ICE.

IMAGINE TAKING A LUMP
of carbon and transforming it into a
world class diamond. Antonio Bianco was a
diamond cutter, an artist of legendary skill,
who could accomplish this. Famous
throughout the world of rare gems, he
was known for his meticulous technique
and perfectionism. His co-workers knew
when he was nearly finished cutting a stone,
because he would start to sing opera.
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Some of the stones he cut were famous
enough to be given their own names.

ANTONIO BIANCO / DECEMBER 26, 1951-
JUNE 15, 2009
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He was known for his ability to look at a rough
stone and sense the diamond within. Major
investors flew him around the world, from his
home base in New York's diamond district,
when they were considering buying and
having a stone cut for them.
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He was one of the few cutters of the
biggest stones, most of whom worked
in Antwerp. To visualize the size, a
5 carat diamond is smaller than a dime.
Most master cutters do not cut any larger
than 50 carats, the size of a quarter.
A 100 carat stone is almost unimaginable.
Bianco cut about half a dozen of those
stones. His most famous stones were
"Dream", and "Golden Star", both
yellow diamonds and "Flame", a pear
shaped white diamond. Each is worth
tens of millions of dollars.

XXXXXXXXXXXXFLAME
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He said he could "hear" a flaw inside
a stone, by the way the grinder's wheel
changed its "song" as the flaw grew
close. He would spend months cutting
and polishing the stone till he could look
into its heart. The heat of the wheel
"excites" the molecules of the diamond,
which can alter its color. Bianco let his
diamonds rest till "they behaved
themselves again".

When he began
singing "opera", the stone was done.

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Memorial

FROM THE DAWN OF YOUR BIRTH
To the sunset of your death
I honor you.
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From the missions you completed
To your duties left undone
I honor you.
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From the seasons of your being
Through the cycle of your life
I honor you.
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May healing love reach you
From this moment
Till the end of time.
x
Silver RavenWolf
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x

xxxMichael Jackson / August 29, 1958- June 25, 2009

xxFarrah Fawcett / February 2, 1947-June 25, 2009

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x

xxXXXXXXXxxREST IN PEACE

Bad Hair Day.

THERE ARE DAYS WHEN THE
MIRROR SHATTERS
when you look into it. That's because
you're having a bad hair day!
That shiny, swingy mop of yesterday,
is but a memory today. That suave bob
has collected into a ball of Brillo.
No amount of ironing or blow drying will help.
Give in...return to the eighties! To BIG HAIR!
You know you want to, nothing was ever
more fabulous than Big Hair. It was indestructible.
And always alluring.

It's fun to get together with your pals, plan a day around doing each other's hair. As you can see, even the wind can't spoil the style!

Trust me when I say that you can go from this parched frizz, to the smooth glow of Carrie's locks, (see below). Now grab a brush, turn your head upside down, and tease away!!

Carrie says that it is very easy to achieve this beguiling style..she never uses a hairdresser! Standing in a brisk breeze, back comb your hair, grab an extra strong
hair spray, and these luscious curls should fall into place.

Cher knows. On those days when she too can't
do a thing with her hair, she cheats a bit! And is
telling you the truth now! She has a few wigs that
she uses in a pinch. How else could she display
those blond, red, black tresses? Bet she had you
fooled that this was her natural Big Hair!

Adorable Drew has an imaginary cartoon friend
that she takes with her everywhere. Can you see her?
She also has imaginary blond hair, with the dark
roots painted in. Some days she switches, but she
always teases. She's proud to say that her hair
never moves! Are you ready for the runway? You and your friends
can have careers as runway models, if the '80's ever
come back.
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Please forgive the huge space to "comments",
far below, and bear with me. Formatting has
taken over, the TRANSFORMERS are here!!

