75 Years, Me and the New Deal

Though this sculpture was made, oh I don't know because he refuses to date his work, some fifteen years ago, it's a fit as a contemporary representation.  Nick Bloom, our son who writes books, father to Roxie, brought home two beautiful ceramic figures.  Each almost two feet tall.

Hollow inside, I pronounced them perfect to store our ashes.  What he had in mind is unknown and we have never discussed it in a serious way.  They simple are. His art-making is less burdened than mine.

Photographing them again,  I paid special attention to the good match between the  stance of each to who my spouse and I are.  Us--seen by our son--and others.  Though the Queen here smiles, the hands on hips pose, says, "I'm watching your moves."  The King is more cheeful, on the verge of dancing.  Yes.

Rachel, our daughter, is a very good photographer who has retreated from the practice since work and family have taken over her life.  Every now and then when we're together, I'll handed her my camera and the results are wonderful.  Somewhere there's a black and white of Ron and me that she did in the 1980s but searching for it will distract from today's, August 5, business.

Anna Deveare Smith, in a special issue of The Nation on "The New Deal at 75," writes "Something was really happening. It wasn't smoke and mirrors."

Shaped by that intensity of purpose, I still carry it.  Mellowed a bit and still intent upon meaningfulness in the years ahead...with family, with community.  As a very fortunate American of my era, what can I do to pass along that good fortune?  I think about this a great deal in drawing my own portrait for the coming decade.

I've decided to make the entire month of August my birthday-- to celebrate, to figure out coming shifts and/or stasis. 

Already been celebrating in low-key way and tonight a Chinese meal with Ron, then opening of "First Breeze of Summer,"  off-Broadway revival.  Instead of a Condom Amulet, think I'll do my own revival by wearing this ceremonial neckpiece I made in the last century.

I am so vintage!  Hands still on hips,  smiling on this next  journey into the unknown.

Comments

[Hattie]

Those are wonderful sculptures. I love things like that.
And I envy you your cultural opportunities.

[lilalia]

Happy birthday to you! Love the sculptures.

[Lydia]

"Shaped by that intensity of purpose, I still carry it. Mellowed a bit and still intent upon meaningfulness in the years ahead...with family, with community. As a very fortunate American of my era, what can I do to pass along that good fortune? I think about this a great deal in drawing my own portrait for the coming decade."

Naomi, that paragraph is one of the greats. I mean it is a marvelous quote, rich with meaning - like your life has been and will continue to be. I really look forward to your August birthday posts so much.
The sculptures? To me they look like they belong on the front of a Viking ship. Does that make any sense? Nah. The necklace? To me it looks like it belongs in the Smithsonian. Does that make any sense? Yup.

[Kay]

Happy Birthday dear Naomi!

[naomi dagen bloom]

Thank you Hattie, Lia, and Kay for visiting my birthday party. To my surprise (?)TypePad has gone goofy again and dropped another lovely Comment from Lydia at WRITERQUAKE. When alerted, they fixed it!