Hello,
We had two days of heavy rain and rolling thunderstorms over the weekend.
Quite unseasonal, and very good for the garden.
It looked quite dramatic as the storms rolled in towards us..
Local readers will recognise our TV towers,
shrouded in rain up on the mountain..
Then the rain cleared and we were able to take my father out for a day.
We admired this plantation of magnificent trees..
and he told me they were Moreton Bay Ash trees.
When I looked it up, he was right.
Isn't the human mind amazing?
He no longer has a clue who I am, even when told repeatedly.
He made a joke and told people in a shop that I was his girlfriend -
a cover up because he can't recall names and details.
But he still knows about nature and trees.
Well done, Dad.
There was a lot of interest in my previous post about David Lynch, filmmaker and visual artist. So many of you enjoyed his Twin Peaks series, that I have ordered Series 1, which has just landed on my doorstep. Goody.
I have long been fascinated by the art and persona of Mexican artist Freida Kahlo [1907-1954].
Her autobiographical, surrealist paintings, chronicled her tragic life after an early traffic accident which left her with ongoing physical pain and difficulty.
Freida is well-known for her exotic, colourful and charming costumes, based on traditional Tehuana dress.
I have a paper doll book of some of them, taken from her paintings..
Her floral headdresses were unique and beautiful.
It was a delight to find a post from Tamera Beardsley, with her gorgeous modern take on Freida's floral crown. Pop over and have a look.
Wouldn't you love to wear such a crown?
Take care
xxxx
Wouldn't you love to wear such a crown?
Take care
xxxx
Dear Patricia - I too have had a long time interest in Freida's extraordinary life and art. Did you see the film which came out about her in 2002? I do admire the way she was able to embrace her looks, so many women would be horrified and embarrassed to have eyebrows that met in the middle. Because of that she got away with it and her beauty shown through.
ReplyDelete"I simply slicked my hair back into a low pony and had a style that lasted from day to night!" How I wish I could simply slick my hair back and get the Tamara effect!
Ah, yes, I too would love to get the Tamera effect, Rosemary :)
DeleteYes, Freida is one of my favourite films, and I have read several of the biographies. The monobrow was quite strange, yet she made a feature of it and created her own iconic look. I would love to visit the Blue House she lived in with Diego Rivera.
Yes, the mind is amazing, your Dad sounds lovely! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzy, Dad always comes out with something interesting to say! x
DeleteSo lovely to catch up on what you have been up to. If you like Freida Kahlo you should pop to Gina's blog at Fan My Flame as she is a textile artist and does work inspired by Kahlo at various times which is wonderful. Gina is lovely too! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, I will certainly look at Fan My Flame. Freida was so unique and interesting, not to mention colourful!
DeleteI'm not familiar with Freida, but we have an art shop here that has a lot of Mexican art, very colorful and beautiful. So interesting that your dad can remember only specific things, bless him. So happy you were able to take him outside.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda Kay, now I have shown you a few Freida pictures, you will probably notice her face in the art shop. We saw her everywhere in San Antonio: on totes, tee shirts, lots of items.
DeleteWe are grateful for every day that we can take Dad outside, because when they day comes that he is too frail to go out (and I think that is not far off), it will be very sad for us all.
The storm looks very dramatic! Several years ago I visited an elderly gentleman who lived on a farm near where I grew up. He has had dementia for a number of years, and often doesn't know his own daughter who lives just down the road. But the minute my brother and I got out of the car he got a big smile on his face and shouted out our names. He hadn't seen us in a couple of decades.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating story about the gentleman who recognised you, Kristie. It is a perfect illustration of the vagaries of this illness - bits of memory go completely, others come and go.
DeleteLoved those dramatic shots of the clouds. Yes - I know what you mean about the human mind; difficult stuff for you.
ReplyDeleteThe storms produced some great drama in the skies - one storm rolling over another for many hours.
DeleteI know, you are familiar with the dementia story - it is quite a learning curve for us too. My sister says we are becoming the experts now!
