DAVID HOCKNEY: THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING, NORMANDY, 2020

 

No. 346, 22nd May 2020 iPad drawing

WEAR YOUR LOVE LIKE HEAVEN

 

From 1967. I heard this the other day and it reminded me when I was living with the St. Johns folk in the Omega Hotel in downtown Lansing. This song was considered an early gay anthem by my gay roommates. These lyrics inspired this belief:

"Cannot believe what I see
All I have wished for will be
All our race proud and free"

From what I have read, Donovan, while sympathetic to the gay cause, was not gay himself although at the time, some felt he was.

It was the early 70's, Bowie was the rage as well as disco which was beginning to mainstream. The Three Degrees' "When Will I See You Again" was a huge hit. Gay men (including my roommates) were heading to the baths in Chicago and there was this feeling of liberation and freedom. Sadly, it was short-lived. By the early 80's AIDS was beginning to spread and I remember how it went through the gay population in Lansing like a scythe.

 

WHERE IS GILLIGAN'S ISLAND?

 

The story goes that the 3 hour cruise was chartered out of Honolulu, was caught in a storm and shipwrecked on an island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. But where is the island depicted on the show's title card? Enquiring minds wanted to know.

Puerto Rico. Gilligan’s Island, aka Gulligan's Island to the locals (the official name is Cayo Aurora), is a little speck of land about a mile off the coast of Guánica in southwestern Puerto Rico.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC: JOHN LEE HOOKER "I'M IN A MOOD FOR LOVE"

 

 

From 1951, recorded in Detroit featuring double-tracked vocals earlier pioneered by Les Paul that are not quite synched resulting in a eerie effect with Hooker's trademark footstomp timekeeping beats, and stinging guitars from Hooker and second guitarist Eddie Kirkland.The lyrics are minimal and telling, for this just isn't a lustful man-his woman feels the same way too.

"I'm in the mood, in the mood, baby, in the mood for love

I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone
But my mama didn't know, God know, girl was puttin' down"

Intense, earthy and stark: unmistakably John Lee Hooker.

CRITTERS OUT AND ABOUT

 A new bird has arrived: a Brown Thrasher. They are generally secretive as they hang out under dense vegetation. Their coloring certainly helps them blend in with brown leaf litter. They are in the same family as catbirds (which we have in residence) and mockingbirds and  are exuberant singers, with one of the largest repertoires of any North American songbird.

C had put out some old strawberries which were ignored for an entire day until Stubbs figured out that they were good eatin'.

A young Nutkin (red squirrel) was flying about which is their nature. Being small, their strategy for staying alive is to be fast and nervous. I saw him dash down the birch, across the Diner, upsetting M.M. Redbird who flew off in a huff, up the pool stairs railing, up on the pool railing, down again and barrelled up the feeder pole smack into the baffle.

Nutkin, I am happy to report, was unhurt. He flew back down the feeder pole, up the pool stairs to the pool railing and ran as far as it goes and disappeared.

FAST DRONE FOOTAGE

This reminded me of when my parents took to Cinerama, a widescreen process that originally projected images simul-taneously from three synchronized 35mm projectors onto a huge, deeply curved screen. The nearest screen was at the Detroit Music Hall and the movie playing was "How The West Was Won" that featured an all-star cast with John Ford sharing the directing duties. It was in 1963 and I was nine years old. I clearly remember one shot, done at ground level of a stampede of horses/wagons/buffalo which drew a lot of gasps from the audience. The film, looking back, was pure White Man's Manifest Destiny mythological propaganda-hell, it had John Wayne in it. I'm surprised this hasn't been resurrected by some wacky Texas school board for required viewing in their American History classes.

YO WINTER-ENOUGH ALREADY!

 It snowed for three hours this morning.

Last night was lovely although cool-

Meanwhile, the Buddy/Sky battle continues. They had the usual chase up the pool stairs and around the deck, with Sky getting quite aggressive with his lobbying for peanuts:

This caught us by surprise. DHS soon arrived to drive off this impetuous tree rodent.

FIVE SECOND STORIES

 cutebuddypix

From an afternoon last week-after a long day and night, Buddy was pooped and stretched out next to me for a good 3 hour rest. At one point, I think he was dreaming: one of his front paws, the claws were opening and closing while his chin trembled as if he was meowing.

