Visiting the Chihuly Exhibit at MFA, Boston

With the dogs at the groomer's for the day, we had a chance for a day trip to see both the new American wing at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston ( www.mfa.org ), and also see the exhibit of Dale Chihuly glass (www.mfa.org/exhibitions/chihuly).

We had seen his glass at other museums, and the solo show at Rhode Island School of Design a few years ago, so we were looking forward to this. The more I see of his installations, the less sure I am about how much I like them. This exhibit I am sure will rank high on the popularity scale, if only for the brilliant color, glowing in the darkened galleries. But at times, some of the installations, such as the boat filled with glass objects, make me think of a gift shop on steroids.

Worth seeing, and the new American wing was well worth the wait. I loved seeing the old favorites in new settings and juxtapositions.

But now my feet are tired.

Birds

I'm really not much of a bird watcher, but I have been paying more attention to them this year. The winter was so tough, I felt bad for them and threw seed and cracked corn on the snow for them. Then this spring there are either more birds than usual, or I am just becoming more attuned to them. In the vine just outside the window there is a robin's nest, and from inside (about 24 inches away) I can follow developments. There appear to be three young ones, and the rate of growth is amazing. I suspect these are the final few days before they take off on their own. Unfortunately, my camera skills are not good enough to get pictures, and apparently even my movements behind the window are enough to spook the mother, and she takes off.

Reverse Painted Glass for Mirror

Another project out of the way. I bought a mirror with a damaged panel (broken, areas of repaint), and replicated it. Here is the original panel along with my version.

Visiting the Hudson Valley

The rainy week forecast should give me some time to catch up on posts.

We just returned from the Spring meeting of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration (www.HSEAD.org), in Albany, NY.

Along the way, we went to the Loeb Art Center at Vassar College, the Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park (http://www.nps.gov/vama), and took a stroll on the old iron bridge at Poughkeepsie, now converted to apark/pedestrian bridge (http://www.walkway.org/ ).

Here are views of old bridge, and the new bridge as seen from the old bridge.

Animal Life at Old Sturbridge Village

I had to go do some photography at the HSEAD Research Center at Old Sturbridge Village. When I make one of these trips I try to make a quick visit to the village, particularly when there is something going on. This was a "home school day" so there were more activities than usual on a weekday, including a demonstration of ox training. And I always enjoy seeing the sheep, including these two young ones.