Patricia, I've often wondered who she was. I've seen her on friend's blogs. Such colorful attire she is wearing. I can totally relate to her style because I am part Spanish myself and love color in fashion. The paper doll book is delightful. How sweet that your dad knew about those trees. It seems he has much knowledge about nature. This forest looks so pretty. Your dad must have loved the nature walk. So good that you had rain for a couple of days. We sure could use some rain here. It's spring and everything is starting to blossom.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week, Patricia.
love, ~Sheri
Ah, Sheri, Freida's face is on lots of things - you will probably notice her in the shops now. I thought you might be part Spanish; you have the lovely dark looks! Dad grew up in the country, and has a keen interest in all aspects of nature. He is largely self-taught, but has been a voracious reader all his life.
DeleteLove to see the Spring blossom over there! x
I can´t but admire the kindness you have for your father. He is a lucky man.
ReplyDeleteGood to read that you had some rain.
Oh, Freida Kahlo. When I hear/ read her name, I immediately think of the fantastic big beads ( in multiples ) she wore in the film ( Selma Hayek? ). Not sure if I remember the correct name of the actress.
After seeing the film, I got interested in big bead necklaces ( daughter too ).
I think Dad is lucky he had a large family, as we all take turns with entertaining him!
DeleteYes, the big beads in Freida - I also bought big bead necklaces :)
My giant red seed bead necklace is a wonder!
Yes, Selma Hayek was wonderful in the movie, I thought. She really did look the part.
So much poignancy with your father. At least he still regards you favourably, even if your role has changed :). Must sadden you too. Those older memories of course are what stay intact.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Freida K had pain following an accident - I was aware she had quite a colourful life, aside from the colour in her paintings.
What great storms you have - ours aren't bad either. I am still not used to tropical storms or the foliage that grows with them.
Thank you Sarah Liz - that is funny, about being regarded favourably. Wonder what he will come up with next?
DeleteIf you look at Google Images of Freida K, there are photos of her painting while bed-ridden. She had a big easel made that went across the bed. Also look at some of the paintings, which depict her agonies in an amazing way.
Australia - the land of Dramatic Weather, we could say :)
Hi Val, Frieda was amazing, yes. One of the most famous female artists of all time.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Weather, trees, Freida Kahlo and lovely words about your dad. We've just hit this stage with my step-father & it's new ground for me. Taking something from your post, "well done dad". I'm going to make sure I say this as often as I can. It's not dementia but cancer. I've probably said too much for a comments box. But truly this post has been an inspiration. To fit the big things we face into everyday life, walking in the trees.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katharine, I am glad you enjoyed my post.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your step-father; it is a big blow when cancer comes into your lives. From my own experience, encouragement is vital for the cancer patient - I never would have come through as well as I have without the love and support of everyone around me, including the on-line community. All the best for your and your family.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteI am struck by how Frieda looks masculine, yet totally feminine too! I'd look rediculous with the statement flowers she wears, but she looks lovely adorned in over-sized floral.
You outdoor photos make me hope that humankind values nature enough to take better care of it. So crisp and clean are the images.
Love your vibrant red Easter eggs!
I know what you mean about Frieda..I'd love to try the big flowers, but maybe only for a costume party!
DeleteI am a tree lover from way back, maybe that is Dad's influence...
Patricia, your blog really is widening my knowledge of 20th and 21st century art. I'm such a mediaevalist that I tend to switch off at the words 'modern art' and I miss an awful lot. because of it.
ReplyDeleteYour father remembering the name of the tree despite his severe memory loss is like my mother-in-law who can't make any new memories, yet can still play bridge surprisingly well. Some things seem to have become hard-wired.
Hello Perpetua, I am not strong on contemporary art, but learn as I go. At least I am better at the art than contemporary music, of which I know Nothing!
DeleteLove the story of MIL playing bridge, and the words 'can't make any new memories' - a good way to express what is going on.
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