Eyes turned skyward
A US Airways jet approaches DCA in FAA-choreographed precision.
Taken from the Arlington Memorial Bridge, April 2013
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
— Leonardo da Vinci
I’ve written here before about having grown up in an airline family, surrounded by relatives and friends who were pilots, and hearing endless talk of flight from my earliest memory. In those days, few of my friends had flown (except for the many who, like me, grew up with airline employees in their families, of which there were plenty in Atlanta). But I can remember flying before the days of jet engines, when even the major airlines flew propeller planes. In just my lifetime, aviation has changed tremendously, and not all of the changes have been for the better.
I don’t know how Leonardo da Vinci nailed it so well without having tasted flight himself, but he’s right. My experiences growing up with airplanes, and later my years working for US Airways, have meant that I pretty much walk with my eyes turned skyward, figuratively if not literally.
If you had told me when I was a child that there would come a day when flying was almost as common as riding a bus, and people would talk of it with contempt and even disgust, I would never have believed you. When airline deregulation passed, my father predicted just such a scenario, but even then I could not imagine it. And still, when I’m flying on a sunny day and happen to be near enough to a window to glimpse the brightly-lit clouds below, all the magic comes back. I just don’t understand how we came to take such a phenomenal experience for granted.
On a recent trip into DC, I decided to get off at the Arlington Cemetery metro stop and walk into the city across the Arlington Memorial Bridge. There were several sights I planned to take in, but my timing was such that when I crossed the bridge it was a very busy time for air traffic, and I ended up spending much of my time there with eyes literally turned skyward. I watched in fascination, snapping away with my camera as plane after plane shot staggered approaches into Reagan National Airport, just seconds apart. The risk and precision of it amazed me, although it was nothing I had not heard of hundreds of times before.
A few weeks later my brother, a retired Northwest Airlines pilot, accompanied us into DC for Matt’s arm surgery. As we came into the city, he remarked that he couldn’t cross those bridges over the Potomac without feeling an anxiety-related adrenaline rush conditioned by years of shooting harrowing approaches to the short runways of DCA. Again I thought of how much we take for granted about flying, and how ungrateful we usually are for the relative safety and convenience of modern air travel.
I stay so busy that I don’t have much time to miss my years at USAir and the wonderful flying privileges I grew up with and later enjoyed as an airline employee. But just as Leonardo said, there I have been, and there some part of me will always long to return.
Do you like to fly? Or has the negative press related to delays and fare increases, scary (though relatively rare) fatalities, and hassles of security searches ruined it for you? Notwithstanding all of the aforementioned drawbacks, can you at least enjoy the occasional glimpse out the window that shows you a different view of our world, one Leonardo would have given so much to experience even one time?
All the beasts
I photographed this elephant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, August 2003.
“If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit…”
— attributed to Chief Seattle
The oft-quoted words above were purportedly from a letter written by Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce. At least one historian has researched and dismissed the authenticity of this claim, and his arguments against its supposed provenance are rather convincing.
However, the quote lives on because the beauty of the words have the ring of truth to many of us. Animals are not only an adornment to our world; they are essential for its survival. With photo and video technology, we have a front-row seat for viewing the diversity of the animal kingdom. The stunning variety of their appearance, behaviors and habits are a never-ending source of fascination for those of us who enjoy watching creatures who share this planet with us.
Just as the fictional wizard Merlin taught the young Arthur about life by turning him into various animals, so we too have much to learn from the beasts. I’m thankful I’ve been able to watch all sorts of animals wherever I’ve lived and traveled, and while films will never replace the thrill of seeing them face to face, I’m grateful for digital glimpses of the inhabitants of regions all over the world. Cheers for the marvelous photography and painstaking research of humans who dedicate their lives to learning more about our animal friends.
A link to the video below was sent to me by one of the readers in this online community. When I watched it, I thought of the quote above, because I did feel less lonely in spirit as I watched the movements and expressions of the video’s stars. Many of them are not the first animals we think of when we talk about the delights of “critters,” but this clip captures the amazingly wide array of life on earth by focusing in closely on just a few examples, and each is beautiful in its unique way.
Today, I hope this video will spark fond memories of animals you’ve seen or loved, and gratitude for their presence with us here on earth, sharing and dispelling the loneliness of existence.
A daybreak that’s wondrously clear
Just enough clouds to break the monotonous blue. The Yukon Territory, June 2000
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
— Maya Angelou
I join millions in saying “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maya Angelou, for these ever-inspiring words, that light up the darkness for so many of us!” I’ve often said that Angelou’s writing does for my spirit what spinach did for Popeye. She has a gift for empowering others through what she writes.
To be extra-candid here, I’ve always had the feeling that some of my friends don’t understand my abiding interest in black history. It’s not that they say so in words; they don’t have to. And I’ve never felt the need to explain.
