Congenial Conversations

This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from librarygeek. It has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. This poem belongs to the Big One and Shiv threads of the Polychrome Heroics series.

Warning: This poem contains intense topics that may distress some readers, especially glass artists and fans of glass art. Highlight to read the more detailed warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes upset friends, crying man, emotional first aid, Shiv's awkward but effective crisis response, Chihuly Garden and Glass destroyed by earthquake, salvage operations, insufficient organization causing emotional upset, reference to clumsiness, sorting broken glass that used to be art, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your taste and headspace before deciding if this is something you want to read.

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https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/word-garden

Nestled on the Great Lawn of the historic Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens in Stamford, Connecticut, the Word Garden is a playful space that invites guests to connect with nature and one another through language and creativity. Visitors are encouraged to create poetry, share messages, or spark conversations that others can enjoy as they stroll the grounds.

The Word Garden blends horticulture and human expression, transforming a landscape into a living canvas where words intermingle with seasonal blooms and open sky, inviting reflection, interpretation, and communal storytelling.

 

 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/word-garden

Comparing. I finished the little one today. The larger one on the left will be better for little Rowan but I did like making the smaller version with finer yarn. I like the safety eyes on the small one but that won't work for a little baby.

I don't have a project lined up except for making more amigurumis. An elephant will be next.

Passing time practicing "500 Miles" on the piano. That is such a beautiful song, and sad. I like sad slow songs.

Today is cloudy and chilly.

I fed the birds.  I've seen a few sparrows.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 1/22/26 -- I filled the trolley twice with large branches that I hauled to the ritual meadow.  Now all that's left of the brushpile by the driveway is one big forked branch that I can't break down myself, and the leftover twigs that will need to be raked up. \o/

I've seen a large flock of sparrows, a male and a female cardinal separately, and a starling.

EDIT 1/22/26 -- I did more work around the patio.

I've seen a pair of cardinals.

I am done for the night.
 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/paradise-mill

During the Industrial Revolution, the city of Macclesfield in Northwest England was particularly well-known for its silk mills.  The luxury goods produced in the various city’s mills were sought after across the United Kingdom and around the world.  In the mid-twentieth century, however, general textile manufacturing declined in the United Kingdom, including in Macclesfield, and by the twentieth century, most of Macclesfield’s silk mills and related manufacturing businesses had closed.

Paradise Mill is one of the few surviving buildings from this era.  The mill operated from 1862 until 1981 and was noted for its luxury silks, including custom-made items.  After the business closed, the building stood unused for a few decades.  However, after considerable restoration efforts, the mill reopened as part of the adjacent Silk Museum.

Paradise Mill today preserves a small part of Macclesfield’s industrial past.  Most notably, the top floor of the building features 26 restored Jacquard looms that stand in same places that they would have stood when the mill was operational.  The looms themselves along with additional exhibits in the loom hall, the designers’ office, and the managers’ office show how raw silk was transformed into luxury goods.

However, Paradise Mill functions as more than just a museum.  People are also re-learning how to use the looms to create new silk textiles, and they are using the restored looms to do this.  In this sense, Paradise Mill is not only preserving the machinery from the Industrial Revolution but also preserving the skills needed to use that machinery.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/paradise-mill

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/museo-de-arte-huichol-wixarika

The Huichol people, or as they call themselves, the Wixárika, are indigenous to the mountains north of Zapopan and Guadalajara, in the area where the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas, and Durango meet. Their religion is noted for the ritual usage of the hallucinogenic peyote cactus, which they consider one of their sacred deities.

Although they are not the only people to use it, their usage is considered especially reflective of pre-Colombian traditions. Ancestral spirits are said to be contacted utilizing the peyote. They also hold annual pilgrimages to collect peyote for year-round usage.

Another method in which the Huichol's psychedelic traditions are unique is their reflection in art. Divine, brightly colored yarn and bead art aims to capture the visions seen through the peyote rituals. Traditionally, yarn art would be used as offerings to their gods.

However, as many Huichol have migrated to cities, they have also begun producing art in new iterations for commercial sale and as a general means of creative expression. As such, Huichol art is today a common sight at tourist hotspots across Mexico. The Museo De Arte Huichol Wixárika at Zapopan Basilica is dedicated to showcasing a wide variety of the Huichol's unique art.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/museo-de-arte-huichol-wixarika

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https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nyan-nyan-ji

The Shinto religion is said to host over eight million deities that vary from nature spirits, to important historical figures, or even bunnies (link to bunny temple) However, a temple dedicated to cats still stands out. This is because it is not a temple at all, but an art project. 

NyanNyan-ji is the life's work of Miyano Kaya, a cat artist who bought the house and converted it to the temple you can see today. Its most notable features are the large sliding doors painted with cat motifs by Kaya, and the Buddhist and Shinto type shrines that can be found in the heart of the building. Across the building art by Kaya and 130 other artists can he found and bought, ranging from shrine-like charms to paintings and prints, a must for cat lovers.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nyan-nyan-ji

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serophobia (ser-uh-FOH-bee-uh) - n., fear of, dislike of, or prejudice against people testing positive for a given pathogen, especially HIV.


