Parasols & Summer Sun
Ah, the ubiquitous umbrella – from British Bumbershoot to Parisian Parasol – one shelters from the rain; one shields from the sun. We reviewed their rainy day renditions in April Showers. It’s now time for the sunny side of summer with its plethora of parasols. Rather than ducking and dodging sleet and showers, we flirt and flutter with carousels of color. Just being in the sun evokes smiles and happiness. A parasol seems less of a shield, and more of a sidekick, protecting us while joining in the fun. The Latin word umbra means “shade” and historians claim the cooling canopy formed by...
Read MoreEmilio Pucci – the Prince of Prints
When the swinging 60’s ushered in a world of psychedelic graphics, one artist’s images stood head and shoulders above the rest – Emilio Pucci. It’s not surprising, however, since Pucci’s dazzling originality predated the Summer of Love by two decades. His seminal ideas and epochal images were forever ahead of convention, and stand today as timeless classics. “Color directly influences the soul.” Wassily Kandinsky, Concerning the Spiritual in Art 1969 2015 worn by Kendall Jenner Born Marquis Emilio Pucci di Barsento to an aristocratic family in Florence, Italy,...
Read MoreSummer of Love
Every generation has their own “coming of age” decade. The 1940’s were dominated by Hitler, the Holocaust and Hiroshima. A break from combat involved dancing to the tunes of Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, and Harry James, as couples held each other tight for whatever time they had together. The 1950’s heralded Peace, Prosperity and Possibilities. Kids cut loose to rock n’ roll in safe, serene suburbs. The 1960’s ushered in the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Wall, and escalation of the Vietnam War. It’s no surprise that kids who experienced “duck and cover” air raids with regularity in...
Read MoreTime Marches On…
It’s paradoxical that the one thing we desire most, we often waste with reckless abandon… the gift of time. It’s a gift that if stolen or lost, can never be replaced. The longer one lives, the more one understands how limited is our time, and how helpless we are to conjure more. “Lost time is never found again.” Benjamin Franklin In 2015, we initiated daylight savings time earlier than ever before in an effort to extend our days for play and other pursuits. Though understanding it’s only a bit of trickery, for there are never more than 24 hours in a day, we congratulate our cleverness at...
Read MoreA New Year’s Greeting
I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I’m your next chance at the art of living. For many of us the thought of a new year contains the elements of both sunshine and shadow. Most of us hope for new beginnings, but no one wants to encounter the disappointment of unmet resolutions. Certainly it’s wise to take stock, but must we dwell on improving and perfecting yet again? For the moment, let’s just be grateful that we’re here to turn the page, and welcome with open arms whatever adventure lies ahead. Let’s celebrate the gift of twelve months of wonder, surprises,...
Read MoreTaxes
“Did you ever notice that when you put the words “THE and IRS” together, it spells “THEIRS?” Unknown These images float in the center of a man’s handkerchief sporting a very large white border, which is to be used, I imagine, for catching massive amounts of tears, or mopping up flop sweat during an audit. When asked if he has anything to declare, the oh-so-silly suitor in the right hand corner blathers on in an effort to impress the tax collector. Hoping to be considered a suitable match for the auditor’s daughter, the clueless swain wildly exaggerates his lifestyle....
Read MoreThe Randy Rooster
“Trying to sneak a fast ball past Hank Aaron is like trying to sneak the sunrise past a rooster.” Joe Adcock “Spring forward, fall back” is the memory trick we use for re-setting our clocks in order to capture the gift of daylight savings. Who doesn’t appreciate an extra hour of sunshine in which to frolic and play? Yet we pay a price to shed our hibernating ways, as we begrudgingly crawl from the cozy comfort of our snuggly beds. One steadfast harbinger who can rouse us literally like clockwork? The lusty rooster, trilling and screeching, until we have no choice but to rise. A...
Read MoreUnder the Mistletoe
It’s mistletoe season once again, and we find this bashful beau blushing – either from shyness or smug satisfaction at his overwhelming success in the smooching department. My, he has been busy. I’ve been told this is an example of a ‘magic’ disappearing handkerchief. Once laundered, the image purportedly washes away, making the hankie utilitarian for everyday use, but why would you want to wash out all the fun? Now that we’ve entered the season of red & green as well as mistletoe, it appears essential for a girl to always have a lipstick at the ready, as well as a lipstick...
Read MoreDaylight Savings – Sleep
“She once again thought about how badly she wanted to crawl back beneath the mound of already cooling blankets that covered her bed like an inviting nest.” Kimberly Derting, The Body Finder As Daylight Savings bids adieu, we lament the loss of long twilights, and bristle at the jolting arrival of dark wintry daybreaks. For many, the struggle to recapture lost sleep takes weeks, as the Sand Man ignores our plea for blissful slumber. If you’re lucky, the condition is temporary, but for many, insomnia is a 24/7 unwelcome houseguest. From warm milk to warm baths, counting sheep to white noise...
Read MoreHarvest Moon
“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me To enhance your viewing, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. httpa://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU This is the season of the Harvest Moon which marks the official start of autumn. With many crops...
Read MoreLabor Day
“Every job from the heart is, ultimately, of equal value. The nurse injects the syringe; the writer slides the pen; the farmer plows the dirt; the comedian draws the laughter. Monetary income is the perfect deceiver of a man’s true worth.” Criss Jami We saw one interpretation of a woman’s work week in the blog 7th Day Chauvinist, and indeed, for decades Monday was reserved for washing laundry, Tuesday was spent ironing, Saturday was often baking day, and depending on the season, a week or more might be spent boiling, peeling, chopping and canning fruits and vegetables. Children had...
Read MoreBack to School
Before I started college, my dad told me to pick classes based on the teacher whenever you can, not the subject….his point was that good teachers are priceless. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even when you don’t know it. Nicholas Sparks, Dear John It seems every retail outlet is running specials on back to school supplies and clothing, as moms gratefully and children grudgingly prepare for the fall semester. One wardrobe staple in days past was a supply of fresh handkerchiefs. As far back as the late 1800’s children were required to bring a fresh...
Read MoreSeventh Day Chauvinist
Spoiler Alert – if you consider yourself even remotely feminist or if you were born sometime in the last 50 years, continue reading only if you’re willing to have your hair burst into flames. With all apologies to Gloria Steinem, I had to share the following group of hankies. Oftentimes handkerchiefs came in sets of seven, one for each day of the week. Children’s handkerchiefs in particular often contained a lesson for the day, or inspirational reminders. On this cover (and on the hankies inside) the little girl is cooking, sewing, washing, sweeping, ironing and going to church. She’s...
Read MoreHappy New Year
Oh dear, looks like this hapless chap may require a bit of “hair of the dog” to restore him to his former glory, or at the very least to an ‘upright and locked’ position. Note the wobbly-kneed stance so cleverly depicted by the four-footed stumble of our staggering celebrant. Or is it just our own double vision? If you’ve ever attempted to “party hearty” like this sad creature, your sympathies are with him, I’m sure. Aside: Hair of the Dog dates back to the time of Shakespeare, and is a term we use today to refer to treatment for a hangover. Apparently the Scots believed that a...
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