Still, it’s like the elephant in the living room. Sooner or later, anyone who knows me well, knows that I feel a deep unspoken connection with the African-American details of U.S. history. It’s partly that I’m from the South, where both transracial unity and lingering racism continue to flourish. Jeff often remarks, in some northern places we visit, how strange it seems to see that there are so few black people around. Both of us feel more at home when we’re not in an all-Caucasian crowd. Both of us have been most happy in churches where everyone belongs, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability or good old-fashioned eccentricity. It might seem odd or pretentious to admit that, but that’s just how it is.
But I can’t pretend to have the slightest idea what it’s like to be an African American today, much less twenty or fifty or two hundred years ago. I have, however, learned a few things I never wanted to know.
I’ve learned that invisible chains can be almost as restrictive and damaging as literal ones, and far more insidious.
I’ve learned that prejudice is something one can often sense and pick up on inner radar…and that such radar is sometimes inaccurate, skewed unfairly by past outrageous injustices.
I’ve learned that many cruelties and hurts are perpetrated by people who mean well, and have not the slightest intention of hurting someone else…and who sometimes are unwilling to see their own guilt in the matter, even if it is pointed out.
Most importantly, though, I have been blessed to know so many African American people who have lived out before my eyes the daily tasks I find so difficult: forgiveness, patience, fortitude, courage, humor, humility and never, ever giving up.
All of us struggle, of course. African-Americans have no corner on the suffering market; indeed, as Angelou herself points out in the clip below, no minority or majority does. Life is mostly a tremendous struggle, and ultimately, none of us gets out of this world alive.
Which brings me to another reason I love black history: its unmistakable link between faith and endurance; hope in God and trust in people, no matter how many times people may fail us and disappoint us, and no matter how hard it may be to see God pulling for us, working for our good in the harshest circumstances.
The gift Angelou refers to, the one her ancestors gave, is not just for black people or other minorities. It’s for all of us. The dream of the slave is the dream of us all: freedom from the pain and suffering and injustice of this world. Her final words in this poem, meaningful to all of humanity, have a special resonance for those of us who are Christians, because intentionally or not, they echo for us the theme that is at the heart of our faith, the greatest story ever told: that the victory of Jesus is our victory as well. We rise!
Bright and intense and beautiful
Taken on my daily walk in our York neighborhood, November 2008
“Fall colors are funny. They’re so bright and intense and beautiful. It’s like nature is trying to fill you up with color, to saturate you so you can stockpile it before winter turns everything muted and dreary.” ― Siobhan Vivian
That’s what I do on my walks; stockpile the colors and images and cool, smoke-scented air. No matter how often I see the autumn foliage, it always dazzles me. No matter how many photos I take, I always want to take more. I keep all these lovely digital and mental photos and sounds and scents in my mind as a sort of second line of defense against the sad and scary thoughts that keep getting past my psychological fortress. I can’t use the coming winter as an excuse for stockpiling, though, because I do the same with spring flowers. I replenish and tap into my stockpiles of cheer, serenity and joy all year long.
Still, I think the fall holidays have grown ever more festive because they ease us into the coming months of cold weather and short, gloomy daylight. I love the way the winter solstice sneaks in there right before Christmas, when merriment and frantic busyness are at a fever pitch. By the time the celebrations of the season have passed, we can perk ourselves up with the thought that the darkest day has come and gone, and every day that passes brings a longer time between sunup and sundown.
Meanwhile, though, we still have a few weeks to go before December. Grab every clear day you can, and make some mental and digital photos of the way the sunlight electrifies the vivid fall palette. Which colors are your favorite mood-booster?
Thy medicine
Even in December (2005), this shop in rue Cler, Paris, had abundant healthy choices.
“Let food be thy medicine…” — Hippocrates
You really don’t want to get me started on this topic, so I’ll try to keep it relatively brief. I think one of the best ways to keep our minds and bodies fit and healthy is to take care what we feed them. This applies to thoughts and images, of course, which is why I started this blog. But it also applies to food — and mental and physical health are inextricably linked.
I’m lucky that my mother taught me years ago not to believe everything I hear from the FDA about what is safe or healthy. Some of what she was saying 30 years ago was scorned and laughed at (such as “margarine is worse for you than butter” and “refined carbohydrates are empty calories” and “artificial sweeteners are harmful”). Now, of course, she has the last laugh, as do many of the nutritionists who were once dismissed as kooks.
Pharmaceuticals have their place, of course, but as Dr. Santos Rodriguez told me recently, “a great many diseases are basically the result of malnutrition.” As a remarkably fit physician in his 90’s, he has a lot of credibility in my book. No matter what may ail your spirit or your body, a good diet can be the start of your journey toward wellness and peace of mind.
