Random Thoughts

We all have our take on organized religion.  Much of our perspective is probably shaped by our religious experiences growing up.  I don’t normally talk about religion because it is such a hot button issue.   And, in my experience, if you tell someone you are not religious, a cloud falls over the conversation.   It is as if suddenly their view of you changes, you are judged not for what you are, but for what you are NOT. But in doing some spring cleaning recently I got to thinking about it all.   You see, we have a PEW on our porch.   A real, live, honest to goodness CHURCH PEW.   We got it for free when a neighborhood church decided to close and let itself be replaced by affordable housing (which is something in short supply around us).   I saw a posting saying that they had pews to give away, and for some reason I felt like I really needed one… Our pew It was an odd addition to our house, really.  I don’t “do” Pinterest, so there are not quaint, crafty items in

We went to Philadelphia recently, and in looking online for things to do before the trip I found THE MAGIC GARDENS.   It is a space filled to the brim with mosaics and art by Isaiah Zagar.   I like mosaic – always love visiting the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore with its mosaic egg and walls. And we visited a space mosaic-ed by Niki de Saint Phalle, Queen Califia’s Magic Circle, in Escondido, California once that fascinated me, so I knew I would enjoy the Magic Gardens. But honestly, I was not prepared for the sensations that overcame me.   Every inch of the space – the walls, the stairs, the columns, the floors, was covered in ART .   Most was mosaic made from tiles, glass, ceramic, bits and pieces of life, all grouted together.   The artist seemed to have expressed his innermost thoughts, himself , and glued bits and pieces of it everywhere.   It was as if he was showing himself to the world, but only the attentive few would find the pieces of the puzzle sc