"Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one."-Stella Adler
Alan and I decided to take a long walk yesterday, alongside the lagoon at the Leo J. Ryan Memorial park in Foster City. It was a lovely day, however it was unseasonably cool, and yet it was a big muggy due to the monsoon clouds making their way through the Bay Area. There is a good chance for some thunder later tonight and tomorrow. Fingers crossed, I love a good thunder boomer!
Anyway, the park was as gorgeous as always, and is a beautiful way to remember Congressman Leo J. Ryan, who was killed in Jonestown, Guyana, in November of 1978, by members of the People's Temple cult. Ryan's murder occurred just prior to the massacre which took place at the People's Temple compound the next day, when the head of the cult, Jim Jones, ordered his followers to "drink the Flavor-Aid," which had been laced with cyanide. Three journalists, and a former member of the cult were also killed the same day Ryan was.
There are several pieces of art within the park, all of them bring to mind lightheartedness and wonder, but this is one of my very favorites. "Stilt Walkers" always makes me smile, maybe because I such a shorty, at only 4' 11. I have always wondered what it would be like to be tall, with legs like a Rockette! LOL. As a short girl growing up, I always admired those who could actually get the bread down from the shelf at the grocery store all by themselves! LOL. I like this park, and this particular piece of art so much that I always make sure to see it when I visit, as if it is an old friend. I love public art, it's good for the soul!
-OndineMonet
"Stilt Walkers" By Dennis Smith
Leo J. Ryan Memorial Park
Foster City, California
August 5th, 2008
Afternoon
3 comments:
we attended a lovely wedding reception at the park. i believe i enjoyed it so much because of the truly delightful surroundings. your photos are gorgeous!
What a beautiful place to visit and renew.
Loved the pictures and your tone was brighter mading me smile.
Love TJ
Looks like a beautiful day!
I'm even shorter than you are, and I have been known to climb the grocery-store shelves to get things I can't reach. (The workers don't like to see that; they're probably afraid of a fall, followed by a lawsuit.) It's easier to bring my 6'1" husband along for that kind of thing :-).
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