As winter approaches, I hope you will enjoy the benefit of fruits and vegetables, now available year round thanks to the advances in shipping that allow us to enjoy produce from other regions when we are unable to access food that is grown locally. Years of experience have taught me that eating lots of fruit and vegetables in fall and winter translates to fewer colds and viruses. If you’ve never tested this idea, give it a try this year. Indulge in your favorites, even if they cost a bit more in the off-season. It will be an investment in your health and enjoyment that will pay dividends!
The inspiring force
This monument honors Martin Luther and other leaders of the Protestant Reformation.
Worms, Germany, August 2005
“I was carried beyond myself by the inspiring force of urgent necessity.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
If you’ve been through anything especially difficult, harrowing or protracted and exhausting, chances are you’ve heard well-meaning people say “I don’t know how you do it” or “I could never do what you are doing.” It’s natural for them to feel that way, but of course, those of us who are enduring great trials or facing seemingly impossible tasks usually do so because we feel we have no other choice.
Sometimes, great and monumental changes are started by people who have no idea where their acts of courage or resistance will lead. Martin Luther wasn’t planning to leave, let alone divide, the Roman Catholic Church when he penned his 95 Theses. Rosa Parks may have simply been too tired and fed up with unequal treatment to move to the back of the bus. I think it’s safe to say that neither of them imagined what would come of their defiance. Nevertheless, their individual actions sparked events that changed the course of human history.
Yet far more often– every day, in fact– people all over the world are similarly carried beyond themselves in ways that are largely unknown and unheeded. Millions of humans struggling with countless challenges somehow manage to keep going beyond what they might have believed they could endure. Some manage tasks that seem almost impossible under stress. Others quietly bear up under years of chronic pain, or take care of loved ones for years on end, or live with the limitations of physical or mental illness, or press on through repeated failures until success is achieved. A few of these stories make the news, and inspire us. But the vast majority of heroes will never be known to us.
What is it that gives us the strength to survive, or even prevail? Based on what I’ve seen, experienced and observed, I think usually it’s simply that we have no other choice. No matter how tired or inadequate we may feel, we carry within us the ability to rise above far more challenges than we dream ourselves capable of overcoming.
The simplest toy
Our first grandchild, Grady, figured out how to work this toy right away.
I snapped this photo of him on my lap in September, 2013
“The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.” — Sam Levenson
There are colorful toys, singing toys, funny toys, educational toys, old-fashioned toys, and toys that wear out quickly. Grandparents are all of the above. Every child should have at least one or two – hopefully more! If your child doesn’t have any, don’t fret – as with all well-loved toys, you can borrow someone else’s.
Today I wish you many happy thoughts of your grandparents, grandchildren, or both!
Let us begin
Fall is the time to plant bulbs and prepare for a beautiful spring lawn!
Keukenhof, the Netherlands, April 2007
“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days . . .nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”
― John F. Kennedy
One thing that bothers me most about contemporary culture is our collective impatience to see everything done quickly. There are quite a few things we can mass-produce rather than lovingly craft, and “that takes too much time” is a common indictment of all sorts of bygone skills and nearly forgotten ways of life.
But some things cannot be rushed, and some things require advance planning and organization. An elaborate holiday feast for family, a handmade gift for a special friend, the training of a new puppy or kitten; all take time that yields a rich return for our patience.
Don’t you love colorful spring flowers? Now is the time to plant some bulbs! I remember the first year I ever bought a lot of daffodil bulbs. During the hard work of planting them, I became irritated with myself for having bought so many bulbs in my enthusiasm. In the chilly fall I dug and dug until my hands were sore, but now, nearly ten years later, I still enjoy seeing my favorite flowers in the very early spring. Some of them have spread beyond the initial planting. It took time, but it was worth it.
A lovely lawn or garden; a well-behaved child; a uniquely hand-crafted furnishing or decoration — all these and more will make the world more beautiful for all of us. It’s hard work, and we won’t see the results immediately…but let us begin!
If you look
A medieval illuminated manuscript at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, July 2007
“If you look at an illuminated manuscript, even today, it just blows your mind. For them, without all the clutter and inputs that we have, it must have been even more extraordinary.” — Geraldine Brooks
I started reading aloud to our sons when they were babies, and kept it up nightly until they were in middle school. Over the years I marveled at the multitude of gorgeous picture books that were available in full, vibrant colors. When I was a child, picture books were fewer in number, and many of them had only two or three colors. In fact, some of the Caldecott Medal winners such as Make Way for Ducklings were muted in appearance compared to the bright hues that decorated even the least expensive picture books our sons enjoyed. I wondered if they had any idea how lucky they were, having hundreds of visually appealing titles available at any public library or bookstore.
