I lit my candles to get rid of the evidence in the air that I had been cooking and roasting potatoes all morning. To contextualize this post (I keep thinking of those in the future who may read this back if they are bored or looking for a good French read), the only rational candidate for governor in NYS had gunshots outside of his home (gracious! It is truly a time of intimidation politics), a plain low quality sweater costs $425, and autumn came this year like God flipped a switch. It is a time where you can’t visit a family member in ICU if you are healthy and unvaccinated, but if you are vaccinated and sick as a dog, they will let you in. The age of no reason, we shall call it.
This season started off with torrential rains. My home state of Florida is still reeling with the disaster unleashed by Ian, the monster storm. Autumn always make me want to cook and speak French. I don’t know what it is about this season. Maybe, I associate the French language with a degree of comfort and coziness. It sort of feels like home. I have been gravitating toward my French books lately, including some cookbooks I found at a used bookstore by Miss Maggie (I have been following Miss Maggie’s Kitchen for years).
I figured that as the world has gone mad, I would type on my laptop like it is a loud typewriter and passionately share the upcoming books on my French language reading list. These are my current picks (I own them all), and they are lined up and ready to go.
Truly, I can’t describe the pleasure I feel when I can buy a book. To be able to buy a book you have a burning desire to read is the definition of success I had in my mind as a kid (a kid whose reward was often books). Every time I get my hands on a book, I just hold it and think to myself, This is the life! Also, God bless Book Depository, for shipping international treasures one cannot find anywhere else, locally.
I am a big fan of Sophie Fontanel’s writing, I think I have all of her other books. I still haven’t tackled this one. Her books always make me think. They discuss things like aging, sexuality and femininity, fashion, how we relate to our parents and so much more. Apparently, this is one of her key works. Can’t wait to read it.
If you have followed me over the years, you know I am a die-hard Sarkozy fan. (Hilariously, my old French professor who was my friend and mentor despised him, to put it lightly– but he always holds a special place in my heart). He is audacious, has a flair for the traditional, very Républicain and has a seducing way of conducting politics, in my opinion. Gives me Nixon vibes. Take what you will from that, but I adore this French president. So how could I turn away from his latest volume of musings?
Apparently, if I am not mistaken, this is a book from the perspective of a child from embryo to childhood, with a twist of wit. I was curious and intrigued by the baby protagonist. I am all about a different perspective…
In all fairness, I am halfway through this book. It is philosophical, meaning you don’t need to read it cover to cover straight through, but the time has come to finish it.
I like the idea of exploring slowness. I started this one, and I love the writing style. you read it, and you are there.
A single woman in Paris… I am there. I picture this one to be a witty account, à la Carrie Bradshaw. I guess I will have to let you know once I am done with it.
I read the chapter titles, and this is about how feminine traits can save and make the world a better place. I used to listen to Bastide’s podcast La Poudre. Excited to read this.
A prize winner. This one (I heard from the recommender) is about the unconscious baggage women transfer to one another through generations (through language). This will be a serious but enlightening one.
Cozy season is upon us, which means more time to hit the book stacks. I can hardly wait.
Mornings can be strange. It is our first one without rain in almost a week. Sometimes, when I sit on the train, I wonder if something is wrong. People look at me intently, and I ask myself if I somehow forgot my pants or something. This morning, I got several of those intent looks. I felt a bit self-conscious, so I focused on my Kindle once I verified I had my pants on.
On these types of mornings, if you aren’t really awake, you are simply doing the basics. I tried to read the station banners after brackets of distraction, trying to activate my spidey vision, but failing. I climbed out of the masses of people, who all looked asleep (except for the ones who looked at me intently, like something was wrong— these must be the morning people).
Escalator was broken, so we all marched up the steps like a little ant army. Militant, apart from the huffing and puffing of some heavy set men behind me. Suddenly, when we reached the top, the floor opened up, and an Asian man appeared out of a hole in the floor with a dirty white binder. We were startled but kept marching. Can Narnia be accessed through the floor? I crossed the station to another train with a skittish little rat who followed me down the stairs and onto the next adventure.
Me (in my Pretty Woman dress–very important), dreaming of apple picking, raccoons, and baseball bats.
