Norma took this Normaphoto today. It is a picture of our side gate, Fishgate.
How is this an enigma? How does it qualify? Consider time, adaptation, consider "Molly On The Shore" by Percy Grainger --Molly running along the sand to meet something, a boat?
Perhaps there is a fish on that boat that will evolve. Let's look at the gate again.
Yes, it's been there a while, weathering years with a grouchy bluebird of happiness over a little bell. We hear it ring when visitors enter, when cats clamber over the dorsal fin. Where did it begin?
It began before there were new palings nailed, before the posts smoothed, before some plants grew so high and others were removed. Before the walkway bricks sank down and privets arched in shade. We must go back along the years where Fishgate was first made.
It used to be a fish WITH a bicycle. Then times changed backward and it was a doodle in Geo.'s journal.
That digresses us 28 years, which is quite enough for our sermon. Before that, Fishgate was a blank among other blank pages of possibility.
It is still Sunday, and prayers may or may not be answered --who knows? I am only the substitute pastor-- but I can tell you this with some degree of certainty: in evolution look for modest dreams to come true.
It may have had a bicycle, but the question is did it NEED that bike? Probably not, it looks satisfied with a mostly static life. And yes, peace is always desirable. Too many things are breakable.
As you must suspect, my 1990 photo was composed in homage to a favorite Gloria Steinem quote:"A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle." Her turns of phrase have always delighted me.
Modest dreams are always the most enduring ones - and certainly the most likely to come true.
I like your Fishgate, and the accompaniment of Percy Grainger. I haven't heard anything by Grainger in a long time.....and I don't think I've ever heard "Molly on the Shore".
Thanks, Jon. It's sort of like photons with the weakest electric charges are the ones that carry light for millions of years and let us see stars, while highly charged ones burn out quickly. Grainger combined 2 Irish reels into "Molly" as a birthday gift for his mom, which I always found touching.
You speak to us as a substitute pastor - so I guess you have been called to be "fishers of men"? Not being very well-versed in the Bible, I think that "Fish Gate" means one of the gates in Jerusalem? I love the refreshing idea of a fish WITH a bycicle. And did you saw that fish out of wood after you draw it? Lovely!
Dear Brigitta, yes, shortly after I doodled Fishgate I built it from scrap redwood. Fish was added as support to keep horizontal boards from sagging. Eventually, I had to replace horizontals with a single plywood sheet but kept the fish for fun. There is indeed a "Fish Gate" in the Northern wall of Jerusalem, facing the sea of Galilee and giving onto the city's fish market --but it is not related to our gate.
Most kind Emma, from swimming in the sea to flying in the air, sometimes I think evolution is the elevation of life into higher, more and more rarefied atmospheres. Maybe someday we'll get to play among the stars.
Unfortunately, where breakables are concerned, I tend to go "in pieces". Especially with the water glasses and the good china.
Your fish is wonderful from a purely decorative standpoint, but to find out that he (she?) was created for a practical purpose too - well, that is even better. Even if he/she is back to being ornamental again. Beautiful.
O Jenny, I have to be careful around breakables too, inside me and out, like everybody --and glad you brought it up. As to the fish, I don't recall ever assigning it a gender but sure glad you like it. I like it too!
I can tell you trout have evolved in the last 70 years...in 1954 I fished Indian Creek, west of Sisters with my dad. A tiny creek, barely 4' wide at the widest, it yielded brown trout, one near 12". In later years, the last about 5 years ago I passed the creek, the campground was gone, there was no sign of human activity there. So, I assume the trout have camouflaged themselves sufficient to hide.
Mike, I learned to fish with a bamboo pole in the Sacramento River that same decade. Caught black bass and catfish. Then went into the mountains as a Boy Scout and, after instruction from friend Virgie, learned to catch trout with my hands. However, after two days, trout caught on and disappeared. Doubt evolution works that fast, but their little brains sure did.
Susan, you clever girl --dude laughed at "halibut"-- when the kids saw my doodle I had to go ahead and build it. It's one of those things that collect family-imagination and make a home. You know.
Stop in from the rat. It been a while since I heard the term "enigma" actual I live not far from an Orthodox church and went that day there sermon was on " enigma". Well about anything can be a reperasentive of something. My yard gnomes can be that...Coffee is on
Dora, I'm having a cup of coffee and a cookie right now in celebration of your visit. Welcome! Thanks for finding me at the Rat's and stopping by. Will return visit.
It may have had a bicycle, but the question is did it NEED that bike?
ReplyDeleteProbably not, it looks satisfied with a mostly static life.
And yes, peace is always desirable. Too many things are breakable.
DeleteAs you must suspect, my 1990 photo was composed in homage to a favorite Gloria Steinem quote:"A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle." Her turns of phrase have always delighted me.
