Perfect Placement

On returning to the New York Botanic Garden I was able to see all of the monumental sculptures of Manolo Valdés.  These enormous sculptures of female heads portray an understanding of gardens and vegetal growth in ways that are beautiful and playful.  One sculpture in particular seems to be perfectly integrated into its surrounding landscape.​  "Fioré" is 17 feet high and its headdress incorporates the forms of oak and maple leaves.  This bronze and steel work provides an agreeable color contrast to the lofty trees and greening lawn and creates a splendid vista.

"Fioré"​

For Groundhog Day - a tangelo

February 2nd is celebrated as Groundhog Day in various parts of the United States.  It marks that point in the calendar when we are halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox.  Whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow today is imagined to be an indicator of the remaining length of winter.

I was thinking of light and shadow - and the color wheel and the theory of complementary colors this morning.  Working with blue paper I realized it really is the perfect complement to the color of the tangelo I was about to eat.  When I placed the tangelo on the paper it cast a shadow.  Now, I know the tangelo probably doesn't see its own shadow but does this mean we're in for six more weeks of winter?