As we have noted, Pierre Auguste Renoir loved beautiful things.  I think this spring floral arrangement is beautiful!  Do you recognize any of the kinds of flowers he painted?  Notice the brush strokes in the table in the foreground - little dabs of color that give an impression of light and shadow and texture.  You could try painting your own flower or bouquet with the impressionistic style - using dabs of color.

A new composer today - Johannes Brahms.  You can read a brief biographical sketch here:  Johannes Brahms - biographical sketch  or Wikipedia - Johannes Brahms
Here is an early piece composed by him - Sonata No. 1 in C played by Sergey Schepkin (28) from Russia.  He is playing in the semi-final of the 1991 GPA Dublin International Piano Competition. In his interview when in Dublin Sergey told of the occasion when Brahms began playing this sonata for Schumann during a visit. After 10 bars Schumann said to Brahms: "wait for a second, I must call my wife."  It is long - about 1/2 an hour so you may want to draw or do handwork while you listen or turn it up and do some housework. Brahms - Sonata No 1 in C

Emily Dickinson loved nature.  Here is a poem about rain.  A  fête in the last line is a festival, celebration or party. 

A DROP fell on the apple tree
Another on the roof;
A half a dozen kissed the eaves,
And made the gables laugh.
A few went out to help the brook,	5
That went to help the sea.
Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,
What necklaces could be!
The dust replaced in hoisted roads,
The birds jocoser sung;	10
The sunshine threw his hat away,
The orchards spangles hung.
The breezes brought dejected lutes,
And bathed them in the glee;
The East put out a single flag,	15
And signed the fête away.

Renoir - Girls at the piano, Robert Schumann - Fairy Tales for the Viola and Piano, Emily Dickinson - He ate and drank the precious words....

Pierre Auguste Renoir liked to paint things that were pretty.  "Why shouldn't art be pretty,"  he said, "there are enough unpleasant things in the world."  I agree, beauty is one of God's gifts to us to bless our days.  It is our job to take the time to notice and to thank Him.

Today's piece of music by Robert Schumann is Fairy Tales for Viola and Piano.  I hope you enjoy it.  Schumann - Fairy Tales for Viola and Piano


And this week's poem by Emily Dickinson is about the wonder and transport of a good book.  I love how she puts things!

          He ate and drank the precious words,
          His spirit grew robust;
          He knew no more that he was poor, 
          Nor that his frame was dust
          He danced along the dingy days,
          And this bequest of wings
          Was but a book.  What liberty
          A loosened spirit brings!