LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Thursday, January 10, 2013

The US Post Office Brings Beauty

Something has come from a friend in vastly different parts of the country every morning this week.

But yesterday's morning surprise from a friend who is one of the artisans in the Mary-Melinda Wellsandt atelier, located in Seattle, was spectacular. She and her crew make collectible glassware. They write more orders every year, despite the horrible economy. People still prize beauty.

Those teeny little dots you see on some of the pieces? My friend applies them, one at a time, with a teeny-tiny brush.

Every piece is hand-made -- they blow their own glass -- and crafted. Mary-Melinda comes up the designs, shapes and forms. She and her krewe, including my friend, then using a variety of tools and implements, from sand blasters to paints and brushes, execute them.

I had no idea this was coming. It has made me very happy. I love to hold it, to look at it. Not only is it a visual joy, it is a tactile one -- smooth and rough, solid and weighty.

This little vase is going to stay right here, where I can see and hold it many times every day.

Beauty arriving by the US post office -- there is no better way to begin the day

2 comments:

T. said...

:-)

Foxessa said...

And I apologize for saying you all blew your own glass, when as you have said more than once you work from blanks, which you use "as canvases."

Argh. That's why the world MUST HAVE FACT CHECKERS. More and more and more fact checkers!

El V was laughing at me just a bit ago for caressing the surfaces of the object yet again.

I also like to look through it, one side to the other.

Love, C.