Canary

Detail of The Canary (1913) by William McGregor Paxton

Canary
(By Rita Dove)


---for Michael S. Harper

Billie Holiday’s burned voice
had as many shadows as lights,
a mournful candelabra against a sleek piano,
the gardenia her signature under that ruined face.

(Now you’re cooking, drummer to bass,   
magic spoon, magic needle.
Take all day if you have to
with your mirror and your bracelet of song.)

Fact is, the invention of women under siege   
has been to sharpen love in the service of myth.

If you can’t be free, be a mystery.


It's been a while since I last posted up a poem. I figured that the day would be improved with some lovely verse by Rita Dove.

Enjoy!!!

Our Feathered Friends

Barbie (2008, Black Label) as Tippi Hedren from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds

Today, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, adapted from a short story by Daphne du Maurier. Now, I'm not much of a Hitchcock enthusiast. Certainly, his movies are engaging and memorable, but I've rarely been blown away by their artistry.

As a fan of horror and suspense, the only one of his movies that left lingering images to haunt my imagination, even years later, was The Birds. Perhaps, it's the primal fear of Things that lurk above us, capable of swooping down when we are totally unaware, defenseless. Maybe it's Tippi Hedren's portrayal of a hapless woman facing a bizarre yet lethal threat, all while trying to establish a romantic relationship. Or, it could be the juxtaposition of the mundane and the weird, both humorous and horrific, that creates ambiguous and transgressive symbolism.

Whatever the case, The Birds is a fine movie to watch. If you haven't seen it, I recommend you give it a viewing.

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds Barbie Doll (2008 Black Label)

And be nice to our feathered friends. ;-)

Turkey Time

Turkey with candy tail feathers. Yum!!!


It always annoys me how the seasonal decorations jump straight from Halloween to Christmas, skipping Thanksgiving in the mad rush to fuel consumer enthusiasm. After all, you don't generally sell costumes or gifts for Turkey Day. And, therefore, we go from pumpkins to snowmen overnight.

Well, in defiance of this trend, here's a photo that I took in late November. ;-)

Anyways, we can give thanks for our happy situations regardless of the date. And it's always a good time to have a fine meal.

And music.

Silly Saturday: Chickenmobile

The Chicken Mobile delivers!!!

Seriously, who would want their dinner delivered in a yellow Cadillac with a chicken's head and tail sticking out the top and back? Maybe the kids would like it or someone enjoying a drug-induced euphoria. As for me, one instance of having the Chickenmobile park in front of my place would certainly encourage me to forevermore pick up my takeout orders. ;-)

Check out this post from LA Weekly on another chicken car, "El Gallo." Fun stuff!!!

Yeah, this is another "Image of the Day" post, but with a twist. If I'm going to do easy photo blogging, then I might as well follow some weekly themes. And, therefore, I've initiated "Silly Saturday" with the intention to provide my dear readers with a goofy treat to start the weekend right.

Now, comedy isn't my thing. This feature may totally fall flat. But experimentation is the key to successful long term blogging and writing. It keeps things from getting stale, develops underutilized narrative talents, and creates a diverse portfolio within a blogger's body of work.

So, this is our first installation. Let's look at what happens next week. . .

And a few vids over the jump.

Sights to Delight

Sculpture of a Feathered Serpent from the Mayan civilization at Chichen Itza, AD 850-1100, on view in LACMA's "Children of the Plumed Serpent" exhibit.

I have been fortunate over the past few weeks in being able to visit various art venues, museums and galleries. Although I plan on writing about a few of them individually, I figured that sharing a few images would make for a fun post.

So, I have recently gone viewing in four of the city's cultural centers: the Miracle Mile, Culver City, Bergamot Station, and Long Beach. It's been a great start to the Summer.

Midnight Ride (2006) by Deborah Kupinsky, on view at the Long Beach Museum of Art


Lots on interesting works on display. I'm especially happy to have visited some venues down in Long Beach, an area that I enjoy but rarely visit.

Give 'Em The Bird

Detail of Cousin Reginald Catches the Thanksgiving Turkey (1917) by Norman Rockwell

According to folk tradition, on June 14 in 1789, Rev. Elijah Craig of Bourbon County, Kentucky, distilled whiskey from maize. This is noted as the first creation of American Bourbon whiskey, named after the location. Now, this story is certainly untrue, but it has a nice folksy feel to it.

