Tuesday, May 29, 2012

IPhone image "Windswept"


This photo is one of many I added recently to my I & i blog (where I embrace spontaneity, not perfection)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day "weekend" - it took me out and away from "blogland" for a few days, but I am back.  It has been HOT here - at least today we had clouds and a bit of a breeze.  

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Poetry Jam - "Bullied"


Bullied

I hold my breath,
close my eyes,
disappear inside
my heartbeat
become twelve again,

"I can't,
I'm stupid,
a dork..."

viscous lies,
believed.

Vibrantly alive today
these voices, I suppose,
are victims, too.

Who taught them
to ridicule,
to hate, to bully?

Off I send
my sweet children
confident, happy, secure

but for how long?

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 24, 2012

This is for "Poetry Jam - Bullied"  Most of us have been there -- being on one side of the fence or the other.  So many dear sweet children leave a loving home, secure in who they are and eager to explore life... and their self-esteem is trampled all because they might be a little different, might just not fit in "perfectly" with those around them.  When, if ever, will we ever learn?  I like to think it gets better with adulthood, but I often think we just learn to blend in...

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Magpie Tales #118, "The Act"

My daughter's "Altered Self Portrait" (Junior in high school) at UNC School of the Arts
The Act

Vaudeville
I resurrect each day,
paint a harlequin-like mask
over my melancholy

role play as a virtuoso ventriloquist
personal ideals, vulgarized
striptease my dignity

tell you what you want to hear
show you what you want to see.

A burlesque caricature
I dance before you,
do whatever it takes

for me to be accepted.

by Margaret Bednar,  Art Happens 365, May 22, 2012

"The Circus With the Yellow Clown" 1967, Marc Chagall

This poem is linked to and a response to Magpie Tales #118 Challenge.  The  photo Tess Kincaid used is of the clown above.  I blended my poem in response to both images here - the top one was recently done by my daughter for her drawing class "Altered Self Portrait".  

Monday, May 21, 2012

Wordless Poetry?


I am having a LaundryXtravaganza day today... and am unable to participate in Poetry challenges today. But, I thought this iphone image of my Quarter Horse, Oberon, almost qualitfies.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

IGWRT's Mini-Challenge Sunday - "Serenity"


Serenity

Trees,
flowers,
moon and stars
move silently
and hear God's voice. Do we pause to listen?

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 365, May 19, 2012

* * * * *

This is linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toads challenge "A Mini-Challenge for Sunday - Tetractys".  These are poetic forms that consist of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20) and should express a complete thought, profound or comic, witty or wise, within the narrow compass of twenty syllables.  I chose to write only one verse, but they can be written with more.  If so, the order must be inverted.   For more information, click on the above link.

This poem was inspired by wise words from Mother Teresa.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Messenger of Love? a Poem


Messenger of Love?

Drooping falls of lavender
you planted in my flower bed

I would have preferred
passion yellow

but compliments and wisdom
do make a lovely bouquet.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, May 18, 2012

more about the iris flower and what specific colors mean: HERE

Thursday, May 17, 2012

IGWRT's "With Thee Conversing I Forget All Time"


With Thee Conversing I Forget All Time

Hand in hand we walk along
This spring like day of birds and song

With thee conversing I forget all time
We smile and dream as up we climb

Swing and laugh, jump and sing
You my queen, and I your king.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, May 17, 2012

* * * * *

This is for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Kenia's Wednesday Challenge".  This was HARD for me to do as I had to find a poet I don't like and find one line I do like from said poet and build a poem around it.  I am embarrassed to say I do NOT like John Milton.  A friend recommended "Paradise Lost" to me long ago and I have tried numerous times to read it and I find it an impossibly tedious poem to read.  I know it is a classic and loved by many and I do keep it on my shelf thinking maybe someday I will appreciate it.   The line I used is the title underlined and is in the Paradise Lost Book IV (between 635-640)  We were supposed to link the poem (we hate) ha ... I have linked you to "Paradise Lost STUDY GUIDE - A simple guide to John Milton's complicated masterpiece"   ... Here is a fun way to spend you summer ;P

By the way...

