Mr. Grasshopper

We have a little resident in my organic basil plant (from Costco...I love Costco). Hello Mr. Grasshopper.

I can't believe how well this basil plant is doing... given most plants come to my house to wither away and die. Also... often I have to wait for the bees to stop gathering nectar before I can gather some basil for dinner. I'd like to say it's because I'm very in-tune with nature...but it's because I'm a big chicken and I don't want to get stung again. (I was stung on a 4th year hike when I was a teen at Girls Camp...IN.MY.EAR. I had to yank that sucker out of my ear...so gross)

Hopper's self-portrait

This is Edward Hopper - when he was a kid he was extremely tall. So he was nicknamed "grasshopper". Hopper is the artist my first grader is learning about this month as part of the parent-volunteer art program for the entire elementary school. I love this program. It's self-funded through fund-raisers. The kids all learn a different track of artists each year. Last year I volunteered in the kindergarten class and felt like I was getting a chance to do the art I never really did as a kid. With each lesson we learn about the artist's life and do a project to reinforce the art from each specific artist. The kids have a blast.




This is Edward Hopper's "The Long Leg". He loved boats. His paintings often evoke solitude. He was a very solitary, lonely, quiet man.