Carl Bloch - Christ in Gethsemene

 Leaving at 9:30 a.m. with Naomi to go to the Carl Bloch exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art was a wonderful choice of time.  I was deeply moved that we were seeing the original artwork from Danish & Swedish church alters.  For these to be shared in the first place was a great gift to us.  The ipad information that was offered was a great help in understanding what I was viewing and gave a spiritual message not possible in just viewing.

Being uplifted by each alter painting  my gratitude became full for the greater spiritual understanding of the compassion Bloch captured with Christ's freely given, selfless atonement in the Garden of Gethsemene.  Bloch's depiction of Christ's suffering, grief, pain, and submission is the first time I've felt those feelings truly captured in painting.  A rich spiritual experience was created in pondering this viewing.  The angel so willingly and lovingly comforting him in his deep grief helped me feel his love for me.  His ability to suffer for me personally is still so incomprehensible, but my heart came closer to understanding through this great work.  This painting and exhibit, although crowded even on a light day, was worth every effort to view and take into my heart.

I'm intrigued by Bloch's painting of his parents.  The statue of Thorvalsen's Christus seems so modern day, yet they had a replica statue in their own home?  Bloch had a loving Christian family who evidently loved Christ.  Their example led to Bloch being able to feel Christ's love sharing his testimony to me through painting. 

We enjoyed a delicious lunch in the Skyroom with it's panoramic view.  The lovely spring weather made it a perfect day.

Computer Trouble

For several months my computer wouldn't work on the internet even though it showed a connection.  I used Sherrie's donated work computer until it rebelled against the internet, too.  I suspected my wireless card was gone, but paid Geek Box $40 to find it was a software problem.  I got to work backing up and reinstalling Windows Vista, for I certainly wasn't going to pay them $200 whoppers to do the work I could do.  Geek Box didn't have to worry about giving a refund since their diagnosis was correct.  (I should've tried the reformatting first.)  Yes, the internet now works.  Too many anti-virus programs does cause problems.  Now that I spent most of the end of this week loading programs, I have a working computer.  It's nice to have my trusty friend back, although she often begs for far too much of my time.  I need to keep her pulling insistence for attention under control.  She likes to play around reading LDS news and blogs when hard work on family history writing and research sending it's cry for attention.

A Doggie or a Boy

Desi's 26th birthday celebration get-to-gether started with delivering the mini fondant cake I had made at RS the night before.  Desi had spent the first half of her day working, then her and Laura got lunch and pedicures.  I found a boy doggie "Benji" instead of the 4 yr. old Ben.  Benji the doggie stayed around for quite a while while I wondered when Ben would return.  Eventually he did.  He realized Charlotte was getting more attention being a girl than he was a dog.   I enjoyed having cute Bensen back. Of course, a lot of  attention was on two adorable kids.  We ate Marie Callendar French silk and peach pie.  Several party goers were tired from their busy work week.

Kneader's french toast was the center of today's breakfast celebration for Derek's 30th birthday.   The Johnson bunch (except Desi wanted to sleep in) made themselves sick on the sweet, yummy buttermilk syrup, then the boys were off to South Towne Expo's "International Sportsmen's Expo."  It's nice to celebrate with family.