REDONDOWRITER'S SACRED ORDINARY

Monday Mornings With Mary: Hail Holy Queen

Here is a page from my art journal I call "Hail Holy Queen." Be sure to drop by Rebecca's Recuerda mi Corazon  to see other folks offerings for the day. This is a great way for me to start the week although I have to get "in the habit." Rebecca's theme is peace and I like to think this tearful woman is praying for peace in her own country. 

Sierra Sunrise 2004: Haiku My Heart

Friday's is Rebecca's Haiku My Heart challenge. I haven't participated recently, but here I am sharing a photo taken by my school's outdoor ed director from a 2004 student trip. I love this photo because in years past I have so enjoyed my time spent there. Rebecca's theme today is illumination. Be sure to stop by and read and see what the regulars are sharing. 

Sierra sunrise

soft light bathing the forest

Awake, be here now. 

 

Family Day at School for Henry and Fritz

What a delightful morning we had at the annual family day celebration at the school where my grandsons Henry and Fritz go--and where I work. Henry is in third grade and Fritz is in second, at least for a few more weeks. Here are some photos to enjoy for those who know my family. It is so great being a grandparent--six times, ages 26 down to 4. When I was parenting my own three kids, I was so involved that I often didn't appreciate "the drama of daily life" like I wish I had. As a grandparent I can. 

Grandma, Henry, Fritz, Aunt Christy, daddy Tony. 

Is it possible that Fritz might be the next Jackson Pollock? 

This is Henry's recycled, fantasy animal in the science lab. 

Fritz shows Aunt Christy and dad his Kid Pix project. 

And here's is one of Henry's poems, a portrait in words. 

I know I'm a doting grandma, and probably boring you all, but at my age, I can revel in pretty much anything I want--and the lives of my grandkids are darned important. 

Monday Mornings With Mary Two Days Late

Rebecca at Recuerda mi Corazon is hosting Mornings with Mary on Mondays and I missed posting on Monday, so here I am two days late. I like to think that it's never too late to honor Mother Mary and the divine feminine. 

Though I have shared this Mary many times on my blog and in other forums, here is the late sculptor Robert Graham's Our Lady of the Angels above his great bronze doors at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles once again. It's worth clicking these links to find out the depth of Graham's art at the Cathedral. 

This image is scanned from a Cathedral publication I purchased in the gift shop there. She sits so high above the great doors that it's hard to get up close and personal. For many years I coordinated the Los Angeles Red Mass and have been in the Cathedral many, many times, but I retired from doing that about six years ago and haven't been back since. This summer I'll schedule a visit again. I love the minimalist architecture and it is filled with wonderful art.  

 

What's Up With Sophia the Art Mannikin?

Sophia tells me that my choices for her lately have been boring. She says I dress her like a little old lady--and I suppose that I do since her dresser is one. How I wish, however, I had her size 4 size and remember those young years when I did. The last dress, however, is an old Carole Little of mine that does fit me still, but I know longer go anywhere to even wear it. 

Now that my daughter has moved in and my granddaughter (26) is visiting more often, maybe I can borrow some cooler stuff. Suggestions? 

 

Chris Haston: Riding With Mary Photographic Project

Several weeks ago our rector at Christ Church Redondo Beach told me about a professional photographer who lives across the street from the church and a half block from where I live. His name is Chris Haston. Chris has an affinity for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and so do I so I quickly found him on the Internet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a print of Chris's he calls 110 Mary, taken at the 4th Street Bridge in downtown L.A. with the old Bonaventure Hotel on the left and the California Bank Tower on the right. 

Not a Catholic himself, Chris found a cast-off statue of Mary on top of a copy of the L.A. Times in the recycling bin. You can read the whole story of his Riding With Mary project that started him on his journey. You can see a marvelous gallery of his images at his own website, Chris Haston. You can also see images at LensScratch. 

I had e-mailed him some weeks back saying I really admired his work I had seen online and he said to knock on the door sometime when I was walking Mollie. I did that tonight and I am so glad that I did. He introduced me to his girlfriend and they showed me some of his prints--and the top half of the original Mary he found. She got broken in a desert photo shoot and on a copy of his documentary, he shows her "being laid to rest." 

And if you have an affinity for Mary, too, you will love the story of how he has portrayed her. There is a link to the short documentary at his website as well although I haven't been successful in running it there. He gave me a copy of it, however, and I'm Googling to see if I can find it somewhere live. (My Cyberfriend priti.lisi at Priti Studio found a copy of Chris's documentary here.)

Thanks so much, Chris. I just love what you are doing!