I was reading my social media yesterday, as one does, and was struck by the number of people calling the seasons.
As Meg Fairfax Fielding said, “OMG! It just turned into fall!”
Australia on the other side, exhorts summer to get a firmer grip and hoist herself up over the warmed cliff.
Here in California we have a cooler few days, but without the signals from other climates I doubt I’d be calling fall. Probably just deadhead some more roses, absentmindedly. Maybe notice that the sun angled off my cheekbones with a little less force.
It’s one of the most striking aspects of the Internet, how information layers over that which we already know, altering what and how we notice. On the other hand, if the Internet only gave us more information about the familiar, I venture to say it would have remained a curiosity. It’s the thrill of the new that makes it so compelling. New words from our Internet friends, new news, or new concepts.
So here are my two favorite new concepts from the last Internet hour, each wholly unrelated to the other.
- What 200 Calories Looks Like, via the always useful As Time Goes By from Ronni Bennett
- Guys With Fancy Lady Hair, via the always brilliant @kidchamp, who is if possible even better on Twitter than on her blog
Oh, and one more. Not a concept, only proof that even those of us who don’t care for poetry in general may love it in specific. I found this beautiful, and the title as memorable as Mary Oliver’s line, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Try To Praise The Mutilated World, via our dear Miss Whistle.
And with that my friends of the Internet, we find we do indeed live in a time of the World Wide Web. We are our own spiders, serving tea on gold-tooled china to sweet beloved flies. Inventing conceits, channeling summer in Australia, poking flowers into our Mormon Prom Hair. Embrace the random and the known, of both is life made. Have a lovely weekend.
19 Responses
Great poem. I love Mary Oliver. You might also enjoy her poem, “Wild Geese.”
I’m perplexed. Who is meant to be educated by “What 200 Calories Looks Like.” Fat people know better than anyone what the calorie count is of various foods. We’ve been counting calories all of our lives. If only it were that simple.
I agree, it’s not simple. I liked the graphic because I count calories chaotically, and it seemed that the photos might reduce some of the calculations…
I love this post. I have long marveled at how the internet has changed my life. Oh–the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. Thank you for putting this into important words.
I’m off to figure out how to live my old wild and precious life. Those are marching orders and I need to heed them!
Beautiful poem. Lovely post. Meandering is a lovely plan for a weekend, a brief contemplative pause is also welcome.
Seriously, fall arrived at about 5:38 last evening. The air changed, the clouds looked different, the light had that fall slant, and the temperature and humidity dropped significantly. We haven’t even broken 70* today!
A lovely poem, and I will think about the question.
The internet has expanded my life and sense of well being.
Mine too Susan. I have learned so much, and you’ve been a part of it.
May yours be a lovely weekend as well. From the tenor of this post, I’m sensing it already is.
Omg, I just had to look at the guys. What a hoot. I don’t know whether to be shocked or laugh, but I’m doing kind of both. What jolly good sports those guys are. And as I was looking, I was just saying “that is just wrong”. Thanks Lisa ;)
Ps. Summer is hoisting herself rather swiftly over our cliff edges atm. Had a little spendy spend on some new summer tops yesterday, just to prepared. I’m am a good girl guide, afterall.
Ah seasons, such fun! I am greatly enjoying life in England with little changes to notice every week – a bit less light in the evenings, acorns popping out, a chil in the breeze, a few yellow leaves, blackberries in abundance and even wild(ish) apples. After such a good summer, it’d be mean to cavail.
The drinking gal who wants to fit into her pants next Spring should take it easy on the Irish Cream.
Now that’s a taste I’ve never taken to. Good news, no need to resist:).
This past week it was lovely in the afternoon instead of scorching. I’ve seen several trees starting to turn. Also, no smoke! So, yes, it does feel like fall.
No Fall weather in sight around Houston. I can tell the sun has changed angles because of my gardening but we are still very hot. It will happen in one day, suddenly it will be Autumn, and it will be right on time. Hope you are blissfully happy!
I think the internet has open up my life.
I’ve found friends, recipes, Mary Oliver, books to read,thoughts to ponder, clothes to lust over.
I’ve found support,laughter and acceptance.
And I found you.
xo jane
xoxoxoxoxox.
Rowan trees in full berry mode is the first node of Autumn for me,the harvest is in farmers happy with their crops.My favourite season especially for redheads (albeit a fading one for this gel)do all reds agree?
I will ask my daughter. I didn’t know you were a redhead! I’ve seen references round the blogs to you having a blog of your own, but no way to find it:(
Those men are too much! But what great sports, I suppose.
I have recently returned from 2 years of expatdom. There’s nothing like living in a desert to completely lose perspective on the seasons experienced by the rest of the world!
Comments are closed.