The Muse and her Minotaur

The Muse and her Minotaur, consists of 100 rare Picasso etchings documenting a love affair, and have been donated to a British Museum.
The etchings will be the only complete set held by a public museum in the UK.


The prints document the love affair that was to define an artist's career.
Now all 100 of Picasso's Vollard etchings are to be shown in London after being donated to the British Museum.
The prints were created as a visual diary of the artist's life with his young mistress and muse, Marie-Thérèse Walter.
She became the inspiration for some of his most famous work, and caused the downfall of his marriage.

Minotaur caressing a sleeping woman (June 1933). The black-and-white prints show dream-like scenes where Picasso often depicts himself in his studio as a Minotaur.

Blind minotaur led by a little girl in the night (Dec 1934). The prints were created as a visual diary of the artist's life with his young mistress and muse, Marie-Thérèse Walter
It is one of just a handful of complete collections of the etchings, which had an original print-run of more than 300 in the 1930s.

This will be the first set to be seen in Britain in more than 50 years as many other sets have been broken up or lost.


Sculptor working from life with model posing (March 1933). Marie-Thérèse, who was only 17 when they met, is also heavily featured posing mostly in the nude.

Portrait of Vollard II (March 1937). Right, Rembrandt and two women (Jan 1934)

Picasso and his secret lover conducted their affair for several years until his wife, Olga Khokhlova, found out and left in disgust.
The etchings, created between 1930 and 1937, will go on display at the museum in central London next summer.
A fund manager working in the City bought the prints for around 1million Euro as a gift for the museum, and told the curator of his generous donation via email.

The 100 etchings are known as the Vollard Suite because they were commissioned by Paris art dealer and print publisher Ambroise Vollard, who gave Picasso a Renoir and a Cezanne painting in exchange for the work.
Vollard gave the Spanish artist his first Paris exhibition in 1901.
But Vollard's death in a car accident, followed by the outbreak of the Second World War, delayed the release of the prints.

Maybe, I'm a hopeless romantic, but I love these black and white sketches. I love the mystery behind them and the creativity that comes from being in love, it adds to the artists ability to depict such dream-like beauty.

The Elusive Norfolk Mace

The Norfolk Mace: History 101

Norfolk's historic silver Mace, is the only existing pre-Revolutionary American symbol of civic authority of its kind, it has a long, elusive and interesting history. Its presentation to the Borough of Norfolk in 1754 by Robert Dinwiddie, lieutenant governor of Virginia from 1751 to 1758, climaxed a friendship between the colonial official and Virginia's principal port of entry and exit dating back almost three decades.

Made in London of pure silver, the Mace has an inscription stating it was given to the Corporation of Norfolk in 1753. It was not until the next year, however, that it was delivered, for the minutes of the Norfolk Common Council for April 1, 1754, explicitly state that Dinwiddie delivered the Mace in person and was gratefully thanked for the handsome gift.

According to tradition, the Mace was removed with the public records at the time of the burning of Norfolk in January of 1776 and was returned only after the danger had passed. In its earlier days the Mace was always carried ahead of the mayor upon his entering court or before him in processions. On September 15, 1836, it was carried in the parade honoring the one hundredth anniversary of Norfolk as a borough, and on May 13, 1857, when the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the landing at Jamestown was observed, it was taken to Jamestown Island to be a part of that celebration.

In May of 1862, when Norfolk was evacuated by the Confederate forces, it was hidden by Mayor William W Lamb under a hearth in his home on West Bute Street.The Mayor told no one his hiding place and the mace was lost for thirty two years! It was eventually recovered but was practically forgotten until 1894, when Norfolk Chief of Police C.J. Iredell discovered it in a state of disrepair in a heap of litter and old records in a room at the police station.

At that time, Norfolk city officials asked the Norfolk National Bank, to accept its custodianship. And in its carefully restored state it was displayed in a specially built glass case in the downtown Norfolk main office of the bank for several years. Today you can view the elusive mace behind glass on the second floor of The Chrysler Museum.

For more info about The Norfolk Mace and or The Chrysler Museum check out their website at... http://www.chrysler.org/

Chatuchak! Not Just Any Market!

