My Corner of the Universe

We now have an indigo tree in our neighborhood. Well it’s not exactly an indigo tree but a crepe myrtle that has the perfect branches for drying indigo–dyed fabric.

Today I learned how to dye fabric with indigo so my art journey continues.

My neighbor, fantastic artist and friend, Lynne Hubner, hosted several of us and we learned from her and each other.

https://videopress.com/embed/cmPMirgM?hd=…

Last night was the conclusion of my first art show ever. It was an exhilarating experience! The town where I live, McKinney, Texas, has an art collaborative where member artists can show their work.

I never considered myself to be an artist but I said yes when I got a nudge several years ago to take an art class. I am a student of print-making.

When I returned from China, all these ideas for…

Beijing Night Market entertains with color and activities for good luck.

Our journey began in Beijing and one of the most interesting things we did to learn about the culture was to wander around the Beijing Night Market. I was fascinated by the color and aliveness I experienced wandering through the rows of food stalls.

In one stall before we got to the main market a vendor was selling toilets and a type of frozen dessert all in one space.

One of the restaurants had…

Shibaozhai Temple and Pagoda

A beautiful example of Qing Dynasty architecture, the twelve-story Shibaozhai Pagoda was built along the Yangtze River in 1650.

For many years monks were raised up to the temple by basket. Finally the Pagoda was built as a staircase for more ease of travel. The stairs are steep and the stairwells wind up the pagoda, but it’s worth the trek to the top. The views are beautiful from the plaza…

Art Show with East Asian Influence

My trip to China had such a profound impact on me that I am exhibiting some of my photos and creating collagraphs and poetry to respond to the photos and my experience. China offers many opportunities for beautiful photographs. The photo above is part of the Shibaozhai Temple along the Yangtze River in central China.

This is a first for me! Thankfully, it’s not a solo show. Anne Royerand I are…

Parade at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa this morning.

I’m off to Ottawa Canada today for a friend’s wedding. Now I’m in Montreal waiting for next flight. I enjoy hearing the French language.

We’ll be hanging around downtown Ottawa and I will post some fun pictures. I hear changing of the guard for Parliament is a must see and I’ll let you know.

To enter the site is breathtaking. Pictures help describe the experience so I’ve included some of mine. 

Thousands of reassembled warriors fill the site – there are three pits containing artifacts and warriors. One is still being excavated that includes horses and chariots and other figures such as officers and administrative staff.

Archaeologists are at work constantly and it’s amazing what they’ve accomplished in the 44 years since the site was discovered in 1974. Here are some photos of the archaeologists at work.

In the lab:

Excavating broken pieces from the pit:

I had no idea that the statues were smashed to bits when invaders raided the tomb – here is another photo of a section where the smashed pieces are being excavated to reassemble the statues:

The tomb had many types of soldiers – archers, horsemen with carriages, other types of fighting soldiers:

Some other interesting facts you may not know about Emperor Qin Shihuang’s tomb:

It covers an area of approximately 38 square miles or 98 square kilometers.

The emperor’s tomb is at least a mile away from the warrior site and is in a pyramid-shaped mound, untouched by archaeologists and is likely to stay that way.

Over 700,000 men worked on the tomb for 37 years.

More than 7,000 officers and soldiers,  several hundred horses, and more than a hundred war chariots have been excavated.

Each soldier must be painstakingly put together from several hundred parts and each soldier takes several hundred hours of work to complete.

Here is a holding area for the statues and some in restoration.

  To me, visiting this historical site constructed about 2,200 years ago was one of the best parts of our tour. If you go, plan on staying a day if you can. There is much to observe and photograph and not enough time on a tour. Be sure and visit the museum as there is much to learn and more warriors and a chariot on display.

Perhaps I’ll go again. In ten years, some of the bronze chariots and other figures that are still buried will be excavated and on display.

Practicing Mindfulness While Traveling

This is my first post with a theme of travel and wisdom. I started My Corner of the Universe with the idea to not only write about travel, but also ideas, concepts, and practices that help me when I’m in unfamiliar locations or cultures. Today’s topic is about mindfulness. When I travel, especially to a new country, being mindful and fully present always supports me in having a great trip.

Being…