It’s officially autumn. What did I do this month? A lot. I bought a baseball bat, mostly because I was so sold by the Q&A on Amazon. One of the questions was: “Assuming the bat doesn’t function as expected, what’s the return policy for bloodstains?” The answer: “Depending on whose blood is on it, it might be worth more.” Hilarious. Who knew so many of us were looking for bats to combat the anarchy on these streets? (A note for posterity, if you call the police, they can do nothing and may not show up. This time of 2022 is a time of every man for himself + his guardian angel + bat).
I read Eric Metaxas’ new book, Letter to the American Church, which was brilliant and mirrored a lot of my thoughts in one of my favorite posts on this page, Leadership (inspired by Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer biography). My favorite book this month was Good Morning, Monster. This book was a shift in perspective. I learned so much about the world and myself. Obsessed. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. Another fascinating read from the month was The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish.
This month, I also completed my course on C.S. Lewis (free course at Hillsdale College). It was marvelous. This course helped me see some of his writing in a different light. I also saw reruns of the old show, Just Shoot Me (very 1997).
I learned a lot this month. I processed a lot, as well. A new season begins. I got new towels and started lighting the cozy candles. I am excited to see all fall has in store for us. An important election season hangs before us. There is a lot at stake.
The important thing, no matter how September went for you is that we move forward. Plow forward. We are fighters. We are still standing. Like any good batter, we are ready to run home.
“You’re not the American Dream, Kim, you’re the American Nightmare.” Piers Morgan on the Kim K ‘American Dream’ feature (Source)
I found rest to be a recurring theme this month. Loved Rest is Necessary by Katherine May.
Loved this article on the art of noticing. Excerpt: “Ernest Hemingway said, ‘You should be able to go into a room and when you come out know everything that you saw there and not only that. If that room gave you any feeling you should know exactly what it was that gave you that feeling. Try that for practice.’ Now take that idea, and consider how a place makes you feel. Feelings are not something we can see, but rather that we can sense. Tap into that.”
“If Yahweh rested on the seventh day of creation, it would be foolish of us to believe that our success depends on our continued labor.” Louie Giglio
“We’re haunted. We’re spiritual. We’re sinners and saints; we’re drunkards and preachers. We create astoundingly soulful pieces of art, astoundingly soulful music.” Alton Brown on being Southern
“I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.” Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
“This one is for those doing holy work outside the safety of a sanctuary… Your sermons flow through lesson plans and medical reports, your prayers are whispered over a scared patient or frustrated co-worker and your worship flows from your car in rush hour. Ministry is wherever you are and wherever you go because you know the One who breaks chains and sets captives free and you don’t need a title of pastor to proclaim His name. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus in unexpected places, for being on a mission and commission where people are most vulnerable. You are the best of us as you go undercover and undetected as ambassadors of Christ.” @Raisedtostay
“If all experienced God in the same way and returned Him an identical worship, the song of the Church triumphant would have no symphony, it would be played like an orchestra in which all instruments played the same note.” C.S. Lewis
“It is far easier to ignore God’s call than to acknowledge it and rise to fulfill it, but it is more difficult and painful than anything to love with the results of ignoring God’s call. Let the reader understand.” Eric Metaxas, Letter to the American Church
“In religious terms, the apocalypse involves a sudden vision of the heavens opening and revealing their secrets— secrets that make it easier to understand earthly realities.” Catherine Gildiner
“There is a rite of passage when you are young and in the city: walking all night.” Sara Billups
“It’s important that we remind ourselves – life doesn’t need to make sense all the time. The miracle is that things are happening even if we can’t see it all clearly. So trust in that, and focus on following your curiosities, focus on how you feel, and listen to your instincts. Don’t project too much about where that’s going to lead you. Because – trust me – life will probably take you to someplace better than you ever dared to dream of.” @Violette_Fr
“You misunderstand repentance if you believe it is asking God for forgiveness.” @riyoung31
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” J. Krishnamurti
“I don’t think he is a narcissist. I think he is just pathetic.” Jesus Enrique Rosas on Prince Harry
