Art and Gym

I've always said, "Everyone needs a little art and gym in their day, just like in grade school."

Today, mine came in the form of a walk to the Park Point Art Fair, and another walk after watching the US soccer team be defeated by Ghana, 2-1. I needed to walk off all that pent up energy and frustration from sitting through the games ( a bit of an arm chair athlete I've been of late) I had also skimmed though the Uruguay win vs South Korea: 2-1 I had taped, as well as sitting at work, then at the grad party, and my car rides to and from all of these events. The evening walk also gave me an opportunity to catch up with my son, and then my mom via phone calls.

My short morning at work went by fast and then it was off to the fair for a really quick run-through, before heading home to change, and then head out of town to the grad party.

Of course, traffic on Park Point was maddening, and I ended up parking between 41st & 42nd and walking the rest of the way into the park vs. fight more slow moving traffic and lack of parking ahead. Good call on my part as I had a nice walk and got to watch and walk past the foolish and frustrated drivers who insisted on ploughing ahead for the chance of that 'better' spot.
There were some pretty creative people at the fair, lots of painting, pottery, craftwork and more. My favourites were the outdoor art. Various pieces for the yard; varying from giant sunflowers, to whirli-gigs, bird baths, and inventive creations using old bits and pieces of metal parts from various items, recycled into animals and sculptures.

I recall the first time I had ever really taken notice of this sort of recycling; when I visited my girlfriend on the Gold Coast in Australia, and she took me to a park area where many cranes had been created along a footpath using parts from various old cars and other rusting metal objects. The cranes were posed in various positions; some in flight, or with one leg up, or bent over. I'll have to find the pics to show here. This is one type of sculpture I have always loved, and want to try to do myself.

I wish I could afford this whole row of sunflowers.

I'd put them in my backyard and smile every day.

The grad party for Cayla was really fun too. It was very nice to see her all grown up and receiving her guests, as well as hear her future plans for college, and then life afterwards. It is hard to believe she's all grown up already, but time has really flown by since I met her grandmother and mother many years back at the YMCA after swimming lessons. She has grown to be such a beautiful and intelligent little lady, and I am very proud of her and her accomplishments ( as well as her mother's and grandparent's efforts in helping to shape this fine young lady's life) and future goals for her direction in life.

Congratulations Miss Cayla <3

During my evening walk, I also noticed a half of a hatched robin's egg, and took this photo:Why, I don't know. It just looked cool and reminded me of when we used to find them when we were kids at the base of the trees or shrubs in our yard, and how sometimes, we even were lucky enough to see the new birdies too.

On my way back I picked up the cans I had noticed along the first part of the walk, ridding the streets as I walked of one plastic grocery bag full. If I brought extra bags, I could have filled at least two more with all the litter, plastic bottles and cups along the way as well. Such a shame people are such pigs. One day, they'll be sorry.

Hope you had a great last Saturday of June.

Cheers!