  ꩜

Buddy discovered rain a few evenings ago. It began to sprinkle hard while he was on the deck. I watched from the slider as he reacted to this near invisible, wet presence touched him. After a minute, I asked him if he wanted to come in. Without hesitation he came in and set about licking the wetness off his fur while complaining "meow meow meow I'd like to talk to a manager about this". He got over it after 5 minutes and went back to the slider. It was coming down pretty good at that point and I told him he probably would not like to go back out for a bit. I bet the moisture in the air changed how things smelled, perhaps enhancing it. Finally, the shower passed and I let him out, which lasted about 2 minutes. He was back in grumbling about his wet feet but of course in another 2 minutes he wanted out again. (Life is good when you have a doorman). I said to him "look dude, the deck is dry along the wall because of the roof overhang. Just stay there and you'll have the best of both worlds: outside and dry". He got it right away. We continue to say, "he's a bright lad, that one".

  ꩜

 

A regular Pavarotti

I was on the couch with a sleeping Bud while C was doing her yoga when I heard a male cardinal let loose a two-tone call that lasted 8-10 repetitions. Wow! Not only a call for the ladies but also a signal to any rivals. "If any of you want to match this, please step up".

Yeah, this guy is gonna be a real dick at the bar tonight. 

 

A human version: 

From 1981

 

You act like you were just born tonight
Face down in a memory but feeling all right
So, who does your past belong to today?
Baby, you don't say nothing when you're feeling this way

 

Girls in the bars thinking who is this guy
But they don't think nothing when they're telling you lies
You look so careless when they're shooting that bull
Don't you know heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full

 

Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
Boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "God, I hope he comes back soon"

 

And everybody's talking but you don't hear a thing
You're still uptown on your downhill swing
The boulevard's empty, why don't you come around?
Baby, what is so great about sleeping downtown?

 

There's plenty of dives to be someone you're not
Just say you're looking for something you might have forgot
Don't bother calling to say you're leaving alone
'Cause there's a fool on every corner when you're trying to get home

 

Just tell 'em you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
Boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
But the girls say, "God, I hope he comes back soon"

 

Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
Boys say, "When is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "God, I hope he comes back soon"

 

꩜

 

 

You can tell that the end of term is near. I was driving C into work when Dean Martin's "That's Amore" came on the radio. She quickly broke into song:

 

"When an eel bites your toe and nibbles your nose,

that's a moray". 

 

꩜

Seen while out and about: company van for mosquito sprayers had painted on the sides: mosquito and vegitative control. Yessir, git dem veggies under control! 

I was getting into my car in the Kroger parking lot. As I fired the engine up, I glanced over to the car next to me passenger side and saw this:

Not a person mind you, but a decal on the driver's side window. Not Jason Statham as pictured above either-more scruffy, thinner, MMA type of guy. Anyway, I wondered how the cops would react when they encountered this during a traffic stop. Bad enough with these cars with the deeply tinted windows. One wonders about the motivation of the driver-just messing with the cops or a deliberate provocation? I dunno but I would say it substantially raises the odds of getting shot.

 

꩜

 

More bad subtitles: I was watching on YT a show that featured very large sculptures. This one is in Sri Lanka, a 46 foot tall depiction of the Avunkana Buddha from the 5th Century.

The subtitle described this as the Avocado Buddha. 

 

꩜

Pre-COVID joke from 2012. I was watching a cooking show on YT making pizza sauce. The chef was using his hands to crush the whole San Marzano tomatoes and said:

 

To those who are saying: 

 "ewww, he's touching those with his bare hands. I don't want to eat that pizza." 

You need to relax. Those same hands kneaded and stretched the dough as well. You have an immune system. Use it!"

INTER-SPECIES SQUABBLE

The animosity between Sky and Lord Bertram has escalated. Harsh words were exchanged, outraging Bertram to the point that he attempted to slap that cheeky scoundrel. But Sky always nimbly pivoted away then returned with further provocation and increasingly aggressive movements getting closer and closer to the Lord, taunting him.

"You got something to say, kitty kat?"

"Come back here and take your whupping like a man, you coward!"

"Awwww poor kitty kat, failed again. You make your mama proud. Not!"

This went on and on until finally, Sky got bored and split by jumping over to the birch. Bertram retired to under the deck for a wash-up. 

Geez, it's like a couple of 20 year olds who took an instant dislike to each other when crossing paths in the neighborhood. At least there won't be a girl involved.

 

HAND IN THE DESERT

Created in 1992 by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrazabal, this piece is 36 feet tall and is located in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Its exaggerated size is said to emphasize human vulnerability and helplessness.

Getty Images

 

Yuri Beletsky

GLOWY MR. BIRCH

 Mr. Birch is showing seed pods at the moment. They reminded us of golden jewelry.

SUNDAY NIGHT MUSIC: MIRIAM MAKEBA "PATA PATA"

South African dance music from 1966. This turned up on Putumayo Radio Sampler which was playing last night. C immediately recognized it and told a sweet tale of how when Tomi was a kitten, she would lay her on the stone tile floor and twirl her side to side. Tomi loved it which is surprising considering how skitty she became as an adult.