“Love means vulnerability; people who love you can also hurt you. Making oneself vulnerable is the ultimate bravery.” Catherine Gildiner
“Judge someone by their questions rather than their answers.” Voltaire
“The coolest thing to get canceled for is for speaking the truth.” Sudan Archives, Dazed
“We have to rediscover not just the law of free speech. We also have to rediscover a culture of free speech.” David French
“Your emotional intelligence and intuition will offend everyone who can’t run a game on you.” Steve Harvey
“God defines justice– not activists. God defines marriage– not government. God defines wisdom– not the university. God defines evil– not the majority. God defines history– not kings. God defines sin– not psychologists. God defines happiness– not our feelings.” Justin Bullington
“Love isn’t something we fall into; it’s someone we become.” Bob Goff
“You can’t dismiss your wife’s emotions and feelings without making her masculine. A massive part of femininity has to do with emotions. Emotions of every kind, with more passion behind them, and more prone to change. This is not a flaw; it’s a feature. But many men see this as a flaw, or at the very least, an annoyance. You want your wife to be more feminine, bro? You want her to be carefree and gentle and nurturing and joyful and kind? You want her to be submissive and dress femininely and have a heart that trusts you? Then stop being dismissive, or even mocking, of that which is at the core of her femininity; her feelings and emotions. One of the most basic things a woman needs from a man in relationship is to truly believe that he cares about how she feels. She needs to know that he will not only hear her feelings as legitimate, but also fight to protect her and make changes to avoid her being hurt. Vulnerability is a key element to a woman’s feelings. If you dismiss her feelings, she will become less vulnerable and build the walls up around her heart. If walls get built up, the more hard traits that resemble masculine nature come out. So if you have made the mistake of thinking your wife’s feelings are frivolous things and treated them as such, repent to her and to God. You have attacked something innate to how she was created, and have not honored her as the weaker vessel.” @the.masculine.mandate
“Normal is not strong or tough enough to withstand the impacts of life’s major blows.” Elena Cardone
“Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems.” Unknown
Videos
Generally speaking, very on point regarding all family, parenting and a must if you are following the Britney Spears drama.
With the Queen’s passing, there is so much talk about what we can learn from her amazing life.
We mention words like dignity, elegance, class, restraint, tradition, respect, nobility, and while all these are so important, I think that what made these true was her dedication to service.
One image I was particularly struck by this week was of the Queen serving her country in World War II (she was an ambulance driver). I have incredible respect for the leaders who serve alongside their men and women for their people.
image via supercarblondie.com
image via supercarblondie.com
image via kuulpeeps.com
It is hard to find leaders with the same level of integrity in their service.
“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
Queen Elizabeth II, 1953
Dedicating this song to the Queen for her unparalleled service and integrity. She made her mark. She was here.
image via onkafa.com
image Samir Hussein/WireImage London black cabs pay tribute to the Queen.
There is no better way to live than to spend our lives in the service of others.
When I wrote The Didion Estate, it was the first time I had put in writing my dissecting of another’s library. I do it all the time mentally, but it was fun to share it.
So, as summer winds down and autumn calls, I figured it was time for another fun library. Unlike Didion, Ms. Damas is alive and well. She is known as a fashion icon of France. While some in France are moving toward the more global Instagram image, she reminds us of the classic French look and aesthetic. She is the quintessential French ‘It Girl.’
Jeanne Damas via @JeanneDamas
I noticed Ms. Damas’ library years ago, maybe around 2017-2018, and during the pandemic, she upped her bookstagram posting. Here are some of the treasures in her library:
Le Fer et le Feu by Eric & Jean-Marc Stalner: Described as a book of romanticism, adventure and and elegance. A story focused on the estate stewards and the vulnerable Baroness Mathilde.
Via @JeanneDamas
AnOther Magazine: I had never heard of this magazine. It focuses on fashion, beauty, art and photography.
Artistes Africains – De 1882 à aujourd’hui – Beau Livre, Alayo Akinkugbe, Natasha Becker, Emmanuelle Debon (Traducteur), Jeanne Maylin (Traducteur), Collectif: The English version of the book is available here: (African Artists: From 1882 to Now). This book was described as, “A comprehensive guide to the continent’s brightest stars,” – ARTnews.
Sheila Metzner: From Life: This is an incredibly expensive Rizzoli book showcasing the world of fashion and portrait photographer Sheila Metzner.