Of course, our children could say something similar about the greater benefits available to young readers today, who have animated eBooks with motion, sound, and interactive features available at the click of a key. For all the talk about reading being an endangered pastime, the various formats of literary offerings seem to become ever more plentiful, accessible and diverse. Imagine, then, how a medieval reader (or nonreader, as the vast majority were) would react to the literary wealth of our era.
But even centuries ago, there were picture books. Before the printing press ushered in a renaissance that was as far-reaching as our digital revolution of today, books had to be copied by hand. Countless monks and scribes literally gave their entire lives (and sometimes their eyesight) carefully duplicating texts that had slim chances of surviving the ravages of uncontrolled climate, hungry insects and pillaging or censoring conquerors. It’s a bit amazing that any of these treasures survived.
Some did, though, and among the most amazing are the illuminated manuscripts, with elaborate border decorations and richly detailed illustrations. The intricate patterns and calligraphy tell an unwritten story that goes beyond the diligently copied text, reminding us that books have been vital to humanity for as long as history has been recorded. The countless hours spent preparing, recording and preserving the written word testify to the respect, even reverence, that books have always commanded from those who appreciate them.
It’s fun to wonder whether much of the deluge of writing now available online will live through as many centuries as the handwritten texts have survived. Does the ease of writing (and deleting), the abundance of lovely photos and artwork so easily viewed on any computer, and the common expectation of widespread literacy, cause us to devalue one of the greatest blessings people have ever been granted? Are we treating words and illustrations carelessly, flinging them about with the contempt that often accompanies any easily available, seemingly boundless resource?
Perhaps some of us are, at least now and then. But I’d like to think that a great many of us — particularly those who are reading and writing words right now, rather than passively taking in television re-runs — comprehend the surpassing importance and responsibility attached to literacy. There’s a popular bumper sticker that says, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” Perhaps there should be one that says, “If you can read this, BE a teacher — and a learner!”
Whatever you are doing today, you’ll be in contact with written words more often than you’re even aware of them. I hope you’ll take a moment to be thankful for this gift of literacy, which binds us to people centuries removed from us. They’ve left us richly illustrated reminders that words can be, and often are, extraordinarily beautiful.
For a look at picture books of bygone days, see Elephant’s Picture Book, a fun and interesting blog!
Your message
Even when it’s very, very dark, there’s a light shining somewhere.
Here’s the full moon, shining on Dam Neck, Virginia, September 2013
“If you want to get your message across, shut up.” — Mardy Grothe
I don’t take this advice nearly as often as I ought to, but today, I get it. I schedule these posts about two weeks in advance, so I have no idea how I’ll be feeling when this post is published. But right now, as I am writing it, I am just treading water. Maybe my wonderful and funny and highly intelligent readers can help write this post for me. Got any sunny, happy or at least wise thoughts to share? Today, I am attempting to Defeat Despair by keeping my mouth shut!
Wish me luck.
Wild with leaves
Autumn leaves at Colonial Williamsburg remind me of all that I love about the season. November, 2004
“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”
― Humbert Wolfe
The photo above was taken just a few months after we moved to Virginia, having lived in northern California for the past five years. I was almost unbearably homesick for the west coast. The heat, humidity, unpredictable thunderstorms and hungry mosquitoes had been a real adjustment. But when fall rolled around, it brought back distant memories that refocused my perceptions.
For the first several years here in Virginia, we had season passes to nearby Colonial Williamsburg. After the crowds of tourists thinned out in the autumn, it was magical to walk the dirt roads there at dusk. Fire torches and flickering candles provided light as the darkness fell, and the colors of autumn seemed a fitting complement to the carefully re-created historic atmosphere. My rediscovery of the joys of the season was the beginning of my love for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In our other homes far west of here, we had seemingly endless warm days and mild evenings, year round (or nearly so) and dearly loved. Yet four distinct seasons provide a different kind of enjoyment, and I feel grateful to be back in the climate I loved in childhood.
What are your favorite memories of this season? Wherever you live, I wish you October eves rich with autumn’s unique enchantment!
Do not wait
Matt with “Ms. Darla,” who has opened so many doors for him. February 2012
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” — Mother Teresa
If I’ve learned anything at all since Matt was born, I’ve learned this: no government or agency can match the power of one dedicated and compassionate person to improve the life of another.
Agencies, laws and governments are necessary, but to the extent that we come to rely on them for needs that can never be answered except by the presence of another human, they can work against us. Indeed, we can excuse ourselves from difficult or uncomfortable work by telling ourselves that “agencies” or “the state” or “the church” can take care of the problem. This is an illusion, and a dangerous one.
When I look back on Matt’s life, it’s always the individuals who made a difference for our family. The perceptive fourth grade teacher who saw past the disabilities to the intelligence that was not always obvious. The occupational therapist who patiently helped me understand what Matt’s challenges are, and how we can do little things daily to help him overcome them. Above all, the friends who simply loved us, letting their hearts lead the way and doing naturally the things that others, afraid of making mistakes, were too hesitant to do.
