Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I still have not decided what to do about this space. But I could not allow the year to end without a heartfelt thank you to every one of you, whether you've commented (in the past, I still have those closed) or sent an email or a tweet - or not. I really do appreciate you. On to 2013. I won't close the blog without saying something first. xoxo 

PS: There are some good links on Giulia Geranium's front page for charitable giving & recipes & poems. If you are so inclined. Thanks.

Knit & Purl

Because I love this photograph & because it would offend my OCD-like sensibilities if I allowed November to end without one post, here's a link to a 'learn to knit' post on Giulia Geranium. If I can do it, anyone with most of their fingers can - seriously. Back next week. xo

PS: Some good tips for holiday decorating/simple prep. If I do say so myself.:) And Sweet Paul's Winter issue is live, here.

(Vanessa Redgrave & Natasha Richardson, Rome 1968 via MSNBC)

Between Times

I apologize for the lack of communication here & elsewhere. I have become disenchanted (of late) with cryptic messages, wordplay & related subjects; this is not so good for a writer, especially for a poet (on several deadlines yet). In "real life" however, certain literary techniques can be maddening & even heartbreaking. I'm definitely not being coy; there's no earthshaking news to relay here. Not now. 

Between times that I am here or with you on Twitter or Facebook or Gchat or Skype, know that I carry your heart with me. Always. (It also seems that I have become a saccharine, lachrymose mess. I want to delete the above & say "look, shiny object!" but I won't. For once.) I regret that I cannot take comments these last months; I will think on doing so again in the new year - if I continue.

Lately, I have been:

...losing weight. 

...re-reading this over & over & over...

... campaigning. Which is really difficult for a shy person but I feel strongly, desperately even. 

... braiding my hair again.

...thinking so much of France, especially Strasbourg. I want to run away.

...thinking of many people but especially today I am thinking of Emily,  her father's shocking sudden death this summer & a promise kept - a trip to Venice. Read on.

(Between Times by Melanie Rodriguez; her entire portfolio, here)

Butterflies

I have them (butterflies) & then I saw these lovely photographs by Emmanuelle Brisson (via My Modern Met). Make of that what you will. I hadn't intended to post so soon, especially as I'm undecided about the direction I should take. Perhaps I should just finish the year out with monthly postings & decide in January. I've received some emails & messages that comments are turned off & so how should anyone contact me. Um, like that:) I'll return those messages by week's end. Sorry for the delay. It's me, not you.

xo/Susan

(photograph by Emmanuelle Brisson)

Blue Moon

Have a wonderful long weekend if you're in the States and Canada. Wherever you are, enjoy the Blue Moon this evening. See this site for beautiful photographs, illustrations, & the best writing for astronomy lovers (who may not know all that much - I don't.) Here are more night sky posts on Giulia Geranium.

I'll be back soon. Somehow. Comments still turned off but feel free to pop in to Twitter (join!) or Pinterest.

Susan/xo

(photograph by Beata Rydén)

Summer Ballet

Hello all. A reminder that the summer Ballet in Cinema series has three ballets left: The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, & La Source. I think this is only in North America. So many of you are elsewhere so please let me know if you have anything comparable. I'll keep looking.

Also in ballet-land: I've recommended Ballet Beautiful streaming videos before & here's an enticement: 15% off for July. Enter BBJULY in the code box as you check out. I recommend Swan Arms to begin. (Also the, um, butt series:)

Hope you're neither too hot nor too cold (nor too wet). This is a summer of extremes around the world. Climate change much? (Fie upon the deniers.)

xo/Susan

(photograph/crop detail by Prabuddha Dasgupta; tulle underskirt by Vivienne Westwood. How I wish I were standing on a boulder at the crashing sea.)

Happy Midsummer!

It's already June 20. Gulp. I still haven't decided what to do with this space. So here's a photograph & a link to a Swedish midsummer cake & how to make a flower crown. And let's not forget the heavens.

I say it & you don't believe me but you should: I miss you. (Comments are still turned off; it's just too difficult for me--presently--to moderate them. See here for ways to contact me.)

xo/Susan

PS: Remember my advice about flower crowns & Thanksgiving. Apply this to any gathering where your presence is required. (Though taking a walk on a day like this one -- 100F degrees - is not advised. Go to the movies.)

(photograph by Amy Merrick via Lawrence)