The Chatuchak Weekend Market is held every Saturday and Sunday and is NOT to be missed if you are in Bangkok. It’s the biggest market in all of Thailand. In fact it is the largest market in all of Southeast Asia. This market offers everything from clothing, crafts, and antiques to food and drink. You name it and the Chatuchak Market has it.
An estimated quarter of a million people visit this veritable shopaholic’s paradise each day. The site has over 15,000 stalls and vendors, all grouped into sections to make it easier to find specific items. Here’s an inside tip: Go to this market early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to beat the heat of the day. Bargaining is expected and some vendors will reduce there initial price by more than half. I walked around this area for hours collecting souvenirs and snapping photos.
This is where I met the blind ‘phallic master’, Dhakron, a Bangkok native, who was sporting a pink mohawk hair-do. I negotiated for about 30 minutes to purchase a hand-whittled phallic necklace that he was wearing. Unfortunately, the piece was very old and dear to him and I couldn’t seal the deal with the man who was once a Thai wrestler. So, I walked away, empty handed and phallic-less with only my memory of Dhakron.
On the ‘down side’ for me, the Chatuchak Market is also known for its sale of animals. The animal lover in me knew enough to avoid that section. Dogs, cats, snakes, tortoises, and songbirds are for sale as pets (or food) and the market also has a reputation for trading in endangered species. The government tries to regulate the illegal trade. Several raids on dealers have revealed animals being kept in awful conditions. While casual visitors are never likely to experience it, this illegal trade still continues out of sight.
Last month, the Bangkok news reported over 150,000 Monitor Lizards were confiscated from the backs of pick-up trucks as they crossed the border into Bangkok. And just yesterday on CNN's online news blog I read that the Thai Police arrested a man at the Bangkok airport for attempting to smuggle two baby leopards, two baby panthers, a monkey, birds and more, by stuffing them into suit cases and attempting to bring them to Dubai. No doubt in my mind that these animals came from Chatuchak.
The Government of Thailand got lucky this time, and they are trying to put a stop to this abuse, but the scales are uneven.

For more information about the Chatuchak Market and other popular markets in Thailand check out this website ~ http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-market/popular-markets.htm

Red Light-Green Light

Thailand may be best known for its red light districts. There are three famous red light areas and I paid a visit to two of them, ‘Nana’ and ‘Soi Cowboy’. The third district, known as ‘Patpong’, was a seedy place that I chose not to explore.
‘Nana’ was more of a respectful “Lady Boy Bar” gathering and ‘Soi Cowboy’ was loaded with scantily dressed, extremely young Thai girls.
Being a mother of three teenage daughters, this made me think about the safety of these young 15 year old girls. Both districts feature a typical bar scene on two floors. The lower tier is basically lined with bars and loud music, neon lights and customers drinking and having a good time. The upper tier is where the action happens. I was aware that I would probably be enticed to enter and spend money buying overpriced, watered down drinks and to leave a generous tip. Curiosity won out and I made my way to the upper level. I entered a bar called the “G-Spot” and proceeded to buy ‘my lady boy’ a cocktail. As expected, it looked like a watery orange Fanta soda. Once she (he) realized I only wanted to share some laughs and make some lifetime memories, she (he) was more than happy to hang out. I spent about forty-five minutes at the ‘G-Spot’ and then moved along to the next place. I had a lot of laughs and I felt very safe. It was a gathering spot for ‘lady boys’ who are men in transition to become women. Most already have breast implants and are strikingly beautiful. My ‘lady boy’ was proud of her new body and liked sharing her life’s experience with me. Most of them are waiting for their final surgery that will physically transition them to women.
I have always been an open minded person. I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and if this is what brings these 'Lady Boys' happiness, then so be it! I did come away with a feeling of sadness, not because of their life style choice, but because they seemed so very lonely. It's hard to fit in with so many judgmental people in the world. Men don't treat them with respect, women seem to be scared of them, and most people think they're freaks. Really, all they have is each other.
I love that Thailand is a world of contrasts and welcoming towards everyone...EVERYONE!

