Treasures Found

I've truly enjoyed my latest avocation as treasure hunter, hunting for precious collectibles for our antique booth.

Especially for those getting up in years, a trip to an antique store can be a trip down memory lane. Familiar items discovered among the shelves of curios can trigger childhood memories and fond recollections.

Some of the items I purchase for our booth have been specifically chosen because they bring back pleasant associations with times gone by. My father was a frequent traveler to Japan during a period of his career. He brought back exciting tales from his travels, and, for my sister and me, he brought home beautiful, exotic dolls. My own dolls have long ago been passed on, but when I came across the gorgeous, silk clad Japanese dolls pictured above, they were a must have for the booth! I savoured their rich garments and lovely faces prior to tagging them for resale and displaying them, with the hope that they might also delight someone else.

Another favorite collectible for me because of past association is Wedgwood, a fine porcelain produced in England. My mother had a small collection of the more typical, periwinkle blue Wedgwood vases decorated with fine white relief carvings usually of Grecian or mythical scenes. It's been fun to discover the wide variety of Wedgwood pieces available in all the various colors and patterns. It can be found in blue, green, pink, lavender, black, or white and comes etched, painted, or with transfers in an endless array of form and pattern. Vases, plates, cups and saucers, trinket trays and boxes...such variety!



I'm especially fond of this Wedgwood beauty, a small pitcher picturing a hunt scene. Notice the fox hound handle! This piece is actually the second one of these I've come across and purchased for our booth. The first was of the same hunt design pattern, but was a larger pitcher in a solid kelly green color. I hadn't had it displayed on our shelf for more than a couple minutes before another antique dealer came by and just had to have it.

Some of my finds are hard to part with, but it gives me immense pleasure to offer things that recall good memories for my customers and bring out the smiles :)

Remembering Walden

Words of naturalist Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

Last autumn, Kevin and I went on a road trip to New England. We stopped at a few places each of us had always wanted to go. It was a beautiful time of year for travel in this region. The leaves were turning brilliant shades of gold, orange, purple, and red. The air was cool and crisp.

One of our destinations was Thoreau's "Walden Pond," in Concord, Massachusetts. This is where Thoreau built a tiny, sparsely furnished cabin and for two years and two months, he observed nature, writing about his experiences in a journal which evolved into his now famous book, "Walden; or, Life in the Woods." His work is regarded as one of the world's most revered and inspiring literary masterpieces.

People from all over the world come to Walden Pond to pay homage to Thoreau. The sign in the photograph above is located at the original site of Thoreau's tiny, shore-side cabin. The stones to the side of the sign were brought from far and wide by visitors to the site.

Trail side view of Walden Pond

A foot path loops around the pristine Walden Pond. The day Kevin and I visited was a chilly one, early in October. We arrived late in the afternoon. As we walked along the perimeter, a man swam the distance in the icy water, slowly, but steadily making a huge lap around the pond.

To quote Thoreau, "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviate trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows."

Henry David and Kevin :)

Kevin shakes hands with a bronze likeness of Thoreau. The front portion of a replica of Thoreau's cabin sits in the background.

The period Thoreau spent at Walden Pond was a time of solitude and introspection. From what I understand of his life, it was probably one of his most fulfilling ventures and where he spent some of his happiest hours. During his days at Walden Pond, Thoreau lived in the moment and grew keenly aware of his surroundings. His thoughts and words from this experience are still compelling today because they touch on universal truths. His quiet words of wisdom carry deep meaning ... and give us all something to ponder!

From Thoreau's journal, September 18, 1858 ~

"I was inclined to think that the truest beauty was that which surrounded us but which we failed to discern, that the forms and colors which adorn our daily life, not seen afar in the horizon, are our fairest jewelry."

I love this photograph! Of course, I love who's pictured in it more than life itself...but this picture embodies what my daughter is - youthful, vibrant, happy. Desirae is my only child - all my love, time, and devotion, as well as any mistakes a parent can make raising a child have been poured into her. If there ever was a child who is everything a parent could hope for, I have it in Desi. She is the brightest flower in the garden of my life :)

On the Horizon

It still feels a bit surreal, but I'm formally started on the process to getting a transplant. An intake coordinator from Johns Hopkins Hospital called this week and now I have an appointment scheduled with the transplant evaluation team in October. At that time, I will meet with the transplant surgeon, nephrologist, social worker, dietitian, and nurse coordinator in sessions to last from 4 to 5 hours for this evaluation. Kevin will be there with me to learn as much about the process as I will.

