Most of all I hope you all are well as we can be in this time.
A bit of a housekeeping aside. I have realized I need to expand my process, by which I mean I can no longer only write posts I complete in one Saturday morning. This process worked a decade ago (somehow the word feels weightier than the number 10), but now I need more time to think, to take and/or edit photos, to revv the engines of word.
All of which to say, Next week, thoughts. Probably on logos, as requested, for which I thank Flo and Jess. This week, snapshots, and all my best to you and yours. I spent last weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn with my husband, my children and their partners. My little family means so much to me.
Lived in my Tilley hat. Here with a UNIQLO puffer, Vuori joggers, Bottega Veneta bag and SAS sneakers. Comfort. My princess-and-the-pea proclivities are advancing. I pretend I’m still stylish by making sure my colors are sufficient if not artistic.
The light in Ojai is famous for good reason. Reminds us to take a deep breath and also let it out.
We ate at Rory’s Place in town and it’s absolutely worth the trip.
We hiked. Liked I said, I lived in my Tilley hat and mostly autumn colors. They do not however make Keen hiking boots in ochre so never mind.
A Kathy Leeds painting kept us company in our rooms.
I also got some time here, which, as one who moved to California at the age of 4 to a mid-century house with a pool in the backyard, brings back such feelings of safety. Funny how that works.
Finally, in addition to living in my Tilley hat, I realized I needed some new bras.
See, I would never on purpose write about underwear. These are just vacation snapshots, not taken with any intent, and not all by me. Which brings me back to the afore-mentioned process change. I want to keep writing the blog; I do not want to slide into lazy obligation. Therefore, I want to up my “content” game. Just a bit. Not aiming for spectacular, not looking for more audience, just acknowledging that as I age it takes more work to be here well enough.
Have a wonderful weekend. Underwires are torture.
7 Responses
Such gorgeous photos! You look so beautiful and happy. A hearty welcome back, and thank you so much for sharing this — your post lifted my spirits, and they were deeply in need of some comfort. Would that be our Kathy who painted the picture in your hotel?
Many, many times recently I’ve wished I said nothing at all — and I’m sorry for commenting all of that on the last post, Lisa. I intended to post a short apology, but the post had already been locked to replies. You’re lovely and will come up with far better things to talk about than the mess that has become of my underslept mind these days. You are always, always here well enough. Enjoy your weekend, and happy Mother’s Day. ❤️❤️
P.S. I’ve tried pretty much all bras from all price ranges in search of something tolerable and landed somehow on this one: https://shopbtemptd.com/products/future-foundation-t-shirt-bra-au-natural It does have an underwire, which I need, but most of the time it doesn’t bother me. Everyone is different, of course.
You should never feel like you shouldn’t give your opinion! And in this case, I actually asked for it. Thank you so much for liking the photos. As for the art in the hotel, if someone wants to answer that I will let them;). I wish I could 3D print a bra. See you next week!
There are many things I have handmade when the commercially-available option I previously relied on is changed or vanishes and a replacement is not easily located, but bras are a long way out of my range, and it makes me sad, because of *all* the regular-wear things to be able to customize (or recreate when discontinued), bras would be at/near the top of my list (next to shoes, which I also can’t make). If we could get 3d printers that do fabric well enough to make bras, I’d absolutely be all over that! Can you imagine being able to exactly personalize all the various dimensions of each individual woman’s shape that bra makers just sort of average out? You might even be able to print a decently-comfortable underwire!
Anyway! May your search be more successful than expected! And welcome back! (the photos are soothing and I am glad you enjoyed your time!)
Thank you! You’re right, of course, I think at this point 3D printers do plastic? I do not want plastic underwear;).
“Most of all I hope you all are well as we can be in this time.”
Thank you. You put it perfectly.
“I can no longer only write posts I complete in one Saturday morning.”
I’m sensing something similar in my own life. Not what you meant, but I can no longer finish reading an online article, nor can I tolerate even a glimpse of what the NYT refers to as the “dumpster fire” we’re living through, which we knew was coming, but not at this relentless pace.
What domestic policy taketh away, nature giveth an open channel in return. I looked out the same window I’ve looked through for the 20 years we’ve lived here and, for the first time, was transfixed by the budbreak on the same hickory tree that’s been there the whole time. TransFIXED. So my tabletop is now spread with parts and pieces I’m determined to make into a pressed botanical. Enough about me.
I’ve screened up a Comment form with this post of yours, Lisa, at least 10 times, but not even a chirp would come through my keyboard. I wanted to tell Jess I tried to comment to her remarks over the last month, but there was no Reply button to be found. I was certain your blog account had been hacked, such is the state of my CNS.
The painting is definitely by “our Kathy Leeds” because I went to her website, and found it displayed there under “Paintings,” so Yay!
Lisa, I hope all your channels were cleared after your stay at the Ojai Valley Inn with your family. I enjoyed reading the Inn’s website, learning about their 100+ year history. I’m holding a Libbey glass goblet in my hand as we speak, in it I have what I call my daily geriatric hydration beverage. Glammed up in a WalMart Libbey goblet.
Signed,
Longwinded and Erratic in Florida, and I’m not even going to edit this.
I can only assure you, if there are technical issues on my blog it’s me not you;). Off to Google Libbey goblet. Beauty is non-denomenational.
Welcome back!