Monthly Archives: August 2011

Demonic and crazed

Posted on August 31, 2011 by jyourist

I suppose this is not the best way to think about children just before they show up for class next week, but I had to laugh at these portrayals of children in ads from the fifties. Demonic and crazed, these … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, growing up, humor | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Digestive ecstasy

Posted on August 29, 2011 by jyourist

JB and I started a tradition last year of starting the school year with a delicious dinner at Kendall College Culinary School. This year, once again, we had an amazing taste experience, made even more delicious by the presentations and … Continue reading →

Posted in cooking, creativity, food, school | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Before breakfast

Posted on August 28, 2011 by jyourist
Posted in nature, photography | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Talk about an incredible work out…

Posted on August 27, 2011 by jyourist

We have a Schwinn Air-Dyne in our house that I have been using fairly regularly to get my heart beat up, to make sure my blood pressure stays down. Though there is a Bally’s nearby, using the bike in the … Continue reading →

Posted in exercise | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

“All the Difficult Hours and Minutes” by Jane Hirshfield

Posted on August 26, 2011 by jyourist

This last week, Jane Hirshfield came out with her new volume of poetry — Come, Thief.  “All the Difficult Hours and Minutes” is one of the poems from this new collection. All the difficult hours and minutes are like salted plums … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sensing the earthquake…

Posted on August 25, 2011 by jyourist

OK, maybe it’s because of our near encounter with a possum that my ears are alert to stories about wildlife. JB shared with me today that the animals in the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC were aware of the earthquake … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, family, nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Letters at the halfway mark

Posted on August 24, 2011 by jyourist

School is starting in a week. I always send a letter to my new students, trying to get them excited about the ideas we will be exploring in class and giving them a glimpse of who I am–an artist, gardener, … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Possumbilities”

Posted on August 23, 2011 by jyourist

There was a huge rainstorm, fast and furious, on Saturday and as per usual our basement flooded. JB and I have a routine. After the water goes back down the drain, we mop and rinse the basement floor, followed by … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, nature, wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Fujinuma Noboru

Posted on August 22, 2011 by jyourist

What is beauty? How can a simple basket evoke such visual pleasure? Is it the intricacy and careful detail? Is the curve itself so archetypically graceful, sensuous, provocative? Why does the observation of the obvious craftsmanship feel so intimate? Fujinuma … Continue reading →

Posted in art, artist, creativity, Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Heart rocks, fossils, and urban jewels

Posted on August 21, 2011 by jyourist

This morning was spent at the lake–collecting heart rocks, fossils, and urban jewels (beach glass); listening to the waves, soaking up some sun. The lake is an uncomplicated place to find center, be mindful, and hold stillness… …life is good.

Posted in nature, summer | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments