Today I received an email from the original man of the blog himself, our very own Alan, who very gently and quietly reminded me that his friend, author David K. Leff, would be reading and signing books at my favorite bookstore this afternoon. So off I went at 2:00 to hear David Leff talk about his book, Deep Travel: In Thoreau’s Wake on the Concord and Merrimack. His talk and his book are about what he calls, “a methodology for looking.” They’re about looking mindfully at the everyday places and things and thereby gaining an understanding of their history and man’s part in it.
I lifted part of a review of the book from Amazon: “Leff follows Thoreau’s paddle-strokes not only by traveling the same rivers, but by creating a ‘fusion of inward and outward experience,’ incorporating essay-like musing about time and place—and the power of both stories and history to evoke them. Deep Travel is a primer on the art of ‘sight-seeking’ and ‘forensic observation,’ and Leff offers penetrating readings of the river, the vernacular landscape, and Thoreau.”—Ian Marshall, author, Peak Experiences: Walking Meditations on Literature, Nature, and Need and Walden by Haiku
David’s talk was very interesting and now I’m dying to get started on the book. Outside the Hickory Stick we all posed for photos for the blogs. David Leff has one too. It’s here.
Now, I hesitate to show these pictures, but I will, as it will serve as a lesson to all you ladies. This afternoon, as I headed out after hours squinting at my computer, I looked in the mirror and considered applying makeup. Just a little mascara. Then I actually thought: why bother, I’ll just have to take it off later. And I also had the completely delusional thought: at a certain age, women look quite lovely without any makeup at all.
Somebody actually said that to me recently. That women look “softer” without makeup at a certain age. Well, how’s this for “soft”?
That’s me with Alan, above. Yes, my face is so soft that my eyes have completely disappeared.
Here I am with David Leff:
Yes, I’m displaying my man hands. No, I don’t usually wear my wedding ring. Yes, I’m married. Any other questions?
David Leff also writes poetry and so I will close with a poem that I lifted from his website:
Halftones
by David K Leff
Bathed in drizzle at dawn, I walk down to the river without
coffee or shower, the haze of slumber not yet fully lifted.
I’m quieted by a world hushed in a glaze of moisture. Light
slowly leaks into a dingy sky, creeps silently without wind
as fugitive wisps of ragged clouds drag mist across hills of
dew-lit grass. All is a muted charcoal smudge,
a sketchbook landscape. Deep within the fog, on a leaden
millpond framed by a fretwork of gray tree-branch
shadows, geese softly echo each other, hoarsely calling
to ignite a pallid morning growing as vivid as the video
dreams that stirred me from sleep.
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I am laughing at so many of these posts I don’t know where to start!
But the one that got me going was Judy with her “no extra holes” comment. Hilarious!!!
I also want to read about Alan as a curmudgeon. Put 2 guys in a canoe for awhile and it’s not gonna be pretty. My stepson and his best friend go for a 10 day canoe trip every year down the Suwannee. Then they don’t see each other for a couple of months!
Ann — I rarely wear my wedding rings either. I made the mistake of having my engagement ring soldered to my wedding band and then scratched one of the kids, so off they came. I try to put them on before I leave the house (you know, so all the men won’t hit on me) but I often forget. I need to just get a new band with nothing poking out of it. I’ve also thought about getting my hub’s name tattooed on my ring finger. It’s been 13 years, I guess it’s gonna last. And his name is short. But I hate that green tattoo ink. I wonder if it comes in pink.
Judy I love it! You could be my sponsor!!! I have never used press on nails, wraps, tips or anything else on my nails except nail polish……98% of the time just plain old clear nail polish. I like the way my nails look natural….I need to apply this same philosophy to my face.
Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. How lucky was little Bailey to have showed up on your door step! You loved her and took good care of her and she loved you back. I’m sending you a big hug.