I have a new "side blog" called i & I.   It is all about spontaneous photography, compositions that catch my eye, sweet moments that can't be choreographed.  They won't be pixel perfect and will often be a bit grainy as they are from my iPhone (the above is an example of my son and his friend :)  (and yes, my friend and I wish arranged marriages come back in vogue).   I invite you to hop on over now and again to "i & I" and ENJOY!  


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

"Beneath the Magnolia Tree"


Beneath the Magnolia Tree

Alluring fragrance
cloaks my senses with desire
my thoughts full of you,
I anticipate your kiss
'neath the magnolia tree.

Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, Originally posted June 22, 2011

This is a poem I resurrected as these magnificent blooms are just starting to appear.  Each one a work of art.  I need to grab my tripod each morning and evening and get true crisp shots.  These aren't bad as I had to hurry and snap with three dogs and countless kids in tow.





and a treatment using Kim Klaussen's "Chase" texture below and linked to her "Texture Tuesday" weekly challenge.  If anyone is ever interested in learning about textures, she is the first person I would recommend.  She has wonderful internet classes.  


Monday, May 14, 2012

Magpie #117, "The Taste of Tahiti"

"The Meal", 1891, by Paul Gauguin
The Taste of Tahiti

Decadence beckons
with dark molasses
and delicate orchid,
crystalline sprinkled sweetly,
buttered, drizzled
upon tropical plantain.

Surreptitious glances,
and fleeting fingertips
risk cook's ire,

dip, lick, surrender
as exotic sunshine
and luxuriant Tahitian shade
dances upon satiated tongues.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 14, 2012

* * * * *

This poem is linked to "The Mag #117" a weekly poetry/short vignette challenge.  The photo prompt is selected each week by Tess Kincaid.

This is also linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Open Link Monday".

And Below is the recipe I wrote about above!:

Bananas Flambees with Tahitian Vanilla

4 small ripe bananas
4 Tbspn sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbsp dark rum
butter

Peel bananas and cut them in half lengthwise.  In a small bowl, mix rum and vanilla extract.  Melt two tablespoons butter in a saucepan over a med-high fire and fry bananas on both sides until golden brown.

Sprinkle with sugar and pour the rum/vanilla extract mixture over bananas.

Remove from fire immediately serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

* * * * *

I can see why Paul Gauguin was mesmerized.  The videos are slow moving, but I think that is the island experience... no?  A stunning sunrise, breakfast brought over by kayak, a flower bedecked bed, waves gently lapping the beach...  I am not sure I would do so well on this island... I kept pushing the video forward with my cursor. :)  Even if you don't watch them, just notice the colors!!  Now we know where Gauguin got his colors!



and Part 2:



Part 3:



Did you enjoy your vacation?

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Introducing Casimiro.


I will probably be "incognito" through this weekend - preparing for a busy weekend and "responsibilities" beckon.  Thought I would leave you with a few photos of this cute little guy who is a few days old. It is hard to get a good photo as he is constantly moving :)   His name is Casimiro (Caz for short).  It means "Commander of Peace".


Yes, sweet little Caz is keeping his mother, Wrosie very busy! ...


Monday, May 7, 2012

A Baby Colt!


My friend's horse, Wrosie, had her baby.  HE was born at 9:30 am out in the paddock today, May 7th.  She is a wonderful first time mother and he has yet to be named.  If you are interested in watching a live feed of these two, please click HERE and go to WrosieQ at the bottom of the "Streaming Cam" list.  Sometimes you have to refresh the link and sometimes the horses are outside.  Enjoy!






Viviane - a Painter from Touraine, France


Viviane has painted from a photograph of mine before and I am thrilled she has done so again.   HERE is her blog, "Les Peintures De Viviane" and I hope you pop over and see what this talented lady from France is painting currently.

The photo below is not the exact photo she used, but it is one from this same photo shoot I did of these Canadian Geese.




HERE is one she painted over a year ago, selected from a trip I took to Charleston, SC.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Magpie Tales #116, "Fear"

courtesy of Google Images

Fear

With toe tip submerged
I explore
brownish yellow

become mesmerized
with shadow-play
ask, once again,
why there isn't any blue.

Reflected tire
ripples drunkenly,
hypnotically

above her murky surface,
tauntingly daring me
to indulge.  I try.