The number of medical tests and procedures required prior to this appointment is quite staggering. Even if I was feeling my best, it would feel a bit burdensome to make all the necessary appointments and go for all these tests...feeling at my worst with no energy to spare, doesn't help. Ordinarily, I am pretty sharp and organized in my day to day life, but I find even the most mundane chores are harder to accomplish now...so this will be a challenging time.

Kevin continues to be very kind and patient. I know it isn't easy to live day in and day out with someone who is going through this ordeal, yet he faces each day with me with a smile and offers me words of encouragement. I can only promise him I will do the best I can do.

The coming appointment looms like hope on the horizon...like the dawn of the beginning of a better day.

Art Show :)

Three Ducklings

Black Bear

Grazing Pair

Autumn Leaves

Our Cabin in Summer

Today, I thought I'd share a sample of my watercolor paintings. I especially enjoy drawing and painting from nature. Our cabin is a perfect place to paint from, as we are surrounded by natural beauty year round.

Anniversaries

Our Wedding Day, June 14, 2009

The one month mark of our wedding day has come and gone. I missed the opportunity to write a few words then. So, on this day instead, the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, immortalized by astronaut Neil Armstrong's now famous words..."One small step for man...one giant leap for mankind," I want to say how much brighter, happier, and full life on this planet is to be sharing it with Kevin.

In some respects, marriage is a giant leap of faith, but each small step we've taken together before taking our vows and celebrating our love makes us sure of our footing and eager to proceed, come what may.

We included in our vows the following simple, but profound words adapted from a Navajo Song ~

In the house of long life, there we wander

In the house of happiness, there we wander

Beauty before us, with it we wander

Beauty behind us, with it we wander

Beauty below us, with it we wander

Beauty above us, with it we wander

Beauty all around us, with it we wander

In old age traveling, with it we wander

On the beautiful trail, together we wander.

I am honored to be traveling life's journey with my soul mate, Kevin.

Happy wanderings to all!!!

From Where I Sit ...

This weekend was a rough one health-wise. On Saturday night, after a couple hours of stomach and back pains accompanied by increasingly intense nausea, I spent about half an hour in the bathroom, the contents of my stomach just not wanting to stay put. I was sicker than a dog! After that, I crawled into bed quite early, depleted of energy to do anything else. Fortunately, a good night's sleep followed. I remained pretty exhausted throughout Sunday, but it was a restful day at home in the company of my very supportive partner.

As the disease progresses and my kidney function decreases, I am bound to experience more of these kinds of symptoms. Such is life at this stage of the disease. Though still scary to think about, a transplant is becoming more and more inviting as an end point to feeling so sick and tired and a the beginning to days of better health with renewed energy to do all the things I love to do again.

To change the subject (a useful tactic to feeling better!), years back my Mom gave me a copy of a magazine called "Civilization." It included an article entitled, "The Literary Life," with photographs of the desks and workspaces of various notable authors. "Seeing writers in their workplaces, we come to appreciate the creative act, the lonely process of making literature," was how the article began. I was captivated by the images and primarily by how stark most of the rooms were...almost empty rooms devoid of personal objects, but spaces where colorful, lively, suspenseful words were woven together and books crafted that tantalize our emotions and inspire us to think more deeply. The photographs of these spaces left one with the impression that there were to be no distractions...simply a means to facilitate an inner vision to make its way out on to paper.

I scanned my room and my desk space and was struck by how much stuff I have crammed in here and all around me. I hope anyone who may come across my blog enjoys reading it, but, as far as literary greatness goes, I think my room with all its colorful contents and its many, beloved distractions will be a limit setter to the coming creation of any masterpieces :)

I've never found writing to be a lonely pursuit either. For me, it's simply a means to connect to my own thoughts and feelings and communicate them with others. From where I sit, I write ... and it's a joy to share!