Hey Christine, if you get that support group going I think I can help out. I’ve worn makeup 3 times in my life…once for my best friend’s wedding because her mother insisted, once when my sister was going to “The School of Cosmetology” and needed a guinea pig, and once to shock a boyfriend who loved me for being “all natural”–I even put on press-on nails. That last episode actually pained me. That’s me…no makeup, no dyes, no extra holes.
Catherine, me and Scungilli will share some extra special hugs for you.
Thanks for all of your kind words everyone. It really helps.
Ann, my condolences on your broken blog.
Alan, a curmudgeon? I cannot WAIT to read this book!
Allow me, if you will, to offer a first-hand observation: Ann looks perfectly fine without makeup. This perhaps ranks as one of my greatest understatements. Some of you may recall that, after meeting Ann for the first time this past May, I referred to her as a “total babe.” Trust me, it’s still true. But (and I hope Ann will forgive me this observation), I think Ann is indeed genuinely self-conscious about her appearance, as startling as this might seem to the rest of us. I also think that that quality, that lingering concern, is part of Ann’s personality that endears her to us, her loyal readers.
To those of you who purchase a copy of Deep Travel, let me advise you ahead of time that, though you may know me here as a charming and lovable guy, I perhaps come across in David’s book as something of a curmudgeon. As is usually the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Finally, much love and good vibes to those of you in need of physical and emotional healing right now.
Catherine, so sorry about Bailey, Tracy, so sorry about your hand, and now, I feel very sorry for myself because the effing blog is broken. I can’t post anything. Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe the blog has decided I’ve said quite enough. Anyway, not to make light of poor Bailey and Tracy’s upcoming surgery, and let’s not forget Maureen, who we haven’t heard from today. Hope everything’s okay Maureen.
Catherine,
I am so sorry to read about your Bailey. You gave her a wonderful and loving home and she returned your love, what a great tribute to her memory!
Ann, you’re thin and you have all your teeth, who needs makeup?????????
Catherine – so sorry to hear about Bailey. I had to put mine down last year and I was a mess. Try and think about the joy she gave to you and that she chose YOU to love her so. That is the greatest gift. I am so sorry.:(
Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear about Bailey. Her memory will live on in your heart, and her spirit will be with you forever.
Aislinn
Ann – you look great. Alan cleans up pretty well too!!!!
Catherine,
So sorry about Bailey. I’m sure Indy, among others, has greeted her at heaven’s door. They are likely good friends by now. It’s so hard to let them go to their rewards high above.
Gloria
Catherine – I was so sorry to read about Bailey. We just had an incredibly long weekend, waiting to hear whether or not our cat, Clancy, had cancer. We got the great news that he’s okay just a little while ago…. and then I read your post, and my heart is breaking for you. Truly so sorry that you’re going through this. xoxo Lisa
Thanks so much Tracy. xo
Oh Catherine, I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is. I love that she showed up on your doorstep. She showed up out of nowhere when you needed her, and was there for you when you needed her. She needed you too. It obviously was meant to be. I’m sorry that your vacation has to start this way. Just remember that you gave her a wonderful life, and that she is free from pain and suffering now. She’s at the Rainbow Bridge, happy, pain free, and I believe you will see her again.
xoxoxo
Well pet people, we had to put my cat, Bailey, to sleep today. She lived 15 years with severe asthma, but her organs started shutting down with age. She showed up on my doorstep in 1994 and got me through some really tough times. She’s been living with my folks for the past few years and was very happy with them, as they were home a lot and could give her a lot of attention. I’m saving my good cry for tonight after work. I’m so sad.
Ann you look great and your complexion flawless! What’s your secret?! I think it says a lot about a woman when she is not afraid to leave the house without any makeup on. You are confident. I do wear makeup to work because if I don’t I look deathly pale. I once forgot to put on blush and someone asked me if I was feeling ill. Yes, I truly look like I donated half of my body’s blood supply to a blood bank if I don’t wear any blush. I’ll admit when I stayed home with my children I never wore makeup. I got use to the way I looked and I would leave the house without it. I wish I could do that now-not wear any! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TIME I WOULD SAVE EACH MORNING?!!!! Do you realize I would be able to get 8 hours of sleep each night and I could probably pay for my children’s college education in cash if I stopped buying makeup. OMG I need to join a support group. I can see it now…”Women who need to kick the habit and go cold turkey with makeup.” Maybe they can make a patch!