I inhale deeply,
imagine gathering speed
high, low, up, down,
letting go, soaring
envision the plunge,
ponder dropping beneath,
sinking below, 
hand outstretched...

exhale, withdraw my toe
resigned to sit
another summer
upon the river's
sunny bank.

Some things
one never outgrows.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 6, 2012

The Rock River flows behind my childhood home and I was never able to enjoy it.  Many people boat and ski and swim in it.  I just feel that (swimming) water should reflect some blue.  I guess that is why I loved living on Lake Michigan, where I could see my toes upon the sandy bottom at all times!

HERE is a link to an entry to this challenge I found particularly beautiful!

This is for Magpie Tales #116.  Click on over and join the fun.   The Magpie photo prompt is below.
This is also linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Open Link Monday".


image: River Irwell by R.A.D. Stainforth



Friday, May 4, 2012

IGWRT's "dirt farmer" "Americana" a tribute to Levon Helm

Levon Helm with The Band, 1974
Americana

The Midnight Ramble of Levon Helm
wasn't about fashion, nor politics, not really,
his life went beyond.

With flashing sticks and a soul-filled drawl,
his Americana R&R rang with Southern
"self-evident" truths:

the American tall tale,
and the underground,
the renegade, the buccanner.

Stories told, history sang
reminding us we have a place
worthy of calling home.

most lines selected by Margaret Bednar from Charles P. Pierce's article, Art Happens 365, May 4, 2012
* * * * *

I snagged (not a few) lines from this amazing article written by Charles P. Pierce HERE.  It is a wonderful article that pays homage to this great performer, Levon Helm, who died of cancer last Thursday at the age of 71.  There is a GREAT jamming song "Don't Do It" that is a MUST to play LOUD!!  This guy rocked and I will be adding him to my Ipod.  Can't believe I had never heard of him.  HERE is a website that is Home of the Midnight Rambler.

If it hadn't been for the poetry Challenge at "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - dirt farmer" I would never have been introduced.  So, thank you, Marian, for hosting.



Thursday, May 3, 2012

IGWRT's Kerry's Wednesday Challenge - On the Road "Harnessed Speed"


Historical Racetracks and Harness Horses HERE
Harnessed Speed

We'd often see
a cloud of dust
rise and linger
upon the horizon,
knew father's fine pacer
was sweeping
the winding road
back towards our farm.
He'd arrive
eyes a-twinkle,
hair askance,
us eagerly awaiting
the buggy switch.
Head back into town
proudly, sedately steer
the Pierce Arrow
down Main Street;
no matter our urging
for speed. We knew
Race Street paralleled,
but the early morning's action
wasn't for young ladies.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, July 17, 2012

Here is my great grandfather (my grandmother back row, left) with his four girls in perhaps ... a Pierce Arrow?

Most cities and towns have a "Main Street", but back in the day, many had a "Race Street" and/or "Trotter's Alley" as well.

This poem is loosely based upon my Grandfather, Herbert Hutchins.  (How I wish I had a photo of him with his fine horses!  I do have a few of  him with his plow horses, but not his pacers).  My grandmother said he loved his horses and was one of the first to purchase a car.

I do not know what kind of horse he had, and whether he had a pacer or a trotter.  If he owned a Standardbred, here is a little history on them:  The name originated because the early trotters (pacers would not come into favor until much later) were required to reach a certain standard for the mile distance in order to be registered as part of the new breed.  The mile is still the standard distance covered in nearly every harness race.

The first Standardbred races were contested along long roads, with men challenging their friends to     see who had the swifter steed.  Often the streets of major cities were cleared and races conducted.  That's why so many American cities have a "Race Street".

If you are interested, HERE is a link with some nice old photos of historical racetracks and harness horses.

This post is linked with and a response to  "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads "Kerry's Wednesday Challenge - On the Road"

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Poetry Jam "Glimpses of Gray" - Wrapping up my series on Monticello


Glimpses of Gray

History shouldn't be viewed
in black and white

with minds that accuse,
fingers that point.

In living color
we'll never see the past

lucky, perhaps, to view
glimpses of gray

help us understand
the hows, the whys

help us build
a better tomorrow

and pray future generations
will view our lives

with compassionate,
forgiving hearts.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, May 1, 2012

* * * * *