”we must be free not because we claim freedom,
but because we practice it.”
~william faulkner
–
happy 4th of july
and here’s to practicing freedom every day
—
image credit: funnyordie.com
Jul4
Author Archives: beth
Jul3
parks.
as i’ve been walking and exploring
the parks and outdoor recreation areas around town
i realize how many i have yet to visit
so i’ve decided to walk in each of the parks
in ann arbor
all 159+ of them
to see what is unique about each
with more than
2,000 acres of parkland
50,000 trees
a river, dams, falls, hills, ponds, gardens,
woods, meadows, prairies, and rec areas
found in spaces ranging from
tiny neighborhood green spots to wide open expanses
i see an adventure ahead
with no planned deadline or timeline
so i began the list alphabetically yesterday
and have walked 2 of them so far
only 157+ to go.
—
“parks are works of art just as a painting or sculpture is.”
-thomas hoving
—
credits: ann arbor parks and recreation
Jul2
john k. king.
john wanders through the stacks. by far, the most interesting bookstore i’ve ever spent time in
john k. king used & rare books
is a bookstore out of its time
located in detroit on 4 floors
of what used to be the advance glove company building
filled with over 1 million volumes
completely uncomputerized collections
organized into more than 900 categories
by a team of energetic and helpful staff members
each floor has a manager who is responsible
for knowledge and maintenance of the categories held there
upon entering you are handed a map and directory
you are free to wander you way through the floors
until closing time.
john began collecting and selling books as a teenager
selling them out of the trunk of his car
and he continues to this day
on my recent visit to the store
staff members said he was in his car
headed to cincinnati to acquire a new collection
every time they sell a few books, he takes on more
he’s now purchased the old otis elevator building
behind the store to use as
an annex for his art and rare book collections
this is a store and experience not to be missed.
“i thought i’d go to a bookstore and see what moved me.”
-erik larson
—
credits: john r. king books
Jul1
magical writing.
peaches: “your writing is beautiful. may i read it?”
grandie v: “it’s written in magic fairy language, peaches, so i’ll have to read it to you. it says: fairies, mermaids, and unicorns are magical.”
peaches: “we’re both so lucky that you know magic fairy language.”
—
”if i fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don’t remove it
— i might be writing in my dreams.
-terri guillemetsqe
Jun30
mayor.
chris taylor atop a bit of art at ann arbor’s top of the park festival
—
i had a pleasant surprise
when i opened my front door
and standing there was
my mayor, chris taylor
he was walking around the neighborhoods
talking to people
about the upcoming primary election
we talked for a bit
and i thanked him
for all he’s done
and continues to do
for ann arbor
when he left
and i closed the door
i thought that this is how politicians should be
just walking around talking to people in their neighborhoods.
—
“the true privilege of being mayor
is that I have the opportunity to be everyone’s neighbor.”
-thomas menino
Jun29
mud or stars?
“two men look out the same prison bars; one sees mud and the other stars.”
-beck
—
in honor of international mud day
—
image credit:Winter Window, pastel, 8″ x 8″, 2002 © B.E. Kazmarski
Jun28
silence.
—
image credit: purpleclover.com
Jun27
carnival.
driving down the highway
i came upon this truck filled with fun
and wondered where exactly it was headed.
—
“i was sure that somewhere a grandiose carnival
was going on in the sky,
and I was missing it.”
-eve babitz
Jun26
give what you have.
found this sweet surprise
waiting for me in my mailbox
a very old tiny sleigh with a handwritten letter
from a neighbor i’ve never met
who’s lived nearby for over 50 years
she left it for me to add to my fairy garden
when the season is right
she took the trouble to repaint the sleigh
and write me this lovely note
wanting to visit the garden
but too shy to stop by to see it up close
it was such a kind and thoughtful gesture
i wanted to thank her and figured out where she lived
then wrote her a long letter back
to let her know
how much i enjoyed her special gift
and what it meant to me
i really hope that we meet in person in my garden one day.
—
“give what you have. to someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”
― henry wadsworth longfellow
Jun25
balance.
glenn frey the cat not the rocker
agrees with
patti smith the rocker not the cat.
—
“in art and dream may you proceed with abandon.
in life may you proceed with balance and stealth.”
-patti smith
I didn't have my glasses on.... 