Quotes

A Quote by Chihuly

“I never met a color I didn’t like.” Dale Chihuly

Chihuly’s Collection in St. Petersburg, features the “Glass Garden” a 40-foot-long, 15-foot-wide, and 15-foot-tall installation of vibrant glass art.

I can relate to this quote. I have a fondness for colored glass. I have been collecting colored glass for years. And although my collection of colored mini-vases is small, it makes me happy every time I see it. In addition, I have multiple colored glass dishes that I like to use. I still enjoy scouting out antique and thrift shops for my next find.

Dale Chihuly is an internationally renowned artist, known for his colored glass sculptures (and many other creations with colored glass). His art can be found in over 200 museums in the US, with major installations in Tacoma, WA and Oklahoma City, OK and St. Petersburg FL.

I was first introduced to Chihuly’s art several years ago, by attending a special art exhibit of his works. I immediately was captivated with his work.

While visiting friends in Florida, I was excited to go to St. Petersburg to tour the Chihuly Collection there. It’s spectacular to stroll in and out of the rooms and visually take in all the bold colors and whimsical designs of this Chihuly Collection.

Another perspective of the Glass Garden.

And another perspective of this large glass garden.

We did attend a glass blowing demonstration before touring the museum, included in the ticket price. It was fascinating to see what a delicate, and fine-art, glass blowing is. It was fun to watch, and interesting to apply what we learned to how some of the art work was created as we looked at the variety of glass works in the museum.

Chihuly also renowned for his glass bowls… asymmetrical forms, bold color combinations, and vibrant.

Chihuly’s work is usually recognizable for its unique and whimsical designs, and bold colors. There is a Chihuly chandelier hanging in the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre lobby.

I recognized this piece as Chihuly’s when we toured the Kennedy Performing Arts building in Washington DC last November.

I also noticed a Chihuly chandelier in the Kennedy performing Arts Center last fall while in Washington DC.

Look up to see this “Glass Flower Ceiling”

It warmed my heart to be able to tour this Chihuly collection in St. Petersburg Florida, on one of the coldest days in Florida this season.

Quotes & Artworks

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love; it will not lead you astray.”
                Rumi 1207-1273

“You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” 
                Robin Williams

“Have I gone mad?” asked the Mad Hatter
“I’m afraid so,” replied Alice
“You’re entirely bonkers, but I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”
                 Lewis Carroll

Somehow these quotes speak to me of enjoying wonders of ordinary living. Living with abandon and paying attention to all that surrounds us.

One of a “nide” of pheasants that gather in the field in back of our house.
I learned a group of pheasants are called a **nide**.

I do love nature…oh so much. Recently I have enjoyed seeing up to 15 pheasants in the field behind our house. There is so much beauty in nature, and its proven to help our mental acuity when we stop to appreciate it.

Then there are made-made public artworks. I’ve taken more notice in the past few weeks as I’ve tried to be more in tune with my surroundings.

I had an appointment at the Park Nicollet Clinic in Burnsville recently. It is a fairly large facility so there is some walking involved to get from the parking garage, through the covered walkway into the building. There is a wall of posters hanging in the entry hallway. Many people walk on right by this display…I have before. But once I noticed the posters, I enjoyed looking at different Minnesota lakes on this cold winter day, when the lakes are frozen over now.

I’m posting four of the eight posters depicting different lakes in Minnesota.

As I stood admiring them an employee walked by and said to me, “I claim this one” pointing to the Lake of the Woods poster. I replied, “OK, I’ll take the Lake Superior poster.”

I took notice of several other works of arts on display throughout the clinic that day.

Other public artworks that caught my attention these past few weeks were huge (approx. 4 feet X 8 feet) photos printed on metal and posted along an antique store parking lot in Mantorville, of all places…

Rio Grande No. 5771
Photo by Brian Hindal, a local Mantorville resident.

Each photo is taken by a local person with a description next to the photo. There were ten huge photos and a variety of subjects… I’ve included three favorites…

Americana
Photo by Cory Ingram, a local photographer, writer, fisherman, and physician.

Sunflower
Photo by Annemieke van der Werff

These public artworks are a wonderful way to display local artists and create a warm and welcoming space…even in parking lots!

Also, there is a wonderful exhibit on display at the MSP airport, entitled The Felt Menagerie;

The bird is all made of felt…flowers, feathers, feet and beak.

A collection of unusual creatures by Dustin Black.

These pieces were so whimsical. They made me smile…and made me marvel at the work involved using all felt material.

Once you start looking…it’s amazing what you see all around on ordinary days.

More public artworks to be continued…

The dawning of a new day….7:32 am, January 15, 2026

“To begin, begin”

and

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”

Both quotes are from William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

These two quotes resonate with me as a writer. I call myself a writer loosely…I like to write and I write, therefore I am a writer. Maybe not a great one, but it is a creative outlet for me.

Sometimes I get stuck…and I’m feeling that way now. But many “successful” writers offer the same advice as Wordsworth…To begin, begin. Just begin to starting writing. And it usually works…words flow!

My friend, who is a very good writer, expresses herself succinctly all the time, even during times of trials, and she finds it therapeutic. I also find writing therapeutic, to “fill my paper with the breathings of my heart” and sometimes that means to vent frustrations, but I do it for myself and not for others to read.

And that’s where I’m at during these turbulent days we’re experiencing in Minnesota, with killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE. I felt the need to post something on my blog…as to why I’m not posting something on my blog. 😉

I’m taking a break…just for a short while.

Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. by honoring the civil rights leader’s birthday and legacy. He had many wonderful quotes…so going along with my quote theme…I’m posting a few of his quotes today.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington DC. April 2025

This is one of his most popular and a favorite, which goes along with my word for the year (light)…

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

From his 1963 book Strength to Love.

One about peace and justice…

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice."

From his 1957 book Stride Toward Freedom.

Here’s one about not giving up…

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

From his April 1960 address at Spelman College.

On the side of MLK Jr. Memorial is another quote etched into the stone. It reads “…out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”

And one more about love and hate…

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear"

From his 1963 book Strength to Love

These quotes are timeless. They ring as true today as they did when they were spoken or written. May we take them to heart.

Quotes

I read a book recently that included many quotes scattered throughout its pages. What does one do with all these interesting quotes? I decided to occasionally post different quotes that I’ve enjoyed over the years on my blog. 😉

I’ve included two quotes on this post. They are very different from each other (and were not included in the book I read recently), but they have hung around me for a long time and are two of my favorites. So I’ll start with these.

“The cure for anything is salt water: 
sweat, tears or the sea.”

Isak Dinesen

While I understand salt water, sweat and tears do not cure everything, especially diseases, I do believe they can be good cures for emotional ailments. For me, I think escaping to the sea (or any body of water) is beneficial; “There’s no place I would rather be than by the shore or on the sea” is a line from a poem I wrote, years ago.

Tears are also cleaning for me. They don’t come easily, but when they do, it’s significant.

And then, there’s this quote on listening:

I like this beautiful picture of *Two Sisters*, caught unaware, and listening.
(photo used with permission).

To “listen” another’s soul into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest service that any human being ever performs for another.

                                            Douglas V. Steere

Listening was the main focus of a ministry I was involved in years ago: Stephen Ministries. I try to continue to practice to this day, the lessons I learned back then.

Along that line – although not a quote – someone pointed this out:

Silent has the same letters as the word listen.

It’s a good reminder… to take time… to be silent (so we can hear) and listen to one another.

Oops…

We are spending a few weeks with our grandchildren in Virginia. One of the activities we like to do together is bake. We found the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies in the cupboards so we decided to make a batch.

It’s a team effort…the three of us… our oldest granddaughter, her brother and myself. We don aprons, wash our hands, and always take turns measuring the different ingredients, adding them to the mixer, stirring them all together and rolling the cookie dough into balls to drop on the cookie sheet.

Into the oven they went…one cookie sheet at a time. We checked them after nine minutes, the lowest time of the suggested 9-11 minute time check. As we opened the oven door, all three of us were there to inspect. And what we saw was not what we expected. Hmmm…

They don’t look like they normally do…what did we do wrong?

Let’s go over the ingredient list...

Sugar – check
Flour – check
Baking soda – check
Salt – check
Butter – check

Wait...oops...the recipe calls for 1 cup of butter. Oh, Oh...we only added one stick of butter when it called for one cup, which is two sticks.

Darn! I’m sorry kiddos, I told us the wrong amount of butter to use.

“It’s OK grandma…they’ll probably still taste good.” (They’re so sweet!)

And, surprisingly the cookies were tasty! We finished baking all the cookie dough and ate them all up over the next two days. In fact, I may use only one stick of butter the next time I use this recipe…they were that good!

It reminded me of a Thomas Edison quote: “I have not failed. I have successfully discovered twelve hundred ideas that don’t work”

…only this mistake worked!

We Shall Overcome

I have been singing We Shall Overcome over and over in my mind since we attended a John Lewis Rally last week, at Ames Park in Northfield. It wasn’t a lengthy rally, but it was a powerful one. We attended the event to lend support for non-discrimination and fair treatment to all human beings. It was a beautiful evening and a good turnout.

There was a short program about John Lewis’ life and a few songs were sung, We Shall Overcome being one of them. And then we marched together, a re-enactment of the ’65 marches in Selma, Alabama in which John Lewis participated. The marches were a non-violent protest against discrimination in the 60’s.

The long line the rally group created was impressive as we walked two abreast over the 5^th Street bridge to downtown’s main street, which was closed off to vehicles. There we linked arms, and walked together four across, to mimic what they did in Selma. We walked down one block on Division Street, through Bridge Square to the Fourth Street bridge.

