Uncategorized

by

Not much, but it’s a start

I may have mentioned this before, but about a year ago I kind of gave up on acrylic pouring. Despite the fact that I did some really good paintings in Toronto, I just couldn’t seem to get it to work down here. The materials were different, and it looked as if I would need to experiment (a lot!) to get the mixtures right. I was too fed up by that time, so I just put my stuff away and forgot about it.

Well, not quite. I didn’t forget completely, and I still like to watch the YouTube experts producing wonderful art with this medium and method. And this week I had a strong urge to try again. Wisely, instead of starting with a canvas, I bought some little wood coasters in a craft store, and did a bunch of them. Here they are:

The colours are more vibrant than they look here, and I’m really quite pleased with them. (The second red one was pressed into service for another project completely unrelated to painting, and I’ll tell you about that in another post soon. Stay tuned.)

I was encouraged, so I did try a small canvas — without success. Paint still the wrong consistency and it’s destined to be poured over. But I’m going to have another go soon – fingers crossed!

 

by

Finally!

I finally escaped my lockdown haircut! Never did find my old hairdresser, so I just took a chance on a salon near me — here are the before and after shots.

What do you think? When I had it short before I could only wear it one way, but now with the length that had grown on the top I can style it different ways. I’ll be going gel-happy!

Colour me happy!

by

San Martin Day

Today we honour Argentina’s greatest hero, General Jose de San Martin. Known as El Libertador, he not only liberated Argentina from Spain, but did the same for Peru and Chile. The story of his crossing the Andes is legendary in Argentina. I have a book about him that I’ve been trying to read for two years — reading history in a foreign language isn’t so much recreation as hard work! But I’ll get through it yet, because it’s a fascinating story.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video featuring a very stirring rendition of the Hymn to San Martin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flD1ktGpFTc

I don’t expect it will bring you to tears as it did me, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

by

Cupboard Update

I almost forgot to include this because I was so excited about my brief escape from lockdown!

Here is the cupboard as it looks now. Using the containers made a huge difference, and there is even space left over. It’s a pleasure to open the doors now — although so far it hasn’t brought me back to my painting. One of these days.

Actually, as I write this I realize that’s not quite true. A couple of weeks ago I poured acrylic on this papier maché bowl and I quite like it.

The balcony is looking good too, but I still have a couple of plants to add and I have to tackle the kitchen window plants, so I’ll post photos when it’s done.

by

This Is All We Need

 

This is a newspaper report about wildfires raging in the Parana Delta of Argentina. Today when I looked at the weather app on my iPhone, instead of the more usual Cloudy or Sunny, it said Smoke! And sure enough, when I went out on the balcony I could smell it, and the Delta is about 200 km away from here.

They’ve been burning for a couple of months now, and the impact on wildlife is tragic. They say once a fire gets to this point, it’s impossible to put it out, so you just have to wait till it’s over. And this isn’t even summer here yet!

I’m trying awfully hard not to look on the dark side, but some days it feels like Doomsday is coming. Maybe I should stop watching the BBC World News, as there’s enough to worry about right here in Argentina.

Are you feeling the same way about the world and the country where you live?

by

Follow up to previous post

I received two emails this morning about my post re a message purporting to be from Dr. Bonnie Henry. One simply asked for my source, while the other said the message had been debunked. He said Dr. Henry said in a Vancouver news report that she did not write this and didn’t know anything about it.

So far, I haven’t been able to find this news report, and if anyone can point me to it I’d be happy to check it out.

If I find this message is, in fact, a fraudulent one, I will remove it.

by

One Bar Notable Is Pressing On

There’s been news over recent weeks about several of the famous Bares Notables and other well established eating places saying they won’t be able to reopen after lockdown ends.

But today a friend sent me a link to a new-look website for online sales of products from El Gato Negro. I’ve written about this lovely cafe before, and it is certainly one to include in my book. It has a reputation for its wonderful selection of teas, coffees, herbs and spices, which are not only used in the food they serve in the cafe, but also for sale.

Here’s a page from the new site, describing the items for sale — this is just the top of the page, and scrolling down I could see there are many more.

