Last winter I visited Paris with my sister. One of the places we went was the Centre Pompidou. My sister, her daughter-in-law, her two grandchildren, and I had fun painting in the children's area.
One of my favorite paintings at the Centre Pompidou was Near to the
Wild Heart by Paul Klee. This week I illustrated Marge Piercy's poem, "The Visible and the In-", in my journal, with people modeled after Klee's
painting. I don't think Paul Klee will mind.
I read a book a day last week (I'm trying to do that all summer) but
these were my favorites.
I also watched these movies.
More Paris in July books from the library....
The Texas Library Association came through with a Virtual Summer of
Learning after the conference last April was cancelled in Houston.
Stephen Harrigan spoke about his recent history of Texas, Big
Wonderful Thing. There are some awfully nice things about virtual
events....
Good Thing #1
Our public library now has Creativebug.
Creativebug has
inspiration and lessons for knitting, crocheting, jewelry making,
sewing, drawing, and lots of other crafts and art. I like it very much.
Do you have Creativebug at your library?
Good Thing #2
I found Krista Tippett's podcast,
On Being. I found the podcast after
reading Tippett's book, Becoming Wise, composed of conversations Tippett
has had since 2003 on the podcast with wise people. Everything on the On
Being Project is guided by six guiding
virtues: words that matter, hospitality, humility, patience, generous
listening, and adventurous civility. Here's a little from the website:
'We explore the intersection of spiritual inquiry, science, social
healing, community, poetry, and the arts. We’re offering ongoing special content for this moment, including “care packages” for care givers and uncertain times, and a starting point for the exhausted and overwhelmed.' Sound like anyone you know?
Good Thing #3
We got to see our grandkids! We had a wonderful time with the grandkids. When they got ready to leave, Annie said, "I miss you, Nana." Oh my goodness. I miss them so much.
One of my sweet comadres (Do you know
that term? My comadres are the mothers of my daughter-in-laws) brought me
this lovely photo of Annie and Wyatt to look at every day.
I'm very happy you found your way to the Sunday Salon.
There are no real requirements to linking up at Sunday Salon. Sunday
Salon is simply a place for us to link up and to share what we
have been doing during the week. Sunday Salon is a great way to visit
other blogs and join in the conversations going on there.
Some of the things we often talk about at the Sunday Salon:
- What was your week like?
- Read any good books? Tell us about them.
- What other bookish things did you do?
- What else is going on in your life?
Other places where you may like to link up over the weekend are
below. Click on the picture to visit the site.
My linkup for Sunday Salon is below.
That’s great you got to see your grandkids, it’s just not the same seeing family virtually. It’s a lovely picture!
ReplyDeleteI'd rank it:
DeleteLowest level of despair...no contact
Quite a lot of despair...virtual contact
Some despair...social distancing
Whenever I see your logo/banner at the top with the Eiffel Tower, it reminds me that I now have a journal that I use for Sundays (my Sabbath day, break from social media, phones, etc.) that has the Eiffel Tower on it. It makes me think of you and The Sunday Salon, but of course...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe Eiffel Tower. Love it!
DeleteOh, I think Paul Klee would have been honored! I love what you did with the poem and only wish I'd done the painting thing in Paris. Did you have to have a kid to participate? That's terrific. All the books are new to me and sound very good. Happy Week, Deb!
ReplyDeleteMy sister had two of her grandkids there.
DeleteAnd it was winter so we had the Pompidou (and Paris) to ourselves.
DeleteI'm so glad you got to see your grandkids! How wonderful for you and I know you were so joyful because of that. We're doing well and most days are fine for me. A few days are a little tough - no particular reason, just mood. How nice to get to hear Stephen Harrigan! Take care and we'll 'talk' again soon...
ReplyDeleteI'm up-and-down these days, Kay, but not my usual up-and-down; rather, it's like Mt. Everest to Death Valley up-and-down.
DeleteI just today finished a wonderful book that I had missed when it first came out - The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. I'll be posting my review in a few days. Thanks for bringing the "On Being" podcast to our attention. It sounds like something I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI'll look for your review, Dorothy. This is a book I haven't read. I love to read other people's wonderful books.
DeleteI am so impressed that you are able to read a book a day! Maybe if I get off of social media... but puzzles, walking, blogging, yardwork, mah jong, cooking, etc., all keep me busy and I don't make time to read until bedtime (and sometimes while I eat lunch). Maybe if I wake up earlier...
ReplyDeleteI am so, so happy you were able to spend time with your grandchildren. There really isn't anything better than that, is there? Mine is about to start her second year of college and is very busy, so we don't talk as often as we used to. Makes me a little sad, but maybe next summer she can come out for a visit like the good-old-days!