 

BUDDY'S BIG NIGHT OUT

Last night we managed (with help of treats) to introduce Buddy to the portal. One problem was apparent: we need a bigger portal and weight loss isn't going to solve it-the Budster is just a big cat. So, a new one is on it's way.

We went about our usual evening business of yoga and making supper. Since Buddy had established his perimeter last night, tonight he began investigating more closely the details of his realm, sniffing and scenting as he walked. He took a break and did some stretches with C as she did deck yoga. During supper, we witnessed Lord Bertram in his first sortie as DHS as he encountered one of the squirrels at the diner. They squared off, eye to eye about 3 feet apart, for a minute before Bertram started to move slowly towards the squirrel. The squirrel immediately retreated up the pool stairs, up onto the railing and ran as far as the railing would take him clear on the other side of the pool. Bertram unhurriedly climbed the stairs and at the top, could see his adversary. He sat for a moment then seeing us at the table, came down the stairs. He approached C, proudly striding and chirruping, and received scritches and a belly rub.

C's take on this: "It was as if I had taken my 4 year old boy for his first visit to a playground. He refused to hold onto my hand as we approached side by side. He stopped at the perimeter for a few beats, assessing the situation: lots of kids, all of them strangers then went on in. His first exchange with a group of boys who were tossing around a ball, went his way. It wasn't a fight, just a few words said pertaining to the game and eventually, the boys included him. He played for a bit then walked back to me, grinning, and allowed me to hug him. He felt he had earned it."

At some point, Lord Bertram returned to the catmint, evidently having instantly taken to the habit, which many young men his age do. He also sampled some long grass that had quickly grown with the rain and heat. He chased off another squirrel, this one from Benny's and sent him up a tree.

Unlike the previous night when we lured him back into the house, we left him outside when we retired. This morning, C reported that she had awakened around 2am, and spotted him on the front porch. He balked at using the portal so she let him into through the front door. She gave him a snack and scritches and he went back out. When she got up at 6 am, she let him in via the slider, fed him and he got some laptime for an hour. He was mewing to be let out and so he was when I got up at 8.

It's 83 degrees and possible T-storms may come our way this evening. I went out on the deck and called for him and he immediately emerged from the cool shadows under the pool deck. Tough to be wearing fur pajamas in this heat. I gave him a snack and we hung out together in the Great Room. After a good belly rub, he stretched out on the table to kept an eye on things. Duty calls.

 

THE BOOK OF HOURS

 

One of my favorite artifacts from Medieval times is the Book of Hours. The New York Times today published a nice article detailing this beautiful piece of art and design created c.1410. 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/14/arts/design/tres-riches-heures-calendar.html 

AN EVENING OF FIRSTS: FIRST AL FRESCO DINING OF THE SEASON AND BUDDY'S FIRST OUTSIDE EXPERIENCE (WITH US)

We're in a four day stretch of temps in the 80's!!

Daffs in full bloom

As are the forsythia-these are one-year olds in Back 40

Ms. Forsythia out front-a bit sparse this year

 

We reckon this is probably the earliest Spring meal on the deck we've ever had.

 

Magnolia blossom from outside of Bessey Hall where C works

Buddy has been increasingly curious about the outdoors. When it first became warm, we opened the slider and windows and figured he would be raring to go. Instead the sudden increase of smells and sounds overwhelmed and freaked him out. He was restless and mewing, sure signs of anxiety we've learned. C moved a chair by a window so he could get onto the sill.

While we were eating, he sat by the screened slider watching us. I left the screen open for him for a bit but later closed it for he did not move. It was as if there was some force field keeping him inside. He settled down into a hen pose but then it seems he was working up the courage to come out. He began to meow at us so I reopened the screen door.

 

Finally, he stepped out.

 

It's typical of Buddy to perform these moonshots whether it's finally coming upstairs or going outside. He may be tentative at first but then he will move forward with leaps and bounds. 

 

It was curious to watch him at work: first, he explored the diner, bird bath and shed areas, but then checked out what he could not see from the living room like the area behind the shed. He nosed around out of sight with us nervously watching until I went by the far side of the shed and he moved back towards the pool.

This, did not go unnoticed:

Sky was high up in the small birch, tail switching and uttering squirrel warning calls-CAT! PREDATOR! BABY KILLER!

He was quite unhappy. 

 

Meanwhile, Buddy was checking out under the pool deck-a favorite hanging out place and path for a number of critters as it's in shadow. He was rather systematic, creating a scent memory and went all the way around the pool, again, to places unseen from the house.

