Summer Interlude: Tending Roses

Typically, this blog is all about trying to fill the minds of my students with as much beauty as possible through sharing literature with them. Such a valuable service is done by spreading beautiful thoughts—it leaves less room for weeds and ugliness to take root.

But, it’s summer, and I don’t know what my students are doing, so I can’t tell you about them.

Instead, I want to tell you about some other “roses” we have found/planted/tended this summer… Some literary, some not. May they take up some space in your mind, too.

Tadpoles

A microcosm of the magic of life.

Ballet

My obsession. Never have I witnessed performances so filled with love of beauty, glorification of the good, and complete reverence for life. (This image is from the ballet version of Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale,” which was incredible!)

Flower-Covered Rooftops

Our favorite oasis in south Orange County is Sherman Library & Gardens.

Hand-Drip Coffee

(In Japan!)

We found a delightful cafe hidden down a side street in Nara, Japan. It served the best hand drip coffee, lovingly made by the charming owner and his wife.

A Shrine

Another Japan moment. We took a cable car to the top of a misty mountain, and found this gate, seemingly into the spirit world.

Stumbling Upon a Deserted Cemetery

(Just as thunder starts to roll)

In our Japan wanderings, we stumbled into the most hauntingly beautiful and deserted cemetery, nestled into the side of a mountain. We found it just as the sky turned pink and thunder began to roll. I will never forget this experience.

Stars at Noon

I fell in love with the Japanese maple tree, and how it made it possible to stargaze in the middle of the day.

Wedding Wildflowers

At the wedding of two dear friends, we were surrounded by colorful wildflowers and the brightest sunshine.

Love

At the same wedding, we had the opportunity to share a favorite quote about love. Despite my horror at having to choose only one, I was happy to bring out a Thomas Hardy favorite:

“I shall do one thing in this life—one thing certain—that is, love you, and long for you, and keep wanting you ‘till I die.”

Shakespeare

I was so grateful for the company of another dear friend at The Old Globe’s summer production of “All’s Well That Ends Well.” My husband also came with me to a performance of Shakespeare By the Sea’s “As You Like It.” Outdoor Shakespeare in the summer is a rose, for sure.

Rocks That Aren’t Rocks

What a joy it is to think you are looking at something lifeless, only to see it come to life!

Bug Hunts

I hot glued plastic bugs to rocks and hid them around the park for my son and his friends to find. I loved watching them root around in the bushes—men on a mission, they were!