Wednesday, June 23, 2010

duh

So here I am in beautiful Stockbridge/Lenox, MA at a delightful B&B -- the Inn at Stockbridge, where we stayed 4.5 yrs ago last time we were here.
Leaving was rather chaotic but I remembered to bring my phone charger, my card reader, and my batteries.  What did I forget? My power cord for the computer.  So I am on battery power and having to write fast.  Probably won't be able to post till I get home on Friday.

We went to our beloved MASS MOCA today in North Adams.
 Marty was happy because the upside down trees were still there, outside the museum.
And I was happy at the grit and reminders of what this place once was: a textile mill.  Ladies' room in the basement still had the original signs and troughs for washing hands.

I never get tired of photographing these things. This door in an upstairs gallery is my favorite.
Now here's a quaint object: it actually works - unlike the rare ones you see in NY City.  Pretty soon, a relic. or maybe already one.
As usual, weird exhibits - and one of huge birds that I couldn't even go near because I was scared to death - you know how I feel about birds.Even dead ones or facsimiles. EEEEEEEEEK.

There was one interesting exhibit about materials.  One light shines on all these cables: fat fishing lines. If you move to the other side, the light moves and it's very interesting.  Below it, another cool installation. Love the shadow on the floor.
Best was the huge Sol LeWitt permanent installation of wall art.  I can't even begin to show how amazing it was - but it will be there for the next 25 years (I think) so if you can go see it, do. This is just a smattering.



A whole wall in shades of gray.

After MASS MOCA we drove over to Williamstown to see the exhibit Picasso sees Degas (i.e. - Picasso steals from Degas).
I almost got put in jail taking a picture; the Clark Museum lets you take pics of all their permanent collection but not the special exhibits.  Go figure.  I have finally come to terms with the fact that for the most part, I don't care for Picasso.
There are some exceptions, but generally speaking, this icon is not one of mine. Nonetheless, an interesting exhibit.

Back in Lenox, we wandered the streets and I bought the book my friend Rachel recommended: The Elegance of the Hedgehog.  I knew I'd need something to read and I was happy to pay full price and support this wonderful independent bookstore.  We had a delicious dinner and then I stumbled on THIS:

The holes are almost round!! I plan to go back tomorrow morning and do my routine with the workmen. In the meantime, my computer is down to 49% of the battery and fading fast, so I am going to say goodnight - read my book, and probably not post till we get home on Friday.

It is very depressing that nobody is reading my blog these days - but OTOH - there has been nothing to read. Hopefully, this vacation will do the trick.  Oops - 48% - thank goodness for my iPhone - even though its battery dies every five minutes.  But at least I have my charger with me...
R.

30 comments:

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

i read your blog and I also love the mass moca.

Gerrie said...

I always read your blog, but don't always comment. I think there are so many blogs and people get them in google reader where you can't comment unless you open up the blog. Blah, blah, blah. I get demoralized, too, and then I look at the country widget and wow, there are people there from all over the world.

Unknown said...

Hey! I read every post you write! I love them! I just comment very often.

I'm the same a Gerrie _ don't get many comments and I feel as though I'm talking to myself and then I look at the counters and note that people are at least looking sometimes!

hugz

Unknown said...

Oops that should have said "I just don't comment very often"

Mary Beth said...

Awwwwww... I read! And if I'd known you were over by Mass MOCA I would have at least known to wave. I used to work over in Williamstown but I live just over on the other side of the Berkshires.

Being a blogger is often a thankless job but I think of it as conversation in a room of friends.

Kathy said...

I loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Just finished Netherland; lots of NYC throughout. I always want to back just as soon as I've left.
The word verification is "brismi". Is that a little bris?

Del said...

I'm sure that many of your 150 followers check in every single day - I know I do! Can't pass up a chance to connect with such a fascinating friend. If you haven't posted I just reread the last post - sometimes for days in a row. But I connect! Love, Del

Unknown said...

waving at you from CA. enjoy your time away from home!! lovely photos, thanks for taking us along with you.

Marcie said...

