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.
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.
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.
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.
I love the way you speak so lovingly of your Dad. I know there were times things were strained. My sister has an issue with our aging (97) mother. I know she will miss her terribly and wish I could communicate how we take the good with the not so good and that aging changes our loved one but we still have the love.
The truth is, there were many, many times of strain between my dad and me and my dad and my sister. He was a complicated man who had his demons. But in the end, I always knew he loved me. And in that hospital, not one bit of it mattered anymore. Not one bit. Only the love I had for him and the love he had for us remained. And it was a blessing to know that and to be there for him.
I really love that you brought back your Dad’s hat. I have a shirt from both my Dad and my brother that I just need to have because. I am going to buy a Conroy book and take some time soon to soak in his writing. I have a coloring book I received at Christmas but haven’t touched yet. I am rearranging the bookshelves and cubbies today.
hugs,
Linda
Have fun, my friend. I am gearing up for some major closet sorting and dumping. I’m not quite there yet, but I will be!
I love that pot! I also have a love of that particular Van Gogh. I did get to see it in NYC many years ago and was surprised by how small the actual painting is. It always seemed so much bigger to me. I made a rug inspired by it, too. If there were a way to send you a photo, I’d show you!
It’s such a gloriously beautiful painting, isn’t it? I used to have a Starry Night mouse pad when I had a desktop computer.
I LOVED that book!! As always love today’s post too!
Such an extraordinary book, Mamey!
Good morning, Claudia. How I would love to have your weather today! It is only 35 degrees here and pouring rain. An absolutely miserable day (weather-wise). That rain will be turning to a sleet-snow mix this afternoon. I am eating my breakfast right now and then I have to run out to the grocery store. I’m dreading it. I’ll have to bring out my winter coat with the attached hood.
Very timely post about Pat Conroy. I am 3/4 of the way through with his book, The Great Santini. I was up until midnight last night reading it. My husband has never read any of Conroy’s books and I was trying to explain to him last night what kind of writer Conroy is. You explained it much better than I did! I was at a loss for the appropriate words. I suppose that’s because Conroy was a one-of-a-kind writer. His characters are so believable. If you haven’t read The Great Santini, put this one on your list, too. I was able to find this book at my library.
I love that you have your dad’s hat displayed. I’m sure you’ll find just the right spot for your brother’s hat, too.
That Faience pot is stunning. Where in Florida did you see that? I would want it, too.
Oh, that danged bad weather, Melanie! It’s time for you to enjoy some Spring!
I have Great Santini on my list, as I’ve never read it for some reason. You’re so right – Conroy was a one of a kind writer. No one else like him.
I saw the pot in Tarpon Springs in a gallery/gift store. There were several different designs and I loved them all.
Enjoy your Conroy books, Claudia. I have Beach Music on my shelf and remember really enjoying it. Will you be wearing your Dad’s hat? Have you worn your brother’s? I think it’s a sweet remembrance to put the hats to use, when you are ready. It’s gradually warming from 60’s to 70’s here. I won’t be around to enjoy it, as I head for Japan tonight! Paying off the trip for a year now…I can’t believe it’s finally here.
No, I’m not wearing either hat. I want to keep them just as they are. Have a wonderful time in Japan!
I envy your 60’s….. and raise you a snow and ice day!!! ugh. Schools closed, roads bad, ice all over the place and so windy! What is this thing called “spring” of which people speak?
I have the coloring book like the one you have ~ but it is the “Secret Garden” version. I went back to Michael’s and got a set of the very very fine tipped coloring markers to use along w/ the colored pencils. Some of the area are so tiny, my colored pencils didn’t give me the color I wanted. I have loved coloring since I was a little girl. It does calm me when I sit and color. It is a happy place!
I have 2 Conroy books on order at the library. Just finished “The Lake House” by Kate Morton. I am so happy w/ my reading so far in 2016. I have read 17 books since the 1st of the year. After experiencing a nearly 3 year reading block, I am beyond thrilled that my reading mojo is back!! I will never ever take it for granted again.
Enjoy your 60* day!!
I’m so sorry you’re having such crappy weather out there! Unfair!
I may have to get some of those fine-tipped markers, Chris. Good advice, thanks!
And I’m so, so happy your reading mojo is back! Hurrah!
I love that you brought back your father’s hat…what a treasure! And that vase…I went to the website, but couldn’t find it. Do you know if these vases are one of a kind pieces? Hope not…otherwise it might have to be a foot race to see who gets there first! Enjoy your weather…we’ve got this sleety stuff falling, making it very unpleasant! ;)
I have a feeling they are one-of-a-kind. It was over $100 – can’t quite remember how much. Stay inside and stay safe, Donnamae.