And the great thing is that during lockdown they are delivering, so I think I’ll be placing an order soon!

Milongas in Trouble Too

Obviously, given the nature of tango with its close embrace, milongas were among the first places to close, way back in March. It’s pretty much accepted that it may be a year before they open again, but there’s evidence that, as with the cafes and restaurants, some may not make it.

One of my favourites, Sueño Porteño, held a crowdfunding event a couple of weeks ago to raise funds to continue paying their employees. I was glad to contribute, and I hope their efforts pay off.

Someone else sent me a YouTube video suggesting that El Beso, a Buenos Aires fixture for a very long time, may also be closed for good. I watched the video, and although it was challenging to follow the rapid Spanish of the report, I never actually heard them say they were closed for good, just that they were closed because of Covid-19. I’m holding on to that, although it may be wishful thinking on my part.

Some people are suggesting that tango may come back in a different form, more smaller gatherings in smaller venues or even people’s homes. That’s better than having it die off altogether, of course, but the milongas are such an integral part of Buenos Aires culture that I can’t even imagine the city without them.

In this as with all things coronavirus related, I’m trying to be positive.

by

9 de julio

Someone in Canada recently asked if I was OK because I hadn’t posted anything here recently. I’m fine, and the fact is that nothing much is happening due to being in lockdown for the past 107 days!

But today I really wanted to post because today is July 9, Argentine Independence Day. Before I say anything more, I want to share a lovely video with you of an Argentina that’s different from the one I see when I look out my window.

This is a promo video for the Province of Salta, high up in the Andes in the north of Argentina. I went there with Cecilia three years ago on an unforgettable trip. It was so different from Buenos Aires that I had to keep reminding myself I was still in Argentina!

In case you hadn’t realized, the music is the Argentine national anthem, sounding very different from the way it’s usually heard. Isn’t it lovely?

I’m reminded that last 9 de julio I had just come out of hospital after my 9-day stint with pneumonia. I went to the home of my friend Lola, where we met up with Sally, Cecilia and Ricardo after watching the military parade in Parque 3 de febrero. I remember my heart was full, as I mixed with a big crowd of people of all ages, waving my celeste y blanco — sky blue and white, as the flag is lovingly nicknamed.

That feeling is with me again now, even though this 9 de julio is very different. I love Argentina. I feel blessed to have been guided here.

In the words reserved for this day, Viva La Patria!

by

This Is Not Normal!

For some time I’ve been feeling uncomfortable, even annoyed, at hearing constant references to “the new normal”. It usually comes in the conversation somewhere around the time when people are lamenting the social distancing and not being able to hug their friends or grandchildren.

Well, I’m here to say: that was not the old normal and it’s not the new normal!

It’s where we are right now, and have to be until we beat this virus, but the lockdowns and the masks and the social distancing WILL end, and hopefully in the not-too-distant future.

I read an article on the Internet the other day in which the author expressed this in a way that helped me clarify my opinion. He pointed out that we have had global crises before. We’ve gone through two world wars, when people had to cover their windows with black cloths at night to foil the air raids; they spent hours of their lives in underground shelters; they suffered through food shortages and rationing.

But did they see these things as the “new normal”? No! They knew they wouldn’t have to live like this forever, and they would get back to living in a normal human way at some point.

Yes, I know there will be societal changes after the pandemic is over, because we have discovered we can actually operate without face-to-face business contacts, among other things. But we are human beings, used to being in contact with other human beings, and we won’t let that go easily.

Someone on Facebook posed the question, “What’s the first thing you’re going to do when this is over?” One young woman replied, “I’m going to hug people till my arms ache!” Amen, sister!

A couple of months ago, people started producing cute novelty masks made out of patterned materials. I never went along with that, because I believed that as soon as we began seeing the mask as a fashion item it would become acceptable, even normal. And it’s not.

Masks are not normal. Walking along the street two metres from a friend is not normal. Going to the movies with someone and having to leave an empty seat between you is not normal. Flying in a half full plane with unoccupied seats in every row is not normal.

If we accept these things as the “new normal”, no wonder we’re depressed!

This too shall pass, and so shall these temporary, abnormal habits.