Sunday, June 08, 2008

So long for a while


The coming week is full of so much activity and preparation that I'm saying goodbye to blogging for a while. For the few pals that still pop in I just thought I'd let you know.
I'm leaving you with a recommendation for a fabulous read and I hope you will follow up on this one. It is the diary of Eleanor Coppola during the time she was raising a family and simultaneously following Frances, and later, Sophia to movie locations. It is so much more than that. It's the diary of a woman who is conflicted by family love and devotion and artistic calling left fallow. A story that most of us can relate to at some point. Being torn between the very essential desire to be everything to everyone is natural for women and it is both a blessing and a curse. I have found so much to love about this book it is one I'll re-read again and again. Aside from the mothering stuff, there is also the really fascinating story of a woman surrounded by unbelievable talent. Her tales of being on the set for the all the Godfather movies, the journey of her film diary of Apocalypse Now, called Heart of Darkness, and for her daughter Sophia's movies "Lost in Translation" and "Marie Antoinette" are worth the money alone. The eventual re-discovery of her artistic self begins to evolve throughout the book and I really wanted to make it go on to see where else Eleanor has gone since. I hope there is another book of diary pages to come. She has a sweet, simple style that is set down without conceit or verbal boasting. I love her voice and I think you will too. One of her pieces art installation art, made in conjunction with several people, is a tribute to those we have lost. Her son Gio was killed in a freak accident in his 20s. It is such a touching story to hear about this installation that I wish I could go and see it. It moves around the country to various places and sounds like it would be well-worth a trip to visit.
I am packing to leave for a while and my birthday(the big one) is Tuesday. I've dreaded this one for a while but oddly enough along with it's arrival, I have found a certain sense of peace and a small, but strong, developing, fountain of artistic energy. Maybe you just need to get to "your time" in life and it begins to unfold in lovely ways for you. Letting go of certain angry things and seeing what is important with new eyes makes for a sense of peace. To a small degree, I am doing what I advise others to do when faced with possible unpleasantness-I think of it as theatre. I have begun to write ideas for art down with a little detail included so that I will remember them fully when I return and begin a hopeful, creative, year ahead. I'm not sure what happens to others when they reach this age but so far for me, I have begun the important job of ceasing to care what other people think and I imagine that's when the real creative process can begin. A few ideas with a common theme are rolling around in the caverns of my brain. Some are fabric related and some are back to the basics of artwork that I began so many years ago.
At any rate, since there is so much prep for this longer than usual trip and few friends are stopping by anyway(can't blame you-nothing artistic gong on here)I will go on a blog hiatus for a while. I'm not sure if there is any computer connections where we are and I don't have a laptop anyway.
It's over 90 and humid here. Very unusual weather for here this early. Anything over 80 is pure hell to me and for good measure I'm heading down south in a week. Bah!
Take care and I'll see you later if I don't melt. Hope I don't run into any flying monkeys....I'mmm melllting...melllllting

12 comments:

Darcie said...

I don't often get excited about finding or reading (i know...shame on me!) a book...but your recommendation of "Notes on a Life" has me quite intrigued. Probably something my daughters and my Mom may enjoy as well. Thank you for sharing, Dee!

Now you just enjoy every moment away. Get lost in the relaxation and the regeneration!

Hugs to you!

Dorothy said...

I'm going to look for that book. I have a king sized bed and th A/C all to myself this week. If that doesn't call for a good read, I don't know what does.

Bonne Journee, and get well. and BTW, you don't look a day over 20. Seriously.

Jan said...

Thanks for the book recommendation...it sounds like a good summer read.
And have a wonderful trip and a happy birthday. If you're referring to the milestone birthday I think you are, I'm already on the other side and it's not so bad, once you get over crossing that boundary. ;-)
I'll be here when you return.

Deb Geyer said...

Catch you later!! Have fun!!

Melody Johnson said...

Darlink,
Have a super happy birthday, youngster, and remember I am older than YOU.
I already miss you.

Rian said...

Well, if you must...go ahead then.

Have a happy birthday!! I'm right behind ya!

Terry Grant said...

Oh those big birthdays! For me it's not so much the age as it is the knowledge of how increasingly invisible women become as they get older. Frankly, I think we are much more interesting at this age than when we were young and gorgeous! You are in good company, if that helps.

Have a wonderful stress-free vacation and write about it when you get home.

Happy birthday! Really!

Gerrie said...

Well, you know I am waaaay older than you. You are the age of my baby sister. You can now join my Tough Old Broads group. We do not wear purple unless it is comfortable. We do NOT wear red hats, but we do wear red shoes, again they ust be comfortable. Lime green is always good. We tell it like it is and often have to apologize. So be it. Hippo birdy, my love. Have a great trip to the south and please don't melt!!

Needleroozer said...

Happy Birthday Dee!
Have a wonderful vacation, take lots of pics to share with us upon your return.
Hugs,
LB

Cindra said...

Happy Birthday my wise friend. We, none of us, are as old as our years declare. It is in the mind and heart an d yours are young.

So, you, too are in the south. I arrived yesterday for a brief visit and am happy to say that many old wounds have disappeared and life is wonderful here.

Can't wait to see what your creative urges will cook up next. Please share!

Have a wonderful birthday and trip.

Janet said...

Thanks for the book suggestion. Sounds like something I would enjoy so it's going on my list.

As for the birthday, I think I'm way older than you so settle in and enjoy the ride! I hope you have a great vacation and it isn't too hot for you. We're already into the 90's out here and I'm not looking forward to anything hotter.

Miss you!!!

Finn said...

Popping in to say "hi", and since I'm here I'm going to thank you for the recommendation and say "have a fun trip"!!!! I'll look east for you soon. Hugs, Finn