Glass Blowers,Rabbis and Bull Frogs!

#1Julius Shultz-Botanical Gardens,Bronx(2005)

#2Chihulys' work

As you can see this is a link to this artists site.The picture I took a couple of years ago. I put it up today because it caught my eye. Dale Chihuly's story is amazing to say the least, if you are really interested I put the link above the photo so you can learn more and see his work.To quickly sum up what I think is amazing is the fact that here is probably the best glass blower in the world and through some freak accident he loses his eye. Thus eliminating his depth perception, and his ability to create and practice his craft. Why have I brought this up? Well, it's to emphasize and bring attention to the fact that there is something to be learned in every crisis, injury tragedy or whatever you choose to call it. Chihuly has done what no other artist or athlete I've seen or heard of do. He shifted gears and kept his creative passion and brought his craft to the next level through team work and vision. The man with the cane is not Chihuly , he is my father, and since I didn't mention him yet, these 2 images go together in my mind. He introduced me to this exhibit at the botanical gardens in the Bronx. This was taken a few years ago and through creative exercises he no longer needs the cane. He goes to the gym 3-4 days every week for many years now. I won't reveal his age, but I can tell you he is over 21. There's a story my father tells that I will share with you. There as this man who just had his 10th child and was in a panic about where everyone was going to fit. The small house was crowded before , what would he do now? He went to consult with his Rabbi and said " Rabbi , I can't take it anymore the house is to small for all of us and I am going out of my mind.Can you help me please?" The Rabbi replies " Yes son, I can but you must do everything I ask and not question it. Can you do that? The desperate new father say " oh yes Rabbi! I will I will. " The Rabbi says" Do you have any chickens?" The man replies " Why, yes I do." The Rabbi says " I want you to take all the chickens and move them into the house. Then come back next week." The man blinks and shakes his head and says " But , Rabbi ! The Rabbi reminds him of his deal. "o.k, I'll do it , but I think you're crazy" The Rabbi says " That may well be true, but you said you wanted help so here it is." The man goes home rounds up the chickens and brings them in the house. The wife complains, the children cheer and laugh, the man is feeling worse and even more hopeless about his situation. The week feels like a month and there is untold chaos in the house. He returns to the Rabbi downtrodden and exhausted, because now there is no where for him to sleep. The Rabbi asks him " So, how did it go?" The man raises his head and replies " Well Rabbi if you must know I feel even worse, if that's even possible." The Rabbi strokes his long gray beard and says " That's curious it has always worked in the past." The man shrugs and says " Well it didn't help and I now have chicken crap all over the house." The Rabbi says " Well son it appears you're a special case and here's what you do next. Do you have any goats?" The man nods, " Well bring all of them into the house as well, immediately, and come back in 3 days." The man cursing himself for asking for this lunatics help returns home and does as the Rabbi suggests. Now there's total pandimonium. Goat bleating, chickens clucking, screaming kids and an angry wife. 3 days feel like a year. He returns to the rabbi with his story of woe. The Rabbi says " O.K. now we're making progress, save your judgements and do as I tell you ." The man weakly nods "Do you have any cows?" The rabbi asks. The man walks away and says "Let me guess they're coming in too." "Right you are " says the Rabbi " "But, come back tomorrow." The beaten man limps home and walks the cows into the small house. He is now over 2 weeks without sleep. He returns to the Rabbi and looks up at him. The Rabbi says " I want you to go home and remove all the livestock from your house" The man perks up and trots home to do it. The Rabbi says " That should do the trick." Well that night was the best nights sleep he can remember and awaking refreshed he runs to thanks the Rabbi for his new luxurious big house. The Rabbi smiles and the man leaves happy. This story really explains my father. So now you have a feeling of the characters in the play to follow. Oh! One other little goody he likes to share is " Eat a bull frog every morning and the rest of the day won't seem so bad."