Gathered Notes
July
Welcome to the July edition of Gathered Notes, a monthly collection of art, poetry, book, movie, and music recommendations that have brought beauty into my life this past month.
Art: Giovanna Garzoni - Chinese Porcelain Plate with Cherries, oil on canvas, first half of 17th century
Poetry: “Found” by Frederick Buechner
Maybe it’s all utterly meaningless.
Maybe it’s all unutterably meaningful.
If you want to know which,
pay attention to
what it means to be truly human
in a world that half the time
we’re in love with
and half the time
scares the hell out of us…
The unexpected sound of your name on somebody’s lips.
The good dream.
The strange coincidence.
The moment that brings tears to your eyes.
The person who brings life to your life.
Even the smallest events hold the greatest clues.
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Watching, Listening, Reading
Movie: Barbie
Summary: Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
My review: I thoroughly enjoyed the fun and sparkle I expected from this movie, but it also impressed me with its depth and emotional impact. The monologue delivered by America Ferrera towards the conclusion was particularly memorable and even caused me to shed a tear or two. Overall, this film was excellently crafted and highly enjoyable.
We made it a family affair.
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Listening:
I’ve been in writing mode, and I can’t do songs with words when I’m working, so Calm River Sounds have been playing on repeat in my office.
Reading: The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera
Summary: (back cover) Prudencia Prim is a young woman of intelligence and achievement, with a deep knowledge of literature and several letters after her name. But when she accepts the post of private librarian in the village of San Ireneo de Arnois, she is unprepared for what she encounters there. Her employer, a book-loving intellectual, is dashing yet contrarian, always ready with a critique of her cherished Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott. The neighbors, too, are capable of charm and eccentricity in equal measure, determined as they are to preserve their singular little community from the modern world outside.
Prudencia hoped for friendship in San Ireneo but she didn't suspect that she might find love—nor that the course of her new life would run quite so rocky or would offer challenge and heartache as well as joy, discovery, and fireside debate. Set against a backdrop of steaming cups of tea, freshly baked cakes, and lovely company, The Awakening of Miss Prim is a distinctive and delightfully entertaining tale of literature, philosophy, and the search for happiness.
My review: An intelligent, sweet, and captivating story that I absolutely loved!
Quote of the Day:
“I think that what true art, and true religion does at its best is to put each one of us in touch with that holy part of ourselves, with that source from which art and love comes, and from which all good, wise things come, so that we--by virtue of this painting, this poem, this ballet, this piece of music, this Scripture--become, finally, truly, human at last.”
-Frederick Buechner
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Writing life: My current work in progress has me in the year 2003, Moscow, Idaho. I lived in this small town around the same time, so this novel’s setting has required less research than any other book I’ve written to date. It has been sweet to take a trip back in time and remember what life was like twenty years ago, and it has also surprised me how much has changed!
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders, he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.