I will often think that I was born in the wrong century, sometimes just the wrong decade, and often the wrong country/region. God made me in my mom's belly, so I was supposed to arrive in the winter of 1984 in Phoenix, AZ. But still... Lately I've been reading some very enjoyable classics. I'm finishing up
Bleak House by Charles Dickins, and I just had a reread of
Jane Eyre. My next book to start will be
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell--a book I've been anxious to read since watching the BBC miniseries on it. Reading these books have been a wonderful escape from the things that clutter up our world today. Don't get me wrong. I do see the value in technology, computers, cell phones, cars, freeways, an abundance of restaurants... I also see their disadvantage. I miss the value of a patiently awaited letter from a friend. A quiet walk down a tree-shaded lane. A warm, home cooked meal. Sometimes I just want to silence the busyness and just rest in the peace of slow time. This morning I got together with a friend to catch up and pray. It was relaxing and encouraging. After I walked back home through the neighborhoods full of trees, the birds were talking, the squirrels were gathering acorns, skiddish as I passed them. It was a cloudy peaceful morning and I was glad to partake in it.
Along with these thoughts, there are others: fall is coming and I'm excited about that. The change of summer to fall gives me an energy I crave. I believe I'm most motivated, creative and optimistic in the fall (and I'm a fairly optimistic person). For the past....oh year or two...I've been trying to grow up my tastes. I find myself not interested in some of the things I was interested in the past. I've been growing up my tastes in entertainment, though some stay the same (Jane Austin, and the classics I enjoy). I've been growing up the art I create (and how I decorate my space)--a reflection of where I'm at. I've been (slowly) growing up my wardrobe, although this is hard to do with a lack of funds. My wardrobe interests are becoming much like my thoughts in this post--the classics. On top of that, I have a slight fascination with menswear as women's wear.
Lulu Letty has been the major wardrobe inspiration alongside my novels and BBC renditions of such classics. At some point I hope to have a fully functional wardrobe. But since I want quality pieces, this may take a while. This fall I hope to have the motivation and creativity needed to be productive. I have a lot I want to accomplish and this is my season.
Maria of Lulu Letty
Alexa Chung for Madewell
