The clutch of bluebird eggs in my backyard nest have hatched and flown, and my granddaughter Lark will be graduating high school this month and trying her wings in the bigger world. Predators and peril abound out there, and so I pray for their protection, but I also hope for more. Big open skies the color of bluebird eggs. A lifetime of mysteries and miracles. The music of a beloved’s voice. The sound of wind in the trees and rain in the night. The moon and stars moving through the old celestial dance. A dependable tribe. A chorus of glorious sunrises. Adventures – many, many adventures! The freedom to soar as high as they dare, homing instincts no matter how far they roam, and someone always watching for their return.

 

I miss going to the movies. Watching one on TV can never compare to sitting in a dark theater and being transported to an alternate universe along with a room full of total strangers. A sacred communal experience. Weekday matinees, weekend openings, wine and popcorn, the slow unwind of closing credits. Maybe that will happen again, but in the meantime, I’m rewatching classics like Gladiator, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, and Chinatown and reading books about making movies like Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli, the story of the making of The Godfather. And hoping for a blockbuster film available only in theaters that's not a sequel, prequel or remake but something totally original. Popcorn, please.

On the occasion of his 70th birthday, Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired Magazine, is back with one of his famous lists:  This one is called “103 Bits of Advice I Wish I’d Known.” 

If you live in the Charleston area, there’s a new show opening at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art tomorrow featuring work by Peruvian American artist Kukuli Velarde and Columbian American artist Nancy Friedemann-Sanchez. The opening reception (6:30 to 8:00 pm) is free to College of Charleston students, faculty, and staff, and current Halsey Institute members. Non-members are asked for a $5 donation. 161 Calhoun Street.

I was inspired to buy The Practicing Mind after I saw the author referenced on the Instagram account of Anne Darby Parker (@annespaintings), where she featured the luscious sketch book she’s doing for her 100 Day painting project. It made me want to become more consistent and intentional with my own drawing/painting, even though I’m a lazy amateur. One of my biggest weaknesses is rushing my drawings, and I’m hoping the book will help me slow down instead of racing toward what usually becomes a final effed-up product because I'm in such a hurry. Anyone else have that problem?