The Octave of Easter is turning out to be a time of visits with friends, meals and monuments (in a wide sense).
Here is a monumental salad, chopped. Presentation like this is difficult, by the way.
At the Getty, a lovely bit of glass, with superbly simply lines. Notice that gentle touch but also the hand raised in blessing.
And we have a Christological Goldfinch sighting! This is from the brush of Bernardo Fungai in about 1480.
The bird is on the ledge.
You know what the apple means, right? So, bird v apple.
Off to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. What a pleasure. It is a great building and grounds in a beautiful spot.
All during his life, Ronald Reagan jotted notes on 3×5 cards. Some of them are appropriate today. In particular, enjoy the first remark on this card!
Do I hear an “Amen!”?
And as far as Antonio “2+2=5” Spadaro, SJ, is concerned, Paul V by Bernini is unimpressed.
Reagan’s Oval Office.
My view for a while… a least a couple more days here in El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula.
And I may add more food photos later… I have a lot.
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That food looks delicious Father! The birds that crack me up are two: I love hummingbirds, flapping their wings something like 1,200 flaps a minute. But here in New Mexico pet owners are freaked out about owls: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2060424/Silent-killers-Giant-owls-snatch-dogs-backyards-terrify-pet-owners.html
Wonder whom he was writing about… “He is usually mistaken at the top of his voice.”
Years and years ago, the Reagan Library hosted the most fascinating and moving World War II exhibit I have ever seen, called, “In Their Own Words.” The theme of the exhibit was diaries, letters and other documents produced by the major figures in the war from both sides, as well as ordinary fighting men documenting the major events they witnessed. There was, among many other things, the typescript of FDR’s Day of Infamy speech, with his pencilled corrections; a handwritten letter from Erwin Rommel; a page from Douglas MacArthur’s memoirs, handwritten on a yellow legal pad (in the most perfect cursive, as if done by a printer); and a running account by an American soldier of the Bataan death march, done in tiny writing on a torn scrap of paper. There were also many photos and artifacts. Some of these were heartbreaking: the white navy pharmacist’s mate’s tunic, still stained with the blood of wounded men from Pearl Harbor; the American infantry helmet from Omaha beach, with holes where a bullet entered and exited; the lid from a can of human ashes out of a concentration camp that an Allied soldier found and sent home with a letter to his family; the melted Coke bottle from Hiroshima. There were also some very cool items, such as one of General Patton’s pearl-handled revolvers and Audie Murphy’s Congressional Medal of Honor. At the end of the exhibit was a gallery of photos of all the Presidents who served in the war, as they appeared during the war. Somebody at the Reagan Library put a lot of work into assembling all those exhibits and did a stellar job. I visited it three times.
“He is usually mistaken at the top of his voice.”
Legisperitus as I recall the list fitting that description would be long. :-D
There are some wonderful places to visit in Sodom, er SoCal. My highest recommendations go to the original Getty in Malibu, the Norton Simon Museum and Mission Santa Barbara
Always interesting to see your travel photos, Fr. Z. I do like those food photos — and the art — especially!
Oh my… is that a zucchini flower pizza?
[It is indeed.]
Fr Z.:
If time permits, here are two places to visit:
1. Go by 223rd street and Wilmington Blvd in Carson. The actual fire station on EMERGENCY! is located there. The crew is used to visitors – I was one of many kids who became a firefighter/EMT in part due to the example and impact of EMERGENCY!
2. Stop by St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Hawaiian Gardens. It is staffed by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Reverent Masses, frequent confessions, and altar boys only. Friends who live in Los Angeles say it’s worth the drive.
Enjoy your visit.
Must agree that the library is in a most beautiful spot.Was there a few years ago and three things stood out.First were the number of jelly beans and jelly bean ‘pictures’. His resting place is a beautiful area very conducive to prayer.A tour through the Air Force One of his day was an eye-opener as it really was small compared to today’s plane.But the icing on the cake was a sign on the lawn that read “Beware of Rattlesnakes”-Reagan would have approved!
Dear Father –
If your schedule isn’t already slammed there are so many people on the West coast, who with their prayers and fidelity are hoping God chooses not to smite all of CA. For those who aren’t able to leave the state for saner locales, we could use the emotional boost of a blognic! LA or Orange County would love to host you I am certain:)
[I would like to do that sometime! This time, however, it won’t be possible.]
I visited the Reagan Library in 2016 when they featured the Vatican Splendors exhibit. I hope you enjoy your stay in Los Angeles, Father.
Also, if you have time, you may want to visit the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre. It is a beautiful monastery in a very picturesque area in the San Gabriel Valley.
The iconography of Jesus holding up two fingers of His right hand signifies that he is speaking, or teaching, rather than blessing, although both may be true. You will notice it on the Pantocrator images from the Near East as well, and there he is clearly reading us the riot act.
Ah, Christological Goldfinches and the Reagan Library- a balm to the soul courtesy of our trusty host.
Thanks Anita Moore, hwriggles4, Clinton R et al. A future pilgrimage to a monastery in San Gabriel and the Emergency! fire station is right up my alley.
That zucchini flower pizza looks tasty, but I’d have to toss a pocket-full of pepperoni on it when nobody is looking….