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| Fairhaven walkers |
Summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest, as you can see. This morning seventeen ladies all gathered to walk from the Farmers' Market in downtown Bellingham to the Fairhaven district and up this LONG hill and down again. And what did we see during our time together?
We saw this interesting sight: a woman knitting a long rope that stretched way down that hill in the picture above. I remembered reading about her at the Bellingham Herald a while ago, and I was able to find
that link, which explains what she's doing. She calls it "urban art." She knits for an hour a day, rain or shine, and will continue until the rope reaches the water.
Here you can see the rope stretching down toward the water; she's got a ways to go yet, and you can see my shadow in the foreground. (My shadow! I almost forgot what it looks like!) On the way back to the market, we walked by this interesting piece of sculpture, which just appeared one day last October with nobody knowing who the mystery artist might be.
I also
found a link on the Herald about Grace, and the discussion about whether or not to let her say. Why would anyone want to remove something like this? If this is graffiti, it's the very best kind. When I used to do Bikram Hot Yoga, we performed this particular pose in every class, using the technique of grasping the ankle from the inside, not the outside. I knew immediately that this artist is familiar with Bikram technique.
And finally, I took a picture of these beautiful colorful flowers at the market, after purchasing my week's rations of greens. Now I am home and will fix myself some lunch before I head out to meet Judy for a movie. Tomorrow will be spent driving south to go skydiving, but today has managed to become very full and busy without even trying. Hope you have a safe, cool, and marvelous weekend, too!
:-)
Bellingham seems like such an interesting place to be. So, July is the best time to visit the PNW? How about August? I'll remember to compare your August posts with your July posts and then draw my conclusions as to the weather.
ReplyDeleteWalking together with friends is the BEST form of exercise. You don't even notice how far you're walking. It certainly was an interesting walk. I'm amazed with that knitter. That's quite a project though I'm not getting the point of it.
ReplyDeletethe artist knitting the cord to the water is rather cool. i thought it odd, at first, but after reading about her 'desire to connect herself to the water' i could see it. :)
ReplyDeletewhy would they remove grace? that is crazy..i think she is cool...and so is the lady knitting the rope...that is awesome...
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are stunning...but, hey? No open invitation here for lunch? Or movie? Which one are you two going to see this time? Love the "Grace"...that is too neat, and I can't understand why even the thought of removing it comes to mind?!!!
ReplyDeleteHope your day is going superbly, and I'm looking forward to reading about your skydiving.
You've reminded me of one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. There are so many fun things to see and do when we look for them. It's not up to me to question the lady who kits, but one wonders.
ReplyDeleteMy keyboard can't spell today. I meant knits. She wonders why I can't spell.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome post. I say let the knitter be. Anything that causes people to interact with other people can't be too bad. Sounds like she's good for the neighborhood. I feel the same about the other piece of art. Let it be. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Jan.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the remainder of your weekend is as lovely as the beginning of it. Enjoy the movie this evening and be safe as you go skydiving on Sunday. Take care of you.
Hugs and smiles to you,
Jackie
Goodness! Such interesting people/artists you have there. Graceful statue and I love that they placed it out there on the rock in the water. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous! How could you resist taking them home!
ReplyDeleteI hope you tell us about the movie. Have fun tomorrow, too. :)
DJan, I think your life is just one big series of amazing "stumble upons." Isn't that exactly what happens when your heart is open to possibilities?
ReplyDeleteGreat report on your walk. With stuff to see like that it's an interesting walk and I can just hear the comments from your group about all these things.
ReplyDeleteInteresting things you see on your walks..I do like the rogue art..it would seem it is not in the way..and the Knitting Lady..wow what a project:)
ReplyDeleteI guess today was a perfect day all through Washington! It's heavenly to see our shadows, I agree!
ReplyDeleteI love how interesting Bellingham is, quirky and unique art and artists, to be sure. Also love your open eyes, and awareness. It's so easy to walk by without noticing, but you notice things . . . then share with the rest of us!
Enjoy your skydive! The weather should be accommodating!
Both of these stories are very interesting. I am quite impressed with the knitting lady and wish her well. I am also happy to hear that Grace will be staying in place for awhile.
ReplyDeleteYour day looks beautiful. You are right about our temps. We hit 97 today and should be up to 100 tomorrow. Normal summer temps for us in July.
I love the long shadows in your photos
ReplyDeleteand all the colors
I am impressed with the knitter - prior to understanding her "desire to connect herself to the water", I thought - OK, That's kinda cool, NOW I am impressed that through all weather systems, she knits an hour a day to complete that connection. Bravo. Also, I do not understand why anyone would move "Grace" - this is beauty in rare form. Please keep Grace.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos DJan, an exceptional post as always and thank you for sharing.
You never know what you're going to see when you go for a walk, do you! Looks like you have a lovely neighbourhood there. Beautiful flowers at the market. Aren't they a joy to walk round.
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened to people that some would even consider removing a piece of art like Grace? Some people have become so stuffy and by the book, losing sight of the beauty around them. You are not like that at all, and I appreciate the photos you share in your blog. Gives me an appreciation of your area of the country.
ReplyDeleteSuch a delightful adventure. I see you got "roped in" by the line to sea.
ReplyDeleteSummer in the Bear's world. Temperature is about 85F; far too warm to be outside, when you're wearing a permanent fur coat!
What an interesting post this one was. I think these urban art projects are interesting, but the one you showed us tops them all.
ReplyDeleteLoved the final photo of the flowers. I'm happy to hear you could finally see your shadow.
I just found a yarn bomb at one of our lakes. It covered the whole back of a bench. I need to start remembering my camera. All the time!
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, does the knitter sit on the same bench each day? When she finishes her hour, does she then go to the beginning of the knitted rope and drag it down to its new length toward the water? You always leave me with questions! That's the sign of a good teacher.
ReplyDeletePeace.
The rope thing is a totally cool meditation practice...art? okay sure. Sorry to hear about your slug problem. Looks like summer is off to a good start though...just the pesky slugs. I had a remedy for them using fels naptha I'll try to find it and send it to you in hopes it will help. Glad to see you're enjoying your summer. Some interesting folks you have there in Bellingham.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful weather, beautiful flowers...boy--you Washingtonians got it all !!!!
ReplyDeleteBellingham artists sure do have a sense of whimsy.. knitting lines to the water and erecting statues magically. Gotta love that. And those flowers are so colourful.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely July day indeed! :o)
ReplyDeleteOk, I see that the article says the knitter is also a sculptor, so I'm betting she created Grace. If you see her again, please ask her for me!
ReplyDeleteLove the rogue art! Thanks for sharing it. (By the way, my friend Murr and I were talking about you & skydiving & your blog the other day--"And doesn't she just look like someone we'd be friends with?" said Murr. Yes indeedy.)