Wow! This hit so many shiny buttons for me. Loved the story of Mattie and now I want to read that play. Loved the part about she "tries too hard." Don't we all at different times of our lives. In one way it shows how earnest and eager we are, and that's a good thing. But it's like you said when we aren't trying so hard that things will drop unbidden like grace into our laps. And then the part about creativity being soul-growing work. Whether we're good at it or not, it's good for us. So true.
And that quote from Our Town. I played a small part in that during a high school, but that sense of not wanting to let all these small ordinary happenings in my life to slip by me unnoticed that has been so important in my life, it may have been spurred by that play.
Finally, Beethoven's concerto and that piano piece--priceless. I have a baby grand, a present to myself because I loved playing the piano as a child and always wanted to play again. But I kept putting it off until I watched Margaret Argerich playing piano with her whole body on You-tube and all that wild gray hair flowing around her. That's when I decided it's not too late for me. I'll never be able to play like her. But I can play. And I can sway. And I do.
BTW, congratulations on your baby grand. It’s a lovely addition to any home, a beautiful thing in its own right whether you play it or not. But I know you will and that your soul will continue growing because of it.
Thank you, Deborah! Your thoughtful response makes me feel like Sally Field at the Oscars back in the day: You liked it, you really liked it.
May I clone you, please? You “got it,” really got everything I wanted to say in this essay. And you even added the metaphor I almost used: “like grace.”
I was a bit concerned that the length of this piece might turn readers off. Experience tells me online readers only want pieces between 5 and 7 minutes long. But I violated that rule of thumb this time because I hoped someone would take time to appreciate the piece as a whole, as well as the relationship between the parts.
Can’t thank you enough for your kindness and support. What a nice surprise that you’ve even subscribed. Pardon the cliché, but you made my day. So glad our mutual love of sailing led me to you and your own delightful essays. I look forward to more.
It was a giant flamingo sitting there all this time, a bird in the big city of Chicago, both fitting in and standing out. This is my take.
I love birds for the same reason. I live in Toronto, a big city. Every morning around this time, I go out to listen to the birds communicating while I put out some seed for my avian companions and nuts for my squirrel friends. Birds can teach us humans a whole lot.
I enjoyed this essay; a reminder to slow down and observe.
The day after I wrote this piece, I looked out the window and noticed a young woman walking her dog. It was a gloriously beautiful day with the just-washed look that follows recent rain. She wore denim cut-offs, sneakers, and a polo shirt. Her shiny black hair cascaded down her back like an obsidian waterfall. The dog scampered about at the end of her leash, and she tripped several times as she passed my home. But it wasn't the dog that tripped her. She was looking at her phone the entire time. I realized then that I had written this piece for her though I have no idea who she is.
Yes, I’ve been surprised by joy, and your description of that euphoric feeling made me smile. Thanks for the reminder to be mindful of the beauty in this world. We all need that!
So glad to hear it. I suspect we all do from time to time. And in writing about my experience, I suppose I just wanted to do exactly what you said, to set a reminder to be mindful of the beauty in this world. Thanks so much for reading. I really appreciate your response.
Wow! This hit so many shiny buttons for me. Loved the story of Mattie and now I want to read that play. Loved the part about she "tries too hard." Don't we all at different times of our lives. In one way it shows how earnest and eager we are, and that's a good thing. But it's like you said when we aren't trying so hard that things will drop unbidden like grace into our laps. And then the part about creativity being soul-growing work. Whether we're good at it or not, it's good for us. So true.
And that quote from Our Town. I played a small part in that during a high school, but that sense of not wanting to let all these small ordinary happenings in my life to slip by me unnoticed that has been so important in my life, it may have been spurred by that play.
Finally, Beethoven's concerto and that piano piece--priceless. I have a baby grand, a present to myself because I loved playing the piano as a child and always wanted to play again. But I kept putting it off until I watched Margaret Argerich playing piano with her whole body on You-tube and all that wild gray hair flowing around her. That's when I decided it's not too late for me. I'll never be able to play like her. But I can play. And I can sway. And I do.
BTW, congratulations on your baby grand. It’s a lovely addition to any home, a beautiful thing in its own right whether you play it or not. But I know you will and that your soul will continue growing because of it.
Thank you, Deborah! Your thoughtful response makes me feel like Sally Field at the Oscars back in the day: You liked it, you really liked it.
May I clone you, please? You “got it,” really got everything I wanted to say in this essay. And you even added the metaphor I almost used: “like grace.”
I was a bit concerned that the length of this piece might turn readers off. Experience tells me online readers only want pieces between 5 and 7 minutes long. But I violated that rule of thumb this time because I hoped someone would take time to appreciate the piece as a whole, as well as the relationship between the parts.
Can’t thank you enough for your kindness and support. What a nice surprise that you’ve even subscribed. Pardon the cliché, but you made my day. So glad our mutual love of sailing led me to you and your own delightful essays. I look forward to more.
It was a giant flamingo sitting there all this time, a bird in the big city of Chicago, both fitting in and standing out. This is my take.
I love birds for the same reason. I live in Toronto, a big city. Every morning around this time, I go out to listen to the birds communicating while I put out some seed for my avian companions and nuts for my squirrel friends. Birds can teach us humans a whole lot.
I enjoyed this essay; a reminder to slow down and observe.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your experience and your thoughts. Glad you enjoyed it, Perry!
The day after I wrote this piece, I looked out the window and noticed a young woman walking her dog. It was a gloriously beautiful day with the just-washed look that follows recent rain. She wore denim cut-offs, sneakers, and a polo shirt. Her shiny black hair cascaded down her back like an obsidian waterfall. The dog scampered about at the end of her leash, and she tripped several times as she passed my home. But it wasn't the dog that tripped her. She was looking at her phone the entire time. I realized then that I had written this piece for her though I have no idea who she is.
Yes, I’ve been surprised by joy, and your description of that euphoric feeling made me smile. Thanks for the reminder to be mindful of the beauty in this world. We all need that!
So glad to hear it. I suspect we all do from time to time. And in writing about my experience, I suppose I just wanted to do exactly what you said, to set a reminder to be mindful of the beauty in this world. Thanks so much for reading. I really appreciate your response.
This is a thing of beauty! Thank you for sharing this joyous moment, it was a reading pleasure. I have been surprised by joy, too.
Thank YOU for your encouraging response. Reading your stories, I’m not surprised to learn that you’ve been surprised by joy, too.
You are welcome, cheers to the weekend and being surprised by joy !
yes, it has happened to me. Thank you for reminding me.
Lovely thing, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful. Thank you.
Many thanks to you too.