Chin Up!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXGustav Klimt / 1862-1918
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xxxxxxxxxxxLADY WITH A FAN
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I've cruised through menopause,
replaced it with metaphors,
which I always prefer
to a scrawny simile.
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The heat and sweat
that seethed within my dreams
has weakened to a dribble.
x
Now I am a cooled down Aphrodite,
wafting breezes with my pleated fan,
waiting for you to catch my drift.
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I'd rather be the fire that you seek
to melt the snow on your boots,
x
than the brushwood waiting
for a match to strike,
hoping that the kindling will ignite.
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c copyright/ all rights reserved

Three Poems

xxxxxxxxxxOLD GIRL
X
Cat is grown old,
and black fur
has new depths of grey
that catch
a drop of water
she splashes
from the chipped Wedgwood.
X
X

xxxxxxxxxxEXCUSE
X
I trip
running across the bare floor
as a splinter catches my heel
and I call out
x
Don't leave
because I am hurt.
X
X


XXXXXXXCOFFEE BREAK

X

The bone china cup

tips over

spilling tan coffee

x

into a puddle

that looks like Jesus

x

x

X

Post script:

All of these poems were written at least three years ago.

Already published in my book of poetry, "Two Ghosts".

No pictures attached. Just now, while browsing for some

appropriate pictures, you can imagine my surprise when

I stumbled upon the photo of the spilled coffee. Now how

can that be, ready made? What a confluence of energy!

Drawings.

A GOSPEL FROM CANTERBURY, 1000 AD,
OF ST. MATTHEW. The Pierpont Morgan Library.
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An exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
of medieval drawings, "Pen and Parchment:
Drawings in the Middle Ages",
is surprising in its diversity,
attention to line, and perspective.

The vitality and spontaneity, and of

course spirituality, are to be seen in

this presentation, from 9th Century

monasteries to the 14th Century

French Court. The realism of line,

the color and gold leaf were

mastered by skilled artists and

draftsmen, talented precursors

to the Renaissance.

Drawing of th Evangelist John, from the
Corbie Gospels. Ink rendering of a facade of Strasbourg Cathedral.
About 1260.

Eleventh Century French codex, the Maccabees

pursue their enemies. Leiden University library

Drawing by Opicinus de Canistris, 1296-1354.

Cleric trained in the art of illumination and

cartography. Vatican City.

Thirteenth Century English artist, Matthew Paris,
portraits of the Madonna and Child and two images
of Jesus. Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Illustrated copy of the plays of the Roman, Terence,
St Albans, England. Bodleian Library, Oxford.

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Click on photos to enlarge.

Looking...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxRENUNCIATION

X

I pull aside the morning curtain.

My childhood face floats by,

stares back and drifts,

x

lost without a beating heart.

x

Watch that little soul pour down the cliff,

a waterfall spilling out to cure the drought.

x

Her center gone, mislead

by those whose words deceived,

she learned to weave an ornate tale,

x

then settled like dust

in the evening shadows,

clutching a spray of conclusions

until

x

the noon day sun,

spun by time,

comes into sight

to give me strength,

x

makes it possible

to stand in ruby slippers,

to own the place my feet will tread,

x

be friends again with perception,

and wave good-bye to things that pass.

x

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c copyright/ all rights reserved

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Afternoon At The Museum

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxROYAL CROWN
X
THIS WAS THE DAY THAT
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO
MEET ME ON THE STEPS
of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Remember? Afghanistan:
Hidden Treasures from
the National Museum,
Kabul. Now you remember!!
x
So where were you? There I
was, clutching my red rose,
so you'd spot me...Well, since
you couldn't make it, I'll tell
you all about it.
x
As I previously mentioned,
the exhibit celebrates the heritage
and rescue of precious treasures,
thought to have been stolen or
destroyed. Thankfully saved and
gathered, organized by the National
Geographic Society, and the National
Gallery of Art, Washington.
x
Upon entering the exhibit, bright
lights find a huge Corinthian Capital,
limestone, 145 B.C. Found
at Ai Khanum.
Turning, one sees a fragment of a
glass bowl, clear, beautifully etched,
2200-1900 B.C. found at Tepe Fullol.
Next, a ceremonial plaque of Cybele
and Her Chariot, from the 3rd century B.C.,
shimmering with a gilded silver,
as if it were in the sunlight.
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An impressive Hemispherical Sundial,
limestone, large enough to sit on.
145 B.C., the fragment was actually
calibrated for Ai Khanum's Northern
Latitude.
Amazingly preserved, a tiny bone
statuette of a Nude Female,
6 inches tall, as detailed as if
it were life size. Ai Khanum.
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There were a number of fish-shaped
glass flasks, well preserved, used
as perfume bottles, which were
popular throughout the Roman Empire.
I would wish to have one of these,
just to dip into some seductive scent.
There was creamy alabaster dish,
with a Ram's head handle, Roman
tableware, used for offerings of wine
during ceremonies.
Dozens and dozens more spectacular
pieces, huge and tiny, gilt and glass.
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One of my favorites is shown above
in the photo. A Royal Crown, gold,
having belonged to a Princess, has
a remarkable and practical property.
It can be collapsed, taken apart into
6 separate sections for easy travel.
And then put together again,
when the Princess wishes.
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If this extraordinary exhibit finds its
way to your neighborhood museum,
run, do not walk...

