Category Archives: Art

Bookplates, Bats, and Bovines. Oh My.

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

When I spied this vintage bookplate, my frugal side reminded me I really don’t need another owl image. The little bat in the corner, however, proved too much to resist and I now have an addition to my owl collection. Are you afraid of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Random Ruminations | Tagged animal rescue, antiques, bats, mother's day, owls, poetry, Wendell Berry, west highland white terrier, westies | 130 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wall: Street Art

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

The theme for this week’s photo challenge is “Wall.” When traveling, I like to take pictures of the particular city’s street art or murals. It’s possible to capture a bit of the flavor of a new locale through how its walls are adorned. Sorry … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Challenges, Travel | Tagged Maine, murals, new york, Portland, poughkeepsie, Richmond, street art, travel, trompe l'oeil, Virginia, weekly challenge | 92 Comments

Freezing in Florida

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

The only difference between this post and being trapped at somebody’s house as they whip out their laptop to regale you with vacation pictures is that here you have the option to move on. But I will attempt to lure you … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Humor, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged flagler college, florida, lightner museum, plumbing, st. augustine, Virginia, winter | 135 Comments

Play Me, I’m Yours

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

What’s that I hear, a piano? Scattered all over the public spaces of the world’s cities are elaborately decorated pianos, just sitting there waiting to be played. Let me back up for a second. When my old house was new, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Music, Random Ruminations | Tagged art, George Gershwin, music, Paris, piano, Rhapsody in Blue | 94 Comments

Minotaurs, Ukuleles, and New Year Ponderings

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Silver in the Barn

The Chinese refer to 2013 as the “Year of the Snake,” but for me it will forever be my Year of the Minotaur. It seems that whenever something finally blips its way onto my personal radar screen of awareness, it then reappears so frequently … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Humor, Music, Random Ruminations | Tagged chinese zodiac, jake shimabukuro, Richmond, street art, The Minotaur, ukulele | 93 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Silver in the Barn

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts held its biennial extravaganza last weekend: Fine Arts and Flowers. Those of us who attempt floral arrangement of any kind will appreciate the immense achievement of the inspired designers participating in this event. They are asked to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Challenges | Tagged fine arts and flowers, floral arrangements, postaday, Richmond, Virginia, VMFA, weekly challenge | 86 Comments

The Forbidden City Comes To Richmond

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Silver in the Barn

East meets West in grand style in Richmond for the next few months. Our Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is hosting the Forbidden City exhibit and it’s a jaw-dropper. I was invited to a private tour of the exhibit yesterday (how about … Continue reading →