The remarkable lady pictured above with Matt has helped him, and many others with or without disabilities, in countless ways during the years — almost a decade now — that we have had the gift of her friendship. Her considerable skills and experience make her a candidate for more lucrative and prestigious careers, but she chooses to dedicate herself to her community and its people, volunteering in various ways that bring her into contact with those who need her.
Most importantly, she does all these things with a joy and enthusiasm that could never be matched by a salaried person sitting behind a counter or desk. In serving others face to face, person to person, she changes many lives. While she is one of the few people who have ever been willing to join me in my political activism (we spent a marvelous day in Richmond at the capital, meeting with our elected representatives and their staff), she never waits for leaders to do things that need to be done. How different our world would be if there were more people with her energy and dedication!
You may not see yourself as having abilities unavailable to powerful or well-known leaders, but in reality, you have opportunities that they will never know about. In your own family, church, community, school — really anywhere you go — big and little doors are open to you, chances to act in small ways that cumulatively bring about great change. It starts with a smile, a kind word, a human touch that no organization or legislature can produce. When you step out as one person to make a change in your world, you really aren’t alone; you’ll become part of an unknown army of others like you, who make the world a better place every day.
Not a child
Amy’s dog is one hundred percent adorable. Manassas, Virginia, July 2013
“My dog is not a child substitute, according to its pediatrician.” — Rita Rudner
On a recent weekend visit, Drew and Megan were laughing about their having unintentionally referred to Grady as “Pasha” a couple of times. I laughed too, but before the weekend was over, I had done it myself. It’s an easy mistake to make. They’re about the same size, not too much difference in the weight, same sort of addictive cuteness that elicits an irresistible urge to talk in silly voices.
Most of us who have animals in our homes probably never realized that adopting a pet would bring out behaviors to which we once thought ourselves immune. You may have even said at some point (as I did, more than once) “I would never, ever act as foolish over a dog (or cat or bird or whatever) as they do — you would think that was a child.”
The interesting thing is, once you lose that particular illusion, you’re in. You get it. And you will usually find yourself much more enamored of animals in general. Some of my best friends are my best friends’ dogs. Take the sweetheart pictured above. He (yes, it’s a HE, and no sexist remarks about the doll please) is one of the most loveable cuties I’ve ever seen. Good thing he’s too big for me to hold on my lap.
If you are lucky enough to have an animal in your household, take it from one parent to another: Enjoy these years. They go by much too fast!
Alterations
Early American style displayed at the dressmaker’s shop, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, November 2004
“Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations.” — Faith Baldwin
I imagine most of you remember Scarlett O’Hara’s reinvention of her parlor curtains, as well as Carol Burnett’s hilarious parody of it. I admired Scarlett’s ability to work with whatever she had, which often wasn’t very much. In our era, when new clothing is relatively easy to obtain, we scarcely ever re-fit or repurpose garments, but time’s alterations continue unabated.
As Jeff and I have aged, I have reached the conclusion that no trait is more necessary for thriving in late life as the ability to adapt to change. For some of us, change is exciting in certain situations, but the types of changes that go along with getting older are not all of the stimulating, desirable kind. Research tells us that even positive change is stressful. How to cope, then?
Perhaps Baldwin’s analogy is helpful. Start with a lovely, flattering dress that has gone out of style, or no longer fits. A clever seamstress can refashion the cut and details to accommodate the new circumstances, keeping the classic features of the original while adding touches here and there that disguise and decorate. And a really talented seamstress can do this more than once with the same gown. Maybe we can do something similar with our daily lives.
I’ve grudgingly made some adjustments to what I expect my body to do now. I cannot tolerate the same amount of eating, exercise or excitement I relished when I was younger. I’ve added some interesting details, though, that weren’t part of my life thirty years ago. Focusing on the wealth of experiences, memories and relationships that have deepened over time keeps me from wallowing in regret over what now belongs to the past, or what never was.
Have you been busy with time’s alterations? Have you a new lace collar, some eye-catching buttons or different hemline to share with us? Give us some hints on re-inventing! And enjoy your new look – on you it’s fabulous!
Stories to tell
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is rich with imaginary echoes of the Lost Colony.
Roanoke Island, North Carolina, September 2013
“With thousands of years of human habitation, this land surely has stories to tell. The trees rustle with whispers of those who have come and gone.” — from a display at the Visitor’s Center at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Recently Jeff and I visited beautiful Roanoke Island, North Carolina, the site of the mysterious “Lost Colony.” Encountering such unanswered questions of history, it’s easy to let imagination take flight as surely as the Wright brothers’ plane did at nearby Kill Devil Hills. The sylvan enchantment of the grounds around Fort Raleigh are especially captivating for those of us who are inclined to create mental pictures to fill in the gaps left by the information engraved on historic markers.