Alan,
Congratulations to you and David. It sounds like an interesting project, paddling down various rivers, taking in the the changing, dramatic landscapes. I’ve always wanted to retrace Lewis and Clark’s expedition, but I can’t convince anyone this would be a worthwhile project.
I do not know about ’soft’… I look asleep if I do not wear some mascara (to myself). Also, I would tend to avoid people, as I know they cannot possibly ’see’ my eyes… But it is fun sometimes, to dress down and wear no makeup and hide your hair and just bum around in coffee shops reading stuff that others wrote. I mean, otherwise there is too much discipline between the exercising, the proper eating habits, the proper makeup for the ocassion… the proper anything and everything…
Good to see Alan and you again in the same photo. Nice.
Thanks Tracy! I have this vision of me rocking out to “Jessie’s Girl” and being crowd surfed over the side of the boat…
Cath, I’m going to suffer you withdrawal! I hope you have a fab time, and I expect to see pics on your facebook page. Relax, enjoy, have a blast!
Barbara, you met Julie Andrews! I love her! You lucky goose.
Julie, you’re cute as a button in that hoodie.
Candy, I wish I’d thought to buy “Gone with the Wind” on CD. I recently bought the book and it’s huge! Very hard to read whilst lying down on the sofa.
Tracy, my dear, good luck with the surgery and have fun with the painkillers.
Alan, I’m popping over to Amazon.com in a sec to order your friend’s book. Sounds pretty cool.
Ann, on my best day, if I could be half the hag you are I’d be a lucky, lucky girl (man hands and all).
I’m off on my trip tomorrow. See you all in a week. I’m anticipating severe blog-withdrawal…
Cath
Ann, I know just how you feel, I went away with my friend to spend a night in the city this weekend,taking lots of pics… hate to see pictures of my self….My reaction is…Where did i go? What happened to me??? I look so ….haggish…… (is that a word? ) I know now it is my slippery slope….and there is nothing I can do….:)it is just how it is…:)
Bev, I absolutely love the word “hag” and will find any excuse to use it. I feel it sums up an essence about myself that may be more internal than external, but sometimes I feel like a wretched hag and I enjoy it. I think it’s something that comes with age, the enjoyment of wallowing in ones own wretchedness.
ps….
ever noticed how many horrid words rhyme with hag??
Sorry Ann, I hate to tell you this…… But as you well know we Brits can be blunt and forthright……. I know you will be mad at me… But I cannot lie to you……..
YOU LOOK BLOODY GORGEOUS!
there out my system……… sorry….
Makeup is highly overrated. You look good w/o any.
Candy, I envy you about to start listening to the book version of “Gone With the Wind.” It’s so multi-layered compared to the book, and the ultimate page turner or CD flipper.
Julie, I just took a look at the picture…and I cracked up! It’s really cute! Certainly not hagworthy (no makeup since the 80s? Really?).
And Sandy with the permanent eyeliner…that’s amazing. I’m no stranger to needles with some tattoos and piercings but on your eyes…wow.
Ann and Alan: you both look fab, wish I could have been there. Alan you are so lucky to have met with Ann more than once now. David- If you check the blog, love your poem, very stirring, many times I have trouble relating to poems but not this one. Today I start listening to “Gone with the Wind”, all 41 CD’S, wish me luck. Never read book, I am trying to keep up with all books you guys recommend on the blog.
Julie, I think the picture is really cute, and it makes me laugh. I don’t think it’s hysterical in the bad sense! And yes Ann, it’s the one of her in the hoodie. Isn’t it adorable? It’s kind of a goober face, and I love it. It looks like you were having fun Julie.
