Friday, April 20, 2012

Lilacs

If you've been in my neighborhood lately, you may have noticed that the lilacs are absolutely gorgeous this year. I've been going out of my way to stick my nose in every bunch of flowers on every lilac bush I come across, breathing in as much of that heavenly smell as I possibly can.

The flowers made me think of this song by Rachmaninoff. It was originally a vocal piece based on a poem by Ekaterina Beketova that he then transcribed for solo piano. It is lovely. Happy listening.


In case  you are interested, here is the poem, translated from the original Russian.

Lilacs
In the morning, at daybreak,
over the dewy grass,
I will go to breathe the crisp dawn;
and in the fragrant shade,
where the lilac crowds,
I will go to seek my happiness.

In life, only one happiness
it was fated for me to discover,
and that happiness lives in the lilacs;
in the green boughs,
in the fragrant bunches,
my poor happiness blossoms.

~ Ekaterina Beketova

Monday, April 16, 2012

Cookies and a Pulitzer Shake-up


 These are cooling on my counter right now. Don't you wish you were at my house? Butterscotch and chocolate chip cookies. Yum.

In other news, this year's Pulitzer Prizes were awarded today, and *gasp* one was not awarded for fiction. Three novels were shortlisted: Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson, Swamplandia, by Karen Russell, and The Pale King, by David Foster Wallace, but none won the prize. While not unprecedented - it's happened 9 other times but not since 1977, it is still a bit of a surprise. I have to admit I'm a little disappointed not to have a new book to add to my "to be read" list.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Life's Simple Pleasures #253


Walking barefoot through the grass after a winter wearing socks and shoes.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Christ Is Risen!

He is risen, indeed!

Friday, April 6, 2012