Observing Trifles... or the Spectacle of the Ordinary

"To find new things,

take the path you took yesterday."

JOHN BURROUGHS

Following on the heels of last week's post about little thrills, I happened upon a book during my recent visit to the library that has taken me further into this theme. Titled On Looking by Alexandra Horowitz (2013),

". . . she shows us how to see the spectacle of the ordinary—to practice, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle put it, “the observation of trifles.” Structured around a series of eleven walks the author takes, mostly in her Manhattan neighborhood, On Looking features experts on a diverse range of subjects, including an urban sociologist, the well-known artist Maira Kalman, a geologist, a physician, and a sound designer. Horowitz also walks with a child and a dog to see the world as they perceive it. . . . Page by page, Horowitz shows how much more there is to see—if only we would really look." excerpt from Amazon description

I was delighted by the chapter in which Alexandra shares about going for walks with her toddler son. She soon comes to see that her idea of going for a walk is far different than his idea. She slows down, begins to listen and pay attention to the world as he was showing how he perceived it. Having learned about the letter "O", what it looked like and how it sounded, her young son soon began discovering "O's" everywhere - in the sky, on the trees, in the litter along the sidewalk, in words on advertising boards. From there he grew beguiled by all the triangle shapes hidden in plain view. It was a time of wondrous discoveries for one little boy and his momma. 

Then there is the chapter where Alexandra walks with illustrator-artist Maira Kalman (I wrote about her book Women Holding Things in a post HERE). If you know anything of Maira's work, you won't be surprised by what Alexandra learns from her friend's observations and interactions with the world as they walk.

I'm only part way through the book so there's lots more to discover. If you want to ramp up your observation skills while out walking in your neighbourhood or wilderness area, I think you'd be inspired by Alexandra's book.

On that note, I turn away from my computer screen to my study window to discover the sun is shining against cloudless blue skies. Only a breeze flutters leaves still clinging to the trees. And the chickadees are busy at the large sunflower head that grew voluntarily in our garden this past summer. They are methodical about stripping the seeds from the head, going around the edges seed by seed towards the centre. Mmm... next spring we might have to sow more sunflower seeds on purpose. There's a real thrill to watching our little feathered friends.

Taking inspiration from Alexandra's example, I'm off for a walk around my block. I wish I had a little toddler to take with me, but I'll try to be observant as I go with Me, Myself, and I. Please take care, beautiful friends, we'll see you next week.

❦

Wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Image by Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

Autumn Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Dappled Things... and Other Little Thrills

"Glory be to God for dappled things –

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough..."

GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS

This week, I've been thinking about those little things that give me a thrill deep on the inside. Now there are those folks who thrive on intense experiences to add thrills to their lives. I am not one of them. I don't crave activities with risks to get my adrenalin rushing. You won't find me hurtling off cliffs, sky diving, winter swimming in the ocean, or white water rafting, although I admire people who do it. I am more of a seeker of gentler thrills. Although these are often experienced in those softer, simpler moments of life, it still surprises me how often I feel that sudden thrill of pleasure or excitement. It's just there, one never has to work it up—the heart truly knows when it is startled with delight.

I still feel the thrill of coming to my desk in my office-study-library. I worked for years in an office setting, and I remember, even on the bad days, arriving in the morning, I'd get that tiny thrill the moment I caught sight of my desk in my small office. I loved to sit there. I felt at home in that space - it was my place, the place where I set out my work, my pens, turned on my typewriter, later my computer. I used to sit by a window that overlooked a brick wall, but now I happily sit at my desk at home by the window overlooking our back garden. I look out on the sky and watch clouds skimming by or birds fluttering in. I like seeing my Susan Branch 'Blue Bird' mugs lined up on the windowsill holding my pens and pencils and letter openers and scissors. And my books on my shelves within easy reach. This is my space, and this spot at my desk is my 'home' within my home.

I love the thrill of catching sunlight dappling through the canopy of leaves on these autumn days. And I still catch my breath when the light glints off the diamonds in my engagement ring, causing colours to flare and sparkle. Maybe it reminds me of the stars I once had in my eyes, and even after all these years that we're together, him and I, between us there's still a sparkle and a twinkle.

