I've Been Tagged

1.  My most unusual childhood memory: Some summers I would ride on "Old Plume," who I was told was my horse.  It was actually the work horse from my Mother's  family farm in Indiana.  

2.  My real name:   My real name is Melinda Johnson, or Mrs. Richard Johnson.  Spangler Cummings, the combination of my Mother's maiden name and my maiden name,  is the professional name I made up more than thirty years ago as a lark and it just stuck. 

3.  My most vivid memories:  Many Easter vacations were spent in Winslow, Arizona, with our Laguna Indian friends.  Our Father's worked together on the Santa Fe Railroad  that came through their reservation.  

4.  Most unusual gift:  I can see further than others as I have "hunter's vision."

5.  My three wishes are: one, "I wish I had an art studio again as I can imagine the paintings  I want to make,"  two, "I wish I could be locked in the Metropolitan Museum of Art---all alone," and three, " I wish I could do a  make-over on Stacy London."

Dance Classes

Diane has been teaching us a section of dance to Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing."  It is such a treat to dance to that great piece from the 70's musical called "Bubblin' Brown Sugar" about the Harlem of yesteryear.

Joe's warm up today was to Johnny Vana's Orchestra version of "Let Yourself Go."  

We were loving dancing to Bobby Darren's "Splish Splash.   Natalie Cole's "Come Rain Or Come Shine," inspired another dance.  And, Missy---oh,  those socks.

When wondering why Patty Clark wasn't coming to class lately  we discovered she is preparing for a gig to  sing nightly at the famed Sardi's in the theater district in New York City.    We miss you, but dance at every class to the soft shoe Joe choreographed to your beautiful rendition of  "I Love You."  

"Break a leg, Patty."

Infidel

Have you  wondered about the rights of women in a traditional  Muslim culture?   "Infidel," by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, will answer many of those questions.   This memoir, with it's harrowing details, might help in understanding why a person would isolate oneself from family, homeland, and religious upbringing.    This is a time in history when these and other questions are aching to be answered. Ali refuses to be quieted---she lives in fear of her life---she is triumphantly expressing the hope of all women, to be free.  

Indian Fair & Market

Upon learning that her friend, Jesse Monongya, had a booth at the fair, Dottie set about finding him. His jewelry is considered the finest inlay work accomplished today and is included in museum collections throughout the United States.   We asked him to hold the book displaying his work in this photograph.  At this 41st Annual Fair and Market he sponsored the BEST OF SHOW award in Memory of Stephanie Monongya.  

There were displays and demonstrations of pottery, painting, jewelry, kachina dolls, sculpture, weaving  and basketry.  

And, the sounds of drums, flutes and dancing could be heard everywhere. 

Food in the Southwest

Our cousin, Margaret, loves to entertain and we were the lucky recipients. 

Breakfast was fresh fruits, homemade muffins,  granola, yogurts and jam from the  prickly pear cactus.

After breakfast we dove into those family archives so lovingly  kept by Janet.  

Could there be a more perfect setting for our lunch than their backyard in the American Southwest? 

 

The most stimulating company made the delicious  food even better...and, then there was the brownie!

Heard Museum

Considered the nation's pre-eminent museum of American Indian Art, it was a thrill finally seeing the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.  Seeing it with family made the treat even sweeter.

This  detail of a contemporary art fence greeted us upon entering the museum.  Created in 2004 by Jojota and Lonewolf of the Santa Clara Tewa it encourages visitors to leave stereotyped preconceptions behind...entering a world blending past and present.

This Acoma storage jar reminded me of the one my Mother's Indian friends had given her.  She would tell me that she would give it to me, but I "would probably just give it to a museum."

This was the largest and best displays of kachina dolls I have ever seen.  These traditional carved dolls represent spirits and are given to little girls.  I had the privilege of receiving mine at a ceremony at Sky Village.  It is so old that the feathers are now gone and it is very faded, but it is one of my greatest treasures.  

These  exquisite seed pots were created from 1978 to 2007 by Navajo artists, all from the talented Pechlakai family.  

I was almost sorry to learn that this large-scale installation was created directly on the gallery wall. I hope that nothing ever happens to this precious wall with the creation by Navajo artist, Tony Abeyta. It seems impossible  that this stunning piece was created with the humble materials of an existing wall,  India ink and charcoal.

  

An unknown artist of the Chukchi people in Siberia carved this piece.  It is reminiscent of the Asian  elephant tusk carvings, though this is made of walrus ivory.  It is always so amazing to think that such delicacy could come from such a harsh environment.   

Xeriscape

Just returned from a weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, with my cousin, Dottie.  She was honored to have the family archives being turned over to her for safe keeping.  Much of the beauty was the result of  xeriscape largely evident because of the expertise of our relative and his line of business.

It was such a meaningful time...renewing relationships, developing new friendships, and sharing versions of family lore.    

Carole and Christina's Birthdays

On my way to dance class and to celebrate two of the dancer's birthdays the rains had made Zuma Beach even more beautiful than usual.     

  

Windsurfers

Even as our daughter, in Alabama, was describing a snowstorm the windsurfers here were looking like butterflies on the water.

Minsky's

My friend, Joan, and I went to see the world premiere engagement of "Minsky's" at the Ahmanson Theater at the Music Center in Los Angeles last night.  Created by some of the same team that did "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Curtains," it couldn't have been a more entertaining version of burlesque.  There were pies in the face, dancing psychiatrists, raunchy jokes and outrageous costumes; plus a faux homage to Josephine Baker and her infamous bananas.  The exciting and excellent tap dance, alone, would have been worth the trip to see the show.  There are many reasons why Minsky's might have been raided and you will see them all...and I do mean all!  

It was an all Minsky weekend! After seeing  the new musical comedy at the Ahmanson  last night I happened on this 1968 movie, "The Night They Raided Minsky's," today on the television.  I took this photograph from the television screen of Britt Eklund about to instigate the famous raid.  

Sculpture at the Music Center

On a Sunday afternoon, in May of 1969, my friend and I packed romantic picnic lunches and took our husbands and children to see the unveiling of Jacques Lipchitz's "Peace on Earth."  Doves flew out as it was uncovered...it was unforgettable.   When I visited yesterday, as always,  I remembered that day again.  

And, to further enhance the experience, by chance I helped celebrate the wedding shot of this couple when they posed in Robert Graham's set of free-standing doors.   "Dance Doors" was designed  for the Music Center in 1978.