“These latter are an irritant because they outlive their celebratory purpose and remain glowering on the shelf or in the closet for years afterwards, inevitably souring by their space-taking the memories their entrance inspired. I have come to see that in many ways, the ephemeral gifts are superior in their escaping the physical so swiftly.”
Absolutely loved this piece, especially this quote.
Whew! Another great, little personal essay! Ringing changes on all things passing. "And so now in the light of eternity, I ponder the ephemeral." And in the middle light of castles - and previously of unicorns - and of worlds of Lewis and Tolkein.
As always, the pictures you included delighted me. And I clicked on every link. Your celebration of your kindergarten teacher/friend letting Shakespeare rip in the open air really stands out. A shy man, I could never do it. I marvel at her. Wow.
You touched on something I've found to be true - a kind of shy shame in writing from the heart - unsettled anticipation before, utter immersion once under way, then embarrassment after. You've mentioned this before, Regina. I imagine you feel a bit of it in every post.
I liked also C.S. Lewis's words about never meeting ordinary people, about sensing in all of us a touch of godliness. Put me in mind of an old poem, written after watching young children in awe of rambunctious clowns in a parade in San Antonio. Let's see if the last verse will get it:
"If parade clowns had half as much sense as putty in their painted heads,
they might learn who it is whose hands they touch
and start to strut more humbly
when they pass before such lamb-white gods."
I am often, often, often amazed at the affinities your writing discovers in me.
And most particularly I liked your riff on the daily, passing, loving creations of moms and dads!
“These latter are an irritant because they outlive their celebratory purpose and remain glowering on the shelf or in the closet for years afterwards, inevitably souring by their space-taking the memories their entrance inspired. I have come to see that in many ways, the ephemeral gifts are superior in their escaping the physical so swiftly.”
Absolutely loved this piece, especially this quote.
Whew! Another great, little personal essay! Ringing changes on all things passing. "And so now in the light of eternity, I ponder the ephemeral." And in the middle light of castles - and previously of unicorns - and of worlds of Lewis and Tolkein.
As always, the pictures you included delighted me. And I clicked on every link. Your celebration of your kindergarten teacher/friend letting Shakespeare rip in the open air really stands out. A shy man, I could never do it. I marvel at her. Wow.
You touched on something I've found to be true - a kind of shy shame in writing from the heart - unsettled anticipation before, utter immersion once under way, then embarrassment after. You've mentioned this before, Regina. I imagine you feel a bit of it in every post.
I liked also C.S. Lewis's words about never meeting ordinary people, about sensing in all of us a touch of godliness. Put me in mind of an old poem, written after watching young children in awe of rambunctious clowns in a parade in San Antonio. Let's see if the last verse will get it:
"If parade clowns had half as much sense as putty in their painted heads,
they might learn who it is whose hands they touch
and start to strut more humbly
when they pass before such lamb-white gods."
I am often, often, often amazed at the affinities your writing discovers in me.
And most particularly I liked your riff on the daily, passing, loving creations of moms and dads!