I think we're all beginning to experience the highs and lows of life a bit more severely than we used to. I try to find the good in every day. Big hugs to you!
A lot of my book-a-day reads are picture books or children's MG books or graphic novels. I generally average about two hours a day reading. I can't think of a day when I haven't read, though.
DeleteAnd you are right, Les. There is nothing better.
I'm so glad you had a chance to see your grandkids. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt made my week.
DeleteWow, reading a book a day...you must be a fast reader. I read Les Miserables in French when I was in high school and I loved it. After that I saw it at the theatre, the movies and listened to the full cast audio. It's one of my all time favorite books.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see your grandkids. They are precious!
I read an abridged version of Les Mis several years ago. The musical was amazing.
DeleteWow seeing your grandkids ... that would melt hearts. So glad you were able to. I like the term comadres -- I didn't know it before but it fits so well. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI think the male equivalent---compadres---is a much more common word. I have been blessed with two wonderful comadres.
DeleteHi Deb! So glad for you that you got to see your grand children. Sure that brought a smile to your face. That CreativeBug thing that your library is hosting! How awesome is that. I think that's my whole problem at the moment. I don't get to be creative enough. Work keeps me busy and the past week was just awful. I think I need to go and do some coloring now...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your "good things". We need to stop and look at that.
Wishing you a lovely week ahead! Here's my The Sunday Post
It is in doing some sort of creative thing that seems to help me the most right now. That, and seeing people (even virtually, even through blogging).
DeleteI didn't know the Mona Lisa had been stolen either! Sounds like an interesting story. Glad you got to see your grandkids!
ReplyDeleteIt was long ago, when security was quite lax. Part of the story is not completely accepted as factual, but it is still fascinating.
DeleteI just borrowed The Whole Fromage from the library after your suggestion.
ReplyDeleteJust checked we don't have Creativebug at our library, will put in a suggestion.
Creativebug seems perfect for right now, with so many people only able to do things virtually. I hope you like The Whole Fromage. I feel like I learned a lot about cheese.
DeleteSo happy that you were able to see the grandkids. We are letting Gage spend the night with my parents tomorrow night for the first time since all of this started and the three of them are so excited. I need to see the Les Mis movie again. Have you seen this spoof? I laugh every time I watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF495ERjRUo
ReplyDeleteI have not. I will go take a look right now.
DeleteGreat that you mentioned all things french. I will check into that 'le french' love me some french movies.
ReplyDeleteLes Mis is amazing.
DeleteI do miss my grandkids, too, although they are old enough to video chat and Skype. But...not the same, of course.
ReplyDeleteIf everybody would do what they can to slow and stop the spread, it might happen. We might get to see them again.
Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing.
I wonder sometimes if we will ever get to see people the way we did before. Will we ever greet our family and friends with a hug? I'm not sure.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your post – very nice. My first time here so I don’t know if you mentioned the books I am currently reading on Paris, mostly because of the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2 – one is in French, an old Livre de Poche by Jean Guéhenno “Journal des annés noires.” He was a professor in Paris during the Occupation and wrote almost daily in his journals – so it really gives you the terrible atmosphere of those days (later he was admitted in the Académie française.) The second book I am reading concurrently is by British author David Drake – Paris at War. It is really detailed and places you smack in those awful years. (Am concurrently reading a 3rd book, but not about Paris, it is written by Mary L. Trump.) Moi aussi j’aime lire et adore les livres, les revues et journaux, etc.
ReplyDeleteI do envy your being able to see your grand kids – I can’t because both my daughter and son-in-law are physicians and working with COVID-19 patients, so they don’t want me to visit for safety reasons – I’m afraid this will last for a while.
I like the sound of the books you are reading. I wonder if they are widely available. Perhaps you will tell us more about them in the future.
DeleteI am very sorry you cannot visit with your family. Your daughter and son-in-law are doing important work for all of us.
I guess most people can handle some amount of social distancing if we have to, but not able to meet your own family is killing! My parents were supposed to visit us this month, and other than the fact that there are no flights out at the moment, we are also worried about the risk of travel. This is hard! I'm so glad you got to meet your grandkids.
ReplyDeleteI love how many books you read in a week. I feel like I could do with some tips for how to read more though I'm sure top of the list would be to put the phone down more often and for longer times. If only I do that, it will do wonders to my reading time.
The best thing I ever did was to stop watching random tv back in 2003. I have been astonished at how much time that frees up.
DeleteI know what you mean about social distancing and the shades of despair... My sister and I met up this week - and for the first time in a long, long time - we hugged. And cried and went on hugging for what seemed like forever. There is nothing like that contact - we are DESIGNED for it and the lack of it hurts...
