http://www.npr.org/2012/10/27/163560417/beth-orton-these-songs-are-my-little-bit-of-sugar
"Sugaring
season is the season when you tap the trees for sugar that turns into
maple syrup...I
liked also the idea that sometimes you can smell that spring in the air
even though it's the dead of winter; you just get that vague glimpse of
it, and there's that sense of hope that it brings. I just thought, all
in all, it just creates this wonderful imagery of writing songs: For me,
it takes a lot of experience to make a little bit of sugar. These songs
are my little bit of sugar, I think."
-Beth Orton
I love this whole idea of turning experience into "a little bit of sugar." I think a lot of the time it's so easy to get caught up in how things are going, and sometimes it seems like nothing's going right. But maybe the thing is, it just takes a lot of experience to make a little sugar...it takes a lot of things going wrong - or at least the feeling that things are going wrong - for you to create something or realize something that turns out to be worthwhile.
To turning experience into sugar, whatever form yours may come in.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Dancing and Shadows
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-dancer-who-made-lifes-transcience-lasting/2012/10/14/b797929e-1626-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines
First of all, sorry it's been such a long time. I was consistent for a while...and then inconsistent for a while (maybe a cycle of its own?). I'll try to update a couple times a week again (to the possible one person out there who's reading this).
I haven't actually seen Eric Hampton's work at all, but a few sentences caught my attention in the article:
"The dances he created...had everything you need in dark times, or in life in general: humor, poetry, human warmth. Moments that trapped a fleeting sensation and kept it aglow in your mind like a candle flame."
Don't you just love that? There is so much truth in those sentences, especially the part about how humor, poetry, and human warmth are so essential.
"It was always Hampton’s strength to find gold in the shadows."
I would like to be able to do that. We don't control so much of what happens in the world, but we can always control how we react...yes, maybe it does feel like the sky is falling. But isn't it the loveliest shade of blue? (Okay, maybe that just sounds completely absurd...but you know what? Maybe life is absurd. Things don't always make sense.)
"Yet Hampton’s courage (or was it unquenchable artistic fire?) still astounds those of us who witnessed it, and borders on the superhuman. As amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (the dread Lou Gehrig’s disease) gradually shut down his outer functioning, he still managed to bring forth a creative, nurturing inner life. "
That's just beyond words, isn't it? Impressive doesn't even come close.
To "humor, poetry and human warmth" - wherever you may find them: dance, art, sports, anything. Everything.
First of all, sorry it's been such a long time. I was consistent for a while...and then inconsistent for a while (maybe a cycle of its own?). I'll try to update a couple times a week again (to the possible one person out there who's reading this).
I haven't actually seen Eric Hampton's work at all, but a few sentences caught my attention in the article:
"The dances he created...had everything you need in dark times, or in life in general: humor, poetry, human warmth. Moments that trapped a fleeting sensation and kept it aglow in your mind like a candle flame."
Don't you just love that? There is so much truth in those sentences, especially the part about how humor, poetry, and human warmth are so essential.
"It was always Hampton’s strength to find gold in the shadows."
I would like to be able to do that. We don't control so much of what happens in the world, but we can always control how we react...yes, maybe it does feel like the sky is falling. But isn't it the loveliest shade of blue? (Okay, maybe that just sounds completely absurd...but you know what? Maybe life is absurd. Things don't always make sense.)
"Yet Hampton’s courage (or was it unquenchable artistic fire?) still astounds those of us who witnessed it, and borders on the superhuman. As amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (the dread Lou Gehrig’s disease) gradually shut down his outer functioning, he still managed to bring forth a creative, nurturing inner life. "
That's just beyond words, isn't it? Impressive doesn't even come close.
To "humor, poetry and human warmth" - wherever you may find them: dance, art, sports, anything. Everything.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Monday Mainstay: Come, Let Us Find (William Henry Davies)
Come, Let Us Find
William Henry Davies
Come, let us find a cottage, love,
That's green for half a mile around;
To laugh at every grumbling bee,
Whose sweetest blossom's not yet found.
Where many a bird shall sing for you,
And in your garden build its nest:
They'll sing for you as though their eggs
Were lying in your breast,
My love--
Were lying warm in your soft breast.
'Tis strange how men find time to hate,
When life is all too short for love;
But we, away from our own kind,
A different life can live and prove.
