The Electron has been silent for the last week while I was up in the Boston area. Now I have returned, fighting my way through heavy weather and high winds southwards towards the sunny autumn of home. It has been a busy week for me. Even if I had not had some problems with posting from my Macintosh, I didn't have time to prepare a readable Weblog entry. My outpost room was mainly a place to sleep and store stuff.

My mother's eighty-fifth birthday went splendidly. She was showered with gifts, dinners, visits, and lots of love and appreciation. She enjoyed Godiva chocolates, "Bellini" peach and wine cocktail, and candied ginger. I helped her out in her art studio, sorting older works and hauling selected newer works to a private studio gallery where she will be showing them. I took a lot of photos and now, for the first time, you will soon be able to see some of my mother's art when I have the images prepared. I will announce the link when it is ready.

I also was able to hear some of my father's new music, a series of beautiful art songs setting the words of Massachusetts poet John Greenleaf Whittier. These are works in progress and he has more to finish. I am proud of both my parents because despite age and infirmity, they are both still making creative art.

The Chinese and other cultures have a concept of filial piety which is a complex mix of devotion, duty, practicality, thanksgiving, and emotion. Our Western "Judeo-Christian" culture simply has the Biblical fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments: "Honor thy father and thy mother." I do what I can, which can never be enough, but at least I try.

The day before I left, Mother and I had another gourmet meal at the famous Casey's Diner in our home town of Natick, Mass. Their steamed hot dogs are famous; you can read about them here. Casey's Diner and my mother are about the same age! Long may both of them live.

I brought my calculus books and some sketchbooks, but I hardly did any art and not a drop of math. Filial piety, done in person, is a full-time job. Now I am back in my studio to attend to my other jobs, and I can return to math and physics as well.

Posted at 1:34 am | link