The 21st thing I learned again this year -- light is sooo important, and the light returning is a joyous celebration

 

Frescoes in a chapel in the 

Siena Cathedral,
in Siena, Italy 
Photo

Barbara Muir ©

I scrolled through my blog today, and found this image and post about the return of

the light -- what all of the festivals and celebrations at this time of year are about.

Light.  Today a dear friend of mine in Europe is moving into her new house --

a major deal, and she was so happy that the move was happening on the solstice.

Here is what I wrote last year.  I am working on a commission, and super busy.
Thank you for bringing the light into my life.

"Today is the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year! What
does that mean -- tomorrow there will be more light.  For me and
Steven this is huge, we are so happy that the light is coming back.
And light comes into your life metaphorically in so many ways.

I'm showing an image from my time in Florence.  Being part of
the Florence Biennale changed my life in so many ways.  It
was so exciting to meet international artists.  And it's wonderful
that many of us are still friends, some through social media, and
some of us have met again in person -- delighted to see each other.

I think exhibiting in Florence let the light of glorious friendships,
and spectacular memories into my life.

"I met new friends, saw amazing art, fell in love with a
country I had only dreamed of, and heard of from both of my
parents, and many of my friends who had either been born in Italy,
or had parents who were Italian.

My ancestry connection is that my great, great, great grandmother
was Florentine.  So being in Florence made me very happy.
Part of the thrill of being in Italy, was taking a bus tour around
the area where we were staying, to Siena, and Pisa.  The image
tonight is of a fresco in the Cathedral in Siena.  Our tour guide
used her influence to get us into a spectacular chapel in the
cathedral, and changed my view of art from the period.
It turns out the art that was not damaged (in this chapel very
few visitors are allowed to enter, because breath damages
the colour) is absolutely brilliant in colour.  Every colour was so
bright. All of the Florentine art of the period that was subdued
in colour was -- according to this guide -- damaged.

Woo Hoo.  May bright colour reign supreme.  It was one
of the most beautiful rooms I've ever been in in my life.

Wishing you a very Merry Holiday Season.  Looking forward
would I love to return to Europe? The answer is yes."

Have a loving your holiday time day!