Out and About with Judith
(Thursday November 5, 2009)
Ever since we first met during the 2005 Gathering of writers, poets and artists in Alleghany, Judith and I have been planning to get together. We finally had lunch at Las Katarinas Mexican Restaurant in Nevada City.
Judith is an interesting, dynamic, and talented person, so we had a lot to talk about. Juggling our choice for lunch and conversation was tricky. I finally settled on taco's with guacamole (right) and sour cream. She chose an enchilada dish. How the time fly's when you're having fun. After finishing lunch, we decided to walk around town to check out the historic building (on the corner of Spring Street and South Pine Street) that she and her husband bought and plan to remodel. Very ambitious plans that will be quite an accomplishment.
On the corner of Broad and Pine Streets is Medusa (with her crown of serpents) decoration left over from Halloween.
It's difficult to see her from the front because of the reflections in the glass window. Originally this Medusa was a wedding manikin. Instead of a skull she held a bouquet? You'll recall Greek myth related that Medusa was originally a beautiful young woman whose crowning glory was her magnificent long hair. She was desired and courted by many suitors. Yet before she could be betrothed to a husband, Poseidon (Neptune) found her worshipping in the temple of Athena (Minerva) and ravished her. Athena was outraged at her sacred temple being violated, and punished Medusa by turning her beautiful tresses into snakes and giving her the destructive power to turn anyone who looked directly at her into stone. Are the skull and bones at her feet the remains of an admirer? Next we walk down Broad Street to Lilly Vigil's Gallery where some of Judith's creations are displayed. If you're an old timer you'll remember when it as Aldo's bar. Zun Berry (Staff Writer) at the Union newspaper did a nice story about her paintings that are now in the Smithson National Museum.
Judith's describing the symbolism in some of her paintings.
Below are some creations by Stan Padilla.
While viewing the art of Stan Padilla, lo and behold so was former Grass Valley classmate Betty and her grand daughter visiting from Chicago. The young woman is writing about Padilla, and since Judith knows him, they promised to contact each other. What an interesting coincidence.
Judith and I head back up the street to Java John's for a cup of coffee, where she introduces me to the proprietor below.
It was a wonderful afternoon out and about with Judith, and I'm looking forward to getting together again when she returns from Oregon.
