How can these November days have turned into double digits already? Seems like every time I look at my calendar, a week has vanished. This is the pleasure of retirement, right?! Most days are filled with things I choose to do and not as much with things I have to do.
Since my last post, the weather has gotten a little freaky on us. There I was at the end of October, preparing soup for the cold weather ahead. We had three nights of hard freezes, then record highs returned, for days. Now we are preparing for overnight rain and cold again. I am running between summer and winter closets, switching long sleeves for short sleeves then back again. Even the plants are confused. After weeks of dormancy, my daylilies are reblooming. And poor Katie, one day her winter coat is filling in and the next day she is standing in the hot November sun, panting like a marathon runner at mile 21. Whew, I am so ready to get off this weather rollercoaster and settle into the slower pace found in the cold side of the year.
The next few weeks are filled with busyness, including a trip to Ohio to retrieve the van, an evening with the University of Tennessee Opera and, of course, the much-anticipated biggest eating day of the year, Thanksgiving. In preparation for a squeeze on available time and that big meal on the 4th Thursday of November, we are walking almost every day.
This week we turned one of our walks into a destination event, traveling by foot from our front door to the streets of downtown Knoxville and back home. Our route covered six miles and while cool temperatures prevailed on the way out, it was just plain hot on the walk home. A mid-walk breakfast was our reward for six miles, a nice, southern breakfast at Ruby Sunrise on Market Square.
This was our first visit to Ruby Sunrise and quite honestly, I am not sure there will be another. While the food was not bad, neither was it memorable. Eggs, grits and biscuits are the staple ingredients for a dreamy southern breakfast, and many of us, who are eating mostly healthy, look forward to our next opportunity to indulge in such. As a result, “not memorable” is really not okay.
Even with the restaurant choice, the walk was spectacular. Every time I think we have hit peak; I am overwhelmed by a new kaleidoscope of colour. On this day the show was on the sidewalks and in the parks of the city where fall colours really sparkled. Since I was specifically looking at the architectural details of the windows and doors of the older buildings, I didn’t notice the incredible colour reflecting in the windows till I returned home.
We ambled through the city, stopping for a photograph here and there and found ourselves face to face with open gates at the Howard H. Baker, Jr U.S. Courthouse Plaza. I don’t think I have been in the plaza before. I seem to remember, on other walking trips in town, the plaza gates are usually closed.
As we twisted and turned, looking around the plaza, this beautiful bronze sculpture, titled “Beloved Woman of Justice” by NY artist Audrey Flack, drew my attention. We stopped for a photo and to read about her history. Below I have included an explanation of the sculpture as found on the GSA (US General Services Administration Fine Arts webpage. Beautiful isn’t she!?
“Audrey Flack’s monumental and heroic “Beloved Woman of Justice” was created for the Howard H. Baker Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Knoxville. The title of the sculpture refers to a particular group of highly esteemed women in traditional Cherokee society. In each village, a very special elder woman was known as the beloved woman. The beloved woman spoke in local and national councils on all subjects of state. This woman had the ability to argue and persuade tribal members in powerful matters, particularly in rendering justice. She assisted in judicial decisions concerning marriage disputes and divorce, real estate inheritance disputes, and in determining clan justice in cases of accidental death and murder. “Beloved Woman of Justice” invites the viewer to contemplate and reflect on the meaning of the law and our judicial system. In the words of the artist, “It will encourage looking into the inner self … for truth.” The feathers hidden in the folds of the Greek drapery refer to Knoxville’s early trade with Native Americans. The star and eagle in the headdress are symbolic of the United States and the ideas of justice, righteousness, and integrity. The expression of the figure’s face is meditative, pensive, and thoughtful, and is meant to inspire feelings of solace and reassurance. The facial features of the sculpture are meant to reflect broad and diverse groups of people and represent the impartiality of the Courts.”
And finally, for three weeks now, I have doubled down on putting ink (or pencil or ink and pencil) to paper, almost every single day. Some efforts are good, some are rubbish, but I can see an improvement and feel a little more comfortable. I enjoy that this small sketchbook requires less to fill the pages, so I am quick to pick it up and spend 30 minutes or more drawing, but I am getting the urge to move up to a larger book. Time availability will dictate the smaller book for a few more weeks, but maybe during the quietness of January, I will have time and space for the bigger efforts.
That’s it for early November. I intend to get back to sharing parts of my Alaska journal, but it may be another month or so. Right now, I am trying to stay in the moment as these gorgeous fall days are quickly coming to an end. This weekend I have the opera to attend, lunch with my sister and a visit with our granddaughter and her family. Busy, busy, busy, but of my own choosing, of course. See you soon.
Beverly
