Seven Quick Takes
1. Empty Nest Syndrome is REAL. I just went and visited my oldest son at his new apartment. I was very excited and happy for him, but something inside said, "What?!" And I felt this looming sense of change on the horizon. "They will all fly and they are supposed to fly, but what will I do when they are gone?" I felt it to be the beginning of a new era and the ebbing of an old. Luckily the ebb will go slowly enough as I still have three in college and three to home school through high school. So, I suppose I have
Empty-ing Nest Syndrome.
Empty-ing Nest Syndrome.
2. The dishwasher isn't installed yet. We happened to order one that did not have an open bottom and our old plumbing needs an open bottom. Who knew? So now I know something about plumbing that I did not know before. We have resorted to using all the leftover paper plates from the last five or six parties. It's like having Thanksgiving, Easter, and all the birthday parties all over again. The OPEN BOTTOMED dishwasher comes Thursday. There will be a Te Deum heard in the kitchen.
3. Movies. Anna Karenina. I really like this director, Joe Wright. He had the absolute essence of Lizzy, Darcy, and the Bennett family captured in his take on PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
His movie of ANNA KARENINA was just as romantic but a bit more stylized. The use of the theater setting was such genius....that social climbing, status seeking, game playing of the upper crust...all an intricate little theatric where nothing is as it seems but everyone just plays their part. When the "real" world of true sacrificial love, exposed sinfulness and revealed machinations explode the sham you are SO relieved. Even the deep suffering seems so much more human and, dare I say, preferable to the sterile, surface world of society where no one feels - but only follow the "rules" of the script. Nothing will ever compare to the richness of the novel, but the essence of Anna, Kitty, Levin, Vronsky, and Alexei.....they were truly portrayed. I've seen it twice and found more to think about the second time, especially the loneliness and isolation of unrepented sin.
His movie of ANNA KARENINA was just as romantic but a bit more stylized. The use of the theater setting was such genius....that social climbing, status seeking, game playing of the upper crust...all an intricate little theatric where nothing is as it seems but everyone just plays their part. When the "real" world of true sacrificial love, exposed sinfulness and revealed machinations explode the sham you are SO relieved. Even the deep suffering seems so much more human and, dare I say, preferable to the sterile, surface world of society where no one feels - but only follow the "rules" of the script. Nothing will ever compare to the richness of the novel, but the essence of Anna, Kitty, Levin, Vronsky, and Alexei.....they were truly portrayed. I've seen it twice and found more to think about the second time, especially the loneliness and isolation of unrepented sin.
4. Rosary by candlelight. We used our Little Oratory the other night to say our rosary. Candlelight is such a powerful little thing. It brings hope to the darkness, it glows softly in peace, it makes objects reveal qualities that you never noticed before. I am so glad the miracle of candlelight exists.
5. Peach Orange Marmalade.....well, it came out a bit runny so we are calling it compote. This was my first attempt. It was quite enjoyable. And tastes quite nice in oatmeal and on ice cream.
6. My son has handed me the poems of Yeats.
They are truly lovely and full of truth. I keep nodding my head as I read.
"One that is ever kind said yesterday:
'Your well-beloved's hair has threads of grey,
And little shadows come about her eyes;
Time can but make it easier to be wise
Though now it seems impossible, and so
All that you need is patience.'
Heart cries, 'No,
I have not a crumb of comfort, not a grain.
Time can but make her beauty over again:
Because of that great nobleness of hers
The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs,
Burns but more clearly. O she had not these ways
When all the wild summer was in her gaze.
O heart! O heart! if she'd but turn her head,
You'd know the folly of being comforted."
-W.B. Yeats
7. The wall paper designs of William Morris. Here are two of my favorites:
6. My son has handed me the poems of Yeats.
"One that is ever kind said yesterday:
'Your well-beloved's hair has threads of grey,
And little shadows come about her eyes;
Time can but make it easier to be wise
Though now it seems impossible, and so
All that you need is patience.'
Heart cries, 'No,
I have not a crumb of comfort, not a grain.
Time can but make her beauty over again:
Because of that great nobleness of hers
The fire that stirs about her, when she stirs,
Burns but more clearly. O she had not these ways
When all the wild summer was in her gaze.
O heart! O heart! if she'd but turn her head,
You'd know the folly of being comforted."
-W.B. Yeats
7. The wall paper designs of William Morris. Here are two of my favorites:
It's such a gainful thing to have a look at blogs like yours, with all those anecdotes and tips going together. I think you've been doing well there. At least you've gained a skill set with all that business about the dishwashers, though a little learned help should be fine. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRoxanne Vaughn @ Total PLBG
Hi Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and saying hello. I am now at this very moment staring in great glee at my newly installed dishwasher. O Happy Day! And God bless plumbers who know so well what they are doing. They are true artisans! Denise
Looks like that seven tales have been keeping you busy, yes? It’s nice to know that you’re sparing some time to check on your son, and I believe he has plans for his place to make it homey. Good thing you were able to keep those excess paper plates, by the way. I can only imagine how helpful it was when the dishwasher wasn’t available. Anyway, I hope you won’t experience any other mishap with your new dishwasher. Take care!
ReplyDeleteMartha Ward @ Son-Rise