Flowers, like other objects of our affection - or lust - are usually sought out for their freshness and youth, and not for their spots and wrinkles. Anyone familiar with this site knows I love flowers, but I confess that more and more in recent years I myself seem to have so shared this attitude. It must be one of the reasons I have generally avoided purchasing cut flowers either for myself or for others.

Of course, since I have watched so many bouquets purchased from New York corner deli's die within hours of their arrival, my preference for potted plants might be explained by something other than any special aversion to witnessing the natural sequence of maturation and death. There's also that messy, complicating thought that a flower actually dies the moment it is cut.

Like their animal cousins flowers do not seem to lose beauty as they age as long as they are left in their natural environment. I've always loved looking at a landscape or garden, including those I've nurtured myself, late in the season when its flashier beauties start to fade and begin to shrivel and bend. Indoors I've thought I could only approach this phenomenon with a living, flowering plant in a pot.

Until this past week.

Thirteen days before I took the images at the top and bottom of this post I received as a birthday gift the magnificent vase of florist-arranged mixed white blossoms into which were tucked the buds of these now-fading lillies.

It lasted over a week as a bouquet (although, surprisingly, the roses left shortly before that, having never quite opened). These remaining stems, together with the Eucalyptus leaves which accompany them, have now been sitting by the window on our ancient table in this heavy old green glass "can" for many more days. They have Barry and I both great, silent pleasure while we read, write, talk, and listen to music, eat and drink.

Some time today, before midnight, I will respectfully dispose of them, but I'm going to remember the beautiful, graceful dignity of their aging.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO US ALL, WITH LILLIES FOR EVERYONE - OF EVERY AGE!

It was totally dark on far West 27th Street at 6:15 last night, except for the amber incandescent lights overhead, so this beast looks even more weird than it might normally.

The first Smart of winter. The Mercedes Smart (yes, Mercedes) will finally be available in the U.S. by the end of January.

We spotted this little beauty (a cabriolet with manufacturer's plates) parked across from our building as we headed out to Williamsburg and Bed-Stuy via several subway lines this afternoon. Sigh. I think I'm still hooked.

Bruce High Quality Foundation arthur kills again 2007 [detail of installation]

Eugenio Ampudia Impression Soleil Levant 2007 video [installation view]

I'm not going to be able to do regular posts while Barry and I are still in Miami for the two dozen art fairs and related events, but I wanted to get the word out on one particular smaller-scale attraction we visited last night which definitely hasn't yet gotten the publicity it deserves. If you're here in the topics this week, don't miss ArtHaus Miami.

The first image is of an installation which is something of a combination coin toss and miniature golf operation in the mansion's very formal backyard pool. It's all a very funny and imaginative take on the history of a wilder body of water located somewhat further north, Arthur Kill.

The second is of a video installed in an upstairs chamber of the house. It was at the moment I was taking this picture that I realized we had to had to leave for our next stop and come back when we have more time. Unfortunately, except to show this great installation, I can't say anything about the work itself right now.

These two pieces are among a great many more spread throughout the rooms and gardens created by dozens of artists. They are part of what is also known as ArtHaus UnFair 07. The haus is located behind an arched gate in a large old deco mansion at 1616 Drexel Avenue, just north of 16th Street, close to all the other Miami Beach art venues, and it's open from 1 until 10 pm through Monday.

Have fun!

_____

As for reports of my other favorite experiences of the fairs' bounty, I may be able to do some very brief posts including nothing but an image and an attribution. Because of time demands and only irregular access to the computer however, any real summary will have to wait for our return in the middle of next week.