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Showing posts from May, 2011

At Filoli House and Gardens

The Sunken Garden It's so refreshing to be outside and to be surrounded by so much natural beauty. At Filoli, everywhere you gaze, there's a flower or tree or piece of pottery that will call your attention. How I wish I took notes of the names of the flowers, but I must remain content with the colorful images I had the pleasure of taking. Though none can equal seeing the gardens and house up close.  The Chartres Garden The gardens change with the seasons. We just missed the tulips and wisteria. We're now into May when roses, foxgloves, peonies, lavender and violas captivate the landscape. There are so many varieties of roses (about 500) that we had a field day just looking for the Mr. Lincoln rose. In the process I found the Johann Strauss rose but I was most impressed with these October roses that are in full bloom and overwhelming its bush (shown below).  The October Rose in the Rose Garden The Knot Garden is always a highlight. The intricate geometric design weave

The Market Bar in San Francisco

It’s always fun to be at the Ferry Building Marketplace  in San Francisco especially to meet old friends for lunch or dinner. I met up recently with long-time friends from Honolulu who were in the City for a few hours layover. Their cruise ship was docked right behind the Ferry Building so the Market Bar was the perfect venue for our get-together.   It was not easy to decide which of the appetizing entrées to choose from and I narrowed my choices to three: 1) Local Halibut a la plancha with Asparagus, artichokes, leeks, citrus butter , 2) Wild Shrimp Linguine with olive oil, chile flakes, arugula , 3) Asparagus & Wild Salmon Risotto with fava leaves. Really loved my risotto! It was quite tasty and the kitchen didn’t skimp on the chunks of salmon. We were a large group and arrived at various times but the staff was accommodating and attentive. 1 Ferry Building # 36 San Francisco , CA 94111-4230 (415) 434-1100 http://www.marketbar.com/ *  *  * Image by Charie

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I recently finished reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It's the first book of his that I've read and I was hooked. Now I'm reading his other novel, The Pilgrimage . The Alchemist inspires. "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." It reveals a secret: "The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times." It explains why we can't follow our dreams: "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." And how do we deal with heartaches?: "If I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day." There's more. You have to read the book to find out. Mr. Coelho also has a super blog where you can find out more about his works. Here's the link: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/ .  *  *  *

Sonnet of Sweet Complaint - Federico Garcia Lorca

Lorca's house in the outskirts of Granada Today I gave a travel presentation at work about Spain and I included this sonnet from one of Spain's greatest poets/playwrights, Federico Garcia Lorca. It's full of visual imagery which not only gives the reader the ability to see what he's written but it also leads the mind of the reader in search of meaning. Sonnet of Sweet Complaint Never let me lose the marvel of your statue-like eyes, or the accent the solitary rose your breath places on my cheek at night. I am afraid of being, on this shore, a branchless trunk, and what I most regret is having no flower, pulp, or clay for the worm of my despair. If you are my hidden treasure, if you are my cross, my dampened pain, if I am a dog, and you alone my master, never let me lose what I have gained, and adorn the branches of your river with leaves of my estranged Autumn. The original Spanish version below is from http://www.poesia-inter.net/fglso107.htm Soneto

Through the Chihuly Glass

Lime Green Icicle Tower I finally had the chance to enter the Chihuly Gallery at City Center in Las Vegas recently and marveled at the beautiful pieces that were on display. I was riveted to the Lime Green Icicle Tower  which is almost floor to ceiling in height. It was mesmerizing to stare down at the reflection of the Tower on its mirror base and to check out the individual "icicles" up close. I love the cubicle idea where there's a niche for the smaller artworks. The colors are amazing!  Here's one of the pieces up close. I believe this one belongs to his Persians series. Below is a better picture (than the one I previously posted) of his Cobalt Reeds and Spears . The Gallery also features paintings by Dale Chihuly. Hours are from 10am - 11pm Sundays through Thursday and 10am - 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. *  *  * Images by Charie