As we were walking the man linked on my left abruptly ran off to the side and started hugging a man on the sidelines. His wife said he must have seen someone he knew. When he fell back in line, he linked up arms again and explained he noticed the Hispanic man on the sidelines watching us march and he was crying, so he ran up to give him a big hug. I had not noticed the man on the sideline, nor noticed his tears, but I’m glad my line-partner did.

John Lewis’ quotes are words to remember during these unsettling days.

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Do not become bitter or hostile. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. We will find a way to make a way out of no way.”

The National Mall, Day 2

We took a second trip down to the Mall a few days later to complete the circle…to see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

All were impressive. The last time Gary and I were in Washington D.C., in 2019, we saw the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson memorials.

Side view of Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, April 2025.

I was happy to see them again. And, we were glad we could see the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial this time. We decided it was our favorite.

Among many wise, sensible, and profound FDR quotes etched into the granite (that I wish our current administration would read, believe, and act on) the monument itself was well designed with four series of waterfalls representing different periods of FDR’s life and presidency.

One of the falls created for the FDR Memorial, April 2025.

Apparently, water was a major part of FDR’s life…from his childhood upbringing on the Hudson River to using water as a therapy during his illnesses (polio). Franklin Delano Roosevelt was 32^nd president of the US and served from 1933 to 1945. In 1921 he was paralyzed at 39 years old.

The bronze statues of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (in a wheelchair) and his dog, Fala. April 2025.

The first waterfall is a simple waterfall symbolizing the fresh energy FDR brought to the presidency. The second falls are a series of steps to represent the Tennessee Valley Authority project FDR founded. The TVA Act was part of Roosevelt’s broader “new Deal” initiative to address the Great Depression. The third falls has chaotic falls to represent the destruction from World War II. The fourth falls includes a still pool that symbolizes his death.

The bronze statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, April 2025.

The FDR memorial is the largest memorial on the Mall. A couple more unique features include it’s the only memorial that includes a sculpture of a First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the only one to include a sculpture of a dog, FDR’s dog named Fala. Because of FDR’s disabilities, the memorial was intentionally designed to be accessible to people of all abilities.

Once again we walked back to the Metro station and past the Washington Monument, which I remember climbing steps to the top, as a kid, when I was in Washington D.C. with my parents.

This was another fun day with the grandkids, walking several miles everyday, for each of our adventures.

The Kindness of Strangers

Henri J.M. Nouwen’s prayer*, that I posted a few days ago, came to mind when I was cruising on the Pacific Ocean one afternoon. I had some free time and decided I wanted to get out on the water. I booked a coastal cruise. There was an additional fee to get on the upper deck, which I decided to pay… I did have a coupon so that covered the extra cost. I’m glad I chose that option. I was the only one up on the deck. There were twenty-six friends in the main enclosed deck below. They were having a good time. But I was blessed to be on top.

It was amazing to see the SEA and reflect on Nouwen’s prayer. The ocean is unfathomable and incomprehensible. When one is looking out over the vastness of the water, towards the horizon it seems never ending… as Henri compared it to the never ending love of God.

“O Lord, [you are the] sea of love and goodness” (*Nouwen’s prayer).

“Out of your love I came to life, by your love I am sustained, and to your love I am always called back.” (*Nouwen’s prayer).

I was feeling a little vulnerable from all that’s happening in life right now, so when many kindnesses were shown to me on this cruising adventure, I teared up.

To begin with, the ticket taker was friendly and warm, and engaging (I was first in line).

I boarded the yacht and immediately went up to the upper deck. One cheery crew member came right up to greet me and hand me a menu. She came back a little while later to take my order, but I didn’t order anything.

A bit later, I was sitting on the top deck by myself, and the captain came out and started a conversation with me. He was interested in my story. He was so kind.

Again later, the cheery crew member came back to check on me. She wondered if the music was too loud (it was a bit – so she turned it down). Then she started to chat with me, and showed a genuine interest in me, that I found endearing.

That afternoon boat ride was a wonderful reminder of the power of kindness, and the sea was a beautiful reminder of God’s love.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia

“Kindness can transform someone’s dark moment with a blaze of light. You never know how much your caring matters. Make a difference for another today.”  Amy Leigh Mercree

Happy New Year

A sun dog filled the sky one morning last week. A fun sight to see, especially in its fullness which I didn’t capture on camera.

Twenty Twenty-Two:
One more trip around the sun -
Ponder lessons learned.

Cheers to the new year!
Welcome Twenty Twenty-Three.
Adventures await!
                                                                                                Valerie

I like this quote:

Tomorrow {Today} is the first blank page of a 365-page-book. Write a good one.                                                                                           
                                                                                                 Brad Paisley