This past Saturday, we were finally able to hit the bike trail. For several weeks, our area has been without rain, but the path was verdant, not at all as dusty as we expected. Our day comprised a ride of nearly seventeen leisurely miles, brunch at a new place, and a few antique store visits. It has been nearly a year since I last spent an afternoon wandering through shops of old treasures. This time I came away with a wood music stand and a pewter pitcher.
A few more.
Reading. Music practice. A few long walks. And, if the bike shop calls back soon, a ride out to the conservation area.
Because, why not?
While in Ann Arbor, I visited two bookstores: a favorite, Literati Bookstore, and someplace new, Schuler Books. My haul is pictured above.
At the Nichols Arboretum this past weekend.
Not sure when I will get to these.
Detail from paintings in Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape:
— “Roadway with Underpass, Asnières“ by Vincent Van Gogh (1887)
— “The Fortification of Paris with Houses” Vincent Van Gogh (1887)
— “The Restaurant Rispal at Asnières” by Vincent Van Gogh (1887)
— “Railway Junction near Bois-Colombes” by Paul Signac (1885-86)
— “Strolling Man next to Tree on a Bank (Study for ‘La Grande Jatte’)” by Georges Seurat (about 1894)
Scenes from two recent walks and Sunday’s ride.
(Dandelions are under-appreciated.)
Alas, my sturdy minivan of a bike is in the shop. On Sunday, the twist gear shift was stiff and then immovable. Before the apocalypse begins in earnest, we should probably learn more bike maintenance than changing tires and adjusting brakes, but for now, the kind, capable technicians at the local bike shop will work their magic.
And I will keep walking until my bike is repaired.
My birthday usually brings a number of new books to my house;
I think one or two more boxes are due.
Today after our walk to the lake, we readied the bikes for the first ride of the season — maybe tomorrow? Apart from that, my day comprised the remaining weekly chores, a terrific meal, and reading.
It’s late, but I’m about to begin a short practice session with a focus on my current étude, the allegro on page 13 of Robert Cavally’s Melodious and Progressive Studies from Andersen, Gariboldi, Koehler, and Terschak for Flute, Book 2. Since January, I’ve worked on a number of short solo pieces by French composers, including the delightful “March of the Jolly Fellows” (Henri Gagnebin). I “retreated” to (somewhat) less challenging solo selections because this semester’s duet work was demanding, as were the selections for band. But my teacher has announced that after Fauré’s “Après un rêve” and Debussy’s “Arabesque No. 1,” I will begin preparing a (*gulp*) concerto. Tonight it’s the Fauré, though, and continuing work on the Mozart duet.
Among the wonderful discoveries I made during our recent visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts was Sorting Out Andy (Hernan Bas; 2018).
My next museum adventure will likely be a member preview of this.
Nerdishly 