I'm another daily reader, wouldn't miss it, always interesting.

queenopearls said...

Love the fence with nearly round holes almost as much as your excitement in finding it. :)
Cleveland MoCA is now on my visit list.
Keep rockin' your iPhone ;) and no birds is duly noted and learned.
~Christina

Diane Cransac said...

I am reading your blog. Sorry i dont comment enough :(

Françoise said...

I'm still reading your blog too, but I don't comment, I know. I have a good excuse though... I'm taking care of my little GD this week.
:-)

jane dávila said...

I adore MassMoca too! I'll be there in a couple of weeks. Enjoy your time away. :)
jane

Terry Sargent Peart said...

I read and never comment, too...sorry! Hello from Seattle...I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog a while ago, I loved it. Now I want to see the movie, which recently won the big award for best movie at the Seattle Int'l Film Festival (SIFF)even though they changed the story - why do they always do that in movies?
How come none of you people comment on MY blog? (hey, it's worth a try!).

Cate Rose said...

I always read you, too, Rayna. But I haven't had much to say these days. My own blog posts are decreased, too.
Have a great trip and thanks, as always, for the wonderful photos!
XO

Vivian Helena said...

Hi, I read your news feeds, and love em. So I am keeping up to date with you. Have grandkids here, after the graduation of the oldest.. so kept busy. Enjoy your trips.

Karen M said...

I read all your posts also, but since the kids are not letting me out of the car much this summer. I haven't time to do much commenting anywhere. I love Mass MOCA, also. My daughter just finished school in North Adams, so now I need a new excuse to go there on a regular basis. And Tala's quilt shop in the heritage Center in town is another good spot to visit. Of course, even just the view from the hairpin turn is worth a visit....

Unknown said...

I'm reading. :D

Mandi said...

I read it! But I use Google reader, so I probably don't show up on your counter. But I love your blog...and I can hardly wait to meet you in September at the ACN meeting!

Rian said...

Cool images, Rayna. I read your blog, don't comment if I don't have anything to say.

Franchi said...

Of course I read your blog!!! I absolutely love your photos from Mass MOCA, the construction fencing, etc and enjoyed looking at the "Modern Quilt Guild" blog. Hope you are having a relaxing time away from home and all the hustle and bustle. You seemed to need a vacation!
Franchi

Jeanette Davis said...

Your blogs are like daily visits with a friend. The struggle to find balance between making art and spending time with family--both meaningful, as well as having "blah" days are something that most of us that read your blog can relate to. We all need time to catch our breath. I believe that our creative juices are always on simmer even when it seems that not much is going on.

Bob Davis said...

I read your Blog by email. Does that not count on your page view counter?

Terry Grant said...

Me too! Still reading.

Aussie Jo said...

That brought everybody out of the woodwork.
Happy anniversary!!

Unknown said...

Glad you like MASS MoCA but in the spirit of full disclosure, we must admit that our pay phone in the basement doesn't work or at least it hasn't for the past decade -- maybe something miraculous happened. We've tried to get the phone company to come and fix it or remove it but to no avail.

Sherryl said...

I also read all your blogs... but don't always comment. I have some fencing that has large ovals. Let me take a picture of it tomorrow.. if you want it, I can toss it into a large envelope. It is one of those projects I haven't gotten to yet.

Liz Plummer said...

I read your blog all the time too Rayna! But like a lot of others, on Google Reader; and Blogger puts you through so many hoops to comment I don't often...

Good luck with your construction fence acquisition!!!
Liz

Heather Lair said...

Hi Rayna, I read , and always enjoy, your blog on the Planet textile site so it doesn't show here! I have to come here more often and post a comment. I love the pictures you share and the classes you give....
This is a very inspirational blog!
Heather Lair

Unknown said...

Oh, oh oh, the Inn at Stockbridge. I stayed there for Dennis' 50th in 2001. I loved t. Bluebery pancakes and rocking chairs I seem to recall. And Luisa May Alcott's house down the road.
And I read your blog butI am 11 posts behind because I am too busy organising your evening entertainment at Festval :)

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