Cliff on Clifton: Out of Control

"100 Masters" Only in Canada art Show,
May 11 - August 18, '13
Winnipeg Art Gallery

"Spring Session"
Gallery In the Park, Altona, MB
Show open till August 5, '13

We often say to one another how we need a “quiet” weekend. That we've been working hard and deserve a break. And then we see the powers of the universe descend on us and by some weird circumstantial process create a weekend like we've never imagined. That’s what happened this past weekend.

Friday afternoon, my wife and I went to the “100 Masters” art show at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. A show everyone was raving about it, and the media was talking about it. We decided this was the time, and we went.

It was of course “awesome”. The curator had gone to all the major art galleries in Canada and asked them, “Give me the best pieces you own and I’ll show them for you in Winnipeg!” Of course, that’s setting up a real “pissing contest” between galleries, no wonder he had no trouble getting stuff to show! Everyone trying to upstage the other. Now that’s “collaboration!” Great for us in Winnipeg anyway. I've made a note of that technique for my motivational management skills.

Saturday morning I got up early, finishing and publishing a story for my “Stories from the Farm” series. Our kids and grandson came over for lunch and we spent the day together. Walked around a farmers market nearby. Bought some rhubarb pie for supper, met some friends and came home to prepare a BBQ supper as we had a guest couple joining us for the evening. We spent the whole evening visiting in the gazebo in our backyard. It was fabulous.

Sunday of course was church. I text-ed the pastor a note of encouragement before the service, part of which to my surprise he later read to the audience. (Fortunately he didn't mention my name.)

On our way home we decided we’d worked hard and since we’d seen one art gallery, why not run out to Altona and see another. We were in the mood now to see more art. Plus, we could see the kids, if they were free. The decision was made.

As we puled up to our house to quickly eat and go, we are greeted by a surprise visitor we knew only by family connection. She was sitting on a wicker chair in our porch, telling us she needed a ride home! Where is her “home?” It’s a small town right next to Altona. It’s not even out of our way. Wow.

We enjoy the art at the “Altona Gallery in the Park”, have a quick coffee with our children, and we’re on our way back to Winnipeg in no time.

Oh, I must mention that we encountered two fierce rainstorms, one on our way out and the other on our way back. So intense that cars were stopping, or driving slowly with their 4-way’s on!

At 6 pm we joined up with Syras and went to another event celebrating a milestone in the life of a youth in the Young Adults group we’d been part of all winter. She’d also invited us to join her for coffee after with friends and family at her house. We ended up sitting around the dining room table with this amazing family and sharing family stories back and forth. Syras, our son, of course revels in this kind of thing and indulged himself sharing embarrassing humorous stories about us, his parents. It’s his very favorite thing to do it seems. It was an evening that had it all. Serious stuff plus uproarious comedy. In a matter of two hours or so, we had made friends with this special family. A delightful evening of celebration and fun.

Were we tired? Yes. Did we feel good? Yes, we felt great.

One thing though. My apologies for not having written my art blog. As you can see, even though I had something to write, I had no time to do the writing on this “quiet” weekend as I’d hoped. I’d left it too late and the weekend went out of control, not giving me any room to do it. “Providence” it seems, took control of the weekend.

Thank you for your understanding and have a great week.

"At his direction they (the clouds) swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them."

Job 37:12