Today started cool and damp but by the end of the day the sun was out in full force and it was such a tremendous RELIEF after this wet weather. I am the first person to sing the praises of rainy days, but when it comes to the whole "practicality" issue as I'm walking the dogs, or trying to keep the floors clean after dirty dogs come back inside, or running to catch a bus on the way to work, or trying to dry out once I'm at work, especially after battling the winter sludge for months... sometimes I'd just like some dry side walks thankyouverymuch.
I recently discovered Orchid Grey's style blog and while day dreaming about the flirty skirts growing restless in my closet, I came to a sharp halt at this photo.
LOVE. The sun, her hair (if you look at a few of her other posts, you will see that this stylish lady has seriously amazing hair. Consider me inspired.), the tangibility of the whole season... Suddenly I was transported to a clambake on the beach in Maine, barefoot next to my favorite friends, family, and some buckets of beer. Heaven.
I also couldn't help thinking of my mom when I saw this as well! This photo is from a little later in her life but my older bother was born in '75 and I am sure she had this very look, photo, feeling, once upon a time when she was barefoot and pregnant. xN
This weekend I re-discovered one of my old favorite books that my mom gave me ages ago. I must have been in Piano camp (another story, for another time) at Princeton then because there is a bookmark that reads "Micawber Books", a great store that has since closed. This video doesn't show you much, but I love that someone else geeked out enough to take a video of a bookstore.
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg was published in 1986, so despite the varying reviews about the content, it is amazing to see that this little book is still in print. Among the negative comments posted on Amazon, several people complain that there was not enough direction or specific detail on how to improve your writing.
I am of the camp that writing is just like everything else in life: you improve the more you practice. Reading, having conversations, living, these are all beneficial forms of practice and while I think Goldberg highlights all successfully, the words in this book are much more than instruction.
"A writer is all at once everything-- an architect, French cook, farmer-- and at the same time, a writer is none of these things." -Goldberg, 71
"The parts of another's writing that are natural to you will become you, and you will use some of those moves when you write. But not artificially. Great lovers realize that they are what they are in love with." -Goldberg, 79
"Share your work with people. Don't let it just pile up in notebooks. Let it out. Kill the idea of the lone, suffering artist. We suffer anyway as human beings. Don't make it any harder on yourself." -Goldberg, 81
"Writing is the act of burning through the fog in your mind. Don't carry the fog out on paper. Even if you are not sure of something, express it as though you know yourself. With this practice, you eventually will." -Goldberg, 86
"I because to form a word with your lips and tongue or think a thing and then dare to write it down so you can never take it back is the most powerful thing I know. I am trying to come alive, to find the distances in my own recesses and bring them forward and give them color and form." -Goldberg, 115
Writing may not be your cup of tea, but I hope these words encourage you to take a risk in your life, and trust that you are strong enough to embrace your dreams with all your might. xN
Oh so bad, I feel so funny and I feel so sad... Today is the second day I've stayed home sick from my oh-so-important job with some kind of suffocating sinus stickiness and I am feeling much better. So far this morning I've been able to sit and stand without moaning-- but am definitely incapable of the warp-speed agility required to stay above water on Madison Ave. I emptied the dishwasher and don't anticipate getting up from my couch for several hours. Particularly since I've achieved the warmth trinity of a wool throw, delicious chamomile with a splash of soy milk and touch of honey, and perfectly content Jack Russell sleeping on my ankles (when does that ever happen?!). All I need now is my love, who has braved the elements to go off to work.
I don't know if it is just me, but I always feel tremendous guilt when I'm sick, as if I have somehow caused this weak condition and am not strong enough to rise above it. It is completely irrational, and I know this. Even when I was in elementary school, I would cry before ever saying the words "I'm sick", of course that was probably because I was sad to have to stay home from school given my dorkier tendencies even then. I remember school in upstate NY very fondly, with sun-dappled trees blowing in the wind over our quaint playground and Alexandra Massey's golden curls flying as she zipped down her grandmother's lake-moored water slide on weekends. Then we moved to PA and Harry Granville asked me in second grade if I wore a bra and it was all downhill from there. I guess that was the beginning of fake-sick days for me! Not that there have been many since then but that latent guilt is never expunged I guess.
Which is why I've taken the day to start my new blog. I've had it in my mind for over a year to start a recycled paper shop on Etsy, where I turn my recycled paper into cards purchasable as single cards or as packs. I love everything art and design related and truly relish the opportunity to use my creativity for the happiness of others! Check back soon for new store alerts, great designs, and what the future holds. A woman of many loves, expect this blog to touch on fashion, art, food, music, and probably more personal anecdotes along the way.
I was catching up with Cup of Jo this morning (haven't checked-in since just after the wedding and I was so happy to see that she is pregnant!) and saw a link to an article with one truly inspiring quote: Find Out Who You Are and Live That Truth. I've been over-worked and un-inspired at my current job for so long that I've got no other choice than to do just that. Here's to living the truth of who each and every one of us is! Happy Tuesday. xN
