Week 1 My Interests

My interests are somewhat narrow. I enjoy reading good science fiction, and good historical fiction. Unfortunately, neither is plentiful. Most of what is out there is either trite, boring, or just plain awful. I am not averse to reading nonfiction, primarily history, and in fact, I find 15th century English and 18th century Mohawk Valley history fascinating. I am totally disinterested in any history after the 19th century.

I usually listen to contemporary Christian radio, and that is my favorite music genre. Among that style, I like the Newsboys, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Michael W. Smith.
I also enjoy light classical music, and among my favorites are Mozart and Vivaldi. My favorite works by them are "Ein Kleine Nachtmusik" and "The Four Seasons Concerto". For relaxing I also like Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and Ravel's "Bolero" . I dislike most jazz, and do not care for most late rock music either, although I confess I enjoy listening to those "oldies"rock stations, LOL Hip hop, rap and polka are all so far down my list of musical likes that they are in the negative numbers, LOL.

As far as art, if we are talking of pre 20th century art, probably I best like the work of Caravaggio. The realism that he was able to obtain in his works never ceases to surprise me. Perhaps his painting of the apostle Thomas touching the wounded hands of Christ is my favorite. That a man who lived such a wild life as Caravaggio did (he was on the run for killing a man!) but yet was able to portray Biblical scenes with such skill and nuance intrigues me. For modern, 20th or 21st century art, most of it is much over rated hype, sort of like the "Emperor's New Clothes", everyone knows what it really is but no one will call it junk for fear of being labelled a barbarian. That being said, I do like the work of Thomas Kinkade. Call it "bubble gum " art for the masses, or whatever you will, but I like it. There is enough ugliness in the world, I want to see beauty and order, and I see that when I view Kinkade. The world he shows us is beautiful, unscarred by sin and unmarred by ugliness, the world I would portray if I had artistic skill.

I also enjoy gardening. A year ago I turned an old, ugly sandy poolyard into a small circular rose garden. Evidently the roses are very happy there, because they have flourished. I hope to add another garden arch and some more climbing roses this year. I would also like to add a solar powered water fountain and another garden statue.