J...o...h...n...’...s.....J...o...u...r...n...a...l
August 23, 2001
Haus
of Cards. . .
. . . Knowledge
of the NINE and the closing of the cycle means that before long there
must be an evaluation of the time spent making handmade greetings. The
statistics are undeniably informative. I've spent many, many hours at
this odd craft. Perhaps it will soon be time to shift to another format
for expressing our sentiments. One can get in a rut, and, although I need
to preserve my handlettering skills, the new chapter that will act as
a transition to the fine art of later life must eventually be written.
.
. . In
1999 I first began to log my cards, after all these years. It was probably
prompted by Aunt Carol's question, "How many have you made?"
From 1968 to 1998 I estimate I created 800 to 1000, not counting handmade
Christmas cards. That averaged around 30 per year, but in fact the majority
were done after 1978, with the vast bulk of those in the '90s. The conscious
notations undoubtedly resulted in 1999 being my peak year, with 309 cards,
including 78 crafted Christmas cards, 148 birthday cards, 50 anniversary
cards, 7 sympathy cards, 7 get well cards, 13 congratulations, 2 valentines,
and 4 misc. Traditionally, Dana and I have sent museum-bought thank you
cards.
.
. . The
awareness of the quantity caused me to cut back in the year 2000 and shift
away from the previous venture into handmade season's greetings. The total
of 166 for that year included 106 birthday cards, 26 anniversary cards,
4 sympathy cards, 13 get well cards, 12 congratulations, 3 valentines,
and 2 misc. The high point of the card year was the oversize get well
card commissioned by the Great American Brass Band Festival for beloved
jazz man Milton Batiste (who would meet his maker a few months later).
.
. . This
year I've produced 94 cards so far, about 10 off the pace of last year,
so the effort to curb the practice looks promising according to the stats,
although some of the new collage-style cards have taken a lot of time.
When Dana celebrates my 50th birthday next spring and the anticipated
display of cards takes
place, I would hope to have a plan in place to channel my creative preoccupations
in a new direction...
August 19, 1999
Two years ago . . .
.
. . Dana
and I had one of those immensely pleasurable lunchtime discussions about
art and life and all the philosophical connections. A meeting of minds
that permits us to be such wonderful companions. Sadly, these episodes
are fewer and farther between these days and it is hard to put my finger
on the reasons why. Sometimes I think it is just "world negative
energy." We're in
that "just hang on" period of history, and I wonder if the train
will pull successfully into the station, or if it will derail and crash
disastrously into the new millennium.
August
23, 1998
Three years ago . . .
.
. . All
this week I've experienced the effects of having seen the Wyeth exhibition...
that "painterly eye" that I carry for a period of time that
let's me know I've been influenced by genius.
August 26, 1996
Five years ago . . .
.
. . We
are staying at Cabin 18, our first trip to Big Ridge State Park in Tennessee.
I just picked it blind off a map when we found out we had to meet Strock
to pick up Marty. Since it was a short visit we decided to stay for 3
days in TN instead of coming back to Danville. Very peaceful. We're enjoying
it so far. Sitting on the screened porch this morning with a cup of coffee
watching squirrels. Ouinki is on alert. I can't think of anything to write
about, because my mind seems so clear and relaxed.
August 21, 1995
Six years ago . . .
.
. . Today
is Bruce's birthday and I did one of my nicer cards. Last night we went
to the farm. After a few minutes at Greystone watching Rita open birthday
presents, we went down to the Hall and spent some time with Jerome and
Janet, talking about the Advanced Directives project. My feelings about
the whole thing are pretty mixed up at this point.
T O P