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of the grandchildren and I love the word comadres - I have a bunch of them:)). Thank you for yet another inspirational post, Deb and keep on keeping on...x
My sister and I meet up each Sunday afternoon with our husbands over Zoom. We look forward to a time we can get together again. I love the image in my mind of the moment you and your sister met up this week.
DeleteSeeing your grandkids must have been so wonderful! My mom laments almost daily that it will be a very long time before she sees my brother, his wife, and their kids since they live in the UK and that sort of travel will not happen any time soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, even getting to see my son and his wife in Chicago seems almost impossible.
DeleteI like Les Mis too, although The Phantom is my favourite musical :)
ReplyDeleteI like your list of good things. CreativeBug looks like fun, we don't have those in my country.
Have a good week!
I think a lot of people will enjoy Creativebug.
DeleteMy great niece married a Tippett. They live in Virginia. The Tippett author/speaker/person sounds interesting. Loved the grandkids' picture--and the frame, priceless.
ReplyDeleteMy week has been super good. Right now I am finishing Redhead by the Side of the Road and enjoying it.
I'm glad your week has been so good, Rae. Redhead is pure Anne Tyler.
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to see your grandkids! My mother hasn't been able to come visit us and I think she's going crazy. Hopefully in the next month or so. CreativeBug looks so interesting! I need to see if my library has something like that. Can't wait to see what Paris books you read in July. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBeing apart is the most difficult thing about this virus.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to see your grandchildren! I spoke to my grandmother yesterday. She's one who doesn't quite buy into "this whole mess" but at least she does mostly stay home and wear her mask when she goes to the grocery store (she insists on shopping for herself). She said the biggest thing that bothers her is that all the family dinners have been cancelled so far this year. We're a pretty close extended family and we're usually together for all the holidays and birthdays.
ReplyDeleteI read the novel Gone to Soldiers by Marge Piercy a long time ago and it was phenomenal. I don't think I knew she was a poet as well. Enjoy your week!
It has to be most difficult for those who live alone, I think.
DeleteAnd I had no idea that Marge Piercy was also a novelist. I will look for that book.
I wish I had the talent and patience for craft stuff. I’ve tried jewelry making, but nope. I’m glad you got to see your grandkids and read lots of books. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I think (somehow) doing crafts extends your patience. I'm not quite sure how or why.
DeleteNo Creativebug at my library. It looks like they have some watercolor content too, which I'd be all in for.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see your grandkids!
It just came to my library, so maybe it will be coming soon.
DeleteSo good you got to see your grandkids!
ReplyDeleteAnd your illustrations are really cool! That was a fun idea. :)
Drawing is a relaxing thing for me to do now.
DeleteI’m delighted that you were able to spend some time with your grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteCreative Bug looks like a great resource, it’s wonderful that your library is expanding what they can offer to the community.
Wishing you a great reading week
Adding more online resources is a good idea, I think.
DeleteSounds like you had a good week. I hope the coronavirus is avoiding you. I get concerned when I see how badly Texas is faring now. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteMy town of 25,000 people had 47 new cases today!
DeleteI am happy to be a Nana.
ReplyDeleteI love poetry AND I love Marge Piercy, but I wasn't familiar with this poem of hers. It is incredible, and I've printed it out to read over and over again. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful. I agree.
Deleteit is so great that you got to see your grandkids, and that pic is adorable. I think I am going to start making (consciously) my list of 3 good things too now..
ReplyDeleteThe author of The Book of Delights decided to write down something that delighted him each day for a year. He said he began to see delights everywhere. So I think writing down our good things is...well, a good thing.
DeleteThe author of The Book of Delights decided to write down something that delighted him each day for a year. He said he began to see delights everywhere. So I think writing down our good things is...well, a good thing.
DeletePanting with kids is fun. Definitely a good way to keep them busy for a while.
ReplyDeleteI'm just a big kid. I love to paint, too.
DeleteSo pleased to hear you had some time with the Grandkids. I listened to the podcast Onbeing for quite awhile and enjoyed it but have given it up for now as I have so many coming in. Such great stuff out there to listen to. I love the access to it. I don't think our library has that Creativebug but it sounds really helpful.
ReplyDeleteIt has been on the air since 2002, I think, so I have a lot to catch up on.
DeleteI tried to note three good things a day for a few months, with varying amounts of success. I have a sign by my bed that I see when I wake up: "Today I Choose Happiness" but that doesn't always work, either, especially these days! ;) I need to make more time for reading and blogging and cut out some of my mindless social media scrolling.
ReplyDeleteI think we're going to do a fantasy trip to Ireland in August, the week we were supposed to be going for our 35th anniversary. I'll need to start making my list of books to read while I'm "away"!