So commonly HIV that many dictionaries give only that in their definition. Coined from sero-, combining form of serum (from Latin serum, whey) + phobia, fear of (from Ancient Greek phóbos, fear). And some day I need to dive into that whey > serum connection in more detail.

---L.

Thinking:

I feel like I've fallen into a creative dry spell. I finished sewing the pin loom blanket together yesterday. It turned out nice. But I don't know what to do next. I woke up from a dream last night (now I can't remember the dream) but when I woke up I started to think about making jewelry from some of the wonderful cabochons that I bought just before I quit jewelry fabrication work. Boulder opals. Then I thought about the fact that I'd have to sell them after I made them. I hated "selling". And I can't see as well as I used to. It's a struggle to do fine work now - that's a factor too. Though I haven't tried any jewelry work since I got these newest glasses. Making money with the art and craft supplies that I already have would not be a bad thing. We live on very little, because we make very little in our retirement. Having a purpose (making some extra money) would be good. I'm wondering what is my purpose? I can see that being a friend to others is good. Being a wife and housekeeper is good (even though I'm a terrible housekeeper at least I do keep certain important things clean). Being there for family is good. Taking care of our animals is good. Expressing myself with art is good. Though I feel very uninspired at the moment. Maybe it's the January/winter doldrums. I can remember in past years feeling uninspired and empty this time of the year. I don't like it much.

Waiting for some inspiration...

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This year I'm doing Community Thursdays. Some of my activity will involve maintaining communities I run, and my favorites. Some will involve checking my list of subscriptions and posting in lower-traffic ones. Today I have interacted with the following communities...


* Posted "How to Restart When You've Fallen Off Your Goals" in goals_on_dw.

* Continued checking and responding to Wishlist posts in snowflake_challenge.  See my Granting Wishes post.

* Made my 3 nominations for the Rose and Bay Awards: Other Project in crowdfunding. Nominations are still open through January, so if you haven't made yours yet, we could sure use more! Boost your favorite crowdfunded projects and patrons from 2025.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260121.html

Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1365 from Webb

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260121.html

Dear Annie: I'm just heartbroken. My son moved out last year, and he never talked to me about anything before he moved. We were so close, and we always talked. But all of a sudden, he packed up and moved out with no explanation. He had met someone a year prior to that. I met her for a second, and that was it. I do know where he is living but he doesn't know that I know. He has a new baby boy; I don't even know his name, yet he is my grandson. I know that he has two stepdaughters, but I don't know their names either.

I kept trying to call him but get no response. Now his phone is disconnected. I'm so lost and confused as well as upset. I miss him dearly.

He is my only child. He did a great job in school and had his own business after he graduated from high school. I am trying so hard to go on with my life, but it's so hard not knowing how he is, or whether he is safe, healthy and happy. He was a very good kid, and now he's a man. I just hope and pray that he will come around some day. -- Mom Is Lost

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Ms. Marcus says that an occasional poem is a poem
written about something
important
or special
that's gonna happen
or already did.
Think of a specific occasion, she says—and write about it.

Like what?! Lamont asks.
He's all slouched down in his seat.
I don't feel like writing about no occasion.

How about your birthday? Ms. Marcus says.
What about it? Just a birthday. Comes in June and it ain't
June, Lamont says. As a matter of fact,
he says, it's January and it's snowing.
Then his voice gets real low and he says
And when it's January and all cold like this
feels like June's a long, long ways away.

The whole class looks at Ms. Marcus.
Some of the kids are nodding.
Outside the sky looks like it's made out of metal
and the cold, cold air is rattling the windowpanes
and coming underneath them too.

I seen Lamont's coat.
It's gray and the sleeves are too short.
It's down but it looks like a lot of the feathers fell out
a long time ago.
Ms. Marcus got a nice coat.
It's down too but real puffy so
maybe when she's inside it
she can't even tell January from June.

Then write about January, Ms. Marcus says, that's
an occasion.
But she looks a little bit sad when she says it
Like she's sorry she ever brought the whole
occasional poem thing up.

I was gonna write about Mama's funeral
but Lamont and Ms. Marcus going back and forth
zapped all the ideas from my head.

I guess them arguing
on a Tuesday in January's an occasion
So I guess this is an occasional poem.

*************

Link

No real symptoms, but I'm a little stuffy and super sleepy.

******************************

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DEAR ABBY: Our 24-year-old daughter is getting married in 10 months. My wife is invited to the wedding, but I am not, and I am furious. The groom's family is paying for the trip, but they say I am not invited "for financial reasons."

I don't have a great relationship with my daughter. But that isn't the point. I told my wife that if the roles were reversed and she was excluded, I would not go. This may be a deal-breaker for me. It's apparent that our marriage doesn't mean as much to my wife as it does to me. What are your thoughts? -- ELIMINATED IN TEXAS

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In this case, gizmology and super-intellect.  I went to high school with guys like this.