Starry Night

I’m on a roll tonight. My DH is watching a ballgame at a friend’s house, a friend with a 52″ high definition television. Anyway, I’ve again changed the image header, this time to Van Gogh’s Starry Night. I remember seeing it at the MOMA years ago when some friends and I darted in and out quickly…so much to do, so little time.  It made a powerful impression on me, and afterwards I made it my business to learn more about him and the painting itself. The swirling clouds and luminous stars somehow make the tiny village seem safe and nestled as well as small and insignificant…in the grand scheme of things.  Since the painting was cropped to fit the heading space, we can’t see the church steeple reaching heavenward, but we can see the tip of the cypress tree.

The hour is late, and that’s about all I remember about the painting tonight. Perhaps someone will enlighten me…and the other bloggers.

Sock, Tights, or Nothing

I’ve been so serious lately that I’m even boring myself, so in an attempt to lighten up, I’m going to share a quote that Donna gave me at church yesterday and then add a short application to go with it.

“If you cannot read all your books, at any rate handle them…peer into them, let them fall open where they will, read from the first sentence that arrests the eyes, set them back on their shelves with your own hands, arrange them on your own plan so if you do know what is in them, you will at least know where they are. Let them be your friends; let them at any rate be your acquaintance.” Winston Churchill

The reason I like that quote so much is because that’s something I always do. Whether in a bookstore, library, or in my own home, I like to pick up different reading materials and dip into them a bit.  Here’s an example. A couple of weeks ago my daughter Elizabeth and I were in Sam’s waiting for some pictures to be developed, and I went on a reading frenzy in the book and magazine section. I’m not sure whether Churchill would approve of magazines, but nevertheless,  by doing so I learned what not to do if one wants to avoid looking the “o” word (old).

I thought maybe some of you more mature readers might benefit from my newfound knowledge. No more nude panty hose. This was a shock to me, but Elizabeth verified it. “Wear socks, tights, or nothing, ” she insisted. The article also gave advice on lipstick (think pink), cutting and coloring hair, and choosing jeans. The article, based on a book by Charla Krupp, also encouraged women to whiten their teeth and toss their muu muus.  Oh, and as far as jewelry is concerned, no more gold necklaces or chandelier earrings.

So I took Churchill’s advice (without even knowing it) and learned a little bit about a lot of things. I came away feeling enlightened…but a little dowdy too. Not to fret. Elizabeth has promised to go jean shopping with her maturing mom. In the meantime, I’m thinking of ordering the book.

What about those of you out in blogland? Can you (will you) share an experience of something you’ve learned from peering into books or magazines and “reading from the first sentence that arrests the eye?”

New Look

I’ve been dissatisfied with the blog header image for the past couple of months but couldn’t figure out why. Today I did. I snapped the photo with my cell phone as I was bidding adieu to the beach at the end of the summer of 2006.  Yes, 2006. As I left the Myrtle Beach State Park where I had spent hours of reading, relaxing, walking, and people watching, I couldn’t help but look back at one of my favorite spots on earth  once more before going home. Ever since I left the area over five years ago, I’ve been saying that I’ll go back someday, and I might just do that depending  on lots of factors, mainly financial ones.

 Anyway, today it hit me that I’ve sort of been like Lot’s wife, looking back and longing for what was instead of pressing on to what is or what will be. I’m not saying the yearnings for the sound of ocean’s roar, the gentle tide lapping up on the sand, or the squeals of frolicking children have left. They haven’t. The sights of the  sea birds, the feel of the sun on my skin, the smell of sunscreen, and the taste of cheese crackers and soggy ham sandwiches (seems like we often had cooler mishaps) are forever a part of my memory, and hence, part of me.

Still, life moves on. There’s no turning back, just going forward.  I’m not sure just what image header I’ll settle on, but the one I uploaded tonight is one I took with my cell phone as I walked through a park one morning not long ago.  To me, the image almost looks surreal, yet it was just an ordinary day. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s Mother Nature’s way of letting me know that beauty is everywhere, not just beside the ocean.

 There’s no looking back, at least not the kind that keeps me from experiencing life fully in my current environment. What about you? Do you ever look back at the past with longing that keeps you from enjoying your present?