Poised

Poise....

Interesting to contemplate the difference in meanings of the same word.

Here we have a butterfly poised on a flower.

We say a young lady with good social graces has poise.

In both cases, we can see the shared idea of balance which you find if you look up the definition.

Both words have the root meaning of 'weigh', 'ponder'.

I love words.

Especially ones that sound good when spoken.

But they also have to have a good meaning.

Like these: symphony, delicious, magical, ridiculous, besotted, sparkly, tickle, camisole, roundabout, fuzzy, Lake Wononscopomac.

Sharing Love

It is easy to understand Monet's intense love of water, of water flowers, of reflections, and of gardens.

But his images give us what he loved so that we can love it too through his eyes, and then,

through our own.

Thank you to all artists who show us their loves and share it.

My Aunt Milly

Yesterday morning, my dearest Aunt passed on to her next adventure.

I cannot begin to say how much I will miss her because of her great good sense of humor and fun that was, for me, what gives Life to Life!

I was looking through some family letters this morning and found this poem.

It was in a very faded letter that my wonderful Mother, at the tender age of 28, had sent to her new mother-in-law.

It could not be a better description of my Aunt if it had been written expressly for her.

Build for yourself a strong box.

Fashion each part with care.

When it's stong as your hand can make it

Put all your troubles there.

Hide there all thoughts of your failures

And each bitter cup that you quaff,

Lock all your heartaches within it,

Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Here's to you my darling Milly.

Thank you for every laugh you gave and for every one we shared.

And for every time you said to me 'How're you doing, Lynnesey Baby?'

I will see you down the line.

But til then, I seek to follow your example

Inspired by this photograph of you and Dad.

Love always and forever,

Lynne

A very hot summer.......

When I took this picture which was sometime in the last month, it was a very very hot day.

I was taking visitors to see this beautiful place and it was the only time we had to go there.

When you look at this photograph, you can't tell that it is a beastly hot day with no shade for relief.

It is hot today too.

It has been really really hot all summer this year.

Then I started thinking about the people who live in Moscow where there are toxic fumes and smog in the air from ferocious forest fires, as well as extreme summer heat.

I heard one report that it is so bad there it is like smoking 1-2 packs of cigarettes an hour.

Then I started thinking about the people in Pakistan who have had their lives and possessions washed away by heavy floods.

Then I started thinking that the heat here isn't so bad. It's only hot, it's not life-threatening because we can be in air-conditioning.

Well not everyone maybe....we had a very intense thunder and lightning storm early this morning and many of my friends and colleagues are without power and it is still HOT.

OK.

I'm good now.

Just had to rant.

And then realize that I have so very much to be thankful for.

And I am.

Basic Choices

My Mother

Today marks the anniversary of my Mother's birth. It is now 103 years ago that she showed up on this crazy little planet and lived her long and valuable life.

Here she is in a photograph taken of her by my Father when they were first married.

She never thought she was beautiful, but everyone else could see it.
I never have to try to think of wonderful things to say about my Mom. They just were evident as soon as you first met her.

I, of course, had the great privilege of being part of her life for all of her 95 years here.

Her stellar qualities are:

Humor

Caring about others and helping them with her

Wisdom

Flexibility and willingness and interest to try new things

A love of color and knowing how to use it, especially in her watercolor paintings

Her love of art and artists

Observing what others wanted or needed and then doing that for them if possible

Sweetness and no nastiness, just a streak of great humor about others and herself

Her smile

Her love of my Dad and her support of him always

Her love and help to my sister and to me

Her devotion to her grandsons

Her incredible sense of fun and mischief!

Her courage

Grace and dignity (unless she was making a funny remark!)

Not complaining but going off to herself and not putting what challenged her on others.

Again, her ability to always see what was funny about life and the gift

of making others laugh about it too.

Her lifelong ability to listen and to understand.

Thank you Mom.

My life is what it is because of these gifts from you.

Love always, Lynne

Sparkling color of another era

The title of this blog is Art and Life Interwoven.

The art is the beauty of this necklace.

(Click on the image to see it large and gorgeous!)

Life says let's clear out the great accumulation you have amassed.

I let Life reign here over the beauty.

But now I know someone else is enjoying this piece.

It was one that someone gave to my mother after their wife died.

Still, it was beautiful and I can visit this page to see it once in a while!

I am happy with the decision to pass it on.

There is always new beauty to find in life.

It is the search I love most!