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| Yellow Rose of TN October 2019 |
Today especially, my heart has gratitude for those that continue to walk with me and for those who joined me for only a few seasons. The most lovely gardens are a mix of annuals and perennials.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
A Rose is a Rose
Today especially, my heart has gratitude for those that continue to walk with me and for those who joined me for only a few seasons. The most lovely gardens are a mix of annuals and perennials.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Field of Dreams
When I awoke this morning, I had a general idea for my day. After a trip to the gym and cooking lunch, I settled onto the sofa to read for a bit, for an hour, I had planned.
I had started In Pieces by Sally Field on the plane (per my usual) a couple weeks ago, but had stopped reading it after reaching the impact that Jocko had on her story. The book was closed; I wasn’t ready to continue.
Eight hours have passed since re-starting, and save a few minutes for a shower and a trip for water, I have only rearranged myself on the sofa, book in hand, not leaving.
The rainy day faded and as I walked the two blocks for water, I was only vaguely aware of the woman in the checkout line pressing into my back with a stick of butter. My attention was still with Sally Fields.
In writing this now, I cannot actually remember what I had wanted to accomplish today, just that my goals were surpassed by the need to continue walking in her words for a while longer, to see where I would find myself, and to see what might open in me while accompanying her.
I have admired Fields’ ability to act and her strength in character without thinking about the fortitude created in successful women by enduring childhoods and for many of us, the bonds with our mothers. The story (minus the successful movie-star, Hollywood, Malibu homes part) is likely one that a friend might have and if you are actively listening, she might allude to just a piece of it over a glass of wine, late at night, or subtly give a knowing nod while hearing another’s story.
A woman fighting to survive (something), being or becoming someone’s (something), all the while trying to recover that (something) within that gets dim, shelved, or forgotten. There are many things that compelled me about her story and her writing, but perhaps most impactful was the courage she had to have that conversation with her mother.
Through “In Pieces” we learn about the preparation Fields takes to become her characters and through her writing, she pulled me onto the sofa in the back, watching, waiting, holding my breath. I did not want to be anywhere else.
Finishing the day in gratitude.
I had started In Pieces by Sally Field on the plane (per my usual) a couple weeks ago, but had stopped reading it after reaching the impact that Jocko had on her story. The book was closed; I wasn’t ready to continue.
Eight hours have passed since re-starting, and save a few minutes for a shower and a trip for water, I have only rearranged myself on the sofa, book in hand, not leaving.
The rainy day faded and as I walked the two blocks for water, I was only vaguely aware of the woman in the checkout line pressing into my back with a stick of butter. My attention was still with Sally Fields.
In writing this now, I cannot actually remember what I had wanted to accomplish today, just that my goals were surpassed by the need to continue walking in her words for a while longer, to see where I would find myself, and to see what might open in me while accompanying her.
I have admired Fields’ ability to act and her strength in character without thinking about the fortitude created in successful women by enduring childhoods and for many of us, the bonds with our mothers. The story (minus the successful movie-star, Hollywood, Malibu homes part) is likely one that a friend might have and if you are actively listening, she might allude to just a piece of it over a glass of wine, late at night, or subtly give a knowing nod while hearing another’s story.
A woman fighting to survive (something), being or becoming someone’s (something), all the while trying to recover that (something) within that gets dim, shelved, or forgotten. There are many things that compelled me about her story and her writing, but perhaps most impactful was the courage she had to have that conversation with her mother.
Through “In Pieces” we learn about the preparation Fields takes to become her characters and through her writing, she pulled me onto the sofa in the back, watching, waiting, holding my breath. I did not want to be anywhere else.
Finishing the day in gratitude.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
High Points - BA
Sierra de la Ventana is a leisurely seven(ish) hour drive from CABA, mostly through the countryside. You will see farmland, windmills, cattle, sheep, hay, and the occasional very over-sized truck (which in my case was carrying industrial windmill shafts). Your reward, upon arrival, are the highest two peaks in the Buenos Aires province: Cerro Tres Picos and Cerro Ventana.
If you are so inclined, they are both walkable. Tres Picos is located on private property, the Fundaciรณn Funke, and you will need to arrive early to request permission to walk, (pay), get organized, and parked at the beginning of the trail. The trail is about 20km and should take about 8 hours. If you find yourself trailing the recommended schedule, you might have to turn back before reaching the peak. The climb to 1239 meters is considered low to moderate difficulty but there are several rocky stretches with a steep 200 meter hand climb to reach the summit. It's a great walk.
Summiting Cerro Ventana will land you at 1136 meters and is a guided trek. Round trip, the trail is about 6 hours to walk and measurably shorter than Tres Picos but with higher degree of difficulty. (My walking sticks were definitely handy for legs that were a bit tired from Tres Picos.) Cerro Ventana is located in Parque Provincial Ernesto Tornquist and was declared a natural monument in 1959. There are several other trails available as well. The views are tremendous on the climb and descent and you will likely share the path with a few wild horses near 1000 meters.
My trip was in September, just before high spring and summer peak. It was a great place to connect with nature and take a few walks.
If you are so inclined, they are both walkable. Tres Picos is located on private property, the Fundaciรณn Funke, and you will need to arrive early to request permission to walk, (pay), get organized, and parked at the beginning of the trail. The trail is about 20km and should take about 8 hours. If you find yourself trailing the recommended schedule, you might have to turn back before reaching the peak. The climb to 1239 meters is considered low to moderate difficulty but there are several rocky stretches with a steep 200 meter hand climb to reach the summit. It's a great walk.
Summiting Cerro Ventana will land you at 1136 meters and is a guided trek. Round trip, the trail is about 6 hours to walk and measurably shorter than Tres Picos but with higher degree of difficulty. (My walking sticks were definitely handy for legs that were a bit tired from Tres Picos.) Cerro Ventana is located in Parque Provincial Ernesto Tornquist and was declared a natural monument in 1959. There are several other trails available as well. The views are tremendous on the climb and descent and you will likely share the path with a few wild horses near 1000 meters.
My trip was in September, just before high spring and summer peak. It was a great place to connect with nature and take a few walks.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Las Cartas
Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod was added to my booklist while strolling around Parnassus Books. I had already reached my budgeted limit for purchases that day so this one waited around for a few years until it surfaced again. Had I read it when originally published, I think I would have enjoyed it, but having read it after leaving my job for an adventure from France to Spain to Argentina, I fell in kindred spirit with the book.
Disclosure: I'm a letter lover, both writer and reader. I wanted to like the book before I ever started.
And I did.
As I read through her journey, I thought about my Accomplice (Chapter 6) who told me that my Plan B was actually a better Plan A. I was reminded of the customs officer in Paris (Chapter 13) who told me I was being brave when I revealed a little too much. I felt grateful for the friends who received my notes and texts and were enthusiastic in their responses for my adventure.
I read Paris Letters in one sitting over two flights and one airport. It made me smile, it reminded me how love arrives and sometimes leaves in strange ways, and that we all can understand one another if we put the effort into trying.
Disclosure: I'm a letter lover, both writer and reader. I wanted to like the book before I ever started.
And I did.
As I read through her journey, I thought about my Accomplice (Chapter 6) who told me that my Plan B was actually a better Plan A. I was reminded of the customs officer in Paris (Chapter 13) who told me I was being brave when I revealed a little too much. I felt grateful for the friends who received my notes and texts and were enthusiastic in their responses for my adventure.
I read Paris Letters in one sitting over two flights and one airport. It made me smile, it reminded me how love arrives and sometimes leaves in strange ways, and that we all can understand one another if we put the effort into trying.
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