Condoms; Use It or Loose It in Thailand

Mechai Viravaidya is the owner of the popular restaurant chain Cabbage and Condoms and he is credited with being the person who single-handedly introduced safe sex to Thailand. Once one of the world's hotspots for AIDS, Thailand has more than successfully brought safe-sex campaigns into the bars and the red light districts. When the Aids epidemic struck, the hugely popular Cabbage and Condoms restaurants freely distributed millions of condoms and gained the support of bureaucrats and law enforcement officials. In 1974, this son of two doctors created the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), one of Asia’s largest and most successful not for profit corporations. Viravaidya has continued to freely distribute condoms and to promote safe sex education programs with everyone from Thai leaders to workers in Bangkok’s notorious red light district. I enjoyed a great dinner at a Cabbage and Condoms Restaurant located between Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. The theme restaurant was decorated with lighting made of condoms and posters about safe sex hung from the walls. When my bill was delivered, condoms took the place of breath mints. On the way out, there was a full size mannequin holding a golf club made out of condoms with a sign that read, “I hope Tiger used them.” Of course, Tiger Woods is one of the most famous Thai people of all time. When in Bangkok, put this place on your list for sure! It’s not only a cool, fun spot, but educational as well, and the food is reasonably priced and incredibly tasty!

Make sure you make it to Cabbage and Condoms when you are in Bangkok. Click on the following link to get directions and more information about Cabbage and Condoms ~ http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/about.asp

The Lotus Rules in Thailand

The diversity of Thailand's many flowers reflects its range of natural habitats. Most famous of all are it’s 1,300 varieties of orchids. In the wild, they are protected, but illegal collection has depleted their numbers. My favorite is the Lotus Flower, Thailand's most abundant and useful flower. Everywhere you look in Thailand, you will be surrounded by the beautiful pink gem. The lotus plays a very important part in Thai life. It is the country's most common flower, growing in ponds, swamps, small canals, roadside ditches, on top of pillars in temples, and even in jars. It is not only beautiful, but has many practical uses in the Thai culture, including medicinal values in it’s petals, stamen and root. The large tough leaf can be used to wrap cooked food and the seeds are delicious. Many handicrafts are inspired by the flower's form and beauty. It brought back memories of my first introduction to the Lotus in China last year when I ate the lotus root. Its distinct flavor and unique texture made it my new favorite root vegetable.

When in Thailand...Just Say Yes to Thai Massage

Traditionally, Thai massage (nuat paen boran) is a vigorous combination of yoga, reflexology, and acupressure. I’ve had Thai massage in the U.S. and it was not my favorite, but in Thailand I experienced what it’s really supposed to feel like. I highly recommend it!
Thai massage dates back to the first emergence of Buddhism and is related to Chinese acupuncture and Indian yoga. I experienced the top of the line, high end, expensive silk pajama massage in a beautiful Bangkok spa. Great! I also experienced the flip side of luxury when I visited the third floor of a street massage parlor where I put on cheap cotton pajamas in a room with no AC. Also, great! The latter, I must admit, felt a little like a one night stand (so I’m told) when my Thai massage guy dimmed the lights, put on some soft music, and straddled me!
No matter the choice, high end or low end, you are in for a great and surprising treat as the masseuse customizes the experience to your comfort. And, why is it so good in Thailand? Since the 1960’s, Wat Pho, Bangkok’s oldest and largest temple and center for education, has been home to The Institute of Massage. Visitors can experience a massage or learn the art through a 10-15 day course taught in Thai or English. The highly trained masseurs at the Wat specialize in pulling and stretching the limbs and torso to relieve various ailments emanating from tension to viruses. Thai massage parlor locations are like Starbuck’s in NYC. They are everywhere, but unlike Starbuck’s, everything is negotiable. And, of all the activities available, my favorite daily treat became a Thai Massage. Oh, how I miss my daily 200 Baht (about $20.USD) ninety minute foot, head and shoulder massage! (Some days I would treat myself to a second one, just for fun!)
http://www.watpomassage.com/2009/

St George, Utah: The Red Rocks are Calling Me Back

Even though I’m back in New York, I can hear the echo from Snow Canyon calling the adventure junkie in me to return for more. After the time that I had and the people I met, I’m craving more! In five action-packed days, I hiked, biked, and climbed some of the most beautiful mountains ever in St. George, Utah.

I was lucky enough to call the Red Mountain Resort and Spa home and to enjoy a few spa treatments at The Sagestone Spa to sooth my soul and help relax and re-energize my weary muscles. While most people go to a spa to relax and detoxify themselves from impurities, I like to think of a spa as the perfect mix of detox and re-tox.

