This morning I thought we could revisit the joys, for there are many, of living a life. This post is just Photos That Called To Me as I looked through the media posted here over the past 10+ years, and also a statement of meaning and intent.
First. A birthday present from my dear best friend who left us. Hello Kitty, in gold and diamonds, whiskers extended to feel everything.
I love my family, the California sky and the wide, wide sea.
We can consider the light of another country in the afternoon,
and celestial phenomena, with good friends made over technologies that did not exist when I was born, or when I was young. The Internet didn’t come to my attention until I was in my 40s. Everyone should see a total eclipse if they can. Transporting.
How about holidays? The joy of mixing different patterns in colors that get along with each other.
All rise for flowering dogwood. No context needed, just some peaceful fractal geometry.
And please, a hand for my mom, who remained optimistic and loved me until the moment she drew her last breath by my side. The infinite promise of reconciliation.
Art. By my son.
Art, by rock, rain and the passing of time.
Art. By hope, a good pruning, and regularly applied fertilizer.
Never forget to appreciate failure in the company of friends. In the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns, everyone was baking bread. I tried my hand at it. Complete disaster, but we were all in it together at the start.
The list continues, to my great good fortune.
How I learned to love. Children. My children, other children.
Passionflora. Refuses containment.
Deep root rot. Only when something is gone do you understand how much it brought you. Take care of your roots.
Wait. More friends! We had so much fun, up in Vancouver.
Audacity. This was the time I campaigned for Ray-Ban. They sent me a pair, maybe two, of glasses. I got up before sunset and drove over the hill to Half Moon Bay to catch the sunrise. The ocean caught me instead. It was great. I can still recall the sound of that whooshing foam.
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Handwritten good wishes.
New York Fashion Week with humidity hair. What an adventure that was! Sue and I outside the dinner where Jon Hamm sat and Tom Ford’s creations wandered by.
Speaking of fashion and brand campaigns, anyone remember when I was working with Blue Nile and held a lot of giveaways? I loved that.
Domestic life. Two very different and necessary seasonings.
Two people in love on their way to get married.
Banquets.
One little fuchsia flower, all by herself and also one of a veritable colony of blossoms.
Someone reacted to my last post saying they were disappointed I’d talk about politics here. I’d posit that anyone who regularly tries to do a good job (which often involves admitting to one’s flaws and trying to correct them) and believes in generosity and family and beauty, anyone who can’t help but thrill to the simple universe, will feel as I do. It’s all connected. That colon may be incorrect. Feel free to let me know.
So I’m going to channel Nancy, my mom, and try to share her optimism. There’s no special keyboard character for that, no emoji that I know of, so I hope you can find it in the spaces between the lines.
*edited to add and also posted as a comment below*
A friend who’s a good lawyer messaged me to say this: “Also, as citizens of the USA we have the privilege (a nod to your blog’s namesake) of talking about politics. The 1st Amendment implores us to grapple with issues, all of which are political at their core, and disagree with each other but not shut one another up.”
Implores us to grapple with issues without shutting each other up. That’s a core hope of mine, and something I work hard at as I age. Hearing people out. Thanks for the message, it’s really heartening to be reminded that this kind of talk is our Constitutional right.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, everyone, everyone, and here’s to the good stuff.
44 Responses
What a wonderful post! Especially love one of those photos, of course, but really happy to see them all, the sweep of our blog over the years. In worrisome times, it’s important to remember, to hold on to the good, to live in hope. Xo, my friend, happy weekend!
Thank you, Frances! Happy weekend to you too:). Our blogs’ runs have been good ones!
❤️
And to you <3
I think your bread looked pretty good…certainly not a disaster!
Oh thank you! Perhaps a sign of too high expectations on my part, which would not be a surprise;)
I agree, Lisa, it IS important [especially “in advance” of] to review one’s blessings. My central nervous system [and furrowed brow] have been stuck on “I don’t understand” for so long, I think my cells will appreciate the 180°. I will give it an honest try, thank you for this!
You are so welcome. And thank you for your presence here, which my cells appreciate quite a lot.
Such a lovely post to brighten an anxious weekend! Thank you. ❤
“Take care of your roots”… I needed that reminder. I know my health’s been neglected due to stress lately, and I feel very like your tree. I also think your bread looks delicious! If you think that was difficult, try baking gluten-free. :)
Here’s to the good stuff, indeed! Have a beautiful weekend!
The thought of trying to bake gluten-free isf . I am happy to remember the good stuff in the service of all of us. Please take care of yourself. Roots are deep, and underground, so it can be hard to know what they’re really going through.
Wonderful pictures and a wonderful post. Like you, I am choosing optimism.
Thank you. I’m in good company, then!
Oh my, thank you for this bright spot you put into my day!!
I so enjoyed reading it.
