At last! The 10-day forecast we have all been awaiting--every single day temps will rise above 0 C, sometimes impressively so. Winter unofficially began on January 9th, when our first real cold air descended. It stayed for 8 weeks and 2 days. Time to say Good Riddance! Looking forward to walking every day again. We recently received our gas bill for late January and most of February. Last year, which was a brutal winter, the average daytime temp for the same time period was -2C. This year it was -5 C. The average norm for that period is closer to 0 C. Yes, it's been cold.
Today was a busy day. We brought our car in again to VW for an odour problem, related to a leaking sunroof back in October. Last time they gave it a thorough cleaning and infused it with scented baking soda. Didn't work. This time they are going to strip the insides right down to the bare steel, and likely replace the under padding, and possibly some of the carpet. It's all under warranty. They gave us a loaner until the job is done. Also, it was Deb's infusion day, and afterwards she had an examination by her doctor. She is still in total remission, and everyone is happy about that. And I got my new reading glasses; trifocals for piano, computer, and close reading. I am very pleased with the results so far, but I only have practiced piano for an hour. More tomorrow, but so far so good. Reading is fine.
Friday evening, Philip Adamson is presenting his fifth concert in the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven. After this he will have performed 19 of the 32, with several gigantic ones still awaiting. Jenn is coming from Cambridge to hear him play. Hopefully Randy G. will also be there. I hoping to see hm next week for a lesson. I need to play through my program for him.
And now it's time for another work of art from the DIA. Following up on the last time, I am presenting another version of the Jupiter and Callisto story....
Jupiter and Callisto, Beauvais Tapestry ca. 1680.
Detroit Institute of Arts. 293 cm x 227 cm
This time we get the beginning of the story, when Jupiter, disguised as Diana (the fiend!) seduces Callisto. Boy, is she going to be sorry (see the previous blog). And surprised.
The scene is set in an impressively rich landscape. Detail of above. Looks like a great spot to make out with your girlfriend.
Upper levels of the woods. Detail of above tapestry.
Mapman Mike
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