I spent my first evening doing yoga in Snow Canyon, surrounded by the beauty of the red rocks at sunset. It established a connection for me with the earth and universe and provided a perfect foundation for my psyche.

I found myself, almost unavoidably, soul searching. The natural beauty of the red rocks seemed to pull inner thoughts, hopes and dreams from within my soul like a counseling session without the couch.

The twinkling night sky reminded me of my favorite childhood game, ‘Lite-Bright.’ Once the colorful plastic pegs were removed from the dark colored paper, you gazed through to the light that sparkled from behind. The sky was filled with twinkling stars; some appeared almost close enough to reach out and touch.

SNOW CANYON~ UTAH; One Word: Pristine

Snow Canyon - Utah
I visited Southern Utah in November 2010, had a GREAT time! I highly recommend this spot if you are looking to get a way from it all!

Contrary to it’s name, winter visitors will rarely find any white stuff at this 7,400-acre desert park. Named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, early Utah leaders, Snow Canyon offers many miles of hiking and biking trails, technical rock climbing, horseback riding, year-round camping, wildlife viewing, and unbelievable photographic opportunities.

All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering Navajo sandstone cliffs in red and white, and peaks and valleys of rugged, jumbled black lava rock interspersed with serpentine sandy washes.

Before hiking or biking in a desert environment like Snow Canyon, make sure you're prepared. Carry at least one liter of water per person. I recommend a water backpack, such as a ‘camelback.’ In this environment, it's important to stay hydrated.

Even though the trails in Snow Canyon are properly marked, one should not hike alone as there are some areas that are tricky and treacherous. Surely, most of us would rather enjoy the night sky viewed from a hot tub than to spend the night alone in the cold with an injury and no tent.

This desert climate was chilly in the morning, but warmed during the day in this November visit. Dress in layers because you will be peeling them off and on several times throughout the day. There are trails for all levels of hikers.

Here’s is a list of some of my favorite Snow Canyon Trails:

Take it Easy Hiking Trails:

Johnson Canyon (Open November 15 to March 1 only) -- I hit this trail on opening week. They close it for part of the year to preserve wildlife, flora and fauna, so it was a rare treat to experience the beauty of Johnson Canyon. It’s an easy two mile, level hike that offers some rocky slopes and steps. It boasts the only riparian area in the park with a trail that winds through lava flows and red rock to an arch spanning some 200 feet.

Jenny’s Canyon (Closed March 31 to June 1) -- It’s only one-half mile and the terrain is level with a few slopes and steps. The trail leads to a narrow, sculpted canyon. It’s a great trail for the person without a lot of time. Easy in and easy out, and you still make the connection with nature.

The Sand Dunes -- It’s a half-mile of easy, fun terrain of deep sand with slopes. Don’t ride your bike on this one! The trails lead to large expanses of red sand that makes for an excellent play area for children of all ages. The one afternoon I was there, I watched with a smile on my face as kids rolled all the way down the hill and staggered to their feet from the dizzying effect. I hope their eyes and mouth were closed, but when you’re a kid, who cares?

Pioneer Names -- Again, an easy one-half mile, fairly level challenge with some steps and slopes. The crescent-shaped trail passes pioneer names written in axle grease that date back to 1883. It is this trail where you might come across some rock climbers and, if you look closely at the flat wall of rock, you will see metal hooks buried in the rock. It made me feel like I was part of the ‘wild, wild West’.

Step it up a Notch!

Hidden Pinyon - I loved this trail! It’s only 1.5 miles and moderate in ability level. It offered a little bit of everything, from rocky slopes and drop-offs, to sandy areas. This self-guided nature trail introduces geological features and native plants.

Three Ponds - 3.5 miles with moderate terrain. Note to self: Don’t bike this either; the sand is a killer! I made a wrong turn and ended up here on my bike and it was no fun. It’s got some rocky slopes and deep sand. The trail winds through sandy washes to the mouth of a 40-foot canyon. Potholes eroded in sandstone catch seasonal rain, thus, giving the trail its name.

Petrified Dunes Trail - Only one mile, and moderate in terrain, but don’t let this one fool you! With some steep slopes and uneven surfaces, this trail will get your heart pumping. The Dunes Trail crosses massive sandstone outcrops where you can explore sand dunes frozen in time. Do take time out and truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Climb to the top of the Petrified Dunes for an amazing view and, if you’re as fortunate as I, you will come away with that ‘ I’m lucky to be alive’ feeling.