Modest dreams are always the most enduring ones - and certainly the most likely to come true.
ReplyDeleteI like your Fishgate, and the accompaniment of Percy Grainger. I haven't heard anything by Grainger in a long time.....and I don't think I've ever heard "Molly on the Shore".
Thanks, Jon. It's sort of like photons with the weakest electric charges are the ones that carry light for millions of years and let us see stars, while highly charged ones burn out quickly. Grainger combined 2 Irish reels into "Molly" as a birthday gift for his mom, which I always found touching.
DeleteYou speak to us as a substitute pastor - so I guess you have been called to be "fishers of men"? Not being very well-versed in the Bible, I think that "Fish Gate" means one of the gates in Jerusalem?
ReplyDeleteI love the refreshing idea of a fish WITH a bycicle. And did you saw that fish out of wood after you draw it? Lovely!
I will leave the philosophical contemplations for later and simply admire the charm and history of that beautiful and inviting gate. It is delightful.
ReplyDeleteDear Brigitta, yes, shortly after I doodled Fishgate I built it from scrap redwood. Fish was added as support to keep horizontal boards from sagging. Eventually, I had to replace horizontals with a single plywood sheet but kept the fish for fun. There is indeed a "Fish Gate" in the Northern wall of Jerusalem, facing the sea of Galilee and giving onto the city's fish market --but it is not related to our gate.
ReplyDeleteTom, thanks! We've done a lot of work with leftover lumber here over the years and it's fun to get a compliment!
ReplyDeleteI think Fishgate is marvelous. The bluebird obviously thinks so too since it now has a permanent home on the fish.
ReplyDeleteMost kind Emma, from swimming in the sea to flying in the air, sometimes I think evolution is the elevation of life into higher, more and more rarefied atmospheres. Maybe someday we'll get to play among the stars.
DeleteUnfortunately, where breakables are concerned, I tend to go "in pieces". Especially with the water glasses and the good china.
ReplyDeleteYour fish is wonderful from a purely decorative standpoint, but to find out that he (she?) was created for a practical purpose too - well, that is even better. Even if he/she is back to being ornamental again. Beautiful.
O Jenny, I have to be careful around breakables too, inside me and out, like everybody --and glad you brought it up. As to the fish, I don't recall ever assigning it a gender but sure glad you like it. I like it too!
DeleteI can tell you trout have evolved in the last 70 years...in 1954 I fished Indian Creek, west of Sisters with my dad. A tiny creek, barely 4' wide at the widest, it yielded brown trout, one near 12".
ReplyDeleteIn later years, the last about 5 years ago I passed the creek, the campground was gone, there was no sign of human activity there. So, I assume the trout have camouflaged themselves sufficient to hide.
Mike, I learned to fish with a bamboo pole in the Sacramento River that same decade. Caught black bass and catfish. Then went into the mountains as a Boy Scout and, after instruction from friend Virgie, learned to catch trout with my hands. However, after two days, trout caught on and disappeared. Doubt evolution works that fast, but their little brains sure did.
DeleteDude! That has got to be the coolest gate ever! I take it you decided to go with a fish just for the halibut. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, you clever girl --dude laughed at "halibut"-- when the kids saw my doodle I had to go ahead and build it. It's one of those things that collect family-imagination and make a home. You know.
DeleteStop in from the rat. It been a while since I heard the term "enigma" actual I live not far from an Orthodox church and went that day there sermon was on " enigma". Well about anything can be a reperasentive of something. My yard gnomes can be that...Coffee is on
ReplyDeleteDora, I'm having a cup of coffee and a cookie right now in celebration of your visit. Welcome! Thanks for finding me at the Rat's and stopping by. Will return visit.
DeleteQuite a unique and unusual gate (in a good way), Geo. And I can tell that it has weathered many a storm :)
ReplyDeleteWeathered storms, as have we all --one of the reasons I like Fishgate. Great to hear from you, Keith! Trust you and Beate are doing well.
Delete"Grouchy bluebird of happiness..." LOL. Shouldn't a fish gate be in water?
ReplyDeleteClosest I could manage was having fish blow wooden bubbles.
DeleteThat's a pretty unique gate. Loved your last line.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! Kind words from an advocate of community arts.
DeleteModest dreams coming true certainly works for me.
ReplyDeleteHave a great one, Geo.
Thanks, Sandra. So far the day has been a modest success.
DeleteI think it's beautiful, and very original! Not to mention the fact that fish brings good luck.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Dear Ana, thank you. Truly Fishgate has admitted much good luck onto this property and will hopefully continue. Happy Easter to you too!
DeleteIt's a lovely gate and I enjoyed the musical accompaniment. I hope your modest and your wildest dreams come true.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chicken! Over time, modest dreams have a way of equaling wild ones, even surpassing them in magnitude. I wish you triumph too.
Delete