I spent most of the rest of the week working, making preparations for when the new Executive Director starts, likely sometime in late October. I had a meeting with the superintendent of the Byron union school district, got some beautiful views of Mount Diablo on the way out there and back. I stopped for a caffeinated beverage at Dutch Bros because VCRC was doing a fundraiser there. It was only my second or maybe third time at Dutch Bros, and even though I asked for the least sweet option on their menu, I was reminded why I don’t go there very often – their drinks are just way too sweet for me! But I was happy to do my part to support the nonprofit. Next time I’ll just give a straight donation though.
On Saturday, I spent a few hours doing some collage cards, which was very relaxing. Rocky and I spent a little time outdoors, him exploring and me reading.
In the afternoon, I went to the de Young museum to check out the Leilah Babirye exhibit, which was fascinating! There was a video showing her at work – using a chainsaw to do the initial carving on her sculptures as well as the her method of glazing ceramics. I was completely captivated and watched the video a few times. I just loved how raw and strong her sculptures are, as well as her use of all kinds of found materials. I was very inspired! I think I’d like to learn how to do art with wood using a chainsaw and burning the wood to create beautiful colors. And of course, if I go to the deYoung, I have to stop and look at the Ruth Asawa wire sculptures. Their delicate strength, the shadows they create, the combination of nature and man-made materials, I just can’t get enough of them.
What came up for me as I looked at the Leilah Babirye exhibit
- More experimenting
- Follow your instinct
- What do I want to try?
- Seeing the process inspires and motivates me
- Open up to new things-what sounds exciting?
I stopped at the deYoung because I had been invited to attend the Cal-APABA annual gala. My friend Mika, former board member at the Contra Costa County Bar Association, had invited me to sit at her sponsored table. I got to catch up with some old friends, met a few new folks and learned about the people they were honoring at the gala. The former Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Tani Cantil Sakauke was one of the award presenters. It is always wonderful to hear her speak, she is just incredible. I was also really impressed with Mika it is so cool to see how much she has grown in the dozen years I have known her. She is a thoughtful leader, and a supporter of so many people. It was a really fun evening.
On Sunday, I enjoyed a slower morning, made myself some pumpkin pancakes, one of my fall treats that I have been doing for years, thank you Trader Joe’s! Then I did some more collage work and snuggled with Rocky. It is lovely to spend time with a kitty who likes to sit and be petted. Later in the afternoon, I met my friend Heather for a hike in Petaluma. We both filled each other in on what I’ve been going on in our lives over the last month or so, she gave me some great recommendations for books to read, which is good timing as I am just about finished with the audiobook I’m listening to, The Rosie Effect, and the book I’m reading, All Fours.
Sunday was also Emmy’s 29th birthday! Every year I say it, but every year I mean it, I can’t believe how old she is already. The other day when Emmy was visiting my mom at the rehab hospital, one of the CNA‘s asked her if there was no school that day, assuming she was still in high school. She was very surprised when Emmy told her that she was turning 29 on Sunday! Emmy is spending her birthday weekend up in Donner Lake with her cousin Alea and a friend from nursing school. They brought along the air freshener Emmy had made for everybody at Christmas of my mom on my brother-in-law‘s motorcycle. They took her around to different places they went to over the weekend. It was adorable!