Other moments, in no particular order, that continue to thrill and delight me:

- when the wind catches crisp leaves and skitters them down the street, tossing them into piles

 

- the scent of coffee brewing in the morning air 

- tiny sandwiches piled on a plate

- the colour combination of cobalt blue and white

- opening a new box of crayons

- the music of Mozart

- dessert after dinner (especially since desserts are rarer these days)

- putting on a spritz of fragrance before stepping out

- hearing spoons clink against cups as they land in a saucer

- concentrating on a single task and completing it - what a thrill of satisfaction

- remembering being ten years old careening down a hill on the toboggan on a frosty winter afternoon

- catching sight of the full moon before it sets in the western sky

- twinkle lights laced on the trellis outside or strewn across a bookshelf inside

- the long shadows this time of year

- slipping out of the brisk wind into a warm-from-the-sun vehicle

- when the opera singer reaches for, and successfully lands, those high notes in her aria

- discovering a line in a book or poem that deliciously—and perfectly—says what I was searching to say

- cresting a huge hill and feeling gob-smacked at the sight of the horizon in the far, far distance with all that landscape 'plotted and pieced' in between... as far as the eye can see

- the northern lights dancing on an October night

- that moment when the plane lifts off the ground and heads into the sky

- a lamp in the window as evening falls

- an old, old hymn George Beverly Shea used to sing when I was a girl, All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus

- watching the summer landscape turn into an autumn kaleidoscope of colour

- hearing the geese overhead as they practice their vee formations for their long trek south

- recognizing the handwriting of a friend on an envelope in the mailbox

- watching for that certain smile on a loved one's face and seeing their face light up

- getting a compliment from someone totally out of the blue

- an answered prayer / a fulfilled secret desire 

I'll think of dozens more as soon as I sign off. But you caught a glimpse of what thrills my soul. I would love to know what thrills and delights your soul - will you share?

❦

Wishing you a beautiful weekend,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Image by iira116 from Pixabay

Autumn Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Note: Lately, for reasons I know not, Blogger sometimes doesn't update the feed list when I publish a new blog post. I post on Fridays, so even if you don't see a new post listed on the feed, it's probably here waiting for you when you next visit. 😉

Autumn Chat

"There is always, always something

to be thankful for."

UNKNOWN

For all you pumpkin spice lovers, have you been indulging in your favourite pumpkin beverages and foods? So far this season, I've had two Pumpkin Spice Lattes - both were deee-licious. And I've got pumpkin puree ready to turn into pumpkin muffins one of these days. 

It's been a splendid autumn so far. A mix of bright sunny days and cloudy, cool ones. We've had no frost yet, but a few trees and plants are beginning to have that bedraggled end-of-season look. Others, like the Rudbeckia and Joy Pye Weed perennials continue to bloom, as do the annual alyssums, marigolds,  and petunias The geraniums look as if they are enjoying a second spring - as bright and bold as ever. 

The other day we went for a drive in the countryside. It's a feast out there for the senses. Though many trees are bare, there are still great groves of brilliant russets and butternut squash yellows to satisfy any colour-longing eyes. Casting a glance to the horizon, one sees fields upon fields of harvested land in muted hues of brown sugar and sandy beige. It has a slightly shorn, forlorn look - where you maybe want to pull your sweater closer. Flocks of geese rest in fields, undoubtedly enjoying the remains from combined crops, readying themselves for the next leg of the journey. 

Our drive took us to a nearby city known for its downtown streets of old-fashioned store-front windows and sidewalks lined with shops and cafes. I meandered down one strewn with crackly leaves with leaves here and there dropping from overhanging branches. Sometimes atop my head. It felt like I was on a fairy tale trail. We lunched with dear friends at a bistro where the food was heavenly. And we wandered through an art gallery/art supplies shop that was chockful of wonderful things to look at and enjoy. Everything from walls of original art to art cards signed by local artists to Tibetan singing bowls to paintbrushes, watercolour paper, and palettes of paint.