Image via @JeanneDamas
Francois Halard’s Visual Diary: “This volume presents the famed photographer’s newest lush images of the stunning interiors of acclaimed designers, artists, and tastemakers. Francois Halard’s unique photographic sensibility–old-world elegant and bohemian, accessible and personal–is unmistakable. Each image is imbued with the intimate knowledge of design history, each story a lesson in a master’s point of view.” (Source)
Several Georgia O’Keeffe books are in the mix of the stack. I was fascinated by her giant flowers as an elementary school student.
She is also a fan of Pierre Bonnard, the French postimpressionist.
On the same vein of art, she has that green Charleston book leaning against her board:
“Stunning artwork and illustrated essays illuminate the modernist home and studio of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.” (Source)
Via @Jeanne Damas
L’Amour Fou by André Breton: In English, this is called Mad Love, and it is part of the French Modernist library. About this book: “Mad Love has been acknowledged an undisputed classic of the surrealist movement since its first publication in France in 1937. Its adulation of love as both mystery and revelation places it in the most abiding of literary traditions, but its stormy history and technical difficulty have prevented it from being translated into English until now.” (Source)
Via @JeanneDamas
Correspondance (1944-1959): “For fifteen years, Albert Camus and Maria Casarès exchanged letters from which springs all the intensity of their love. Between the tearing of separations and creative impulses, this correspondence highlights the intimacy of two sacred monsters at the peak of their art.” (Source)
Via @JeanneDamas
Chagrin D’ecole by Daniel Pennac: This is a book that weighs education and school from the perspective of a really bad student.
Via @JeanneDamas
Dali–La Vie D’un Grand Excentrique by Fleur Cowles: Dali, the life of a great eccentric. This is an old book from 1961. A rare find.
Vingt poèmes d’amour et une chanson désespérée : Les Vers du Capitaine by Pablo Neruda: Twenty love poems and a desperate song by the Chilean poet of international fame.
Via @JeanneDamas
Le Bal des Folles by Victoria Mas: This book was translated into The Mad Women’s Ball: A Novel. This book is being made into an Amazon film! It is described as: “In this darkly delightful Gothic treasure, Mas explores grief, trauma, and sisterhood behind the walls of Paris’s infamous Salpêtrière hospital,” Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train.
Via @JeanneDamas
Le Chardonneret by Donna Tartt, also known in English as The Goldfinch. A summary: “Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don’t know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by a longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into a wealthy and insular art community. As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love — and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention. From the streets of New York to the dark corners of the art underworld, this “soaring masterpiece” examines the devastating impact of grief and the ruthless machinations of fate (Ron Charles, Washington Post).” (Source)
Le Pays des Autres by Leila Slimani: Slimani rose to fame with her international bestseller, The Perfect Nanny. This book’s English version is In the Country of Others. One of the reviews for this book says, “Slimani has made a career out of catching readers on the wrong foot with unsparing prose. . . . In the Country of Others is [her] most personal book yet.” The New York Times
Via @JeanneDamas
Les Enténébrés by Sarah Chiche: This was a prize winner in 2019. This is a novel about a psychologist’s love affair with an international musician and all that stems from WWII and other pieces of history.
Jeanne Damas via Elle France
***
Ms. Damas is a big fan of award-winning fiction, many are translations or translated as they are that good and best-selling. By her inspo board for her brand Rouje, she has several art books. Not surprisingly, I find that her makeup palettes have many colors that sort of tug on the work of Georgia O’Keeffe. As every good It Girl, she is in the know. She has some classics mixed in but most books won their awards between 2014-2019. We’ll see if her taste evolves with her into her 30s.
Image via Madame Figaro
“Elle incarne un idéal de beauté et de réussite commerciale. Elle présente une figure publique parfaite ou idéalisée, qui utilise stratégiquement les stéréotypes de la séduction pour dessiner ses propres contours.” (Source)
Another month has gone, “poof!” and it floats away into the sky. This month, it felt like I read 20 books at the same time. Bad news about the economy and tons of primary info seemed to be front and center, throughout August (midterm elections approach, slow and steady). It was a month of adjustments on my end; learning more about my new role, with each passing day, walking new streets and riding new trains.