Have you ever visited a place rich with history and felt some intangible sense of what happened there in years past? Do you love to read historical novels that take up where the often debatable “facts” of history leave off? Touring a spot that has stories to tell, whether it’s a modest home built centuries ago or the ruins of an ancient city, helps me step out of my own circumstances and breathe in the richly textured nuances left behind in whatever remains or has been re-created. As with all forms of travel, visiting another era gives me perspective on my own struggles, helping me see my life with newly appreciative eyes.
If traveling to a geographically distant place is not possible for you anytime soon, try taking a vacation to a bygone era. No matter where you live, you will be close enough to such a place to make a daytime visit there and be back in our own time by evening. You won’t need to pack anything except maybe a camera, but do bring along your imagination. Those of you who are experienced time travelers, share some of your flights of fancy with us!
Autumnal sunshine
Gather the golden moments of autumn, with a camera or just in memories. Yorktown, 2008
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
“In autumn, don’t go to jewelers to see gold; go to the parks!” — Mehmet Murat ildan
As our President would say, let me be clear. Yesterday’s post was about rainy weather. On a gloriously bright fall day, we simply MUST find the time to go outdoors for at least a little while. No other time of year features the combination of visual opulence, agreeable temperatures, and sunshine that electrifies the foliage and flowers. Spring’s loveliest weather tends to come before the trees are at their fullest or flowers are at peak bloom. In the fall, before the leaves drop and the flowers fade away, there is a rich abundance suggestive of the festivities to come.
Let’s heed the words of two writers who come from very different locations and eras. As their tributes to autumn suggest, some pleasures are universal and unchanging. If you have any fine weather this week, don’t let it go to waste! Go out and gather beautiful images, scents and sounds to treasure through the winter.
What to do
Even in Hawaii, Drew had no regrets about spending some time indoors. Honolulu, 1995
“Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.” – Susan Ertz
As the warm weather fades and the cold or rainy season moves in, we’ll all be indoors more, whether we like or not. I like it.
I relish the chance to spend hours at home, puttering around indoors, despite my great love of long walks and trees and flowers. There are so many things I enjoy that make engaging indoor pursuits. As my books, magazines, craft supplies and well-stocked tea cabinet suggest, I am about as prepared for rainy days as one can be.
Drew has always loved rainy weather, and while he likes actually being outside in it, getting wet and soaking up the pervasive atmosphere that goes along with a stormy day, I suspect part of his love for gloomy weather is rooted in so many of the pastimes he loves. When he was a child, I never had to entertain him. He made his own fun, and could find ways to keep his busy mind occupied no matter where he found himself.
That’s actually a great talent, I think. Most people who read blogs have lively minds that are interested in a variety of topics, but I wonder how well we would function if the computer, smart phones and tablets suddenly went unavailable for long stretches of time. I’d like to think that I have enough reading, crafting, baking and homemaking projects to keep me happy through a lifetime of long winters.
Whether or not this Sunday afternoon is a rainy one for you, I hope it’s a peaceful one, with time for prayer, meditation, quiet conversation and any number of indoor pleasures. It’s much easier to face the coming of winter when our homes are stocked with happy hobbies and plentiful projects. Have a comfy-cozy afternoon!
A moveable feast
They talk of Paris in the spring, but it’s also beautiful in autumn. September, 2005
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”
― Ernest Hemingway
I haven’t even been lucky enough to visit Paris more than twice, let alone live there, but for me it was love at first sight. Those visits will stay with me the rest of my life, so I can easily imagine the truth behind Hemingway’s apt and much-quoted description.
That description isn’t true only of Paris, however. As we enter the season most associated with feasts of various kinds, let’s think about the places we have been, and how our souls have feasted on the beautiful, unique, stimulating or relaxing qualities of this astoundingly diverse and breathtakingly gorgeous planet. I am guessing that most of you, like me, have many places you carry around in your heart, moveable feasts that will stay with you forever.
I started this blog, in part, as a way to document and celebrate such joys I’ve experienced, but I have only seen a small fraction of all the earth has to offer. What are some of your moveable feasts? Share your thoughts, links, or photos below, and let’s have a banquet today!
Its own season
Pumpkins were plentiful at this shop near the Outer Banks, North Carolina, September 2013
“Oh how we love pumpkin season. You did know this gourd-ish squash has its own season, right? Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin…. We anxiously anticipate it every year.” ~Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer
Full disclosure: I don’t care for eating anything pumpkin-flavored. I know many people who do, however, and I love the scents and sights related to this gorgeous gourd. So I felt it would be appropriate to post a paean to the pumpkin.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s (and btw, I told Jeff that a non-negotiable consideration in choosing a place to retire is whether there is a Trader Joe’s nearby) you know that TJ’s loves pumpkins as much as they describe in the quote above. You can get endless pumpkin-flavored treats there: pies, pancake mixes, cakes, cookies, coffee, even the unadorned pumpkins themselves, in a variety of styles and sizes.
