The Bee Charmer: October 2012

10.31.2012

Wednesday - Run Away Without Leaving Home

Happy Halloween!
Image: Jack O'Lantern by Shannon Blue Photography.

SIngle Girl Questions

I really love Martha Beck. I generally find Oprah's Magazine overwhelming but Martha Beck always has some words of wisdom that help me.

I really liked this piece, entitled 'The 20 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Herself.'

The one that made me really stop and think hardest was Number 16: How Can I Keep Myself Absolutely Safe.

'Cause I know that I can't.... and the doing so would kill me just the same - by robbing me of joy.

I know the compulsion to be 'safe' is enticing. But, really, it would have been safer to stay home (wouldn't it?) than it would have been to get on a plane to see Paris. It would have been safer to live alone and in complete control (wouldn't it?) than to fall in love and risk my heart. For that matter, it would have been safer to live in an underground bunker and avoid pollution, noise, falling heavy objects and ultraviolet sunbeams (wouldn't it?) than to have a home with lots of windows and light and corgi fuzz....

There are times when I get sick thinking about all the time I wasted trying to be safe. And I'm not talking about the time between my 'divorce' and falling in love with The Boy. That was necessary and productive time. I wasn't hiding from anything when I was 'single'. I loved it. I built a life during those years. A life that I loved. A life that I still love but that just so happens to have another, wonderful person in it. In many ways, taking that time for myself was the riskiest thing I did - because I had to trust it would be OK in the end.

So I'm not talking about that.

I'm talking about all the time before that. The time before I was 33 years old. All the times that I did the 'right' things - the safe things. There were so many things that I didn't want to do but felt that I should do.

You can think back on your life and you always know the decisions that you made while you were lying to yourself.

I know, in my heart, all the times that I was playing it safe because I was afraid to live.

This is not to imply that one should live recklessly, impulsively, rashly or without thought or planning. But anytime you set foot out your door, you take a risk - whether you want to admit it or not.

And sometimes (many times) the risk is worth the reward.

Safety? Is there any such thing? And can you keep yourself 'safe' and lose your soul?

Image: Question Mark by Artretroposter.

10.30.2012

Tuesday's GIrl

"Beautiful? It's all a question of luck. I was born with good legs. As for the rest... beautiful, no. Amusing? Yes."

Josephine Baker

Tender is the Night

What I'm reading now.

I read it long ago - in high school. There's something intriguing about re-reading books you haven't read in a while. It's new and nostalgic at the same time.

This Charming Handbag

I've been thinking - lately - that I need a smaller bag - especially on the weekend.....

And then, you know, Coach sent me a coupon and stuff and I started reading the purse blogs on Sunday morning and that really, really, really drove home and impressed upon me my real need for a smaller bag for the weekend and you know one thing lead to another and circumstances being what they are.......................

I feel off the wagon, y'all!

It's the Legacy Leather Mini Rory bag in carnelian. I love the color and I love the tassels.

10.29.2012

Happy Monday

Happy Monday, everyone.

If you're in the path of this storm, stay safe, dry and warm.

Our thoughts are going out to all those affected.

xoxo

Tonya
Image: Pink Bokeh by Maybe Sparrow Photography.

The Bee Charmer Loves Paris

We actually have this picture - it's the Boy's favorite....

Image: Rodin Museum by Cherie Lester.

10.25.2012

The Weekly Bean

Whuh huh?

Bean bottom.... He's invisible and waiting to attack the unsuspecting vacuum cleaner....

Hearsay

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."

Edith Sitwell

Image: Tree by Jude McConkey Photos.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

My latest book -

A gift from my cousin's daughter, Jordan - who is my nephew's age. Jordan is CRAZY about Mrs. Frisby!

And this is a great book to be crazy about. I have enjoyed it - thoroughly!

The book was also turned into an amazing movie adaptation, if you haven't seen it.

10.24.2012

Wednesday - Run Away Without Leaving Home

Image: Magical Woodland Avenue by Sparks of Fire.

Around Here

What we're listening to......

A Celebration of Home

Many of you know that I am a long time fan of novelist Ann Patchett. I was excited to see (really belatedly) that The New York Times had done a piece on her Nashville home.

Obviously, she had me at the 'pink washed brick' - but her essay made me cry. It's how I feel about home - the house itself, the Beans and now The Boy. It is "... a good life, wrapped in a good house."

Favorite quote: "I am away more than I would like... and I never walk through my own front door without thinking: thank-you-thank-you-thank-you."

Love the paint color, the light in the hall, the space, the doors - what a beautiful room!

Rose (the puppy) had a hard life. Ms. Patchett just wrote in Vogue that Rose is recently deceased after 15 happy years. Rest in Peace little lovely.

10.23.2012

Tuesday's Girl

"All we really have to do is have ourselves a Heavenly Day..."

Patty Griffin

Around Here

Agapanthus in the hallway.....

Single Girl Wisdom

Advice that I would give to my 15 year old self:

"Trust yourself more and care less about what other people think."

Image: Proteus, 1984 by Cy Twombly.

10.22.2012