🥕 La Olivina at the Farmer's Market

 

I unexpectedly found Olivina at the farmer's market this morning! If you zoom in on the sign on the stand, you can see the variety of olive oils (and a few balsamic vinegar) that they offer. I also learned that the reason for the change from wine to olive oil in the early 1900s was due to a disease that killed all the grape vines. The vendor was kind and informative, and suggested I come to visit. I brought home a large bottle of the Lucca (lighter blue), a medium EVOO with a Nutty and green almond flavor profile with a hint of black pepper. Next time I will get the robust Century Mission (gold). I have finished multiple bottles of the Arbequina, and just finished samples of the Frantonio (maroon) and Special Blend (dark blue).  He must have been having a hard day communicating with customers, because there was live music across the way! These are the Cooltones. 😎

 

There was also a rose competition! 🌹 Judging was underway, and so I could not get close. Even from far away, I could see their beauty. I did not realize there are stringent criteria for evaluation, dictated by the American Rose Society. I would find it hard to be a judge. I want to appreciate them all.

 

 

Vineyard and Orchard Art

I stepped into a local gallery, and immediately saw the colors of California's wine country. 

 

There was one artist, Tyler Abshier, that I particularly loved. The wall of paintings made me feel something. I looked at his paintings and saw places that were familiar. This one especially. I know that sunset, those clouds, and I know those fields and the outline of the hills.

 

 

 

 

I bike a lot. While I might not have been on this exact road, I still know this road.  The gradient, the power lines, the dryness, and the organized orchard? It feels like looking at a painting of a memory.

 

 

 

 

This one as well.

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, these spectacular clouds.

 

 

 

 

 

In the painting below, the pink and purple in the clouds, along with the different types of light and shadow, are captured particularly well. 

 

 

 

 

Here is a good example of a painting that can be appreciated for capturing the evening light. If the sunset captures the golden hour, this scene captures a nautical or perhaps astronomical twilight, depending on if the background light is from the sky or an adjacent city. Both are golden, and it is a visual intersection between man's influence with beauty from the natural world.

 

 

 

I appreciate the texture of the paint, the color palette, and that it is just realistic enough to be technically impressive and interesting to look at. When it comes to art, I am fairly simple. It is an aesthetic experience that might trigger a feeling or memory. I like art that draws me in. I like art that I want to look at because it makes me thoughtful or feel something deeply. I realized today I like art that I connect to, either due to memory or a desire to learn more about what I see. Shout out to you, Tyler! If I ever own a place where I can hammer into the wall, I would want one of your paintings on it.

 

 

Another realization I had today is that to be a nature photographer, or a photographer of beautiful national parks, you have to be there! You likely have to be athletic, or maybe rugged. I only realized this when I saw a photo of the photographer, and he is wearing gear that suggests being on an expedition. 

Finally, the noises from this clock were immensely satisfying. It looks like a Grandfather clock, so I will call him Grandpacito.

 

Today was a great example of why sometimes putting on your shoes and heading out the door for a morning walk... 

 

Can lead to unexpected wonder and surprises! Happy Saturday, folks.