Hop on a Bike and GO!

West Canyon Road is located in the heart of Snow Canyon. It’s about seven miles one way and, for the most part, level with a few inclines. Most of the roads are either paved or gravel with some sand surfaces. The trail follows a maintenance road winding past washes and towering cliffs to the mouth of present-day Snow Canyon.

The insiders’ secret is that after the road appears to dead end and the paved part ends, stay left onto the dirt pathway and follow it another two to three miles and you’ll be glad you did! It’s quiet solitude and I was so happy to be cruising on my bike. I pushed on towards the beauty of the white, towering rocks that sat deep within Snow Canyon.

Once I made it to the end, I had a sense of completion and I allowed myself a few minutes with the world alone, connecting on many different levels of life and universe and becoming one with each other.

The best part of Snow Canyon was the variety of trails. You can take it easy or you can go from one trail to the next and really challenge yourself. For me, the challenge to push myself just past my limit is always the way to go! It raises the inner senses and makes life worth living.

The feeling of being alive and breathing in the fresh Utah air was invigorating. Then, a nice dinner with a glass of wine... or two, followed by a hot bath and bed always feels more rewarding.

Why I Hate Valentines Day

I'm just going to put it out there...I hate Valentines Day! I haven't always hated it, but it seems the older I get the more I seem to hate any holiday that makes me feel obligated to preform. For starters I think it's a bunch of commercialized crap played out between greeting card companies, florists, jewelers and chocolatiers to force men and women into publicly proclaiming their affection for their lovers with a very clear implied "or else." Not surprisingly, a woman, Esther Howland, is credited with sending the first Valentine's card in the United States. Thanks Esther! I know there's going to be women out there that will be mad as hell at me after reading this...oh well; I guess I'm not the average chic, after all, my favorite Christmas gift this past year was a new pair of hiking boots...(that I picked out for myself) People... just say NO to the craziness.

There need not even be the slightest emotion attached, nor thought behind the gift. We are told, in ads on radio and television, how a simple phone call and valid credit card is all it takes to send flowers or candy to your "special someone" and it is guaranteed to arrive in time for Valentines Day. Sure sounds easy enough...one call does it all, or does it? Presumably, the recipient can feel emotionally "validated" by getting a gift delivered via a stranger and in full view of their co-workers. Please...Give me a break! Reminds me of a very funny, sad but true story; many years ago a friend of mine ordered flowers for his wife on Valentines Day. He felt the pressure building all week long but he still waited too long to make the call... needless to say it was slim pickins in the flower world. Later that day the arrangement was delivered to her at her place of employment, there were no roses, just pretty blue carnations shaped in a horseshoe; it appeared to suggest that she was a triple crown winner of sorts! Nothing says love like a funeral arrangement for a horse!

I've surprised my husband with homemade cards with big red magic marker hearts on them for 18 years of marriage. My beef with Valentines Day is not the gifts themselves, but the high expectation and complete lack of spontaneity involved in this manufactured "holiday." May I suggest that every day be Valentine's Day, by injecting love and romance into the process, it is more memorable and more meaningful. People should show there loved ones how they feel all year long through their actions, not just one stinking day per year. It's the little acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that people remember. Try bringing your spouse a cup of coffee in bed, or taking a walk together. Go to lunch, watch a movie, share a bottle of wine...anything just don't fall into the trap! Why is saying, "I love you" somehow less valuable than sending a dozen roses that will be dead within a week? Why is there so much damn pressure for one day? How about the people without a significant other? Why do we have to rub it in even more. With all the broken-hearted people in the world, it just doesn't seem fair to glorify a 'for lovers only holiday' I've never been accused of being the 'fun police' or in this case the 'love police' but so be it...If the hiking boot fits.

So here I sit, wondering what am I supposed to do on Feb. 14? Do I stick to my principles and ignore the holiday completely and risk hurting my loved ones feelings? Should I preemptively "surprise" him with a fresh brewed cup of java in bed, a box of heart candy or maybe some boxer shorts with hearts on them days before the official holiday... satisfying my desire to remain "my own person" and make him feel like he is simply getting his Valentines Day gift early? Personally, I just want it all to go away...