My Library is Growing

Just bought this 1967 Washington Square Press edition of Longfellow's Evangeline. I have been buying and buying old books a lot lately and my library is growing! My goal is to eventually have at least one or multiple copies of my favorites. I also have a penchant for vintage field guides for flowers, birds, and trees. Is anyone at all surprised?

The Season of the Soul

I Loved It

It's not a perfect version, but I loved this latest depiction of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. I've watched it through once and will be watching it again. Probably one of the best ones out there that tells much of the story found in the book.

The Memory Remains

I don't know about you,
 but for me,
summer swiftly sped off
and slipped subtly
 and slyly away
before I knew it.
Yet the memory of her
 remains.

Source - Better Homes & Gardens

Howard's End ... The Whole Thing

Howard's End is not necessarily a happy story line. In fact, I never did read the book and I did not like the 1992 version with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins because it was downright depressing and the love story aspect between Mr. Wilcox and Miss Schlegel did not shine through for me.
That's a shame because I think that whole love story aspect is the whole thing. It is the point of Howard's End the book, written by E.M. Forster. The love story between those two is beautiful. It finally shined through for me in the new version with Matthew Macfadyen and Hayley Atwell. Now I get it and I am besotted with their love story. It's beautiful. I recommend it if you've not seen it, but be prepared for some sadness that does lighten up in the end though. 

When Books Are Art

When books are art {one small example of the many out there} but look how pretty.

Just bought this for the front cover, but I'm also going to read it. It's called, "Green Mansions," 1944.

Sudden Storm

"SUDDEN STORM" By Scott Heaton

This spring has been like living in Seattle, lots of wet storms coming through resulting in beautiful greenery everywhere. Tonight there is a sudden storm coming in that was a surprise to me. I heard it first, peeked out the front window and smiled to myself that my kind of weather was here. Then went to the back and opened it all up, looked out the window at the strong winds coming through. There's a sturdy tree out there getting it's arm twisted by the wind, multiple times. Another tall tree dancing rapidly at the top, swirling around at top speeds. Pinch me cause I am not going anywhere, just going to enjoy this little surprise that came my way.

Stacked High

Sometimes you find little gems at the used bookstore that you never expected to find. There was this gorgeous (what I thought to be vintage) French paperback of "To Kill A Mockingbird," that had to come home with me.

It now finds its place on the bookshelf with other pretty treasures stacked high on display. I've really been on a vintage paperback binge lately, not sure why, but I'm loving it. I keep seeing the 1980's set of the Anne of Green Gables books and it makes me melancholy to read them again, to escape to Anne's world. I've learned a lot from dear Anne that I'd never know about but for her. I'll be hunting for more treasures this summer.

The Works of Jane Austen

That moment when you are window shopping and find something you just cannot live without. What I found ... A 1970's copy of Jane Austen's novels in one volume. One gorgeous, pretty bound, exquisite volume of gathered words that I love, love, love.

Certain Thoughts Are Prayers

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

      -Victor Hugo

"Notre Dame" by Mary Beddy

If These Walls Could Speak

I find myself looking at the art I've collected for the gallery wall, ...like this. Like I'm in a museum. Most of the pieces I have come to love, while one or two will be taken down because I chose wrong. It's got to be that feeling of lifelong adoration, or it's off the wall for good. It's still a work in progress, a work that has taken time, and isn't done yet. If these walls could speak.

Two Stories

I love the two stories behind these images. 

I bet you know them both.

Two Months To Go

My breath still comes out puffy white,

An ethereal, airy, lovely sight,

My skin feels frosty, nippy blows

That redden my runny, frozen nose,

There's still a foot of fallen snow,

There's still at least two months to go,

But there has been a noticed change,

Come over all, plain as plain,

For when you stop at end of day,

Light is coming back this way,

A little more each day, I say,

Precious, little, needed rays.

Childe Hassam, At Dusk

Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver. Her words are simply stunningly beautiful. Her voice was silenced this week. But her poetical gifts will last forever.

Curating

We are all curators it seems. Curators for our homes and what we bring to them. Searching for just the right painting for a gallery wall of original vintage paintings, (no prints allowed). It's amazing to see what is out there for original art by numberless unknown artists who are gone to the ages now. As an art lover, I am amazed at all the wonderful work that is available out there. Here are some that I've come across recently that are beautiful. What do you curate?

Artist - Rick Anderson

Artist - Dorothy Pace

Artist - Unknown