"Do something you wouldn't normally do." That's what hubby's therapist told him to do today. And that's exactly what we did. Left the apartment, went to the first opening weekend of Dane Co. Farmers Market on the Capitol Square. It's a perfect 80 degrees and the trees are just beginning to pop their blossoming leaves open and flowers are bursting out into the sun. The people were too. Some of my favorite parts of Madison is the diversity, safety, and quality of life that has its own beautiful, uniquely delicate vibe. At least, to me there's so much inclusivity that people everywhere are bravely living their lives as they want wearing what they want and being free to be themselves despite any fear, uncertainty, and anxiety that still permeates our country and our lives in general. There's a lot of trauma still being explored by many folks and I like to believe we do it best together in the light.
One of my good friends from childhood lost her grandma a week ago. I worked through my feelings to grieve. My heart hurts for my friend and her loss, but I celebrat the beautiful impact her grandma had. She was one hell of a tough, loving, and talented lady.
After crying in the car (as is tradition lol), we got ourselves situated. We walked with 'the herd' of folks counter-clockwise around the square, and enjoyed an incredible garlic butter cream cheese bun by the lake. After that, we treked off onto E Wash to find coffee and later, an outstanding cheeseburger from The Caribou Tavern. We met the owner and shared some laughs about how we ended up there after being told 9 months ago, a man at a board game store told us they had the best burger in town. It's definitely in the top 3 for me! Then off to James Madison Park, where I found myself and hubby sitting in the grass and the sun with hundreds of others.
Some observations and experiences: gras here is fucking SOFT. Plush. In Idaho/East Oregon the grass is mostly dry, brittle, and has been known to leave many papercut style markings on legs and arms. People make eye contact and greet one another, kindly. Not every single person, but more than not. Hubby lied down and drifted in and out of the edge of sleep. I painted not one, but two scenes. Feeling much like Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
I adored pointillism in my youth and did some comic book style art using the technique with ink. What it does with color, of course, is absolutely stunning. While I didn't use the technique here, I felt very much like I shared a moment with Seurat. Then, I discovered his painting is nearby at the Chicago Art Museum. I can't wait to see it, and more sometime soon.
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