   

"It is not joy that makes us grateful;

it is gratitude that makes us joyful."

DAVID STEINDL-RAST

One thing for which I am extremely grateful today is the ability to read, and the ability to read any time, any place, any book. Books are such a staple in my life - I know it's that way for many of us. And I look forward to the quietness of the approaching darker colder season where I can wrap myself in a cozy blanket, set down a cup of something hot, and reach for my ever evolving pile of books to delve into this autumn season. I have no photo to show, but here are a few books on my current pile and a couple soon-to-be-released titles: 

- The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall. A children's tale about a widower, four young daughters and the many adventures they get up to in their motherless state. I love this family - I've met them in earlier volumes - they are a delight to visit in this autumn set story.

- The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann. Vignettes written by a couple dozen or so librarians and booksellers tell their own stories about why they love books and how they got in the business of books. Most chapters are by American writers, but I was happily surprised to find a goodly number of Canadian librarians and booksellers sharing their stories, too. The book's entertaining and thoughtful.

- Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson. In chapter five, we find out that this story takes place in foggy October - which makes it a lovely book to cozy up in right now. It's a re-read for me. Miss Buncle needs some hard cash; her dividends are drying up in the hard times, and she doesn't want to raise hens or take in paying guests, and because she needs to keep up appearances, she can't go out to work. So she writes a book, all based on the keen observations of her neighbours in the English village where she lives. Happily for her, a publisher likes and publishes it. Things heat up when villagers start reading this new book by 'John Smith' to find their quirky selves leaping from the pages for all the world to see, and recognize. It creates quite the stir-up around town. 

- A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie. Also set in autumn. There is nothing more to say about this familiar, well loved classic by our best beloved Miss Christie, except do read it if you haven't. That is, if you like mysteries.

- A new children's book The Verts by Ann Patchett. Saw a clip on YouTube where Ann was chatting about it. Beautifully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, it's an "empathetic story about introverts and extroverts, and two siblings who learn to be themselves." I reserved it at the library, but I have a feeling I'll need my own copy - maybe for Christmas (wink).

- Louise Penny's latest Inspector Gamache novel Grey Wolf comes out at the end of October. It's been a long time coming. Three Pines, here we come, we can't wait.

- Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson. The book is being released on November 5, 2024. It's all about cultivating quiet in a noisy world where we are distracted by so much. I always enjoy Sarah's writings and musings and look forward to her latest work.

Alright, on that note, I'll stop here. We're traveling to my nephew's wedding this weekend so there's no time to lollygag. I leave you with two quotes I found online that I thought create a soft spot on which to rest my own thoughts. They both remind me of how much I have to be grateful for on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

❦

"Reflect upon your present blessings,

of which every man has plenty;

not on your past misfortunes,

of which all men have some."

CHARLES DICKENS

"Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter

how bad you think it is, is someone else’s fairy tale."

WALE AYENI

❦

To my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving.

To all the dear people dealing with those horrid hurricanes,

heart hugs and great grace. 

I wish you all a safe and beautiful weekend,

Brenda

Autumn blog schedule:

I post on Fridays

Photo credits:

Image by kaheig from Pixabay

Our Giveaway Winners Are . . .

* * * Our Winners * * *

SUSAN HYDE

DEANNA RABE

Happy Friday and congratulations to Susan and Deanna! I'm so happy to send you each an autographed paper copy of the anthology Creativity & Chaos, Artistic Endeavours for Trying Times. I'll be in touch with you to get your mailing information.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined in the fun, both here and on my Facebook. I appreciate each of you. 

If you didn't win but are interested in the book, both the Kindle and paper versions are now available for purchase on Amazon.ca.

Although it's overcast and blustery here today, the canary gold leaves still holding fast create a blaze of colour against the metal grey skies. What a feast for the eyes. I'll be back next week with an autumnal post. In the meantime, here's wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. 

❦

Contest is now closed.

Please take care . . . hope you have a pleasant weekend,

Brenda

Autumn blog schedule:

I post on Fridays