And early on a summer's morn,
As I go walking out with you,
We'll help the sun with our warm breath
To clear away the dew,
My love,
To clear away the morning dew.
That's green for half a mile around;
To laugh at every grumbling bee,
Whose sweetest blossom's not yet found.
Where many a bird shall sing for you,
And in your garden build its nest:
They'll sing for you as though their eggs
Were lying in your breast,
My love--
Were lying warm in your soft breast.
'Tis strange how men find time to hate,
When life is all too short for love;
But we, away from our own kind,
A different life can live and prove.
And early on a summer's morn,
As I go walking out with you,
We'll help the sun with our warm breath
To clear away the dew,
My love,
To clear away the morning dew.
Doesn't that sound like a perfect dream, to find this romantic cottage where we "A different life can live and prove"?
To walking and loving and living and proving a different life. And finding a cottage, both literally and metaphorically.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wordsworth on Rest
“Rest and be thankful.”
-William Wordsworth
This one's self-explanatory.
To rest and gratitude.
-William Wordsworth
This one's self-explanatory.
To rest and gratitude.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Little Things by Carlos Bertonatti Lyrics
"If life has taught me anything,
it'’s all about the little things."
-Carlos Bertonatti, The Little Things
Things are going wrong left and right in the world. It's so easy to just sink into despair, isn't it? Complain. Scan newspaper headlines or turn on the evening news or just feel dissatisfied about your life, your job, how much money you make, how much you weigh, anything, everything.
What's the point, anyway?
Okay, I'm going to tell you right off the bat that I can't answer that question. But according to this song, Carlos Bertonatti thinks "it's all about the little things."
And I don't know if it's all about the little things...but well, the little things can certainly add up, don't you think? I know it's the same old same old (well, if your life is anything like mine) and you're trying to find joy and happiness and peace and fulfillment and all that jazz, but sometimes you look at a bright, vivid flower on a cloudy gray morning and as little a thing as it is, it's enough for that moment. Maybe for that day.
Maybe life is seizing as many of those little moments as you can, letting them go when they do, and being open to the next one. Open your eyes and really look...what do you see? I'm sure you can find at least one thing that is beautiful. Or funny or hopeful or all of the above. And if you can't, make something beautiful. Okay?
To the little things.
it'’s all about the little things."
-Carlos Bertonatti, The Little Things
Things are going wrong left and right in the world. It's so easy to just sink into despair, isn't it? Complain. Scan newspaper headlines or turn on the evening news or just feel dissatisfied about your life, your job, how much money you make, how much you weigh, anything, everything.
What's the point, anyway?
Okay, I'm going to tell you right off the bat that I can't answer that question. But according to this song, Carlos Bertonatti thinks "it's all about the little things."
And I don't know if it's all about the little things...but well, the little things can certainly add up, don't you think? I know it's the same old same old (well, if your life is anything like mine) and you're trying to find joy and happiness and peace and fulfillment and all that jazz, but sometimes you look at a bright, vivid flower on a cloudy gray morning and as little a thing as it is, it's enough for that moment. Maybe for that day.
Maybe life is seizing as many of those little moments as you can, letting them go when they do, and being open to the next one. Open your eyes and really look...what do you see? I'm sure you can find at least one thing that is beautiful. Or funny or hopeful or all of the above. And if you can't, make something beautiful. Okay?
To the little things.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Dear Enemy (by Jean Webster) Review
Dear Enemy is Sallie McBride's (if you read Daddy Long-Legs, you'll remember that Sallie was Judy's friend and roommate) story. She has graduated from college and is living the life of a well-to-do socialite when Judy offers her the position of superintendent of the John Grier Home.
Sallie accepts. She is a determined, feisty, funny heroine and her letters reflect that spirit. In the beginning, she takes the job partially because Gordon, her boyfriend, laughs at the very idea of her running an orphan asylum, but it turns into something more. Sallie has these big ideas she wants to implement, ranging from the food to the dresses to fresh air.
Sallie is optimistic, but there are definitely trying times. She deals with problems from trustees who don't think she's very well-qualified to staff not used to change to someone giving her dog Singapore a haircut.She learns so much about managing things and opens her heart up to the orphans and of course, she changes and learns along the way.
