I’m about halfway through a post building on our earlier conversation about Slow Fashion, enjoying the process, pulling together a few links, trying out various perspectives, essaying a coherent argument — well, perhaps just a proposition or two. . . It’s taking longer than I thought, so today I’ll do something I haven’t for a while: Five Things Friday. . .
1. We’re enjoying some splendid sunshine this week, but otherwise this year has been very grey and wet. So it’s important to Bring the Colour!!
On the days when I’m not serving up homemade soup at lunchtime, Buddha Bowls with my favourite Nutritional Yeast dressing are a happy and healthy staple. Here, the colour is thanks to grated, raw red cabbage and carrots (above) and below, roasted yams — orange and purple. All over a bed of quinoa, with a handful of chickpeas and a sprinkle of dried cranberries and toasted walnuts.
2. I have a huge reverence for sunlight right now, at all its angles, in all its lingering. Here,
through linen curtains it throws shadows onto our bedroom wall, that painting (bought years ago at a student art sale; the artist’s subsequent work long ago surpassed our budget) confusing indoors and out. . . .
3. My husband retired again this week, almost ten years after retiring from his full-time work. This time he was leaving an international (Canada-US) commission he’s served on for 37 years, and I sat beside him as he was honoured and appreciated and gifted generously for his significant public service.
And then a surprise. His female colleague, a powerhouse I’ve known for almost 40 years, a woman who raised three kids while working a demanding job in a male-dominated field, stepped up to makea special presentation. To me! She’d noticed over the decades that a fellow who has four kids in a demanding position that requires frequent travel benefits enormously from an accommodating wife. S explained to the sizable crowd that I had my own work and accomplishments: caring for kids and home, but also a music teacher, and then a mature student as I earned BA, Master’s and finally PhD in order to teach literature at our local university. But besides that work, she said, my support for Pater’s had been integral to his career and thus deserved to be recognized by that commission. She made me sound such a paragon. Embarrassing. But also a very welcome acknowledgment, I must admit.
Which is how this gorgeous bouquet came to be sitting in my livingroom this morning.
I can’t tell you how many people came up to tell me how moved they were to see a partner’s contribution honoured this way — and I know many thanked S for her presentation. . . . Men and women, both, in case you’re wondering. . . .
4. I continue to track my reading on Materfamilias Reads and on Instagram. Haven’t posted anything about this on the blog yet, but the Instagram post has received the most commentsof anything I’ve ever put up in that feed. . . .So many readers loved this novel. If you’re looking around for which pages to turn next, I highly recommend this one — I read it as an e-book (on my iPad Mini) borrowed from the Vancouver Public Library. . . .
5. And finally, a little teaser of what’s coming in next week’s post, where you will see more garments from the exhibition of Italian Style (as manifest here in Vancouver over the twentieth century) — and also some sketches from a wonderful morning I spent at that exhibition with my very talented friend Alison (who, by the way, is currently accepting registrations for an Urban Sketching workshop in Barcelona this September — imagine! what fun!)
Okay, time to run now — I’ve chatted with you long enough that I’ll be heading out (to lunch with a visiting girlfriend) with dripping curls (blow-drying doesn’t work well for my hair, so I always air-dry). But the curls will be dry by the time I’m back here to read whatever comments you leave. . . .
Meanwhile, Happy Weekend!
xo,
f
Congratulations to Paul and to you on being recognised for your contributions. It’s the first time I have heard about a woman being recognised in this way and it is refreshing. I hope the transition to retirement goes smoothly for you both – it’s taken me a few years to come to terms with such a significant life change. I’m happy that sunshine has continued to grace your part of the world. The photo of the sun entering your bedroom is marvellous – all those lovely angles, textural contrasts and golden shades make for a very pleasing composition. Thank you for recommending “The Dutch House”. Ann Patchett is a wonderful writer. I loved her earlier “Commonwealth” and I enjoyed the short story collection “This is the Story of a Happy Marriage” even more. Did you know that she owns a bookshop in Nashville?
Thank you! I, too, have found the transition to retirement challenging in various ways…and now there will be more adjusting as my husband powers down another sector. ;-). I did know that about Patchett—very impressive commitment to the written and printed word
Congratulations! Besides excelling in your separate careers, you have both always kept family central to your lives, and the proof is in the closeness of your relationships with children, grandchildren and each other. A very, very difficult juggling act. It is wonderful to think the world is finally ready to acknowledge that that took 2 very special people.
Thanks, B! It was good to rec I’ve this acknowledgment, not only on my behalf. You’ve made a similar contribution
Congratulations to you both -that's marvelous! So glad that you were recognized for your contributions. I'm sure it was a surprise as women seldom have their contributions acknowledged. Bravo!
slf
Just as you say, so rarely happens that it was a complete surprise. Thank you!
