Naumkeag
Stockbridge, MA
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Being in the mountains is both exhilarating and calming. The majesty of the hills and the spectacular vistas are a feast for your eyes and your heart races along with awe. Yet, at the same time, the palette of a million greens and the soft infinity of rolling peaks calms one's spirit.
It is a very healthy place to be.
We spent an afternoon at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA with Tyler and Amy. We had gone there specifically to see the Darren Waterston installation, "Filthy Lucre" which was fascinating in both it's vision and it's commentary. Most likely because of "Ivanov", the beauty/discord of "unsustainable opulence" rang out loud and clear!
It is interesting when one notices a synergy of themes reoccurring in one's own life.....
All of us were enthralled by another artist/exhibit as well; Izhar Patkin, "The Wandering Veil". There was a series of rooms filled with wall size paintings (14x22x28) done in ink on layers of pleated tulle!
Couldn't figure out how he did them.... printed? airbrush/stencil? Wow.
They were magical!
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Tim and I then headed to Stockbridge, MA for an few days. We visited Naumkeag, a 48 acre gilded age estate built in 1885 and owned by the Choate family. The surviving daughter, Mabel, donated it to the Trustees of Reservations in 1959. The landscaping and gardens are spectacular - a culmination of over 30 years of work by the landscape architect, Fletcher Steele who was truly ahead of his time. By using the land itself and various architectural elements he defines the space and creates a wonderfully tranquil environment.
It was a very overcast morning yet we wandered through the gardens for hours. Each of us finding our own paths of beauty.
It was here - at Naumkeag - in the bedroom of Mabel Choate, facing the Oak Lawn that Tim and I received a FaceTime call from Tyler and Amy giving us the news of their engagement!
Luckily, there were no others around and the docent was kind enough to let us enjoy the moment.
As the brochure says -
"preserving the aura of good times and gracious living."
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We saw a beautiful and extremely well sung production of "A Little Night Music" at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, costumes designed by our good friend, David Murin. (!)
Had a relaxing dinner and evening with him as well. So fun to meet up with old friends and share a table, great food, and - always - lots of laughter!
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Whenever we get in the car and travel, even short distances, to explore either new or familiar places we always find ourselves talking again about our old GMC motorhome or our (wish we did not sell) Roadtrek.
We must look down the road and listen to our hearts.
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south end of Naumkeag
Stockbridge, MA