I think it is official, I am over the heat and ready for autumn. Finally, next month, things will begin to shift and feel a bit different. I won’t be trying to strip immediately when I get home because I can’t stand the feeling of clothing sticking to me. We need some relief.
This month, my mind was all over the place. I watched some Audrey Hepburn movies like Charade (this was my fav), Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face. I became obsessed with 50s hairstyles and bought a box of bobby pins to try some. (Can we also talk about Givenchy in the 50s?!)
I also read a lot of books by therapists on relationships, which was interesting. It is neat to read things and put a name to things one has pieced together in life. One gains a new lens and clarity. We watched Marshall (the movie on Thurgood Marshall– it was brilliant). I also watched some Paris In Love (based on Paris Hilton’s prep for her wedding). There was no theme for me. But below, you will find the stuff that grabbed my attention and made me reflect. I always love sharing the gems with you.
Before we get to all the goodies, we celebrate our top post of the month, Preparing for the Next Best Season. (I am prepping to begin my seasonal deep clean of my house). As I write this, I give side-eye to the receipts at my entry table. The evil clutter will be gone.
“Superficial religion will always be fashionable because it does not require self-denial.” Charles Spurgeon– This quote reminded me of when C.S. Lewis said, “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” There is something profound about choosing something for yourself that makes you grow and challenges you, not something that makes you feel like you have arrived.
“If the flame given to us goes out, we not only lose the light ourselves forever but will also lose the ability to pass it along to all those others who are waiting for it.” Eric Metaxas (on Freedom)– This came from his book, If You Can Keep It, about the responsibility every American has to guarding the republic and the liberties embedded in it. Highly recommend.
“When you follow a leader, consider what would lead you to withdraw your support. If your answer is nothing, your integrity is in jeopardy. Your highest loyalty belongs to principles, not people. No leader deserves unconditional love. Commitment is earned through character.” Adam Grant
“No one has nuanced conversations, and life is all nuance.” Gabby Reece
“You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.” Albert Einstein
“I always say that if I were ever going to bet on a horse at the track, then let it be me… because I know I’m going to run as hard as I can.” Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent– I read his book Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter. It was so interesting. Major respect for Curtis Jackson. This man did not come to play. The philosophy in this quote is one I adopted for myself years ago. Ed Mylett says confidence is built through the promises you keep to yourself. When you work hard and know you leave it all on the table, there is a certain security in that, when you enter unknown territory. You learn to take calculated risks with confidence because you know you can bet on yourself.
“Short-sighted people can’t conceive of well-rounded people.” Luis Samuel Gonzalez
“The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” Giotto Calendoli– sending love to the Calendolis.
“Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill
“To me, the thing that is worse than death is betrayal. You see, I could conceive death, but I could not conceive betrayal.” Malcom X
“Greatness reduces your likability in terms of the natural accessibility because whenever you work hard enough to do something great, you become an indictment to anyone who settles for less.” Erwin McManus– This is so true. If you want greatness, learn to be alone and oftentimes, hated.
“Yes, Christianity is a call to carry your cross and to die, but it is also [a] call to win and win decisively. And not just a superficial, moral victory or an ethereal, spiritual victory, but total victory over total reality. Yes, we are playing to win and for keeps.” Ryan Helfenbein– We always play to win.
“People are sheep. When you realize that you won’t care so much about trying to impress or please them.” Celine Hakakha
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that those liberties are a gift of God? That they are violated but with His wrath? I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785– This made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Wisdom is timeless.
“How we think, how we see ourselves in the world, matters. With our partners, our children, our neighbors, within our own minds– we can redeem or we can violate. The choice is ours.” Terrence Real, Us
Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev got married (in Paris)!!!!!! That is the post. Almost fell out of my chair when I saw the news break.
Fangirling here. They met in 2017 on Dancing With the Stars. I remember it so well. One of my favorite couples. It was cool to see Nikki’s transformation on the show.
They got engaged in November 2019 and were waiting to get married in a place where Artem’s parents could travel to since the pandemic disrupted everything.
Can’t wait to see more details as they come out and the four-part series on E! Wishing them both so much happiness. Congrats to my fav Russian-Latin couple.
Ironically, we are surrounded by these expectations. We think that by a certain age you: have to be married; have a certain type of job; have to have kids, not get divorced. It does work out like this for some.
