I was tired until the first note, the Met Gala gave me thoughts, and Cornwall’s most southerly point is going on the list immediately
I told you yesterday I was tired. I was lethargic all day, moving through Friday at about half speed. And then we walked into the chapel and the first notes of the orchestra filled the air and something shifted. Just like that. I was rejuvenated.
Vivaldi, Mozart, Mendelssohn, a choir, and soloists with the kind of voices that make you forget to breathe. It was an extraordinary evening and exactly the right start to a Mother’s Day weekend. If you ever have the chance to hear live chamber music in a beautiful space, go. Even if you are tired.
It is Mother’s Day on Sunday — I hope you have something lovely planned, whether that is a table full of family, a long walk, or a quiet morning entirely to yourself. All of those are wonderful ways to celebrate the day. What are your plans?
And on a completely different note — the Met Gala. I have to ask. I love fashion. I appreciate couture and I understand that the Met Gala exists in its own universe of fashion. But I will confess that recently I have found myself puzzled by the gap between what I find beautiful and what ends up on the best dressed list. Art and fashion are subjective, as they say. What is extraordinary to one person is bewildering to another. I will leave it there, except to say that Vogue is not quite what it used to be, and I suspect I am not the only one who thinks so. You can learn more about the art and the exhibit at the Met, In the upcoming “Costume Art” exhibition at the Met, fashion is paired with artworks across time, revealing how the “dressed body” can reanimate our understanding of both.
Kim, Juliet and I have lots to share this week. Let’s meander.
A Walk Worth Taking
It is no secret that I love a beautiful walk, and this week I found one that is going straight to the list. Julia’s Walk on the Lizard Peninsula follows the rugged 7.5-mile trek across Cornwall’s most southerly frontier — starting at the turquoise waters of Kynance Cove, battling the Atlantic winds to reach the timeless fishing village of Cadgwith, with stops for rare Serpentine rock, a humble hut that sparked a global technological revolution and a masterclass in the perfect Cornish pasty along the way. I watched it twice and then started looking at flights. The Lizard has been on my list for years. It just moved up. Have you been to Cornwall? Tell me all about it.
In Honor of Mother’s Day
Two things this week.
The first is What Will You Say — a short film by Echo Stories in which dozens of people from all walks of life were asked to share what they would say to their mothers for Mother’s Day. The result is surprising and vulnerable,. One daughter simply said: “Mom, you did good.” I have been thinking about that since I watched it. Life is unpredictable. These things should not go unsaid. Call your mom.
The second is a reading of A Mother’s Love by Helen Steiner Rice — a poem that has been around for decades for good reason. There is a line from Rudyard Kipling that runs through it: ‘God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.’ That is enough said, really.
Don’t forget to treat your mom to something special. this weekend, make it something sweet. This easy, and delicious sour cream coffee cake is the perfect addition to your brunch, lunch or dinner!
One More Thing
Live a Little is a short film shot entirely on an iPhone in Rome — award-winning, student-made, and a genuinely beautiful reminder to be present in the life you are actually living. Watch it when you have ten minutes and nowhere to be.
And one more from Reflections of Life, a channel I keep returning to. The Beauty of the Ordinary is a quiet, beautiful short film about finding comfort and grace in the small things around us — the warmth of sunlight, the comfort of a friend — even in life’s most difficult moments. Filmed in Pringle Bay, South Africa, and featuring the kind of storytelling that stays with you long after it ends. The perfect thing to watch this Mother’s Day weekend.
Happy Mother’s Day to every mother reading this — and to everyone who has loved and been loved by one. Tell me what you are doing to celebrate this weekend. I always want to know.
Don’t forget to visit Juliet at Make Mine a Spritzer and Kim at Northern California Style — we always have lots to share.
If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you shared it. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterestand X — I would love to have you along.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends.
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Friday Favorites No. 685 | Vivaldi, Mother’s Day and a Very Full Week
What I’m Reading — Books Are My Windows to the World
You Are Not Invisible. You Are Just Done Performing.
On My Radar
Happy Mother’s Day, Elizabeth! Thanks for finding all the goodness out there for us.
Thank you Mary Ann. Have a blessed and happy Mother’s Day!