In the early days of this blog, I used to share some of my favorite or most hated advertisements or marketing campaigns with you all. Once a week, I'd feature some commercials or photos. It was a lot of fun. Well, I last looked at some ads about three months ago, which means that we're really overdue for another.

So, in honor of the legendary cleverness of Rev. Craig, let's give him the bird!!!

Logo for Wild Turkey Kentucky Bourbon

Naturally, I'm talking about that symbol of American spirit, the Wild Turkey. ;-)

For Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bishop with her cat, Tobias, in 1954

Chemin de Fer
(By Elizabeth Bishop)

Alone on the railroad track
   I walked with pounding heart.
The ties were too close together
   or maybe too far apart.

The scenery was impoverished:
   scrub-pine and oak; beyond
its mingled gray-green foliage
   I saw the little pond

Where the dirty hermit lives,
   lie like an old tear
holding onto its injuries
   lucidly year after year.

The hermit shot off his shot-gun
   and the tree by his cabin shook.
Over the pond went a ripple.
   The pet hen went chook-chook.

"Love should be put into action!"
   screamed the old hermit.
Across the pond an echo
   tried and tried to confirm it.


Here, I'll demonstrate my equivocation on the matter of determining a favorite poet. ;-)

On the typical day of the year, if asked, I'd say that my most beloved of poets is Emily Dickinson, but today, on her birth date, born in 1911, my dearest admiration goes out to Elizabeth Bishop, who's verse can gently pull my heart through scenes of humor, horror, or heroism.

Elizabeth Bishop was born on February 8, 1911.

I can write about her poetic genius endlessly. I could start another blog dedicated to studying her words. But, I think the best way to honor Elizabeth Bishop is to let her poems speak for themselves.

Mirth on the Bough

Donald Duck deals with anger management issues in Self Control (1938)


It seems like there is a Bird celebration every few months. For instance, today is National Bird Day. Well, I see nothing wrong with considering the wonders of our feathered friends, appreciating their songs, colors, and grace in flight.

Last year, I didn't do much birdwatching. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity sometime this year. I live fairly close to the Madrona Marsh, which is an awesome place to spot some cool critters.

Detail from the cover art of Howard the Duck #7 (1980) by John Pound

Maybe next year I'll have photos of actual birds, rather than cartoon ducks. ;-)

Friday Flowers: Holly and Poinsettia

Poinsettia: Euphorbia pulcherrima


GIC to HAR
(By Kenneth Rexroth)

It is late at night, cold and damp
The air is filled with tobacco smoke.
My brain is worried and tired.
I pick up the encyclopedia,
The volume GIC to HAR,
It seems I have read everything in it,
So many other nights like this.
I sit staring empty-headed at the article Grosbeak,
Listening to the long rattle and pound
Of freight cars and switch engines in the distance.
Suddenly I remember
Coming home from swimming
In Ten Mile Creek,
Over the long moraine in the early summer evening,
My hair wet, smelling of waterweeds and mud.
I remember a sycamore in front of a ruined farmhouse,
And instantly and clearly the revelation
Of a song of incredible purity and joy,
My first rose-breasted grosbeak,
Facing the low sun, his body
Suffused with light.
I was motionless and cold in the hot evening
Until he flew away, and I went on knowing
In my twelfth year one of the great things
Of my life had happened.
Thirty factories empty their refuse in the creek.
On the parched lawns are starlings, alien and aggressive.
And I am on the other side of the continent
Ten years in an unfriendly city.


This is one of those poems that "speaks to me" and makes memories come bubbling up from my subconscious mind, like the grosbeak. I'm the type of person who likes paging through an encyclopedia, stumbling across random articles that triggers thoughts, associations, and images. The manner in which Kenneth Rexroth captures that experience is simply awesome.

Holly: Ilex cornuta burfordii

And since this is the Friday before Christmas, it seemed appropriate to celebrate with some poinsettia and holly. ;-)

Exploring the Madrona Marsh

The Madrona Marsh during the Dry Season of early Autumn on a dismal gray day.

The urban sprawl of Los Angeles hides many strange and hidden features. One of the most peculiar is the suburban wetlands of the South Bay, the Madrona Marsh. Yeah, just a couple miles from the stereotypical SoCal beaches is this primordial marshland, hidden between a shopping center and residential neighborhoods.

I'm a flower and plant enthusiast. So, I love heading over to take photos or botanical sketches. But I don't often head into the marsh proper. It isn't very big, but, when your inside of it, it feels as though you've entered a "transitional" space, a liminal area that doesn't quite synch up with the typical vibe of suburban LA life. But I'm not an "outdoors" type of person. I normally stay close to the Nature Center.