Tourists

YESTERDAY, BROWSING AND
PUSHING DUST ALONG NEGLECTED
BOOK SHELVES, I CAME ACROSS A
memory jogger. Is it possible that such
a time existed..when a book, "Europe On
$10. A Day", by Arthur Frommer, was
actually published, actually popular?
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I'm not going back to the early 20th
century..I'm holding a rather heavy tome,
the 1979 edition of, "America's most popular
money saving guide". I remember being
quite grateful to have had someone pave
the way up and down those stairs, helping
me to take the proper (cheap) steps to
a fun filled, whirlwind trip to EUROPE!
x
Random selections will be chosen.
I'm curious to know if any of these hotels
and restaurants are still in operation,
and how present prices compare to those of
1979.
x
LONDON RESTAURANTS: Soho..big splurge-
The ASIA INDIAN,44 Frith Street,
(chicken curry) $3.75.
THE MUSEUM TAVERN, opposite the British
Museum, hot plates/steak and kidney pie/
mashed potatoes..$1.50. PUB at BOLTON
HOTEL,326 Earl's Court Road, pub lunch:
.50 cents to $1.50.
HOTELS: ST.GEORGE HOTEL, 46 Norfolk Sq.,
$9.61, single with breakfast. LONDON
MUSICAL CLUB, 21 Holland Park/ full board,
$8.64 a day. THE SUTHERLAND, 90 Sutherland
Ave., $8.65 per day.
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PARIS RESTAURANTS: LE DROUOT, 103
Rue de Richelieu, $ 2.50 full meals,
vegetables, cheese. GRAND RESTAURANT
ST. MICHEL, 10 Blvd. St Michel, prix fixe:
$2.08...
HOTELS: HOTEL RACINE, 23 Rue Racine,
single/$ 15. (this is Paris!) Highest rated!!
HOTEL des BALCONS, 3 Rue Casimir-Delavigne,
double(with breakfast), $11.
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Could go on..looking for time machine..
will adjust more than prices. Which
actually seem to add up to more than
$10.a day. How did I do it? Memories!
x
x
Happy Birthday to Jon, my lovely son..
can still see your funny little face at birth
time..look at you now!! How did you get
to be so terrific?
Good luck, good love, good karma..

The Seasons

"SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER...and SPRING"
2004
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This beautiful drama, directed by Kim Ki-Duk,
is set in an idyllic valley in Korea. A tiny
Buddhist monastery floats dreamlike on a
lake, surrounded by trees, where an
Old Monk and a Young Disciple live.
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The five seasons represent the chapters
in the Young Monk's life. Each section
begins with the opening of an ornamental
wooden gate on the shore, a timeless
ceremony, as is a doorway within the
monastery, a symbol of constraint.
x
They never go beyond the surrounding
forest. One day in Summer, an adolescent
girl is delivered to them to be healed by
Old Monk. The tranquility is interrupted by
the awakened desire between Young Monk
and the girl. The beginning of conflict, of
violence, of lessons to sustain Young Monk
for his entire life. Ceremonial doors are
disregarded, the craving of attraction has
a persistent impact. Young Monk carries
another burden as a reminder of his
childhood cruelty.
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This is a film that is visually timeless,
full of breathtaking poetic images.
The path to redemption is approached with
the most stunning beauty. A fable of the
seasons of life.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxThe Floating Monastery
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