy Guggenheim's home (she commissioned it) and it was later given to the University of Iowa, which now (because of a serious flood) must send it traveling around the world until they can complete a new museum to house it permanently. After viewing the piece I attended an informative lecture by curator Catherine Walworth, which helped me even more appreciate "Mural." They have done some wonderful work expanding and re-configuring the CMA and we are lucky to have such a good collection. Pollock himself has had a long association with the museum and art community here, and gave the museum many pieces that we would likely never have been able to see, so we are are very fortunate. The selfie did very poor justice to the work, probably to shame me for even considering my face near it. Take some time and go visit the museum (and support it as well) if you can.

SUSHI

I apologize for the fuzziness of these pics. My phone cam sucks. The boys accompanied me to INAKAYA and we had the boat dinner, plus sushi on the side. Both of them love sushi. Somehow we got shorted on shrimp tempura, but that happens. We had started out on the trail of German food, but they moved to Sandhills so we diverted. A bit pricey, but we enjoyed it.

CAMPOREE

Troop 324 tied for first place overall at the district camporee this weekend down in Sumter. Chimo said he helped make an awesome award-winning pineapple-upside-down cake. Apparently two of the boys won honors in archery. Sounds like they had a good time. Herewith a few captures of Chimo from their website.

CHIMO

KEITH & KAT

Two of my longest and best friends, who I got to spend a little time with at the reunion. The outfits were from the 70's theme.

YVETTE

Some shots of Yvette from my trip back down to Tampa. We hung out, went to a museum, had Cuban sandwiches, attended a reunion cocktail party, and had dinner on Clearwater Beach. A really wonderful day.

VISITING TAT

On the way back from Tampa I visited my niece Tat, her husband TJ, and her son Torren in southwestern Georgia. Had a nice dinner.

VISITING HAYDEE

While down in Tampa I had a chance to visit what I consider my Cuban family, especially Haydee Marquez. It was a quick visit, with Yvette, but I really enjoyed seeing her. She is in a really nice small home, where she seems to get very good care with nice people around her. I was surprised that she remembered me.

TAMPA

Found my little camera that had been missing since the trip to Florida this summer. Herewith some shots of the city, mostly around the canal near the new History Center.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

Attended tonight the opening night of Shakespeare in Love presented by Theater South Carolina at Drayton Hall on the university campus. And what a delightful performance it was, far more professionally delivered than one would commonly expect from a company of students. What a marvelous and enjoyable show full of action and humor, and the only tragedy was that not more students and others attended (although there was a pretty good showing). I hope that the word goes out and many more are enticed to give the show a try. They will not be disappointed.

I am no theater critic, but I do love musicals and plays, and I would argue that if these actors were being graded on their performances not a single one would receive a poor grade from me. They were just wonder, the slips few and the deliveries most often well done. John Romanski did a masterful job as Shakespeare, and he was well matched with Olivia Hensley as Viola. I was impressed by Riley Lucas's Marlowe, Kayla Crumley's Queen Elizabeth (her part was way too little), and Sam Edelson's Ned Alleyn. I could actually include every performer (who often had multiple roles) and would fight a duel with anyone who claimed a single one of the cast fell short of the mark. The costumes were great, the set choreography amazing (I was surprised there were no major collisions), and the set perfect for what could have been a cumbersome mess. I have seen community theater that was not up to the standard these young actors and stage support delivered. It was my first experience at Drayton (as I have been several times to Longstreet and the Lab sites), and I hope to catch many more shows there.

GINGER SHOTS

A few pics of the pup. First two are of how she is when she wants rubs. Last two are on what she thinks is her couch.

CHIMO DOODLE

On a small scrap of paper Chimo doodled this little scene (blown up here a little so it can be seen).

SOCCER NIGHT

Chimo and I attended the Lady Gamecocks defeat of College of Charleston 2-0. Fun game. Last event together before start of his senior year. We will attend future games, as we both had a great time and the game was fun too.

CHIMO

New haircut for the upcoming school year. Chimo will be a senior. Here he is ready to head out for a beach trip to the lowcountry with the Scout troop.

HAPPY GINGER

Got a great deal on beef knuckles, and there was one very delighted puppy in the house. This one was huge, and I thought she would be working on it for a long time. She looked up at me as if to say, "Silly human. Watch me!" And my goodness she went at that thing like a rabid beaver on a new stand of aspen. All I could hear for hours was the thump of her tail and gnashing of teeth. This morning, only about a quarter of the bone was left.

ATLANTA

Chimo wanted to go to Atlanta, so we went to see the tall buildings, which he is fascinated with. Got up early and motored over, and indeed there were tall buildings. First we visited the Atlanta Zoo. Though a nice place, it was smaller than we expected. I think Riverbanks has more, but I liked that is well shaded. And they have pandas, a first time for me. The red panda exhibit was closed though. Then we drove into the city and walked around. We traveled up 72 flights to the top of the Westin (which caused me some anxiety) with great views of the city. Chimo was really enjoying himself. The two restaurants we had hoped to eat at were not open until 4 (though one clearly offered a lunch online). Had a burger in the end. Then came the biggest disappointment. After paying for subway tickets we arrived at the High Museum to find that they had closed their permanent collection. I don't understand them closing the whole thing, but what can you do? They wanted the same amount of money, but for only two lesser exhibits, so we passed. We walked around downtown again, got caught in the gathering of fans heading to concert. On the way home we visited Clemson. We liked the grounds, but thought most of the buildings kind of boring and bland. At dinner we had a nice waitress. It was nice for a day trip anyway.

CHIMO AT RAVEN KNOB

Chimo just finished a week at Boy Scout Camp in the North Carolina mountains. He qualified for his certification for Lifesaver, and spent most of his week on the waterfront. Here are a few pictures I snipped from the troop's website.