Here’s a potpourri!
1. On the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay last Friday morning, I was blessed to see hundreds of Pacific white-sided dolphins leaping in joyful arcs right alongside the boat, keeping pace with us for five or ten minutes, uniting dozens of travellers pressed up to the windows in a happy cacophony of oohs and aahs and generally happy exclamations.
2. First stop in Vancouver last Friday was the wonderful restaurant Le Crocodile where I met my sister for lunch. We’ve been nurturing a one-time treat, a healing meal shortly after mom’s death, into a delightful every-few-months tradition or habit. The service is just the right kind of attentive, the room is lively but intimate at once, and the food is very good — classic French crossed with West Coast contemporary, nothing showy, just consistently delicious.
So I was already feeling very content, when my sister leaned across the table with a little package for me. Unwrapped? This sweet little bangle to join my arm party of family love . . . Made by Alex and Ani, mine features an “F” rather than an “L” . . .
3. I bought some new shoes on the weekend. They were not on my shopping list, but one does not bypass a beautiful pair of black flats (Vince, Mia moccasins), so sleek, yet so promising of comfort. . . .
4. I read a fabulous interview with Bruce Dern in the latest issue of Runner’s World. If you get a chance to read this, do, even if you’re not a runner. The man is, as my husband said after I pressed the interview on him, iconic, such an emblematic and positive representation of a time and place in American culture. An actor I have always enjoyed watching, he reveals himself in this interview to be so much more, an inspiring model of how to continue living enthusiastically and with integrity into the late 70s. I haven’t yet seen Nebraska but will do so as soon as I can.
5. And finally, although I could easily add another five, it’s been such a week, finally I’ll finish five things from last weekend, we saw the gorgeous opera Don Giovanni. Afteryesterday’s piece by Duchesse at Passage des Perles, I’m inspired to write a post “in defense of opera,” particularly looking at why it costs what it does, what it offers in terms of creative employment, why I think it’s worth supporting with my attendance, etc. etc. I may never find time nor sustained energy to write such a piece, but meanwhile, here is the astonishingly moving tenor aria, “Dalla sua pace”: a male lover explains why his happiness depends on his fiancée’s happiness, why her tears must be his tears. This against the boorish, lustful, greedy behaviour of the rake, Don Giovanni. So much gorgeous music in that opera, yet somehow Colin Ainsworth (as Don Ottavio)’s rendering of this piece was what really stuck with me.
Sadly, while the VOA has posted a number of musical clips from their production, “Dalla sua pace” wasn’t one of those. But I found this version on Youtube, and I assure you that it will impart some beauty to your Friday. . . .
Have to run now (literally!) but I’d love to know what One or Two or Three Things might be important in your universe today. I hope they’re good, but even if not, troubles can be shared in the comments as well. It’s not all Bread and Roses, I know . . .
I want to try to think about the world this weekend. For some reason I've been focused on inside a very near circumference. Time to look out.
And there's so much to think about, outside . . . take care.
Willing to bet you are astonished by Dern in "Nebraska". Your flats look supremely comfortable and stylish and isn't it always wonderful to be surprised by a gift, especially of jewelry!
I'm looking forward to astonishment! They're so much sleeker than that particular view demonstrates, closer to Jil Sander than Josef Seibel. And yes, the surprise was such a delight, especially as it echoed my mom's, little over a year ago,
There are many opportunities to experience culture at different levels. I have been enjoying the UBC student operas and this week Maman and I went to see a semi-professional play. Tonight I leave for Europe and am hoping to enjoy some Lenten music.
I really like your bangle bracelet.
Perhaps you're listening to something gorgeous at St. Martin in the Fields right now! Have a wonderful trip — I'll be reading about it.
That bracelet is very pretty indeed. I've always loved bracelets – on others. When wearing one myself I used to quickly find a reason to take it off: too tight, too loose, too showy, too noisy…. Lately I find I am beginning to enjoy wearing one from time to time. One more thing I seem to be coming round to with age. My favourite is a bracelet I inherited from my mother who had recieved it from her aunt, a very active lady who travelled to Egypt in her late seventies (that was about 1960) and brought this lovely combination of silver and faux turquoise scarabs.
Your shoes look very comfortable and so stylish at the same time – the perfect combination. Inspired by you (and some other bloggers) I bought myself some leopard print shoes for the first time in my life (Ebay, I confess) and I like them a lot. Although when I tried them out yesterday, I slipped on the curb, tripped and fell right in front of the corner bookstore. No great harm done, I take it as a signal from my body to SLOW DOWN. I'm certainly not going to blame it on the shoes.
I never used to wear bracelets, but then my husband got me a very special one about 20 years ago and I rarely left the house without it. And the habit grew. I can't write while wearing one, though, and I do wonder sometimes if my students get irritated by the clinking.
So sorry you fell in your new shoes, but glad you found them and yes, perhaps you could use them as a reminder of the fall and let them help you walk at a more leisurely pace. And watch your step! 😉
Luv and I watched Nebraska last weekend. It's Directed by same guy who did Sideways and The Decendants, both good pics. For me it ran a little slow at first, but I soon got into it. It turned out to be an interesting film about the dynamic between a son and his dad (Dern) and their family. I also loved June Squibb who played the mom.
Important in my Universe:
#1. We're going to see my granddaughter this weekend. She's almost 3 months. Our first!
#2. I got to sleep in today and looking forward to playing poker this afternoon for some girls wanting to go to a gymnastics competition.
#3. Refer to #1-I get to see my granddaughter!
Love the header pic! Beautiful!
Lizzie
northsideofthecountryroad.com
Oh, a first granddaughter, so special, and 3 months is such a heart-grabbing age. And the poker will be fun as well, no doubt, even though I'm not one for card games myself (excepting a one-time addiction to Solitaire! 😉
Thanks for commenting and for the additional feedback on Nebraska. Enjoy your weekend, especially the g-daughter cuddles.
Your five things are so delightful and so varied. I hope to one day see a pod of dolphins leaping around the boat on a crossing.
Unexpected gifts can be the ones most remembered. Your new bracelet will remind you of this lunch date with your sister for many years.
I read your comment on Duchess's post about your parents exposing you and your siblings to opera and thought how wonderful that was. Did Pater have similar exposure at a young age or did he learn to appreciate opera later? We enjoy live theatre and concerts, but find opera less enjoyable.