The Musei Capitolini in Rome has four collections to enjoy; The Collections, History and Myth, Men and Gods, and Arms and Power. All are artworks on four levels in buildings partially designed by Michelangelo and date back to 1471. Of all the art, what grabbed my attention today was the milliard of granite choices. Italy is rich in the most beautiful stone. Every color is present and every piece of art may be carved from, pigmented with, and has always amazed me. I did not count the statues nor the Madonna’s compared to Christ’s. There were also many Popes and Bishops remembered in this Museo. Italy has similar tile art to Albania and Greece and I am certain the artists influenced each other. There are many ancient churches in Rome but there is also the most awful graffiti. It is not as refined as Florence but it is also huge. Both cities have a visitor-driven economy.
I have recommended other counter materials for kitchens to my clients over the years. Granite is natural and porous. That is why it makes amazing sculptures and a million steps all over Europe. The conglomerates like quartz is beautiful but man-made without the same level of “motion” (word used for the wildness of the stone). The other factor is my Dad was an artisan. He made all things beautiful with tile. Only once did I question his choice when he could not choose between some designs (kind of an epcot-era-pop-culture-60’s art with blue on white). He decided to mix them up with plain white tiles in a shower. I wonder if that tile is still there in Lawndale, California. His eye usually went to the natural most beautiful tiles and his clients appreciated his talent.
I appreciate that God designed beautiful stone for us to use and enjoy. The formation of granite occurs when magna crystallizes slowly below the earth’s surface. That granite countertop you have was originally just molten magma! It takes time. Marble is formed when a pre-existing limestone rock is heated to extreme temperatures causing the minerals to enlarge and fuse. The common action is it gets hot. The heat produces change. If there were no heat – there would be no change. That takes me back to how I got to Rome to enjoy the stones and art. I’ve retired. I knew God was expecting more from me than to sit down and sip coffee (however I still do that). Nothing changes if nothing changes and so I did a Discipleship Training Program. At times things heated up and I heated up and I hope I have adjusted things (changed) in some beautiful ways. Below I will try to attach a photo I took today to remind me that God takes minerals out of water and heats them up to make beautiful stone. He does not search the world for beautiful people but for those willing to be fired on.
