Beauty before Function!

Was the food good?
I don't remember
but the restaurant was 
beautiful!
Las Vegas, 2009

 
it has always been my quest
to find beauty in each day.
the deep blue lake
or the fish in the stream
all must have that esthetic quality
that leaves me breathless.

the workings of a machine
does not capture my eye
but the line of the mechanism
or the color of the shell
will inspire a whim to
possess it for my own.

while I know
I cannot live on the beauty
of a mountain or a valley vista
I would rather see beauty
than eat.
it is that valuable
to me.

b

Learning to Write Clearly...1883 book still pertinent!

I was reading a blog called How to Write this morning. I assume that writers everywhere are interested in the correct usage of their language. How to Write described it's mission by saying "This site is dedicated to those of you who love to read or to write. I hope you find interesting reviews and discussions of your favorite books or authors, as well as, resources to help your writing endeavors." As I scanned through the How to Write, the post that caught my interest was called "How to Write Clearly". The author sited was Reverend Edwin A. Abbott. Abbott wrote a book called HOW TO WRITE CLEARLY - RULES AND EXERCISES ON ENGLISH COMPOSITION that was published in 1883.

The author of the blog post chose ten rules for writing clearly using Abbott as his reference point. The very old material is just as pertinent as it was over 120 years ago. In the preface to the book Abbott said:

ALMOST every English boy can be taught to write clearly,
so far at least as clearness depends upon the arrangement
of words. Force, elegance, and variety of style are more
difficult to teach, and far more difficult to learn; but clear
writing can be reduced to rules. To teach the art of
writing clearly is the main object of these Rules and Exercises.
....The art of writing forcibly is, of course, a valuable 
acquisition almost as valuable as the art of writing 
clearly. But forcible expression is not, like clear ex- 
pression, a mere question of mechanism and of the 
manipulation of words ; it is a much higher power, and 
implies much more. 

I appreciated that Rev. Abbott recognized that quality writing is not all about mechanics. One could not help but see that he knew a writer must be talented in order to write "forcibly" or with "elegance". I was inspired by his words.

Have a nice day.

b

Sarcasm + a Buddist Metta

fragile ego

words cutting
working to retain equilibrium
appreciating the good
while discarding the hurtful.

b

note: I deleted yesterday's post...so sloppy that a critic let me have it. Sigh!!

I loved these thoughts. Pia at Courting Destiny submitted this today on Face Book. A Buddhist Metta:

Pia Savage

I got this from my cousin Gena: METTA: The Buddhist tradition has a loving kindness meditation called "Metta" where first you wish for yourself, then someone you care about, and then someone you hold in judgment...

"May you be at peace.
May your heart remain open.
May you awaken to the light of your own... true nature.
May you be healed.

May you be a source of healing for all beings."

Thank you so much Pia!

b

Hopeful Soul

azur sky framed
fearless wren's adobe
thorn covered haven

b
November 2009
for Monday Poetry Train

haven:(noun) a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary. Synonyms: oasis ...

Children Seldom Misquote You!

Brayden in the Pumpkin Patch
Larry/Kim 2009

Written for CARRY ON TUESDAY

"Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said."
Anonymous

I hope that Keith doesn't mind if I use this quote rather than the one he chose. I am in love with our children and grandchildren! Love does last beyond the grave in that we give our children all we have and when we are gone, they keep our memories alive. "Some love lasts a lifetime, true love lasts forever" is just a lovely thought but if our children or grandchildren decide to quote our words, love would not come to mind. We often want to run and hide when company comes. We try to shush the youngest who is repeating what daddy said about the neighbors. The child will quiet down after a while but the damage in done. You will hear the little person say, "I was just saying!" from the chair in the corner. So goes life in a family.

Now you see I have been a teacher in a past life. At the age of 20 I entered a classroom of 4th graders in a small rural town in Oregon. I was as little prepared to do that job as I was to become a mother three years later. Students confounded me, I did not like to teach a music class I was assigned and at the age of 20, I was not prepared to deal with things my students would say. I wanted to laugh at their "show and tell" stories but knew I shouldn't. It was really hard not to.

"Show and tell" could be a very boring time of the day for a teacher...endless stories about kittens and lost dogs would start each day. Then, when I least expect it, the perfectly innocent child would get up and reveal a family secret or tell what mom or dad had said. I wanted to run from the classroom. One day the little red headed child of a prominent church leader told about his dad's bottle of whiskey in the freezer and then warned everyone in the classroom not to tell. "It is a secret?" he said. On another occasion a fellow teacher listened as one of her students told about sneaking down the hall and listening at his parent's locked bedroom door. I don't remember if he told what he had heard...I am sure his teacher stopped that story very early on. See what I mean. I'm sorry, but you just have to appreciate that there are NO secrets in a family's home if they decide to bear children! Love may not last forever but these stories live on! For my own part, I did not tell on the parents, not for a long time anyway. I somehow knew that my turn would come!

So, those of us that have children and grandchildren are at the risk of being part of a story at anytime! In fact, it works the other way too. Our children are the subject of our stories...and probably don't particularly like it. I know my granddaughter doesn't...but I tell them anyway. The story about "the ipod earbuds up your nose" is a prime example. There are so many others that I would need to consult with other people and take notes.

Keith anonymous quote "Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said." is just perfect. It started my day off with a bang! Thank you Keith!

b