What a lovely tribute to you mater…so wonderful that you were honoured as well as Pater. 💐
😊
Congratulations to both of you and to the enlightened organization that recognized your contributions over the years. Somehow very hopeful sign (I'm looking diligently for hopeful signs at the moment!).
ceci
I thought it was hopeful as well, and oh, do we need hope!
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Congratulations to both you and Pater! It is wonderful how you've supported him and also to be praised for that by his colleague- naturally,women know,but only rare are so special to mention it in public
I'm the one who loved The Dutch House,too!
Dottoressa
Thanks!
Such a good book, right?!
That all sounds splendid. How very satisfying all round and gorgeous flowers to brighten up the changeable days. I do like your linen curtains and the way they filter light. Fine week, I warrant.
It was a fine half-week but they’re ripping the fine away from us shortly….’‘twas lovely while it lasted…
Five back at you–
1) Your plate of colourful food looks delicious.
2) Love the juxtaposition of the of artwork beside the sun shadows.
3) Must admit, honouring both of you at Paul's retirement moved me greatly. A well-deserved recognition.
4) The Dutch House is a wonderful book. Love Ann Patchett's work. You can follow the bookstore blog at Parnassusmusing.net. They provide insights to books (all reading levels, including children's books) among other things. Recently had a post on some background to her writing The Dutch House – parnassusmusing.net/2020/02/12/notes-from-ann-your-questions-about-the-dutch-house-answered/
5) Looking forward to reading more about the exhibition and seeing your sketches.
Have a good weekend.
Thanks, Mary! I knew about the bookstore but didn’t realize there was a blog. I’ll be sure to look at that post
I am especially taken with the photo of shadows and light playing on your bedroom wall. Have a similar scenario in our, (all shades of), white bedroom in the small Maine cottage. While there, I time my late afternoon break to coincide with sunlight and shadow dancing on the simple, pale surroundings. I lie on the bed for a few minutes and watch if I can. Have done that for years, whenever possible. When not in Maine, I think of those shadow and light scenes often and miss them.
Add me to those praising the thoughtful gesture of Peter's colleague. It is remarkable and so right. Maybe she would like to see the spontaneous appreciation a bunch of strangers (to her) have offered for her completely stellar awareness and kindness?
Looking very forward to the fashion sketches next week.
Have a wonderful weekend.
A.in London
Thanks, A! Much joy in the play of light and shadows, isn’t there!
How lovely that presentation must have been, and how thoughtful of Paul's colleague to make it. I don't know how you did it, frankly. I remember one time in a comment on my blog about road trips you mentioned packing the four kids in the car to drive somewhere way up north (?) where Paul was working. You are an intrepid woman, my friend.
Needs must, and all that, but thank you😉
Way to bury the lede! Congrats to P – and to both of you who can now be full-on compatriots in retirement. How wonderful that he was acknowledged and how unsual and delightful that you were too! To recognize that no one is self-made is rather modern. One might almost call it millennial 🙂 We are all compelling and supporting and collaborating within a family. The world is a slightly better place for that recognition – and flowers, well, that's always wonderful. Best to you both and now comes the task of figuring out who gets the kitchen when.
Thanks! I’m reconciled to sharing the kitchen—but I do like the place all to myself for an hour or two every day…he’s developed a coffee shop habit, and we live in artisan coffee shop central, so it might work 😉
Congratulations on being recognized! Well-earned!
Thanks!
Congratulations to the both of you! It's nice to be acknowledged. I really enjoyed The Dutch House. That white coat reminded me of one that I owned (inherited from my grandma). The lines were so beautiful. We really enjoyed visiting Il Centro. My friend grew up in the area. We lingered over lunch at Dario's. Thank you for the recommendation.
Congratulations to you both, and how wonderful for the acknowledgement. No one does it all without support, and yet too often this goes ignored. So happy for you. I loved the Dutch House, and somehow that fact makes me happy when others enjoy it as well. Patchett is such a marvelous writer.
Tears in my eyes as I read about the presentation/accolades about your hard work and full-hearted-support of your husband's work/career. Especially from an esteemed colleague of his! I bet the Hubby was beaming, too, CONGRATULATIONS & WELL DESERVED, Frances!
Charlene H
That is fantastic that somebody finally spoke up about the supportive spouse, and I'm so glad it was you!
More color: grated raw beets, slices of radishes (that red skin with white interior is so pretty) and golden turnips….
This story about S. publicly recognising you just warms my heart. First, for you, so well deserved, but in a broader sense to see the value of the work women as support systems behind the scenes for their partners…
I hope you are still savouring the lime light!
Sorry, all, my responses, posted from my iPhone, didn't match up with the comments they were specifically meant to answer. . . . All were read and much appreciated.