Birch Tree Shirt and a Bit of the Bard

One week ago at this hour, I was in a boutique in Ashland, Oregon (Heart and Hands). It was a gorgeously sunny morning and I was there with five friends to enjoy some Shakespearean Festival plays—and for some retail therapy and amazing food. I was happy to be invited to join these women, who make this a yearly expedition from our town (five hours north).

When I'd walked into the boutique, I was taken aback by the shop owner's shirt, which I couldn't decide if I loved or hated. It was cut beautifully, but was made from this crazy fabric that looked like it had been splashed with acid and bleach. It was a top that stirred things up. I had to try it on.

Of course, I loved it. It spoke to me. It was made by a local artisan and I had never seen anything like it. I texted my husband and told him I'd found my birthday present (one of them, anyway!). When I sent him a photo, he said it looked like a birch tree, and he was right.

A few minutes later we sat in a darkened theater and enjoyed a masterful play called "The African Theater Presents Richard III." It was a dramatization of a group of African-Americans in 1820 New York City, producing Richard III at the same time an affluent white company was doing the same. It was full of triumph and heart. It spoke to me as well.

How does a piece of fabric speak to a heart? Some fashion is just art. Clothes can be the artistic expression of the designer. I Googled Mamatoto, the maker of my Birch Tree Shirt, and didn't find a website. I'm thinking she's too busy sewing to build a website, and that's just fine.

And, of course, beautiful food is an artistic expression as well. On Thursday night, we'd eaten at Dragonfly (Asian-Latin Fusion!), where I'd had the Asia Grill, heaven on earth in the form of grilled veggies. There was some sort of glaze on the grill, however, that was new to me. And even later, Candied Ginger sorbet topped off a pretty perfect day. Nothing like a five-hour drive to really get to know wonderful women!

I came back revitalized and ready for the rest of my summer. As I'm sitting here now in my birch tree shirt, I'm grateful for all those artists–actors, designers, chefs—who make our lives more colorful and delicious.