A strange combination of events coincided today. Two of the most brilliant minds of our time will now forever share this date: Albert Einstein was born in 1879 and Stephen Hawking died. While I try to understand quantum physics, I simply don't,but I do admire the minds who have tried to make them more palatable to me and the rest of the common masses. Their theories have been woven into our tv shows, movies and libraries. And while their mathematics and science are beyond my comprehension, their humanity and humour moved me.
Today is also Pi Day, the annual celebration of the mathematical constant 3.14. We had apple a la mode.
This week we were away on Vancouver Island and while enjoying a sunny walk in the park at Nanaimo Harbour I witnessed a tumble down the stairs of the gazebo. The older sister missed her footing and landed on the younger brother. There was a bloody nose and knuckles and skinned knees and chaos with the third member of the group calling for help to get her friends back on their feet. Sigh ...you can't turn your back on octegenarians for a second! The injured are healing and resting.
We also had a visit to St. Peters church on McLeary Street, specifically to the graveyard to see my grandparents grave. When we pulled into the parking lot I was annoyed to see a large crane which appeared to be installing a Canada Post super mailbox, the kind with about 50 boxes. I thought it an entirely inappropriate setting to park it so near the churchyard and graves. Then in shock I realized it was actually inside the fence, inside the graveyard! A split second later it dawned on me that this was in fact a new columbarium, not a mailbox being installed. I shared a giggle with mom and dad and Peter at my naivete and then I turned and looked at the view that had been behind me. Looking south down a gentle rolling slope dotted with crocusii and headstones, Mt Benson loomed in the distance. It was very peaceful. Not a bad final resting place at all, even in a mailbox.
This weeks painting is unfolding slowly. I don't want to rush it so I am posting it as "Part One: Arbutus at the Point". I suppose this is one of those times that I won't let perfect (or finished) get in the way of done. Hopefully it will be done by next Tuesday. I guess you'll have to come back and see.