Who's been here?

A tiger in our backyard. His mouth is open "tasting" the air known as the flehmen response. This tasting the air action is a highly adapted way of detecting subtle chemical markers called pheromones.

Next stop: the East garden where he made it as far as the catmint. He absolutely adores the stuff-rolling in it, rubbing it on his chin and cheeks and chowing down on the leaves. Being a worried Dad and not knowing if the name of the plant referred to it's odor which is a bit like cat pee or if cats like it, I quickly looked it up and with relief read that catmint leads to a euphoric, hyperactive state.

After a good 10 minutes, he finally wandered back over to the shed and began to explore the apartments. Oh no! Mamachuck is living in #1 and Stampy sometimes in #3 or 4. He went all the way in to the West in #1 and exited East via #4. Whew! No one was home. His farthest exploration West was the garage back door. He came and sat on the pool deck steps...

and disappeared. 

 

Well, we were in a quandary-should we track him down or just let him explore. We walked the entire yard-C was anxious, I put my arm around her and told her this was like our boy's first solo outing on his bike. Let's clear the table, keep an eye out and watch some Simps. After about an hour, we were calling it a night as C had an early start in the morning. She went out into the deck and called for him. After a couple of minutes we spotted him in the East garden looking like he was getting into stalking mode. C broke his concentration and he wandered over and followed her to the deck. She dashed inside for some treats and finally, Buddy came through the slider. His first outing completed. Well done Buddy!

 

We were relieved as we both said that we probably would not have slept with him still outside. C went to bed and I stayed up for a bit to let the Melatonin kick in. Buddy had gotten a nice snack and was mewing a bit because he really wanted some Momluv but was happy to hang out with Dad. He rolled on my feet and got belly rubs. Finally drowsy, I headed to bed. Luckily, he was fairly quiet during night. 

So, Bertram Longfellow takes another big step/giant leap in his life with us. Tonight is going to be another supper outside so we will invite him out if he wishes. We are going to try to introduce him to the portal and get him using it so he will be well on his way to being an indoor/outdoor katter.

 

 

THANK GOODNESS THIS IS FICTION...FOR NOW

Clever promo for one of the newest movie in the Jurassic Park franchise: Jurassic World Domination. Or, what happens when dumbasses think it's a great idea to bring the Dinos back to life. This, on top of other dumbasses who think creating an artificial life form is a wonderful thing. You guys didn't watch Terminator did you? Same hubris at work in both cases: "oh, we can control them".

It's been out for a year now-I hadn't heard about it or was so disinterested that it simply didn't register.

There is a whiff of VR about this and I wondered if there was some kind of licensing synergy with META. Our boy Zuck has bet the farm on VR and the shareholders are getting antsy with the recent negative revenue spiral. Sho'nuff-Oculus (now Quest), META's VR division, released a VR game called Jurassic World Aftermath. Reviews were at best "Meh" mainly because people expected to be blown away and, much to Zucky's disappointment, they were not.

PS. I decided to watch it. Nice visuals. It's pretty much Godzilla with the world in a uproar whether or not humans can live with the Dinos. Scientists for whom this is catnip for study vs a huge chunk of the world who shudder and vote to kill 'em all. I made it through 12:23 when the story shifted to a dino round-up featuring some cowboy hunk doing a Blazing Saddles hootin' n' hollerin', whipping his mount and urging his compadres-"let's get'em boys". 

Oy, this one's gonna stink.

EASTER

 

A gorgeous, clear day. The daffs are in full bloom. I began my Spring chores: sumping out the 4" of rain from the pool winter cover; raked my neighbors oak leaves from the deck, around the raised bed; raked the branches from the back yard, put fresh batteries in the outside clocks and set the correct time; ran the gas out of the snow blower and put it away (hopefully, not jinxing us) and put out the deck table and chairs. 

Tomorrow, I will be trimming the evergreens, chopping down what's left of last season's butterfly bush, hyssop, asters and echinacea. 

It warmed to the mid-60's and I stripped down to my t-shirt. The small, white cabbage butterflies are out already. A lone sky janitor was quite high, lazily spiraling. 

With Buddy's pronounced interest with the outdoors, we thought since I was outside, to invite him to explore. I left the slider open but he seemed to freak out. We tried to introduce him to the portal but that was a no-go. I had several of the windows open a crack throughout the house and we wondered if the sudden rush of new smells freaked him out as well. Hopefully, I didn't trigger some trauma-who knows what he went through in his past 2.5 years. C thinks he may come out if he sees us both sitting on the deck. Perhaps, he will prefer to be an inside katter.