But, luckily for the world, pumpkins (which are thought to be native to North America) are easy to grow, and are now found almost everywhere except Antarctica. Mma Ramotswe, the charming and indefatigable protagonist of Alexander McCall Smith’s delightful series, waxes eloquent about the joys and comforts of pumpkins in her home country of Botswana. A visit with Mma Ramotswe is almost enough to convince me to try eating pumpkin once in awhile, since I trust her judgment; she also has a tremendous appreciation of TEA!
Anyway, my point (and I do have one) is that pumpkin popularity is widespread and here to stay. Chances are you have at least one thing that is pumpkin-related in your home every fall. For me, it’s pumpkin scented hand soaps from Bath and Body Works, and pumpkin-flavored coffees and treats for those in our family who love them.
How about you? Are you a pumpkin lover? Do you enjoy them in various forms during the October, November and December holidays? Share your favorites and traditions– even recipes, if you like. The pumpkin lovers among us will thank you!
Our gardens — our wills
The well-tended flowers of Boston Public Garden on a lovely September day in 2007
“Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners.” – William Shakespeare
The more I think about this analogy, the more it holds up on several different levels. Gardening is not easy; it involves no small amount of dirt, sweat and failure. But the rewards, which go beyond the final results each year, are well worth the effort. And the effort itself is often a pleasure, especially as experience teaches us the most efficient and successful methods.
Discipline and regularity in weeding, feeding and pest control are crucial in maintaining a garden. In a similar way, discipline and regularity are required for us to give our bodies the food, rest, and exercise they need, while guarding against toxins, exhaustion, and excessive or unwanted weight gain or other stressors.
As with gardening, this may sound like a recipe for NO FUN, but I’ve found it surprisingly easy to train my tastes away from harmful treats and toward more nourishing ones. And I’ve found, as have countless others, that making a habit of exercise will eventually create a valued place for it in my day, one that I give up only when absolutely necessary, and resume as quickly as possible.
If you are a gardener, you may connect with what I’m saying. But even if you aren’t, you probably know some tips and tricks you’ve learned to maintain your physical health, and thus increase your ability to brighten the world with your own unique flowers or fruits. What are some of the most effective “weed control” methods we can use to stay fit? How can we stay replenished and refreshed year after year?
We must discover
Jeff and Matt in Washington, DC, April 2005
“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” — Marcel Proust
As several readers have pointed out recently, we have many sources from which to seek wisdom. For people of faith, holy scriptures are primary; for all of us, other writings, exemplary lives, history and literature offer additional guidance. But help and guidance from other sources, however trustworthy, are only part of the process.
In library school, we studied the processes by which data becomes information (through meaningful organization of that data) and information becomes knowledge (through meaningful interpretation of that information). Getting from knowledge to wisdom is the hardest part, though. It requires ongoing and diligent application of knowledge, in the context of real-life experience, and it doesn’t happen quickly or by proxy.
Most of us, especially if we are parents, have a hard time standing by and watching others make mistakes that we feel we can warn them against. Sometimes our words are heeded, but often we suffer the painful helplessness of seeing people we care about, messing up their lives in big or small ways we feel they could easily avoid — and sometimes we overstep our boundaries, trying to protect them from the fallout of their errors. (Can you say “co-dependent?”) Of course, others have endured watching us stumble through similar lessons in the school of hard experience.
This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do our best to teach and learn; to spare others the difficult consequences of poor choices or unwise decisions. In the end, though, each of us bears responsibility, on whatever level we are able, for the paths we choose, and the destinations we reach. It takes great faith, hope, endurance and patience — the same traits we want others to show us — to help each other along.
We may be unable to spare others the journey, or take it in their place. But we can do our best to see that they don’t travel all alone. I can’t say it enough: thanks for being with us on this long, uncertain road. We are often discouraged, sometimes afraid, but we know we are never alone!
If I do nothing else
This tree is now immense, a fitting symbol of the country Washington helped to grow.
I took this photo at Mount Vernon in April, 2010.
“If I do nothing else in my lifetime but leave the world a good tree, I’ve done something.” — Ray Bracken
George Washington did far more than leave the world a good tree. He left an entire estate of trees, shrubs, flowers and innovative building techniques that can be seen to this day at Mount Vernon, Virginia. I photographed the modestly labeled Tulip Poplar there, though it was scarcely noticed by the tourists captivated by other attractions at Washington’s home. The Tulip Poplar is the state tree of Tennessee, where I once worked for the Division of Forestry, but the tree in the photograph above is perhaps the largest Tulip Poplar I have ever seen (too large to capture in a single photograph), and it grows in Virginia.
