Saturday, August 08, 2009

Hello


Hello there and how are you? I've been feeling a little quiet and a little uninspired as well as feeling an aversion to the computer.

But I can tell you that I'm reading two good books. The first one is called Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television, by Jerry Mander. Jerry used to be a big advertising executive in San Francisco, and his perspective is highly intelligent and thought provoking. The book was written in the 1970s but is completely relevant today. I first learned about the book in this interview with Barry McGee, who was recommending it.

The second book is called Folk Medicine, A New England Almanac of Natural Health Care From a Noted Vermont Country Doctor, by D.C. Jarvis, M.D. This book was written in 1958 and I love reading it. Written by an ear, nose & throat doctor, he knew it would be important to earn the trust of his Vermont patients by learning about their tried and true remedies. These remedies go back five centuries and the doctor discovered how well they worked and intelligently outlines them in this little book. Three words: Apple Cider Vinegar.

I've been picking ripe blackberries on my walks with Devo. And I bought two big and tall heirloom tomato plants for $5 each from a farmer in Los Altos. I'd feel proud of myself if I learned how to grow some of our own food.

Jay and I have tickets to see Echo & The Bunnymen in October. My two favorite songs are All My Life and The Killing Moon.

Jay and I celebrated our two year anniversary on the same day that Seamouse got married.

I visited my grandparents' grave last weekend for the first time since my grandmother's funeral in 1986. It was a lovely thing to do and was not quite as hard as I thought it would be. I told Jay that I was thinking of either taking Devo to the beach or going to see my grandparents, and he said, "Let's go see your grandparents". And that is one of the many reasons why I married him.

Ever since the visit, I've been feeling things a little more deeply, which might be why I've been feeling quiet. Thank you for the nice comments lately and I'll see you really soon. Much love.

12 comments:

David J. Hirsh said...

"...lips like sugarrrrrr...sugar kissessss..."! Love that chorus. Plenty a druken refrain that one.

Interesting to see an ad man denigrate TV since the medium is little more than an ad machine to begin with; much like what the internet has become since 1998 or so.

Yours is the second blog post I've read in two days (the other being pranaglider's) mentioning summer reading. I guess it's time to do my own such post now that I am back in the swing of things.

Speaking of which...other than the fact that we miss our friends' writing when it happens, there's nothing wrong with taking leave every now and then. For me, taking a break this summer was really refreshing and I now look forward to my few posts per week.

All the best and happy anniversary,

David

chelsea said...

I found your blog with bright eyes a month ago or so. I love it. I too love art and surfing...music..all of it. Anyways, my cousin Adam Palmer, took your wedding picture!! I love him so much, so it was really exciting to see his name under it. Thanks for sharing your blog. COngratulations of the anniversary too.

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

Sounds like you found a couple really interesting reads.

Echo and the Bunnymen ALWAYS make me think of "The Young Ones" when Rik writes a letter of protest that starts out "Dear Mr. Echo and The Bunnymen." Have fu-u-hun!

Tomatoes grow themselves.

Happy! Happy Anniversary!

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary lovely lady, its good to feel quiet sometimes, especially when the sun is shining.
We were given apple cider vinegar for every possible ailment., it was definitely a deterrent to getting sick.

Surfsister said...

I've always said you two make a great couple. My husband and I make a great couple . . . of nuts!

I miss you when you're not blogging, but that's because I'm fond of this blog. Write when you feel like it. There's never pressure. It's your blog.

By the way, what's up with the Etsy (?) store. I want to buy some of your artwork and there's nothing up to buy.

Steve and Cher Pendo said...

Happy Anniversary, Jamie and Jay, we're very happy for you. We enjoy your writing and beautiful blog. This October Steve and I will celebrate our 19th anniversary, a true blessing. Aloha, Cher

ashley said...

ready for along comment-
1. hooray for a blogging hiatus. go you.

2. the book about TV sounds really interesting. we have no TV and i love it. we do watch our fair share of movies and i wast way too much time on the internet, but no idiot box is great. my kids are not constantly asking for it and i love that.

3. apple cider vinegar, amazing stuff. i have been looking up more holistic remidies for everything that i come across and almost always find some source that says "ACV" is the best cure all. although, i must say that i had a nasty infection of the womanly sort and tried to get rid of it with ACV and it didn't fully get rid of it. had to give in and go to the dr's eventually.

4. happy anniversary! adam shot our wedding too. my husband grew up with him and we are great friends with his family. small world.

ok, long enough comment. alohas.

Paulo Ribeiro said...

congratulations on your anniversary, Jamie.
I really got interested in that book by Jerry Mander. I've already tried to live with no TV for a while, and it felt really good. I'm curious about what he has got to say.
Txs for sharing.

Candi said...

Happy Anniversary to you two! I'm glad you went to see your grandparents, when my grandfather passed away I didn't go for six years. It was tough, but I am glad I did. Hope you're doing well. I love that palm tree photo!

sulu-design said...

This post made me want to sit down across from you with a cup of coffee and chat for a while. So many things to discuss:

I understand the computer aversion and the lack of inspiration, and I'm glad that you've given yourself time off until you're feeling like posting.

I love, love, love the photo.

Happy Anniversary! You two sound like a match made in heaven.

Echo and the Bunnymen... I am so jealous.

Take care,
Susan

unidentified said...

The Mander book is pretty good. It reminded me of McLuhan's "message" yet more in textbook style.(if i remember correctly)
Either way, a good book to read in this age.
thanks.

Unknown said...

Funny, I picked up the Gerry Mander, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television, also based on that Barry McGee interview. And I had seen it on South Willard, too.

Now I havent finished the the book, but I got the gist of it. Television is an "information" source that is beyond repair. It trivializes opposing viewpoints. It promotes commercialization. Anyway the bit I read helped me unplug for good. I' rather use the money on a ticket to Central America. Keep us informed how the gardening is going.

surf long and prosper