Nevertheless, it is a wonderful place to visit. The plant life is gorgeous in its wild state, certain to please the flora fanatics. Likewise, birdwatchers can spot many a fine avian subject throughout the year. Bug hunters can also find a myriad selection of diverse species. In short, if you have an interest in ecology, then you ought to visit the Madrona Marsh.

The Madrona Marsh on a sunny day.

If you're interested in experiencing the wetlands but have no knowledge of what to expect or appreciate, then check out the Nature Center adjacent to the marsh.

Bluebird of Happiness

Blue Jay (2007) by Vern Hesketh


Today is National Bluebird of Happiness Day!!!

I don't really know why. It's just another odd celebration day, like Frankenstein Day or Teddy Bear Day. Who comes up with these ideas? Anyways, since I have some photos of this cool woodcarving by Vern Hesketh, I figured we would celebrate Bluebird of Happiness Day here at Paideia. ;-)

And here are some words from the song to lighten your day:

You will find
Greater peace of mind
Knowing there's a bluebird of happiness

And when she sings to you
Though you're deep in blue
You will see a ray of light creep through

And so remember this
Life is no abyss
Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness.

Blue Jay (2007) by Vern Hesketh

Such lovely lyrics for a lovely bird. ;-)

Pond In The Park

Crested Duck at the Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach

I recently paid a visit to the Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach. It's a relatively small venue which used to be a Nike Missile site but was turned into a wilderness preserve in 1977. There are two small ponds and a flock of charming ducks that make their home in the back pond.

The park has a high elevation point that overlooks the South Bay lowlands. This high point is covered with a large concrete slab. So, I'm guessing that this was a radar point or where the missiles were launched. It's kind of cool to look at the natural setting of the present day and imagine it as a Cold War installation.



Hopkins Wilderness Park, Upper Pond


Here are some more photos:

Ominous Bird of Yore

The Raven by Edouard Manet (1875)

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
            Only this and nothing more."

That's the opening stanza to Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", first published in 1845. Over the past few weeks, I've been discussing ghost stories. This poem isn't exactly a ghost story, but it plays off a related trope, the obsessive sorrow of the bereaved turning into madness. Although the story holds no supernatural occurrences, the protagonist is still "haunted" by their memory and desire for the departed. Later authors, such as Henry James or Edith Wharton, will follow in Poe's footsteps addressing this trope in their own style.



The Raven by John Tenniel (1858)


I'm a big fan of Poe's work. It's hard to say which of his works is my favorite. But "The Raven" is certainly a contender. ;-)

She Was In Their Song

Today is Bird Day!!! In 1894, Charles Babcock established this day of celebration. The intention is to encourage conservation of the avian creatures with whom we share this world. It's a day for everybody to try their hands at birdwatching.

I'm not a Birder, but I occasionally dabble in it. Primarily, I try to take photos of birds. Sadly, I'm a terrible spotter, so I usually see the bird as it's flying away. Moreover, I'm totally ignorant of bird identities. To me, they are all "birds". ;-)

Here are a few recent photos that I took:



Drinking at a fountain



Sitting in the tree


Another interesting thing about birds is their songs. Again, I can't identify birdsong, but I can appreciate their sounds. Here's a vid with a collection of bird songs:

Here's a link to the Audubon Society.

Enjoy!!!

Down These Mean Streets

Scrooge McDuck, Urban Entrepreneur (Original image by Carl Barks)

There's a fascinating article at Discovery News about how birds with big brains are successful at adapting to an urban environment. The term "big brain" doesn't necessarily means "smarter" but refers to the overall ratio of brain to body size. Avian critters such as jackdaws, magpies, and wrens are urban adapters. They are able to adjust to the diverse elements that comprise the city life, in terms of food and habitat.

Moreover, there may be some natural selection at work in the avian world, as these birds may become even brainier to continue thriving in the city. As urban development spreads and paves over the preexisting natural environment, the pressure for birds to adapt will become even greater. Things aren't looking good for the yellowhammer or the golden oriole.

Life is tough when you have a small brain. ;-)

Of course, a mention of big-brained magpies necessitates a vid:

Here's a link to the Discovery article, Brainy Birds Live the High Life in Cities.

Here's a link to Wikipedia page for Scrooge McDuck.

And here's the Wikipedia page for Heckle and Jeckle.

Finally, it's always good to pay a trip to the Audubon Society website.

Enjoy!!!