Rose, I love your Mother’s quote. That’s so perfect. Sometimes I FEEL like “You look the the morning after the night before”! lololol
Morning Ann,
You look great! The Hag Alert is posted when I’ve beenworking a double shift..as my dear departed Mom used to say “You look the the morning after the night before”. By the way have you seen any socks in your Purgatory? LOL
Julie, do you mean the cute picture of you in your hoodie?
Alan, you might enjoy the book “Letters from the Woods” by Michael C. Hurley. I’ll definitely have to pick up your friend’s book.
Ann, we are all way too critical of our “look” -every woman is guilty of this. You, Our Dear One, are so amazingly beautiful (inside too) that you blow us out of the water, even on your “bad” days. I haven’t worn make up since the early eighties. Speaking of scary pictures, has anyone (besides Tracy, who finds it hysterical, along with all of my children and assorted relatives) seen the frightening shot, on my blog, that my husband took of me? Does the word “special” mean anything to you? Hags were originally the aged wise women of the village, and they got their look by enduring a long, meaningful life.
Alan, wonderful as always!
Oh stop Ann, you’re beautiful even without makeup. I too rarely wear it, but that’s because I can’t drag my butt out of bed early enough in the morning before work to do it. Then I’m so used to not wearing it, I forget. Now it’s only when I go out at night.
The book sounds wonderful, and it sounds like a very enjoyable afternoon. Darn you Alan, getting to see Ann again!
Why don’t you usually wear your wedding ring, and is Mr Leff’s arm around your waist? lololol
The book sounds interesting-but it’s one of those that I need to save until summer vacation from school, when I have the time to really read it and soak it all up. Amanda is right–the bookstore looks like a great place to visit,one of those cozy neighborhood places, where you’re a regular. There was one in the movie The Love Letter, Kate Capshaw owned it–I just loved it and wanted one in my town….I found one in northern NJ, went to a book signing there with Julie Andrews (she signed, I didn’t go WITH her)–but it only sells children’s books. Oh well, I’ll have to keep looking. But it does look like you had a lovely afternoon.
Another gorgeous woman who can’t see her beauty through her own eyes!
And The Hickory Stick looks like a very cool bookstore.
Ann,
I think your beautiful,I also love your “man hands” I have them too. They are almost as big as my husbands,ok they are as big as his but not as strong!
Gloria is right women are far too hard on themselves and each other!
Davids book looks like one I need to read..
Amy
Ann – you look great!
I used to wear more makeup when I lived in the “city” vs in the “country”. I will admit I have permanent eyeliner and it is wonderful, very subtle but always there!
Sounds like a great book to pick up for my ever expanding colection – thanks to you!
Have a great week!
Ok Ann. I’m giving a big giant WHATEVS to your hag alert! You can pull it off sans makeup – you look great! Casual and yet country chic with the merlot top. I look clinically dead when I go out sans makeup (curse of a pale gal), so that only happens when I’m wearing sunglasses for the entire time in public. Or, if I’m skiing, since I do many biffs and “yard sales” where all my apparatus goes flying every which way. Usually I land on my face at least once! In that case – why bother with makeup?
Alan – so nice to see you in the pics and how very cool that you got to partake in David’s adventure. What a beautiful picture on the cover of his book too, it looks so serene and just invokes all sorts of thoughts.
You’re kind Gloria. And you’re right about what a waste of time it all is.
Forgot to mention that Alan told me he was “mentioned” in the book, but when I leafed through it, I saw his name on almost every page! He took part of David’s river journey with him and is sort of a main character in the book.
Hi Ann,
I’m worn out and not up to the challenge of reading such an esoteric subject. Another time.
You are a very pretty lady with or without make up. I run out without makeup all time now. I find it a burden to slather my face in all that stuff when I go to work. Takes too much time. The cosmetic industry will do with less spending from me.
Women are too hard on themselves, especially when it comes to appearances.
Gloria