Quote of the Day

Scott Avett and Joni Mitchell, two of my favorite painters, actually both paint themselves a lot.  It's not vain; it's a superpower to know what you look like -- not on the surface, but what you really look like.  It's even more of a superpower to know and accept it.  Now, here's the truly unattainable nirvana...what if you could actually know -- even love it?  Most people are unaware of the story their eyes tell or the way their lines show us how often they've laughed.  I don't want to be worried about my face or my body.  I want to love it ... I wanted to know what I look like and not just accept it but completely embrace it.

-- Brandi Carlile, Broken Horses, p. 239

Hearing Laurie Halse Anderson

Tonight, I attended Herrick District Library's virtual author event featuring the New York Times-bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson.  I look forward to reading her poetic memoir, SHOUT, in the days ahead.

Quote of the Day

When I was growing up, to be a girl was to be told to minimize the space you took up: "Close your legs.  Don't be loud.  Smile.  Be cute.  Be attractive.  Be pleasing."  I inherently balked against that as a kid.  I was a rebellious kid, and I wasn't going to sit in the corner and be quiet.  I've never been like that.  However, looking back, I still notice some of the patterns of my own compliance.  It's not that I hate myself for it, but I just wish I could turn around and say to my young self, "Take your seat.  If there's not a seat there, drag a seat up to the table and sit down."

-- Shirley Manson

Quote of the Day

Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased.

-- Mary Oliver, Dog Songs, p. 119