When life doesn’t work out in these specific patterns, that, let’s face it aren’t necessarily rare but are patterns we see in the lives that surround us, it can be challenging. We have that Simple-Kind-of-Life-Gwen-Stefani moment.
You can feel like you did something wrong, somewhere.
It is a waste of time to try to figure out how you could have lived a life that was quite literally not possible for you (especially when due to circumstances out of your control). I see people do it all the time to different degrees. So many people are fuming at the life they didn’t have but were “supposed” to have.
I will never forget an OB-GYN who said my not having children by this age was my fault and selfish. Like I was supposed to grab some random man off the street while 23 and been like, You, right now, father my children.
I think these life expectations and pressures are often promoted by religious communities, and not maliciously. Hilariously, I find this to be true more and more these days, the ideas promoted in these communities don’t seem to match the kind of characters being cultivated in those communities. The expectation does not match reality.
I guess, all this to say, a life not lived can haunt you, if you let it. You can feel that things are off, when in reality, they really aren’t.
Life’s realities can be complex and sometimes abrasive so our soft, and at times, unrealistic desires.
Tenor.com
Where we should rest is that place where we realize that with every step, we sought guidance. And if we lived in obedience to God, then where our feet have taken us is no accident, it is providential. Even if we are wronged, God doesn’t cease to be in control and able to turn something bad into good. But that’s the thing, it may look very different from what we expected.
Wishing for what couldn’t have been will rob us of the life that can be. A life that can break every expectation and mold and show God’s glory and goodness in a mind blowing way. Living out of pattern is not for everyone, but if it is your path, then know that it is time to full embrace it. Not wishing for what we thought would be the dream life but by surrendering to the plan He has uniquely set out for us.
When we look at the stories of Moses and Abraham, their lives followed no traditional patterns. They were mold-breakers. They were wanderers and anomalies, and sometimes things took a lot longer than what was natural. They had their unfulfilled desires, they were flawed, but they were sincere with God. God counted them as friends. Their paths were weird, long and lonely. The journey was also transformational. They walked their unique paths in faith, with God, and at the end of the insane trajectory, God was still beside them.
Focusing on what “should be” makes us miss what “could be”. We should be curious and courageous enough to take off our sandals as Moses did when he found himself in an unexpected place. God’s presence is there. We may have thought our path would be different, not realizing that where we are standing is holy ground.
There are times when we are ready for the next chapter, the next season, change. That hit me this morning, as I walked in the sticky heat and a large drop of some unknown liquid splashed onto my face, just below my right eye, from an AC above me. After quietly spiraling out and reminding myself that I wouldn’t die or lose my eye, I thought wistfully about how I am ready for autumn.
As Lydia Millen says, it’s not about wishing away the seasons, but sometimes there is an excitement in prepping for the new one. I am there. While right now we are transitioning from summer to autumn, these tips can be used for any seasonal transition. I sat down and thought about ways we can be intentional in planning for the next season. Let me know your own tips in the comments.
Clear Space
I am always seasonally clearing space. I like to go through my closet every time the weather switches from cold to hot or hot to cold. It costs nothing to go through things to see what you can donate to help someone else. I also like going through the pantry and supplement station to see what needs to go or what needs to be used quickly. You can also go through books and put them in local libraries or book swap boxes. It’s always refreshing to have more space, whether that is in your closet, kitchen or shelves.
Home Fragrance
Who doesn’t love a good candle? (Good to find less toxic options). A candle is a lovely way to bring atomosphere to the home. I love burning candles and that soft glow in the winter months. I don’t keep the same candles out year-round. Take some time to put some of the current candles away and bring out the scents that match the season being embraced. Scents that bring you joy and nostalgia.
Decor
I can’t say I hardcore decorate (I hope to someday). But I do think that it’s nice to switch out couch pillows, throws, table cloth and other items like wreaths, little plant displays and other things.
I also find it to be a good time to change the walls. And I don’t necessarily mean paint (though you can). I often have things on the wall or leaning against. It is nice to switch things up and replace/move things around.