My pleasure! We’re doing all this for more bright spots all around, right?
Thank you, I needed this. Sometimes one forgets all the good stuff out there. And really, there’s a lot of it. (Also, go right ahead and talk about politics.)
You’re very welcome. And there is a lot of it, that we want to foster and expand. Thanks for the support of my thinking out loud. I hold back from politics a lot because I don’t have general expertise, but this particular seems obvious even to an amateur like me.
Completely uplifting on this lovely Saturday afternoon on the east coast in a swing state.
Blue, please. Like your mom, I’m optimistic for our state as well as our country. Optimism rooted in reality.
Your photos are beautiful. Your writing, extraordinary, as always.
Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your many gifts with us – including humor, authenticity, thoughtfulness.
Blue please, yes indeed! And thank you for the optimism from a swing state, as well your kind and supportive words.
lovely stroll through the photo journey. In a writing workshop this morning (it was glorious), there was a reading. This is a quote from Soil: A Black Mother’s Garden by Camille T. Dungy:
“Whether a plot in a yard or pots in a window, every politically engaged person should have a garden. By politically engaged, I mean everyone with a vested interest in the direction the people on this planet take in relationship to others. We should all take some time to plant life in the soil. Even when such planting isn’t easy.”
Lovely quote, thank you for posting!
Thank you. I love Dungy. Soil is similar to my friend Marchelle’s book, Uprooting, albeit American rather than British-Caribbean. There is something about gardening that does engage us, root us, give us time to think with our hands in the dirt. A rich experience.
Such a thoughtful timely post!Thankfully you do post about politics.
Thank you so much xo
I loved this post and it reminded me of the joy I feel when I go back through my IG page and see posts that span 11 years. It was so great and a trip through memory lane of your blog. I’m curious if your mom was always an optimistic person, or did her dementia bring more of that joy to the surface?
Thank you K. IG for an artist, I can imagine, is such a joyful record. And yes, my mom was always optimistic. Like, always, as far as I remember. I have some of her innate cheer, despite anxiety and etc and etc, so maybe it’s something in our makeup. In any case, when I feel it, and can share it, I like to.
Wonderful post, Lisa. Especially as you all gird your loins in preparation for Tuesday. We’re girding up here too. Mostly on your behalf…but a bit on our own behalf too.
P.S. Sorry to degenerate into politics. xoxo
I think sometimes we don’t degenerate into politics; they degenerate into our lives. Lives that we are lucky to share with wonderful friends. I hope we can do right by our northern neighbors.
Thank you for the beautiful words and photos. I feel better!
I am so very glad!
A friend who’s a good lawyer messaged me to say this: “Also, as citizens of the USA we have the privilege (a nod to your blog’s namesake) of talking about politics. The 1st Amendment implores us to grapple with issues, all of which are political at their core, and disagree with each other but not shut one another up.”
Implores us to grapple with issues without shutting each other up. That’s a core hope of mine, and something I work hard at as I age. Hearing people out. Thanks for the message, it’s really heartening to be reminded that this kind of talk is our Constitutional right.
One of your best posts ever. And yes, we have the privilege of talking about politics. Always.
Thank you very much. And, here’s to always.
Engaging in politics is a formal recognition that we need each other. Here’s to stepping up for all of us in whatever way we can.
OMG I love this! “Engaging in politics is a formal recognition that we need each other.” What a brilliant statement. Thank you.
Wonderful photos!
Refreshing thoughts on politics.
Cautiously optimistic, but preparing myself to move forward no matter the outcome.
Thanks!
Thank you <3 Onward we go, mostly, I think, because we have each other.
Very uplifting as well as being a trip down memory lane…I remember when I first discovered your blog!
I firmly believe that your optimistic outlook will continue to be a great asset.
Love the Vancouver snapshot :-))
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
Thank you, Leslie. And I still remember when you started your blog:). Here’s to optimism!
Also, there’s beauty in quietly leaning out if discourse isn’t palatable, yes ?
There’s certainly grace in leaning out, rather than storming away.
This trip down memory lane felt so poignant for me. Yes, I remember the Blue Nile gifts – I still wear and cherish my earrings that always remind me of your generosity. And your beautiful blue Celine bag – it inspired me to get a similar blue Gucci. Above all, I cherish our privilege to talk politics even when some disagree. Hoping for a good outcome.
Thank you. I’m so happy you have the earrings, and that they carry meaning for you. I will hope with you.
xy4c3y
Politics is about our life together in community. It cannot be contained , it determines the quality of our liveS. Everything you just celebrated is only truly available to all equally if we consistently work to together to ensure everyones freedom to be in our community safely and fully. I attended the most beautiful and wholly sincere and deeply felt wedding this weekend. The two grooms were radiant with their joy and commitment to each other and their marriage and the whole community