This was wonderful, Rita. The portrait of your father was so clear, endearing, so imbued with cultural references—transistor radio, ball games seasons—and then so sad with the early diagnosis. I’d just come from a dog walk when I read this—and your sprinkled references to nature and the images that inspired your art reminded me that, as I walked, I was ‘noting’ and thinking how soon Winter here (in Sweden) will be vanquishing this bright, seeming-endlessly-sunny fall and that I should write down some of what I noted. So I did. I hesitate to post something I just this minute threw in a google doc but oh well, just following instructions. It’s a list. Wonderful post and read at just the right moment to boost my mood AND make me type my notes. Thanks for all of it!
Thanks, Cynthia! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that you read it at just the right moment for you. I love your list! I can picture your surroundings as you walked and got an idea of what your life is like in this season in Sweden. Lovely. I can also see that your recent military related research and reading has influenced your references. :-)
I was surprised your service wouldn't have said a popular book, so I went through the website and looked it up. I put Ross Gay in the search and they do have The Book of Delights on audiobook!
love your images and this piece. Your testament to your Dad's joy of simple pleasures is so beautifully written. I've checked out Ross Gay's book from the library now. Can't wait to read it!!
Thanks so much, Judith! I'm glad you liked it. I think you'll love The Book of Delights. Let me know what you think. Ross Gay has another book out about more delights, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.
Beautiful, Rita. I need the nourishment of simple pleasures of exactly the type you describe more and more as I get older.
This was wonderful, Rita. The portrait of your father was so clear, endearing, so imbued with cultural references—transistor radio, ball games seasons—and then so sad with the early diagnosis. I’d just come from a dog walk when I read this—and your sprinkled references to nature and the images that inspired your art reminded me that, as I walked, I was ‘noting’ and thinking how soon Winter here (in Sweden) will be vanquishing this bright, seeming-endlessly-sunny fall and that I should write down some of what I noted. So I did. I hesitate to post something I just this minute threw in a google doc but oh well, just following instructions. It’s a list. Wonderful post and read at just the right moment to boost my mood AND make me type my notes. Thanks for all of it!
>>On a dog walk, winter on the march<<
shafts of sun light fading ferns as
mushrooms of orange dotted with tan
or tawny gold march in a column
at the edge of the lane and oh look there:
an oak leaf cluster not from an officer
but a branch of leaves autumn-burnished
and summer-done falls from above and
sits, a bouquet tossed perhaps in peace
among acorns strewn like wee bullets
on the great field of all that is autumn
but will be met with icy blasts all too soon,
and too soon, we know, the light surrenders
#
Thanks, Cynthia! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that you read it at just the right moment for you. I love your list! I can picture your surroundings as you walked and got an idea of what your life is like in this season in Sweden. Lovely. I can also see that your recent military related research and reading has influenced your references. :-)
p.s. my subscription service, Everand (used to be Scribd), doesn’t have the Ross Gay book you mention BUT I did find this:
"Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude" by Ross Gay. It looks delightful…I’ll start there, with, well, unabashed gratitude. ;-)
I was surprised your service wouldn't have said a popular book, so I went through the website and looked it up. I put Ross Gay in the search and they do have The Book of Delights on audiobook!
love your images and this piece. Your testament to your Dad's joy of simple pleasures is so beautifully written. I've checked out Ross Gay's book from the library now. Can't wait to read it!!
Thanks so much, Judith! I'm glad you liked it. I think you'll love The Book of Delights. Let me know what you think. Ross Gay has another book out about more delights, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.