Elizabeth, I wanted to recommend a ten-book series by Ovidia Yu: The Tree mysteries set in 1940s Singapore. The first book is The Frangipani Tree which sets the background for the characters. I spent ten years teaching in Singapore in an MBA sister program for my American university and feel that this series captures the history and mystery of that special place. Since I deduce from your video and book choices that “place” draws you, I thought you might enjoy this foray into such an enticing and beautiful world.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your readers, Elizabeth. I am going to be teaching a crepe paper rose class tomorrow morning at a local garden, but I’ll also be spending my day thinking about my wonderful mother and grandmother. As far as the Met Gala – I love looking at fashion and this is the first. year that I did not look at any of the fashion from the event. What I would love to see is the exhibit of Queen Elizabeth’s clothes that is on display at the Buckingham Palace, and the Schiaparelli exhibit at the V&A. Thank you for always sharing such great resources for viewing and reading.
Alexandra, enjoy your crepe paper course! How wonderful to be able to share your talents! Your mother and grandmother are in your memories and in your hear always.
I could not agree with you more, I would love to see the exhibit of Queen Elizabeth clothes. I watched a little video somewhere and it is a beautiful exhibit. Schiaparelli is another favorite. I guess I need to spend more time in the UK!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy your students!
As usual, Elizabeth, I love your post. I just read about the simple act of savoring on Mary’s blog, Life at Bella Terra. Savoring is the deliberate act of experiencing positive moments as they happen. Our brains need 12 seconds of savoring to encode a positive experience to long term memory. The short story you posted today “The Beauty of the Ordinary,” reinforces the message of savoring to me. I’m blessed to babysit my 2 grandkids. They help me to see the beauty of the ordinary. We watch the bees, spiders, and ants. We listen to the sound of the neighborhood, watch the clouds and listen to the swings creak as I push them even higher. Yes, I am exhausted at the end of the day, but I’m so blessed to be their Gramma.
I understand how you felt about going to the Vivaldi concert. My daughter is a classically trained vocalist. She has performed as a soloist in many concerts, operas, and even pop music from the 40’s in the Metro Detroit area. We live about an hour’s drive away and many times have felt too tired to attend, but we do and are so glad we did! I’m a proud Mama. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Ellen, I think your grandchildren are just as blessed as you to be able to spent time with them. I am quite certain that you learn from one another. I love the idea of slowing down and watching the ants, bees, spiders, etc. Your daughter sounds like a very talented woman, how blessed to be able to see her preform.
Have a blessed and happy Mother’s Day and thank you for sharing little snippets of your life.
Happy Mother’s Day Elizabeth! I hope you have a lovely day celebrating. My daughter and her husand are cooking me brunch and I have my 93 year old mother here from England so we have ,much to celebrate being all together! Love your walking video, I will so enjoy that tomorrow thank you! Take care!
Francesca, how wonderful! It sounds like the perfect Mother’s Day. Three generations of women together celebrating. I had no idea your were from England, as you know I am a fan.
Enjoy every minute with your mom and daughter and of course the rest of the family too.
Thank you sharing the poem by Helen Steiner Rice. I had not heard that name in a long time. My Grandmother loved her poems and I have her books still. It brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of her. She was a Beautiful, Southern Lady. I am blessed to have my Mom close by to spend the day with her. I will also be with my Husband and brother who paid a surprise visit, but will be missing our sons. I hope your day is special.
Phyllis,
I am so happy that you enjoyed it. It is a beautiful poem and one I had not heard in some time. I hope that you enjoy your mom, how blessed to have her near to you. Enjoy your husband and brother too!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Hi Elizabeth,
We had our wonderful friend visiting. So I will keep this short. I was up way way past my bed time.
The Met gowns are like a costume party, it’s pretty out there. It’s very extravagant. I feel it’s like one person out doing the other. I understand it’s an art form, I’m pretty liberal. What I’m noticing is so many gorgeous ladies are now modeling half naked. I like a super feminine more lady like chic look. Leave something to your imagination look.
Elizabeth! The Met Gala … it’s confusing for sure. More like a costume ball … with a prize for whoever creates the most outrageous look. I agree, Vogue is not what it used to be.. Magazines in general are on their last legs. A tough thing for those of us who lived for the arrival of the latest issue. It’s a brave new world. xo
Juliet, the Met gal is over for me and I think for many. I cannot believe some of the outfits. That said, fashion has always been expressive and sometimes over the top but some of these outfits were as you say costumes. Perhaps they should call it a “fancy dress party” as they do in the UK.
I miss magazines! xo