Magnolias

A Year To Think

Is it possible to miss something while it is still happening?  Yes, I believe it to be true.  Such awareness can result in melancholy, and immense joy, simultaneously.  I've been living vicariously through this family's year long sojourn around the globe.  The documentation of their adventure at A Year to Think is absolutely moving.  Here's a sample. 

Recharge

Last week my laptop battery died and two days later my car battery died. Hmmm. What's the universe telling me? Somewhat inconvenienced, hence the lack of posts. The app for blogging is finicky, and has kinks uploading photos. I'm adapting, counting the days until my battery arrives and planning to roll with any other unexpected situations.  Thankfully, my camera is working just fine.

 

 

Signs of Rebirth

The Edwardian Ball

A costume party with a Burning Man vibe and just a stone's thrown from my house.  Very enticing. The Edwardian Ball, a turn of the century circus with an Edward Gorey twist started 13 years ago in San Francisco and has recently migrated to LA. Although I enjoyed the parade of inspired sartorial fashions, my favorite part was The Leisure Listening Lounge.  Hosted by Super Tall Paul Newman a multi-instrumentalist, loop master, and street performer; twelve listeners wearing headphones heard a song magically created as layers of instruments, beatboxing, and vocal harmonies built into a familiar tune. Due to the quiet nature of the instruments used there was virtually no sound without the headphones. The sound was amazing, and the experience an unexpected surprise.

Posted with Blogsy

Blood, Bones & Butter

Highly recommended by two friends, I eagerly added Gabrielle Hamilton's memoir to my library queue.  Her recollections growing up in a bucolic town in Pennsylvania, a place I fondly visited as a kid, echoed my own childhood.  More relatable venues as her life unfolded in New York City, Italy, and in many kitchens preparing family dinners, elaborate parties, or feasts for paying guests.  The importance of quality food and the joy of cooking are inexplicably part of my daily existence , thus I found familiarity and comfort in this sophisticated narrative.

The Study of a Tree

Bighorn Sheep

Drove to Palm Desert to hike a new trail, and take in views of the valley, flora and bighorn sheep.  Five mile trek, thousand feet elevation gain, sunshine, and laughter. 

love

A life is not to be squandered,

managed, maintained, endured,

breezed through, tiptoed across,

or even just lived.

A life is to be savored,

climbed into, appreciated,

awakened, immersed in,

embraced with whole heart.

Dive in.

Love your life - this life.

Don't wait for another.

Live every second deeply,

with arms wide open and heart amazed.

Welcome to your life.

~ C. C.

Life is Right

Always the wish that you may find patience enough in yourself to endure,

and simplicity enough to believe;

that you may acquire more and more confidence in that which is difficult,

and in your solitude among others.

And for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me: life is right, in any case.

                                                                                                ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

The Keep

I don't know how Jennifer Egan does it.  She constantly reinvents the way stories are told, bouncing form point of view, and inserting stories within stories.  The Keep is less ambitious than Goon Squad, but still very satisfying and distinctive.

Sunday

Saturday

Yesterday's rain gave way to a crisp blue sky.  Perfect hiking weather.  I hit a familiar trail, and was comforted by switchbacks I've traversed many times before.  Snow capped mountains enhanced the vista.  Yet, I long for new adventures, paths I've never tread.  Oh, where should I explore?

Weather

Snow in the mountains, rain down below.  Cool temps, and a blizzard back east.  I want to get cozy in bed with my book, and laptop.  Reading, surfing, writing, glancing.  A productive week comes to a close.  The future not necessarily clearer, but the unknown more in focus.

The Fading Sun