Looking for Clues in Art

We think of art, whether modern, post modern, classical, or even neolithic, as a way to express the painter's thoughts on their surroundings. It doesn't matter if the scene is posed, still life, mythical or something else. The artist take that and makes their artwork a memory of their surroundings to last for centuries.

Recently researchers looking at breast cancer iconograpy through history found two portraits from the early 16th century showing late stage breast cancer.

"Signs of breast cancer can clearly be seen in "The Night", painted by Michele di Rodolfo del Ghirlandaio, and "The Allegory of Fortitude", depicted by Maso di San Friano."

If you look at the close ups of these two paintings in the Forbes article you can see them clearly. In addition it is noted that the Renaissance was a time of medical advancement so perhaps this was a way of showing the realities of life. What have other artists done? Intentionally omitted body defects so as not to show signs of disease?

But I also would not want to be the patients in the photos which show necrotizing tissue.

Its Boston Strong Day

Here outside of Boston, it is Patriots Day, Boston Marathon Day, and one year since the explosions last spring. In the past year, the city and surrounding suburbs have gone throug a good deal of trauma where entire communities were told to shelter in place as the bombers were hunted. It was a very traumatic time.

Due to the explosions, hundreds of people lost their limbs - legs and arms - and lost their hearing or other permanent injuries. Four people were killed, three by the explosions, one shot by the bombers. A fifth fatality was announced last week as a police officer died while working out as a result of injuries sustained last year.

Today it is a perfect running day for the 118th Boston Marathon. It will start in the mid 40s and end around 60, with blue sky and lots of sunshine and a little sea breeze. I hope it is not marred by more terrorists.

Also it is Patriots Day where we celebrate the 239th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. There will be celebration and reenactments of the first battles. These patriots show us we are still proud of our country and if we can keep the British at bay, we can also keep the terrorists away.

Its Boston Strong Day around here. We should all be proud.

The Battle of The Bulge in History

I never know where I am going to end up on the internet these days. Its really amazing - even without the cat here to help - he is very helpful in websurfing.

Yesterday I found the historical battle of the bulge or "A Slim History of Dieting" on Ancestry.com (see you never know where I will end up).

Its pretty funny. I can tell you that we are much safer these days in our dieting techniques. Previous diet tips have included that fat people should move to swampy areas or "daily cold baths, lots of exercise, chastity, temperance, and hard mattresses".

Personally, I would prefer watching what I eat vs. daily cold baths and living in a swampy area.

Napping is so underrated

Yesterday I took an hour and a half nap. Spontaneously. I mean I lay down to read a book and fell asleep solidly. The result was I woke up this morning at 330 and had a hard time getting back to sleep. I should stayed up later.

We have visiting family this week and are running around doing the things you do with out of town guests. Yesterday we did some Revolutionary War history - we live 2 miles from the Shot Heard Round the World. They do an annual reenactment at the crowd control time of 530am on Patriots Day which is next Monday, April 15 (as opposed to Patriot Day which is September 11). Yesterday afternoon was the dress rehearsal for the battle reenactment so they did it twice.

We wanted the British advance, curse at the colonials, insist they lay down the arms, and watched them die on the Battle Green and get tended by their wives and families - twice. But it was worth it. And we did not have to be some place by 530 am.

By the time we got home, we were all a bit tired and started to feel a little snoozy. I was the only one who slept.

Today we are off to do more tourist things - maple barn for brunch and some local wineries. I hope to make it to the gym later today but after wineries I might not be up for it. I might need another nap.