Ribbon Bookmark
Since our great talk about books, I’ve had a string of reading affairs. There are the ones so consuming that even months after their completion, I’m still pining for their company, and others who, 100 pages in, still haven’t full convinced me we’re right for each other. Not having the book that feels just right, means staring into space while riding the subway and feeling strangely fitful before bed. When there is the perfect book in my possession, though, I will happily ride the subway from one borough to another and climb into bed at 9pm.
Perfect book or not, what I love about the handmade (and what I come back to again and again here) is the way it takes an ordinary, mundane object — a placemat, a coaster — and makes it special. Suddenly, there is a story behind that everyday item, or if not a story, then at least the time of one woman spent sewing or embroidering or dreaming up the perfect bric-a-brac to add to a store-bought piece. And that gives even a bookmark, you could say, a modicum of meaning.
In fact, in light of what I said yesterday, I suppose this is what’s been on my mind lately: how to make the everyday special — the quotidian extraordinary — in whatever small way possible. Let’s be honest: whether your personal situation resides higher or lower on the charmed scale, doesn’t everyone have the days when they wonder, “is that all there is?” Is it asking too much for DIY touches and homecooked meals to mitigate that feeling? Stuff the comments with your ideas for meaningful details for everyday life.
P.S. While we’re on the topic, maybe we should talk spring books. Big Russian tomes and Gothic mysteries are out with the first thaw. What springy (optimistic, life-affirming) titles take their place?
Karen: Homemade touches really DO make the everyday seem more extraordinary. Baking simple breads have been my outlet lately…one moment you have a bunch of random ingredients, and the next, a hearty loaf of warm bread. Comfort in one of its best forms
1 year ago
Salmon Cabin: Making the everyday special is a great topic! I think a big part of it is slowing down and paying attention to the small things. The “quotidian extraordinary” (great phase BTW) is exactly what I blog about at Salmon Cabin.1 year ago
Bernie: You may have read or heard of several of these books, but I never recommend anything not worthy of a re-read:
100 Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
The Blue Castle, L. M. Montgomery (one of the springiest books I know)
And while we’re at it, the entire Anne of Green Gables collection.1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): Totally with you on this. Little pleasures make the day-to-day slog pleasurable. Right now I’m loving $2 bunches of daffodils from the bodega, and Up In the Old Hotel by Joseph Mitchell. There is a certain optimism in his portraits of New Yorkers, and something comforting to me about reading about the old days, which were hard and we eventually got through. Gives me a little perspective about things today.
I also recommend the new Neko Case album, which has a springy quality to me.1 year ago
Rebecca: I *love* ribbon bookmarks! You have inspired me to get to a fabric shop this weekend and create my own perhaps…yay!
As for springy books, I have recently become hooked on Deanna Raybourn’s “Silent in the Grave” series (which also includes silence both in a sanctuary and a on moor). They’re set in Victorian England and are like the Vicky Bliss mysteries but even better for being historical. They are my new guilty pleasure.
If you’re wanting optimistic and life-affirming, “The Guernsey Literary and Potato-Peel Pie Society” is just the ticket. Really. I did not want it to end. I would live inside the book if it was possible.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the comments on this!
1 year ago
Karen, Yes, fresh baked bread does seem to smooth life’s rough edges.
Salmon, Your blog looks terrific. Can’t wait to check it out more. (Added it to my reader.)
Bernie, The Blue Castle sounds great. I’ve been thinking what my life is missing is a little L. M. Montgomery.
Lisa, I keep thinking about buying that Neko Case album, and your reminder was just the kick in the pants I needed. Thank you. (Oh, and that book sounds terrific, too.)
Rebecca, All of your recommendations sound wonderful!1 year ago
Sarah Jane: “A Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James. A novel you can savor and wrap your mind around the sentences. It always feel like a spring read.1 year ago
Kristina: Reading blogs is sort of like revelling in other people’s quotidian extraordinariness, isn’t it?
For my own life, it’s my own little nest that makes me happy: pretty linens, china, a clean kitchen. There’s something very satisfying about constantly being in the presence of things you love, no matter how small.1 year ago
Betsy Peggy: An overlooked L.M. Montgomery title is the Story Girl, and its sequel, the Golden Road. Personally, I found both much more relatable than the Anne series. The second one is also so much more heart breaking and adult, although still an easy read (I could finish it in about three hours).1 year ago
Christine H.: I couldn’t ‘get into’ Possession either—one of the few books I’ve returned to the library unread.
I was going to respond to Bernie’s book suggestions but Betsy Peggy has beaten me to the punch! The Story Girl & The Golden Road are my favorite Montgomery books. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read them—I practically have whole chapters memorized.
How to make the everyday special—this is something that I’ve mulling over in my head recently as well…and I’m going to spare you my long, rambling response for the moment and get back to you later on that thought.
1 year ago
Astra Libris: I just discovered your beautiful blog, and I am so glad I did! Your posts and your photographs alike are beautiful and uplifting!1 year ago
Christine S.: Reread My Antonia! Also, Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh! New titles are more difficult for me…I seem to swing back to the tried and true when seeking rejuvenation.
Spanish Lessons by Derek Lambert is a phenomenal read as well as books by Peter Mayle and Frances Mayes at this time of the year. Inspirational and take us elsewhere!:)1 year ago
Christine S.: Oh, let me add another…although I’m not 100% sure of the title and can’t remember the author…1,000 Days in Tuscany. Loved it!1 year ago
Joy G.: yes- I second Rebecca, GUERNSEY is so wonderful! You will want to stop everything to curl up and read it straight through.1 year ago
stephanie: A perfect spring book is “Can’t Wait to Get To Heaven” by Fannie Flagg. It’s her best book yet - you will LOVE the characters, it’s light, funny and the subtext is lovely. It is a perfect accompaniment to this blog - it’s full of lot’s of talk of casseroles and Sunday dinners.
As for me… $4 Gerber Daisy’s are perking up my humble abode right now… it’s amazing what some fresh flowers and a pretty teacup can do to my mood!!1 year ago
Dana: Thank you so much for the recommendation to read The Blue Castle. I read it in 2 days. I loved it, it was beautiful. I am going to read Guernsey… Potato Peel Pie Society next. Cant wait!50 weeks ago