“Your home reflects more than you know: Generosity and kindness are the rugs; hospitality the furniture, curiosity the objects; and originality the placement… Enthusiasm, joy, and vitality are the fragrance that fills the air.” Pamela Clarke Keogh
Clothes
As you swap out your closet, it’s nice to look through your clothes and pick out some hero items and things you want to wear often. It’s nice to steam them and place them on a rack, ready to go. This also makes it so we don’t wear the same thing over and over again. (I need to grow in this area). When we dress more intentionally, we feel it, and it feels good.
Food Planning
Pick out some recipes you want to try in the upcoming season. Read them and visualize them. Make little lists.
Pick Something to Memorize
Something I love about previous generations is how well-versed and eloquent they were. They could recite quotes and poetry. It was a part of conversation. Why not pick a poem, a passage of Scripture or something else of meaning and exercise the mind. Memorization can be a way we can spread wisdom to those around us.
Calendar It
Have something to look forward to. I was listening to the Style Your Mind podcast, and the speakers correctly brought up the fact that it is a scientific fact that having something to look forward to makes us happier. Think about different activities you can do. Some don’t have to cost money. It may mean something as simple as exploring a different place, but schedule it. Have some things you are looking forward to! It will bring you joy.
Scriptural Focus
I hope that when I have my own home, to pick themes or passages and write them on a little board somewhere in the house like the kitchen. Maybe you are wondering where God is and you feel far from Him, maybe you are finding yourself anxious or seeking to be more kind. It’s nice to pick verses from God’s word that remind us that He is with us and how to reflect Him better to the world around us.
Maybe have a Post-It on a mirror or have a little board, and put a seasonal Scriptural focus you can update in a visible spot. You may find it speaks to your heart in lasting ways.
All Joan Didion fans know that her estate is going to auction in Hudson, NY. Architectural Digest quotes Lisa Thomas, a Stair Galleries fine art specialist, as saying that Didion’s apartment and her things, “It all just really told the story of who she was as a person, how she wrote, and what was important to her.” (Source)
Over the course of my courtship with my fiance, he has taken us both to visit many estates (Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, etc.). The Hudson Valley grounds are always stunning, but one of the things you will find me doing during the house tour is peering at the shelves. (I am such a snoop!) I believe people’s books reveal a hell of a lot about them. Many of the old books are cloth bound. There will be a shelf with a bunch of red cover books. Some folks have books about plants, animals, insects, politics, and foreign classics.
So, of course, when Didion’s estate auction was announced and these photos were released, I started (naturally) scanning the books. What did Joan treasure? Let’s take a look at what is accessible to us.
Image via Stair Galleries
Miró the Sculptor: Elements of Nature
Joan Miro was a Spanish painter, sculptor and ceramicist.
Artist quote: “The works must be conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness.”
Robert B. Silvers
Mr. Silvers was the editor of The New York Review of Books. This volume is a collection of tributes to Mr. Silvers for his 60th birthday from contributors and friends of The New York Review of Books. It was published in 1990. (Source) I wonder if Didion contributed…
Writer quote: “I believe in the writer—the writer, above all. That’s how we started off: admiring the writer.”
Virginia Woolf by E.M. Forster
This was E.M. Forster’s Rede Lecture delivered at Cambridge on May 29, 1941, “just two months after the death of Virginia Woolf. Addressing her life and works, Forster concludes: ‘she gave acute pleasure in new ways, she pushed the light of the English language a little further against darkness’ (p. 39).” (Source)
Collected Longer Poems by W.H. Auden
This was published in 1969. “W. H. Auden (1907-1973) was one of the wittiest and most worldly of English poetry’s great twentieth century masters. His work ranges from the political to the religious, from the urbane to the romantic. He is also, with his exhilarating lyrical power and his understanding of love and longing in all their sacred and profane guises, an exemplary champion of human wisdom in its encounter with the mysteries of experience. More than any other poet, Auden used his poetry as an instrument to study the massive forces, dramas, and upheavals of the twentieth century, and his work displays an astonishing range of voice and breath of concern.” (Source: Amazon)
Face to Face Camilla McGrath
This volume includes photos of Didion herself! This book focuses on images of cultural icons from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Interview magazine called McGrath the “Lens of the Party.”
Image from the artist:
Joan Didion and Earl McGrath at the Dunnes’ house in Trancas, 1974.
Robert Frank
There is an unknown Robert Frank book in the mix. All we see is the spine. He was a Swiss photographer and documentary maker.
