Percy Priest Lake, Nashville TN

This past Saturday was another first for me. Quinton had been invited to a birthday party, not just any regular birthday party but one out on a pontoon. He invited me to come along and how could I say no. Having always been afraid of the water because I never learned how to swim couldn't stop me from having a great day. My new friends Kyle and Manny were also coming along so I knew I would have fun with all three of my friends. 

The party on the pontoon was a surprise for a new friend named Justin. His wife Kate, also a new friend, was surprising him by gathering around fifteen friends and taking everyone out on the lake. 

Everyone's was excited to get out in the water....

Kate going over the condition of the rented pontoon with one of the staff....

Lots of Mallard ducks around hoping to get a handout....

Justin, the birthday boy, got to drive his toy for the day....

Once he got us out on the open water we got some speed and out to find a good spot to have fun...

Great snacks were passed around....

The slide was used a lot....

Sherrie jumping off of the second deck was also popular....

Kyle can apparently walk on water!

Manny showing his flying skills!

Floating around looked so relaxing.... Sherri, Quinto and Kyle

Manny on his float....

Even some grooming took place out in the water!  LOL

I think this was a new waxing technique!

Producing memories.......

Even though I didn't go into the water I had a wonderful time and made sure I didn't get to much sun. 

We then headed for the cliffs and the fun really got started. Sherrie was one of the brave ones to jump off first from one of the lower spots....

Quinton was also one of the brave ones...

Then Kyle and Manny also braved it...

Once our group started jumping it gave many others the courage to take the plunge....

These guys had to jump after watching this brave young lady do it!

This guy did an amazing flip...

Some had GoPro cameras...

We had a great meal and enjoyed great conversation...

The birthday boy got to blow out his candles...

I had a good conversation with Justin and found out that he had lived out in Van Nuys, California for a few years. The fun fact about this is that Van Nuys is only about ten minutes from my home in the San Fernando Valley. Getting away from California I'm meeting so many people that have lived out in my home state but have left it for so many reasons. I guess this journey is what I'm trying to figure out if I want to stay in California or not but it will take a lot to get me to move. 

My hat sure keeps picking up more fans!

Manny, Kyle and Quinton aka Brian....

All great times must come to an end and I thank my good friends once again for inviting me into their life's and helping to create great memories. 

A bit of culture never hurt.

I really enjoyed the Jaume Plensa exhibit named Human Landscape at Cheekwood in Nashville. Cheekwood is a 55-acre estate built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune and one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era Estate in the United States. 

The exhibit really should be seen at night when it's lighted which gives it a whole different feeling. 

The Soul of Words I and II, 2014

The Soul of Words I and II is comprised of two painted stainless steel figures shaped by symbols and letters from eight different alphabets set upon a collection of white river stones. It invites the viewer to imagine a conversation between the two figures, and the human dialogue in which we all participate. 

Awilda and Irma, 2014

Awilda and Irma continues the artists use of the portrait as a starting point for the creation of a work. In contrast to the sculptures made of solid material, these more open works in stainless steel "mesh" allow for light and the surrounding landscape to be part of the work. Plensa has underscored the relationship to landscape by installing the works in a pond, bringing water, light, and air together with the sculpture. 

The Heart of Trees, 2007

Is a work formed by seven bronze human figures based on the artists self-portrait to scale. With their arms and legs around seven living trees, this work references music and the traditional Western music scale. Each figure contains the names of composers, including Gershwin, Bizet, and Wagner, who represent a spectrum of composers from the 19th through 20th centuries.  

Thoughts, 2013

"One thought fills immensity" - William Blake

A great admirer of the British poet and artist William Blake, Jaume Plensa has referred to this famous quote as a reference point in Thoughts. With this work Plensa captures the immeasurable power of human thought, showing a figure sitting in a meditative pose and inscribed with swirling words and phrases on its bands of stainless steel. 

Self-Portrait, 2013

This metaphoric Self-Portrait represents the artist as a human figure with legs tucked up sitting inside a sphere. Composed with letters from nine alphabets, Self-Portrait asks viewers to engage with language as an artistic medium as well as a form of communication. 

Rui Rui's World II, 2013

Turning to traditional materials such as bronze and marble while calling on modern technology, Rui Rui is one of 34 portraits Plensa has done over the past decade. 

Silent Music II, 2013

It unites the the human figure with musical notes. 

The Maxwell House home is beautifully lighted ar night. It is now a museum housing additional artwork. 

I really enjoyed this exhibition because it made me think of so much around me and how one can get immersed in deep thoughts.