books — Page 153

The Words of Pat Conroy, Coloring & My Dad’s Hat

March 24, 2016 at 9:45 am by Claudia

3-24 southofbroad

Pardon me while I dry my tears, pull myself together, and close the cover of South of Broad by Pat Conroy. At over 500 pages, it’s a wonderfully long read; a read to take your time with, to stop and reread a sentence or two (in my case, many times) simply because you want to acknowledge the sheer beauty of his writing.

That man was a writer. One of the best. I want to stay in those pages, to never leave, to live with those characters that Conroy drew with the finest of brush strokes. I want to linger on the streets of Charleston, a city Conroy adored. Some of the story takes place in the very towns we drove through on our trip to Florida and back. That was timely!

Oh, my heavens.

I have Beach Music waiting in my queue, but I have to read a book that I am to review next week before I can allow myself the treat of more Conroy.

A glorious writer – no spareness for him, no Hemingway-esque sparse sentences. No sir, he wrote with gusto, with a love for words and the endless possibilities there were for putting them together. He’s spoiled me, I’m afraid. Gone too soon: he had a lot more stories to tell, thousands upon thousands of words to share with us.

3-24 coloringbook

This is the coloring book I chose. I haven’t started yet, and I’m curious to see how long it will take me to dig in. I think it might prove to be meditative and calming and I sure could use some of that.

3-21 starrynightpot

Here’s a closeup of the Florida Faience pot that is clearly inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Do I want it?

Yes, indeed I do.

3-24 dad's hat

I brought my dad’s golf hat back from Florida. I refrained from bringing it back in November because I was flying home and I didn’t want to crush it. It’s hanging on the door that leads to our shared office/studio space.

I have a hat from my brother as well – sort of an Indiana Jones style fedora. I think I’ll pull that out and hang it, too.

Hats from my two dear ones.

Today is sunny and the temperature will be almost 60 degrees. I’ve been opening the windows for a few days now. It’s also time to open the front door, lower the screen on the screen door – just a bit – and soak up even more sunshine in our living room.

Maybe some houseplant shopping today? We’ll see.

Happy Thursday.

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Wednesday Thoughts

March 23, 2016 at 10:16 am by Claudia

3-23 moon

Last night’s moon rising over the back forty. It was so beautiful!

3-23 hollyhocks

• Dare I hope that the self-seeded hollyhock is coming back? It sure looks that way.

3-23 lilacs1

• Checking in on the lilac bush: leaves and buds.

3-23 lilacs2

3-23 lilacs3

• I know the calendar indicates that Spring has arrived, but I always check my gardens to confirm that fact. The Day Lilies, Sedum, and Catmint are all showing new growth. But it’s not yet time to uncover the garden beds, which are covered in leaves and mulch. In a couple of weeks, yes. But not yet.

• We went to the bookstore yesterday because I wanted to find an adult coloring book. Don already has one, courtesy of my sister. More colored pencils were purchased at Michael’s. As I walked around the bookstore, I saw two books that have just been published – both by rather well-known 30-ish bloggers. They are beautifully designed and I’m sure the authors are thrilled, but once again, I looked through them and saw nothing I didn’t already know. They’re supposedly full of tips and helpful ideas about decorating (in one case) and living a simple life in a small apartment (in the other.) I can only conclude they are meant for a younger generation of readers who haven’t yet discovered these rather rudimentary facts. I must confess, I don’t get it. I suppose it’s part of the cycle of life.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun?

3-23 confederateflag

• From our road trip: Really?

This was in Virginia and I thought I saw a sign that said something about the Confederate States of America…so maybe it’s considered a historic site.

Nonetheless…

3-22 me and Z

• For Meredith, who didn’t like yesterday’s picture which showed her in pajamas (not that anyone would have known that.) Here’s one you took of me in my pajamas with Little Z. It’s blurry, but now we’re even.

• I usually showcase my eggcup collection on the blog at this time of year. This year, I’ve been sharing a few favorites on Instagram. You’re welcome to follow along if you’re not already a follower. Click here.

• But all this seems trivial when I think of the tragic events in Brussels. My heart breaks for all those who have suffered loss and who saw things they should never have to see. Prayers and hope for peace. That’s all I can say.

Oh, I can say one other thing. Seizing on that tragedy and using it for fearmongering in order to drum up votes? Despicable.

Happy Wednesday.

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Monday: Reading, Weather, Scout

March 7, 2016 at 9:39 am by Claudia

It’s early March, right? I live in the Northeast. Yet, the temperatures are going to be in the high 50s, the 60s and even 70s this week.

As Don said, “I want to go to Florida when it’s really cold at home.”

That might not be the scenario, sweetheart.

My sinuses are wondering what’s up, but other than that, I’m thrilled that we can open the windows and maybe, just maybe, smell a little spring in the air.

It’s a month today since we said goodbye to our girl. In the midst of the hundreds of reminders of her that we have each day, this morning I was enveloped in sadness at the thought of peanut butter. She loved peanut butter and we would always use a dollop of it to disguise her pill. No matter how badly she might be feeling, no matter how sleepy, she always wolfed it down. Oh, my girl, I hope you can eat all the peanut butter that you want now that you’re free.

I could write a week’s worth of posts just on the many reminders that come to us throughout the day. Each of them makes us stop in our tracks and, more often than not, tear up.

We miss her so.

3-7 patconroy

I’ve been thinking about Pat Conroy since I learned the news of his passing. At the age of 70, he was too young. He had a lot more stories to tell. Don was going out yesterday, so I asked him to stop at the local bookshop to see if they had any of his books on hand. I simply needed to drop everything and read some Conroy. In the meantime, I looked online at what might be on the shelves at our little library. South of Broad was available, so I figured Don could go check it out if there was nothing in the shop. Wouldn’t you know it? Don walked in the door with this hardcover copy of South of Broad – he got it for $5. Much better to have my very own copy.

I cracked it open and was immediately plunged into the gorgeous prose of Mr. Conroy. I had to reread the first page, simply because it was so beautifully crafted and the images so dense and rich that I was stunned. I liken it sinking into a hot bubble bath. Ahhh. A familiar friend is back and I can relax and let myself go, to be taken away to another world.

That is why I have always loved the novels of Pat Conroy and why I mourn his absence. He leaves an empty space that no one else can fill.

Happy Monday.

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The Words of Pat Conroy, Coloring & My Dad’s Hat

Wednesday Thoughts

Monday: Reading, Weather, Scout

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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