Street With Steps In Spello, Italy

Our first visit to Italy was at this time of year. We set off to explore Umbria, wandering up and down the steep, stony streets of little hill towns like Spello. It was the first time I saw a street so steep that it comes with its own set of steps built right in. March is not really tourist season. Around the time of the traditional midday break, I often stood in a nearly empty street, savoring the view, enjoying the many subtle colors and textures of the stones all around me. Now the streets are empty for a different reason. I hope to return, when we finally reach happier times again.

Dance Skirt

Before the Renwick museum closed, I was lucky enough to see "Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists." Showcasing artists from the past and present, the variety of media, themes and artistic approaches was mind-boggling. There were so many artworks that spoke to me, but I was especially struck by a Hupa dance skirt that was created about 1875 in Northern California. The deerskin, abalone shells, glass trade beads and grasses hint at the story of the lives of the women who have worn it. A dance skirt lives from the moment of its first ceremonial dance. It is not owned. Instead, the women are its caretakers. See more artworks at: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/native-women-artists 

View From Under the Hellebores

Hellebores are blooming in every shady yard, taking advantage of the bright but filtered light before the leaves darken their homes. The nodding blooms can be tantalizingly beautiful but frustratingly difficult to fully appreciate. What do the beetles and ants and smallest birds see when they look up? I stuck my camera under one plant to capture a different view of this little world.

Winter Trees and Field

The view when driving south through central Ohio, with its flat fields and occasional clusters of outlet malls, can seem uninspiring. Winter has not yet come to an end. A few snowflakes swirled as a cloudy afternoon dimmed into early evening. The farmhouses and trees in the distance began to melt into a rising mist. It was mysterious and a bit romantic, the view changing every minute as I watched out the window at 60 miles per hour.

Black and White Mural

This mural lives on the side of a coffee shop. When the parking lot is empty, passers by can enjoy it in all its disorienting black and white splendor. I love the way the window seems to flatten out and almost becomes part of the painted design. Just don't stand and stare at it for too long!