What a beautiful pot…and in my favorite colors I don’t think I could resist buying it. I have very little from my parents, although I have my Mom’s wedding rings and my sister chose the mother’s ring we bought her. It’s a long complicated story, but very sad that we don’t have any other mementoes. My brothers have nothing, but they wanted us girls to have her rings. I will forever be grateful for that. So the idea of having your Dad and brother’s hats is very sweet to me.
I hope you get to buy some plants today. We’re having lots of wind and chilly temperatures but I know the warmth is on the way. It’s almost April!
Blessings,
Betsy
So glad you have your mom’s wedding rings, Betsy.
I bought one houseplant today. They aren’t cheap, and I don’t want to add more than I have room for, so I’m starting slowly.
I love getting into a good long book. I’m always at a loss as I near the end, knowing I’ll be leaving characters I’ve come to know so well behind. Sometimes my mind begins to wonder where the future would have taken them if the book continued. I can’t imagine not being able to read. My birth father was never able to learn to read and I always wondered how much it would have enriched his life had he learned. Love for the written word is such a part of my life. I love that you have your Dad and brother’s hats.
That’s the best kind of book – when you don’t want to leave the characters and when you delay finishing it because you just can’t bear it to end.
I love that you have your dad’s and your brother’s hats, Claudia. What a heartfelt display. I’ve yet to pick up a coloring book, but I know that those who have find it extremely relaxing. My Amanda actually has one being released this summer by Pomegranate. It’s a bedroom coloring book. I’m looking forward to relaxing with that for sure. I’ve overwintered my Mandevilla vine in the family room and it has twined it’s way all around the bird cage stand it sits next to. I’m going to miss it when I move it back outside. Have a good day, Claudia!
Yay for your Amanda! Let me know when it comes out and how I can obtain it, Donna. I’d love to have something Amanda designed. I’m like you – I almost hate to see my overwintered plants go back outside! xoxo
I love that you have your father’s hat, Claudia. I wish I had something like that from my dad. At the time he passed it was too hard for me to think of having his things around me, but I would love it now.
Thank you for the book recommendation! I have never read Pat Conroy’s books, but South of Broad is now on my kindle, and is the next book I will read. I’m looking forward to it!
It’s hard to think of that sort thing in the midst of grieving, Linda. Because I had to stay at Mere’s and almost immediately sort through Dad’s and Mom’s things, I had to make those decisions.
I hope you like South of Broad!
Try Prisma Colors pencils for your coloring. I love my coloring books. I can lose myself in the picture’s beauty. Good lighting is really essential. Enjoy.
I’ll check them out, Frances. Thank you!
I got a coloring book also but haven’t started. Got a wonderful set of colored pencils today at HL – different colors on each end.
Love that you have your Dad’s and Brother’s hats. What a precious memory.
Happy Easter!
Judy
Happy Easter to you, Judy! I bet your little girls are very excited!
I have Johanna Basford’s Lost Ocean book as well as a few more by other artists. I colour every night, it’s my relaxation before bed time. Enjoy!
I haven’t seen the Lost Ocean book, Jan. I’ll have to look for it. Thank you!
That was a wonderful book. I have been in love with Pat Conroy many years. He was brilliant. I love the Low Country, and Charleston is my favorite of all cities. Pat’s words make me close my eyes and revel in the ambiance. He must have been a man you could sit with and chat like you had known each other for a lifetime.
I would have loved to chat with him, Beverly. I’ve seen a video where he speaks to some of his fans at an event and he was just as you would expect; charming, warm, and funny.
I love Pat Conroy and Beach Music was one of my favorite books. I’m now reading The Water is Wide and it, too, is so beautifully written. He was exactly my age and can so relate to his books but they still are so relevant. He was incredible. Jan
He was indeed, Jan. I will always be a huge fan of his writing.
I think I am in love with the Starry Night pot…Starry Night is my favorite Van Gogh…I was just mesmerized when I saw the painting in New York on a college trip…Vincent was just a brilliant artist…I can only imagine how much the pot must cost…What a treasure those hats must be to you Claudia!
The pot was a little over a $100. If I’d had it and could spare it, I would have bought it in a second!
Claudia, I love that you have your father’s hat. I think it would be nice to hang your brother ‘s hat up too. Sweet memories. Blessings for a very nice Easter Sunday. xoxo,Susie
Have a wonderful Easter, Susie!
Love the hat.
Coloring is very soothing for me – even more than scribbling.
You must have that pot! (Well,,, maybe not “musyt”) :)
I know! But I’m afraid it won’t be there whenever we get back down to FL.