The Grand Canyon

I finally had an opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona. What an amazing place! This canyon has been inspiring artists and writers for ages. It reminded me of a favorite Bible passage: "Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high? He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is his stronghold." And of these words by my favorite author of the southwest, Willa Cather: "At first the golden light seemed to hang like a wave upon the rim of the canyon; the trees and bushes up there, which one scarcely noticed at noon, stood out magnified by the slanting rays. Long, thin streaks of light began to reach quiveringly down into the canyon. The red sun rose rapidly above the tops of the blazing pines, and its glow burst into the gulf." In which book does Cather pen these words? What is the text from the Bible? Here also are some artists' renditions of the canyon. Can you identify these artists? Also, listen to the music called "Cloudburst" at this link (inspired by the Grand Canyon) by Ferde Grofe and write a short description of what you hear. Do you like it? How might it be related to the Grand Canyon? Write down Cather's book, the Bible text, the two artists, and your response to the music on a piece of paper to turn in by Friday, March 2 for extra credit on your 3rd nine weeks grade!

Why Museums?

What is the purpose of a museum?










According to the American Association of Museums, there are approximately 17,500 museums in the United States alone! Why are we so fascinated with artifacts from the past? Is it because seeing and touching those objects connects us with the mysteries of those who have gone before? Do we feel the thread of humanity running from the ancient to the modern by being in the presence of antiquities? For extra credit, make a comment on my blog about YOUR favorite museum experience. What did you see? What did you learn? How did you feel? This is a photo from my visit to the Louvre, in Paris, France.