History Revisited

(Paris)  The special exhibition in the Carnavalet Museum about the influence of Napoleon on Paris is very interesting for .....  French speaking visitors.  There is some information in English but it feels like a 'teaser' as the labels to the many interesting objects are just in French.  What a nice surprise to experience today a Historic reenactment with spirited members of different associations all dressed in historic costumes and appropriate serious faces.  This was no carnival performance but historic acting!  http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/fr/activites/reconstitution-d-une-journee-de-la-vie-civile-et-militaire-sous-l-empire  The Emperor's ball was in one of the large salons and a charming polonaise of couples was performed.

 This performance was held only today, but with many visitors not able to see it, perhaps there will be another chance since the exhibition stays three more months.

Morning Glories

(Boston)

The MFA owns a very large collection of prints drawn by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849).    Now in the Gund Gallery exhibited,  we have an opportunity to discover this multi talented draftsman and can enjoy how clever he is in depicting popular topics.  The morning glory in its glory was a popular flower often printed.  Hokusai called his print "Morning glory and tree frog" which

 seduces us to search carefully in his depiction to find this frog. Where is it?

You do not know who Hokusai is?  Sure you do, but perhaps are not aware:

He created the drawing of "The Great Wave of Kanagawa" an image known world wide.

http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/hokusai

And if you are still searching for the frog, here he is:

Sunday Before Commencement Day

An important Sunday on the Boston College Campus today with many guests expected and a full program all day  (http://www.bc.edu/offices/commencement/calendar.html).  We took a walk early  this morning and the campus looks like an advertisement. The gardeners and groundkeepers did their very best to make the winter and its ravages forgotten.

No clouds on the horizon and a luncheon in the open will be perfect - for hundreds of guests.

In a few weeks when the Summer School students arrive, the BC logo in maroon and gold will be in full bloom.  Thank you again, for all the plantings, BC gardeners!

Some relief

This winter in Boston was 'historic' with accumulated snow masses never seen before. One snow storm after the other and temperatures well below the freezing point for two months.

And like every year, the first weeks in May are the last weeks of the semester and final exams have to be mastered.  With the thought of sunshine and an exploding nature outside there is always a conflict with sitting inside a library.  A suppressed urge to frolic with your friends in the sun puts extra stress on each of the students.

How very welcome then when 'Cricket' a pet dog comes to visit the library and gives patiently the needed relief - for a short time.

http://www.dogsoncampus.org