, ,

Leaving Home

, ,

A friend writes of helping her daughter move out of state, writes of the empty space she anticipates this will leave in her home and her life. I recall a conversation we had a few months ago when we spoke of this daughter, a beautiful young woman in her early 20’s, an only child who was living at home after college, working and beginning to make her way in the world. At that point in time, her mother was both grateful she was still at home, but also just a little concerned, knowing it is important for young people to find their independence, to have a life of their own apart from their parents.

“I don’t want her to move out, not really,” my friend said, “but at the same time I feel as if she should.” 

,

Write On Wednesday: Inspired by Play

,

Imagine a decrepit old house, long vacant, with pane-less windows staring gap-toothed from weathered and rotting boards. An old house destined for demolition in an historic neighborhood just shy of the Detroit city limits. An eyesore by most sane person’s standards, yes? 

But Lisa Waud, a floral Artist (with a capital A) saw possibility, saw opportunity, saw potential for beauty in many senses of the word. She bought the house, paid all of $250 for it, and launched a plan to gather her colleagues in the world of floral design and fill the house with flowers, make it a huge artistic installation of floral beauty.

The Sunday Salon: Riding the M Train

You all know I read a lot of memoirs. A good memoir for me takes a slice of the writer’s life and illuminates a deeper and more universal meaning. A good memoir is honest and vulnerable, seeking to understand, to share experience. A good memoir says “Come sit with me, let me tell you what happened, where I’ve been, what I’ve learned. Let me show you something about yourself you might recognize."

 M Train is a good memoir.

The Sunday Salon: Lives of the Rich and Famous

I confess. I want to know everything about them, from how they drink their coffee to their philosophy of life. I want to hear the details of their daily routine. I want to know their favorite books and music. I want to see pictures of them walking their dog, having drinks in a cafe, holding hands with their partner. I want to know what makes them tick, what turns them on, what inspires them, what lifts them from the depths of despair.

The “rich and famous” I’m referring to are NOT rock stars or box office idols...at least they wouldn’t be considered so to anyone else. No, the people whose lives I’m eager to peek inside are those writers, poets, musicians, and artists whose creative genius astounds and delights me. 

Write On Wednesday: Making it By Hand

The last time I trimmed my fingernails I decided to take a few extra minutes to pamper my hands. I filed and buffed each nail, and then treated my hands to a tropical scented “scrub” using a concoction I received as a party favor at a baby shower four years ago  - which tells you how often I perform anything other than basic maintenance.

I rinsed away the gritty granules from the scrub, soaked my hands in warm water, and then smothered them in thick Swedish hand cream. As I massaged the cream over the tops of each hand, I could feel tears coming to my eyes. "My little hands," I thought, suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for all the things they do - they dance over piano keys and grip the handles of our Malmark bells. They translate my feelings onto paper in the letters I write my friend and put my thoughts into words through the keys on this computer. They prepare food for my family, and clean the home we live in. They light candles on dusky fall evening, and pour wine into glasses. They lovingly pat my dogs and tickle my grandson; they hold tight to my husband’s hand when we’re walking in our neighborhood or sitting side by side watching television.