Suck it, Madonna.

I don't know if you heard the news, but apparently, last week Madonna announced that she "hates" hydrangeas. I think my late-season beauties clearly convey how very, very sad and soulless Madge must be. Look at the selective, gorgeous decay; the dusted quality to the coloring! Perfection.

Grosse.

Katharina Grosse, "one floor up more highly" at MASSMoCA.

The installation is enormous and shockingly, vibrantly colorful. Vertiginous cliffs of styrofoam contrast with piles of dirt and rocks, sprayed a rainbow of color. To me, it questioned what we consider precious: the things we pull out of the earth, the things we adorn ourselves with and the things that we discard. It was a striking display.

Air and space.

 

What do you do when visiting friends in D.C. during a withering July heatwave (I mean, besides going out for Ethiopian food, which seemed obvious)? Go to the Smithsonian Air and Space hangar at the airport, of course! In keeping with the subject matter, the best views were from below, looking straight up.

 

(all photos taken on my phone!)

demolition derby

Nothing says 'late summer fun' quite like crashing some crappy cars into one another, right?? While it's not as down-and-dirty-enjoyable as the one at the Cummington Fair (which I missed this year), the derby at the Tri-County Fair in Northampton fit the bill.

BEFORE:

 AFTER: