I think of these images when sitting in the chair at the dentist.
I am not very calm when I am at the dentist, especially when having my teeth drilled and prepped for new crowns...for an hour and a half!
I tense up.
My dentist is a kind and gentle practitioner...he works efficiently and talks me through any procedure.
Thankfully today my visit was short as the permanent crowns were put on and I hope that this will be the last major work that I will need...at least for a long while!
My jaw is sore and the crowns are feeling rather sensitive right now,
so writing a blog post should be a tonic and help take my mind off the discomfort.
An absolutely stunning view looking across Juan De Fuca Strait towards Washington State.
I could sit and stare at this vista for hours
watching the light on the ocean and the changes in the tide.
Deep blood red Hollyhock blooming in a garden nearby our Humble Bungalow.
I would love to have a few of these tall plants in our garden
they don't seem to thrive where I have tried planting them...
or maybe our soil is not to their liking.
This pretty pink flower caught my eye...
I am not too sure what type of plant this is so I will settle on "beautiful!"
Ross Bay Cemetery
a great place to wander
heritage trees
busy squirrels
song birds
deer
Emily Carr is buried here and people come by to adorn her grave with flowers and natural offerings.
She was a very prolific artist and quite the eccentric character...
she led a very interesting life and has written books as well as her paintings and pottery.
You can read more about Emily Carr here.
She was an amazing woman and one who was quite independent at a time when women were expected to lead traditional lives that consisted of marriage, motherhood and domesticity.
In my bridge group there are several amazing "older" women...
one woman in particular stands out
I am going to call her M.
M is head and shoulders above most women her age that I have met.
M is 94 years old.
(maybe I should say 94 years young!)
M plays an excellent hand of bridge,
she counts and keeps track of ALL the cards that are laid and played.
M will critique a bid or a response if she knows it was not the best choice.
M freely compliments when a great play is made or a contract is bid and made and especially when making over tricks!
M dresses in classic clothes and wears beautiful vintage gold jewelry.
M wears several diamond rings on her left hand...
they glitter as she plays.
M sits tall in her chair, has great posture and walks gracefully.
M's eyes sparkle and twinkle and when she smiles her wrinkles all crinkle together!
M shares funny and cute jokes and tells us about her past.
I have a lot of time for M and am eager to learn more about her.
M is a wonderful and gracious example of how women of a certain age can be
vibrant, energetic and intelligent.
Do you know any amazing older women?
Please enter the giveaway from the previous post before October 30th.
Good luck!
45 comments:
Yes! I do know an amazing older woman. She is the elderly cousin of my father in law. Her name is Lelia and she is 96 years old. She is the doyenne of society in a small East Texas town. Some time ago, we were attending a engagement party for a young relative and I complimented Lelia, telling her that she looked lovely. Her reply was "it's just paint and powder."
Some time later, my husband and I were having dinner with Lelia at her small town country club. Almost everyone in the dining room stopped by our table to speak to Lelia. One young couple came by to pay their respects and Lelia's comment to them was "we are way behind in making mischief."
Lelia is a southern belle and a real jewel.
the area you live in is stunning. you are so lucky to have these views on your walks! so beautiful! x
You are surrounded by beauty. And how I love those pine cones! I have known so many exquisite women, many in my family. Sometime I will need to post on my GG. She was the epitome of glamor and grace and outrageous humor. I have her sense of humor for sure. She would always push the limit and smile a little viciously while she held a drink (Canadian Club with a splash of water) in her hand and made an inappropriate joke!
I just want to stare at that water forever and ever and ever.
Nature's beauty around you is astounding, and to be enjoyed as much as possible. All of the older women I know are like M. Of course, they are all Texas women, and this comes naturally to all of us, the elegance & wisdom of experience and maturity. xx's
Your sea views are stunning. You are surrounded by beauty but the sea is exquisite.
Yes, I too know an amazing older woman, who dresses stylishly and has lots of intelligent, witty and lively conversation and anecdotes. And she plays Bridge, too!
I have loved Emily Carr for many years, and had the joy of visiting her exhibition space at the Art Museum in Vancouver. Her grave seems just perfect for this artist who was at one with nature.
Your view of the water is Perfection!
Have enjoyed your blog immensely for a year or two now. The pink flower is a zinnia. Love, love the photo of the water.
Your views are so spectacular.
Oh, ugh! All my sympathies for enduring the dentist. I've recently gone thru a root canal; one fault in my perfectly healthy mouth. Four hours! But then, how lucky are we that we live in a country where modern and painless dental practices are available. Mind you I still sit there gripping the arm rests for the entire time. Nice to go for a walk then and forget all about it.
I had a most remarkable woman in my life till about two years ago. He name was June West and one day she thought she had a bad flu, her grandchildren took her to the hospital and she was found to have a cancer which took her life within two weeks. Until then she was full of spirit, and vim and vigour. She was the head photographer at the UBC Botanical Gardens, a Master Gardener, exhibited and sold her photographs, rode her horses in Southlands, tended her garden, walked swiftly absolutely everywhere, and baked the most wonderful blueberry bran muffins. She was also 98. I've often thought that's the right way to do it. :D
Your walks always look so beautiful! I enjoy poking through old cemeteries. Emily Carr was such a great example of a woman who made her own way in a man's world. Did you ever read the stories about her monkey? I really dislike visits to the dentist so you have my sympathy. There is a row of elderly ladies who sit in front of me in church and I like to notice their individual styles. My great-great aunt had been a governess for a British diplomatic family and as an elderly lady always walked and spoke with gentle dignity. She wore simple black and white clothing of quality and had only a few books and watercolours.
Hi there,
I have been following your Blog for quite a while and enjoy reading about your life, your Bungalow and your trips. keep up the good work,
Hilary
M has that same effect on people...
she is radiant, like a beacon of light that people are drawn to...
I'd very much like to read more about your GG.
We can learn so much from these grande dames.
The views are lovely...I could never take them for granted.
This particular vista has that effect on people...very calming...unless there is a gale force wind and then it gets very intense!
I would love to read more about these Texas women...are there any good books on the subject that I should get my hands on?
You do live in the most beautiful spot!! Hope your teeth feel better soon! I know many ladies like your M. And that's what they are. Charming ladies. Feel better soon!
I will try to capture more images of the sea and perhaps take one on a stormy day so that you can see the violent wave action when the winds are gale force.
Our Victoria Art Gallery has a section where Emily's work is on display...I quite like her little clay pottery pieces...would LOVE to own one.
Bryan Adams (Vancouver born singer) collects her pottery and it is extremely hard to find and very very expensive.
Thank you Jackie...I should have known that plant. Mother grew zinnias.
I've often wondered what it would be like living on the waterfront...I can imagine sitting on the porch, tea in hand and just watching...would I ever get any work done if I lived in that location?
June sounds gracious and lovely. Women like her have so much to offer and they are incredible role models. You've got some wonderful memories.
I have read most of Emily Carr's books and Woo, her monkey, was quite the character! Emily pushed a large perambulator around James Bay and Fairfield, where we live, with her cats, monkey, and her dogs. She was a flamboyant artist with a very Bohemian vibe and so naturally she drew a lot of attention to herself. I've read that she was not a particularly happy woman and preferred to live alone...she had a trailer that she named "The Elephant" that she lived in while painting in remote areas.
She must have been incredibly resourceful and brave to buck the tides of Victorian society.
Thank you Hilary...I cannot promise to entertain but I do try!
Oh my mouth feels so much better this morning...what a difference a day makes!
Hope your jaw is better. The ocean view across the straight is magnificent.
Love that vista of the water. And I discovered Emily Carr via Louise Penny. I'd like to see some of her work in person one day....
I've known several remarkable older women through the years, starting with family (my mother plus some cousins), family friends, and so forth. If they have anything in common, it's a joy in living, a genuine interest in other people, and a knowledge of and an absolute fidelity to who they really are ... AND no fear of being disliked (none, zip, zero). It's a pretty powerful combination.
Oh, before I forget, a tip for dental work: Wiggle your toes. (told to me by a dentist who works with children!).
Beautiful photos Hostess. Glad to hear your jaw feels better.
Julie q
I enjoy your walks! I do envy your water views and I loved seeing the grave decorations. I hope this blog entry restored you. My remarkable older woman is 96 and still doing what she has loved all of her life, she is a beautician with her own shop and still has quite a few customers. Recently she told me she had just completed painting her patio floor on her hands and knees but her daughter has forbidden her from climbing the ladder to trim the trees! Bless her and the other women your readers have written about.
She sounds like my mother who is quite the spitfire at age 85 - she is sharp! I love, "when she smiles all her wrinkles crinkle together." It's just like my mom. That face is one of the most beautiful things I know.
I hope your mouth feels better soon. I had to have a tooth implant recently and it was not fun!
Thank you for this post, it's lovely.
The red flower is a zinnia.
I so enjoyed the time spent in your lovely part of the world last September. We found our great great grandmother's grave in Ross Bay Cemetery after searching the archives in the BC Museum. Will most assuredly be back to continue the research and enjoy the peace and serenity of the city.
Would love to learn more about M. I wish I was as contemplative after or before I see my dentist. Kudos to you! Beautiful post.
M sounds lovely and a real inspiration. Hope your mouth continues to feel better.
I've really enjoyed looking at these pictures. .very Autumnal. M sounds wonderful. I can tell how glad you are to have met her. I know a lady like her, the mother of a friend. Whenever I m in her company I feel inspired and could sit chatting and listening to her for hours!
I hope your dental work is all ok now. Stressful times sitting in the dentists chair ...no matter how patient and competent they are!
Rosie
From Margie in Toronto - There was an exhibit of Emily Carr's work just this past summer here in Toronto and I went to see it with a friend. It showcased the three main stages of her life and her artwork and they combined it with a number of pieces of aboriginal artwork & masks and photographs of the time period so it was very interesting.
I am also very lucky to know a truly amazing older woman - her name is Pat and she is 79 - worked until just a couple of years ago and is so busy in retirement that we practically have to make an appointment to spend time with her. She is alway stylishly dressed, hair and nails immaculate and she is a delight to be around, interested in everyone and everything. She also does 2 miles on the treadmill every morning!
This is a particularly beautiful post, the photos and words. Thank you. I needed some beauty.
Jill
Greetings from Charleston! I'm a new reader and I've so been enjoying your lovely blog! Wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I love the pretty photos you post...especially the flowers and the water views! I love the craftsman style bungalows...so enjoy reading about yours....and also the fashion posts. Have you recovered from the dental procedure? Happy November!
Greetings from Charleston! I'm a new reader and I've so been enjoying your lovely blog! Wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I love the pretty photos you post...especially the flowers and the water views! I love the craftsman style bungalows...so enjoy reading about yours....and also the fashion posts. Have you recovered from the dental procedure? Happy November!
Welcome Beach Gypsy!
My dental work is but a distant memory...thank you for asking.
I popped over to check out your blog...you live in a lovely place.
Your friend sounds lovely...if I lived in a colder climate I would definitely buy and use a treadmill.
Thank you for that information...mother grew zinnias and I had forgotten their name.
It's wonderful that you were able to use the archives in your search for your ancestors gravesite. It is a beautiful cemetery.
Oh I never would have thought to wiggle my toes!
I hope you are fully recovered; dental work can really wipe you out! M. sounds fascinating!
Just getting to this post.......I'm a fan of Emily Carter (isn't it fun to find the final resting spots of inspiration people? We have Susan B. Anthony in one of our local cemetaries.) and saw works of the Group of Seven at the AGO when we visited Toronto a couple of years ago. Your first picture of that glorious view is absolutely marvelous! Hope your teeth are feeling back to normal by now. Jen Miller
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