Dear Enemy delves much more deeply into asylum life and orphans and running an institution. I enjoyed reading about Sallie's attempts to brighten up the children's lives, and her sparring with the "enemy," the doctor who recommends scientific texts in order to provide her with the scientific knowledge that befits an orphan asylum superintendent. There's a scene that really reminds me of Jane Eyre (you'll know exactly what I mean if you read it).
The novel is in letter format, like Daddy Long-Legs. I found Dear Enemy to be charming and witty and entertaining as well, but I wasn't as big a fan as I was of Daddy Long-Legs. Anyway, it's a pretty inspiring story - but not preach-y.
Sallie accepts. She is a determined, feisty, funny heroine and her letters reflect that spirit. In the beginning, she takes the job partially because Gordon, her boyfriend, laughs at the very idea of her running an orphan asylum, but it turns into something more. Sallie has these big ideas she wants to implement, ranging from the food to the dresses to fresh air.
Sallie is optimistic, but there are definitely trying times. She deals with problems from trustees who don't think she's very well-qualified to staff not used to change to someone giving her dog Singapore a haircut.She learns so much about managing things and opens her heart up to the orphans and of course, she changes and learns along the way.
Dear Enemy delves much more deeply into asylum life and orphans and running an institution. I enjoyed reading about Sallie's attempts to brighten up the children's lives, and her sparring with the "enemy," the doctor who recommends scientific texts in order to provide her with the scientific knowledge that befits an orphan asylum superintendent. There's a scene that really reminds me of Jane Eyre (you'll know exactly what I mean if you read it).
The novel is in letter format, like Daddy Long-Legs. I found Dear Enemy to be charming and witty and entertaining as well, but I wasn't as big a fan as I was of Daddy Long-Legs. Anyway, it's a pretty inspiring story - but not preach-y.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Monday Mainstay: If I Were In Charge of the World (Judith Viorst)
If I Were In Charge of the World
Judith Viorst
If I were in charge of the world
I'd cancel oatmeal,
Monday mornings,
Allergy shots, and also Sara Steinberg.
If I were in charge of the world
There'd be brighter nights lights,
Healthier hamsters, and
Basketball baskets forty eight inches lower.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn't have lonely.
You wouldn't have clean.
You wouldn't have bedtimes.
Or "Don't punch your sister."
You wouldn't even have sisters.
If I were in charge of the world
A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts would be a vegetable
All 007 movies would be G,
And a person who sometimes forgot to brush,
And sometimes forgot to flush,
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
The world sounds like it'd be more fun if Judith Viorst were in charge of the world, doesn't it? Maybe my favorite bit is how she would cancel Monday mornings (or bedtimes or lonely). If I were in charge, I'd outlaw cubicles for sure and give everyone ice cream on Wednesdays (it's smack in the middle of the week and sometimes you need an extra little something to get through it, don't you think?) and there would be no such thing as malnutrition or war. Oh, and there'd be more glitter and sequins. Definitely.
What would the world be like if you were in charge?
To doing one thing that makes us feel like we are in charge of the world (I've had ice cream today, thank you very much).
I'd cancel oatmeal,
Monday mornings,
Allergy shots, and also Sara Steinberg.
If I were in charge of the world
There'd be brighter nights lights,
Healthier hamsters, and
Basketball baskets forty eight inches lower.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn't have lonely.
You wouldn't have clean.
You wouldn't have bedtimes.
Or "Don't punch your sister."
You wouldn't even have sisters.
If I were in charge of the world
A chocolate sundae with whipped cream and nuts would be a vegetable
All 007 movies would be G,
And a person who sometimes forgot to brush,
And sometimes forgot to flush,
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
The world sounds like it'd be more fun if Judith Viorst were in charge of the world, doesn't it? Maybe my favorite bit is how she would cancel Monday mornings (or bedtimes or lonely). If I were in charge, I'd outlaw cubicles for sure and give everyone ice cream on Wednesdays (it's smack in the middle of the week and sometimes you need an extra little something to get through it, don't you think?) and there would be no such thing as malnutrition or war. Oh, and there'd be more glitter and sequins. Definitely.
What would the world be like if you were in charge?
To doing one thing that makes us feel like we are in charge of the world (I've had ice cream today, thank you very much).
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