Image via NYT
At the Center of the World by Jimmie Durham
“Born of Cherokee descent, in 1940s Arkansas, Jimmie Durham takes up such issues as the politics of representation, histories of genocide, and citizenship and exile. This volume collects an array of Durham’s sculptures, drawings, photography, video, and performance. It includes essays about Durham’s material choices and their metaphoric potential; his participation in the NYC art scene in the 1980s; his use of language; and his ties to Mexico after living in Cuernavaca.” (Source: Amazon)
Phillip on Goodreads said, “I am a big fan of his art – not easily digested, assimilated, or summed up. It pushes against all forms of criticism, but that’s not the point of his work, more the result of being so wholly unique. It was great to see the retrospective at the hammer museum – this book is the catalogue of that show.”
Artist quote: “I’m foremost a poet, and then I’m a sculptor and an artist, and I do other things. I’m a gardener, quite serious about it. I’m a gardener, quite serious about it.”
Declaration of Independence by Lari Pittman
This one is a catalog of Lari Pittman’s work. It was published in 2019. Didion had a thing for recently published art catalogs. Pittman is a Colombian-American painter and artist.
Fun fact: “Pittman was the singular male student within the Feminist program in the 1970s.” (Wikipedia)
Image via Art-Agenda.com
Some Women by Robert Mapplethorpe
Published in 1989, this is his collection of image of women. Joan Didion did the introduction.
Image via The Modern First
San Francisco in the Sixties by George C. Perry
“The turbulence of the 1960s permanently changed social and cultural values around the world. British author and editor Perry (Magic Movie Moments), who has written extensively on popular culture and the performing arts, has compiled this photojournalism series from the works of numerous photographers. Each volume uses the same format, beginning with a short introduction that sets the stage for approximately 100 clear, briefly captioned photographs, most in black and white, and concluding with a more detailed list of captions. Featured are the fashions (notably designer Mary Quant’s miniskirts), the hippie movement, anti-Vietnam War protests, college campus sit-ins, race riots, the drug scene, the pop art movement, psychedelic imagery, and other happenings. Prominently pictured are the celebrities of the era, who include political figures, activists, entertainers, writers, and artists such as Bardot, Warhol, Joplin, Twiggy, and Truffaut. For the most complete overview of the era’s defiant attitudes, confrontations, and anything-goes lifestyles and how they affected each city, libraries should purchase all four volumes. Recommended for popular culture, photojournalism, and young adult collections. Joan Levin, M.L.S., Chicago Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.”
Image via ebay
We Shot the War edited by Lisa Nguyen
“We Shot the War: Overseas Weekly in Vietnam examines the legacy of one of the most popular and eccentric newspapers to cover the Vietnam War. With its mix of hard-hitting military exposés, pinups, and comic strips, Overseas Weekly earned a reputation as a muckraking truth teller. Time magazine called it “the least popular publication at the Pentagon.” From 1966 to 1972, the paper’s reporters and photographers tackled controversial topics, including courts-martial, racial discrimination, drug use, and opposition to command. And they published some of the most intimate portraits of American GIs and Vietnamese civilians, taken with the specific purpose of documenting the daily life of individuals caught in the world’s most grueling and disputed conflict. Through striking photographs and personal essays, We Shot the War brings viewers behind the viewfinders of photojournalists who covered the conflict and introduces readers to two extraordinary women: founder Marion von Rospach and Saigon office bureau chief Ann Bryan. Together, they fought for the right of women to report in combat zones and argued against media censorship.” (Source: Amazon)
Quote from the reviews: “Sounds like an odd thing to say about a book on a war, but it does the young men who were fighting it proud. In some instances, the young man in the photo is not known but maybe some family member will see it and remember that person.” Marion E. Morgan
***
So, we have seen that Didion had a thing for photographers and art catalogs. She had some involvement in some of these books. She was an interesting person who clearly liked to support the work of those around her (and she sometimes found herself as a subject). These are not easily found books. Some of these required a bit of digging. They aren’t a part of a mainstream shelf. Even the more recently published books feature images and art from the 60s and 70s. Her heart stayed there.
If someone looked at your shelf, what would they think about you?
One thing is for sure: a well read life is an interesting one.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 