Of course, Washington did numerous other noteworthy things, about which you have likely heard or read. And Bracken, who is quoted above, did more than just plant a tree. He developed new cultivars of the lovely Magnolia, and anyone who has ever enjoyed the sumptuous beauty of these giants will agree that he accomplished more than enough.
I liked Bracken’s quote because it underscores the importance of keeping a focus on realistic goals. Most of us have more ambition than we have time to fulfill. Whether our goal is to save lives, save souls, feed the hungry, provide homes for those without them, or rescue wildlife or domestic animals, or maybe all of the above, sooner or later we are bound to bump up against the disappointing reality of our own limitations. At such times, we need to remind ourselves that, if we do what we can, that will be enough, and sometimes even more than enough.
Most of us will never accomplish the kinds of things that George Washington (or even Ray Bracken) accomplished. But that’s OK. It’s likely that there are things we can do, every day, that nobody else could or would. If we focus on the something(s) we can do, we’ll ultimately do more, because we will not be burdened with regrets about the things that now seem to be beyond our reach.
What kind of “good tree” do you most hope to leave for the world? What can you do today, to work toward that goal?
The world’s best teachers
The dog has now passed on, and the boy is now all grown, but Eagle Scout Aaron still has much to teach about courtesy, respect and achievement. Winnweiler, Germany, August 2005
“Children and animals are the world’s best teachers– but very few adults really want to be educated.” — Ashleigh Brilliant
Educators have long known that learning is optimal when the lessons are engaging and fun. What better teachers, then, than animals and children? I hope there are more adults wanting this sort of education than Ashleigh thinks there are, but if not, maybe some of us will catch on when the stress becomes unbearable and we think “there must be a better way to live.”
The only thing more fun than watching animals or children at play, is watching them at play with each other. This has been one of the nicest gifts of the online world – we can now watch and share hilarious clips of kids and animals doing what they do best, and teaching us, among other things, how important it is to laugh as often as possible.
Blog readers have shared some real gems in the comments over the past year. If you missed the link to the cat on the Roomba, or the sledding crow, try a Google search for those clips (or try the terms “guilty dog” or “parrot talking in Chinese” or just “funny animal videos”). But what about kids and animals together? Does anybody have some good links to funny clips of children interacting with animals? If so, please post them in the comments below. We could all use a fun lesson today.
What the world gives you
This photo was taken just down the street from our York home during autumn, 2008.
“Use what you have, use what the world gives you. Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter’s deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself.”
— Shauna Niequist
Today is officially the first day of fall, a season that brings abundant gifts. All too often, it’s also a season of stress, as we adjust to new school schedules, plan for a host of holiday activities, and fight the psychological dread of another long, cold winter approaching.
At the start of this new season, I am coaching myself to make full use of these September gifts, no matter what other unpleasant or anxious situations may await me in the weeks to come. As I intentionally savor the small delights that can easily slip by unnoticed, I am calmed and strengthened, able to keep getting up one more time after the disappointments and sorrows that sometimes seem to come one right after another.
You may look forward to the same magical moments Niequist describes in the quote, or you may have other autumnal treats in store. Whatever good things the world gives you, I hope you will make use of every joy that comes your way. I hope the sights, scents and sounds of fall will bless you with a cozy comfort that wraps you in its blissful warmth and reassures your soul that no matter what happens, all will be well.
Such a beautiful day
Just another glorious fall day at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, October 2003
“I cried at first…..and then, it was such a beautiful day, that I forgot to be unhappy.” — Frances Noyes Hart
Have you ever walked outside in a gloomy mood, and been overtaken by the sheer beauty of the day? It’s happened to me many times, and the feeling of relief and joy that floods over me is no less than when a physical pain is eased. Most often it happens on one of those gloriously sunny days when the temperature is comfortable and there is the faintest breeze to keep me cool as I walk. But sometimes it’s a winter day when the sun is reflected blindingly bright from the snow, or even a rainy day when the drizzle makes a soothing sound that complements the thirsty earth’s refreshment.
Perhaps no season is as full of such days as autumn. During our years in California, on both the central coast and the northern bay area, October was the warmest time of year, sunny every single day. Here on the east coast, autumn is even more glorious, with vivid fall foliage that takes my breath away no matter how often I see it.
If you are beset with sorrow or gloom right now, I hope you will soon enjoy some of those glorious fall days that help you forget to be unhappy. I’m looking forward to them; the kind of days when simply walking outdoors is like getting a big divine hug that says “Everything is going to be alright in the end.”
Defeat Despair 