tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post27393556818694029..comments2023-10-14T18:34:30.879+02:00Comments on Lost in Arles: Windows to the soulHeather Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-68330961727691675842014-03-17T05:39:23.576+01:002014-03-17T05:39:23.576+01:00Love this post, Heather! As an actor myself I know...Love this post, Heather! As an actor myself I know exactly what you mean. I remember when I first started performing on stage I had this quiet, timid little voice but I tell you what, I worked so hard on it with vocal coaches and the like to find my booming voice I now have that can carry across a huge outdoor audience! It's much deeper now too & has given me so much more confidence. <br /><br />I truly believe you are correct, you don't choose the life of an actor, it chooses you :-)<br /><br />Clare xSoulful Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191037713466087670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-1603568409172491052014-03-01T12:04:21.769+01:002014-03-01T12:04:21.769+01:00And what an amazing, unique voice you have. I will...And what an amazing, unique voice you have. I will buy anything that you publish!!! Keep going!!!!Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-42325579934132382302014-03-01T12:03:17.017+01:002014-03-01T12:03:17.017+01:00David, I forgot to respond to this but two things:...David, I forgot to respond to this but two things: your friend was there before my time but he did sit in on a few of Earle Gister's classes during my first year as an observer. And I have stopped ordering things from Amazon as we are having a true crisis with our mail delivery. But I have put her works on my wish list for after the move...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-49448030132730437022014-03-01T12:00:20.648+01:002014-03-01T12:00:20.648+01:00Oh good. Rain is good! But yes, it is relatively c...Oh good. Rain is good! But yes, it is relatively chilly for us but I will never complain as my family is in Michigan (as you know) and...brrrrr....Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-83060992644563393252014-03-01T11:59:05.755+01:002014-03-01T11:59:05.755+01:00Hello Mrs. Mendiola and thank you so much for your...Hello Mrs. Mendiola and thank you so much for your very heartfelt response. These are trying times for so many of us and what a challenge it must be for you to not be able to find work. But I do agree with you that it could also be your opportunity! Wishing you all the Best as you embark on your country living,<br />HeatherHeather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-26287596245951872432014-03-01T11:55:02.292+01:002014-03-01T11:55:02.292+01:00Great post - I couldn't agree more, it is so h...Great post - I couldn't agree more, it is so hard to find your voice and keep it once you start on the creative journey. I'm working on that daily. As always, beautiful photos!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-15280661138406986162014-02-28T01:56:05.625+01:002014-02-28T01:56:05.625+01:00Hello Heather,
I listened to the artists Carmen He...Hello Heather,<br />I listened to the artists Carmen Herrera, Ann Madden,Yayoi Kusama, Toni Morrison and Yoko Ono.I was impressed by their voices, diversity, and approach to their art. Your voice and deep thoughts, certainly change “with time and the confidence that comes with age into somewhere in-between.” It’s wonderful to realize and observe that you are listening more to the inner one.<br /><br />We had more rain.<br /><br />Keep warm.<br />EdgarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-92134229296961010422014-02-27T18:17:11.495+01:002014-02-27T18:17:11.495+01:00Oh, you have to read "Light in the Piazza&quo...Oh, you have to read "Light in the Piazza", Heather. It's wonderful. As I recall, the American family is from Winston-Salem (about 1.5 hours west of here). I was once at a dinner party at which someone asked what it was "about".....and someone (not me, for once) appallingly replied "Oh, a retarded girl with a rich, bossy mother falls in love with an Italian boy who barely speaks English?".<br /><br />Everyone fell more than sorta-silent. Someone else at the table (a longtime friend of mine....a former member of the Yale Drama Faculty whom you might have known during your days there) said "Oh, yeah.....and 'Macbeth' is ABOUT the dangers of letting your wife boss you around too much. What a DUMB-ass comment".<br /><br />My longtime friend doesn't pull punches with fools.<br /><br />Do read "Light in the Piazza". It's really lovely and subtle.<br /><br />----david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-50992615132035076942014-02-27T18:06:20.284+01:002014-02-27T18:06:20.284+01:00Well, Vicki....just email me privately at: dter...Well, Vicki....just email me privately at: dterrydraw@aol.com<br /><br />I'll give you Elizabeth's actual address (I just telephoned her to ask if that's okay), and you can send a fan-letter to her. No one at any age minds getting more of those lovely things.<br /><br />By the way?....this little town is CHOCK-A-BLOCK with "Southern" writers.......Allan Gurganus, Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, Frances Mayes......the list goes on and on before you even start digging into Chapel Hill (which is only twelve miles away).<br /><br />Someone who knew of the town's reputation, but had only recently (as in, ten minutes previously?) met me, recently asked "OH!!! So, are you a writer, too?". I told her "Ummmm...no, I just type a lot".<br /><br />That seemed, to me, a sufficiently honest reply.<br /><br />-----david terry<br />www.davidterryart,comdavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-72984874659616096342014-02-27T17:06:36.549+01:002014-02-27T17:06:36.549+01:00I consumed, chewed up, dived in, immersed myself i...I consumed, chewed up, dived in, immersed myself in her books when I was young, and now guess what's next on my list? Thanks for the tip on "Starting Over". You will be dining with legends, timbale and all. Cheers and mighty fine artwork sir — you have a site, too ;-)<br /><br />vickielester.comVickie Lesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04236080510636929155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-20419813351180339712014-02-27T16:06:14.549+01:002014-02-27T16:06:14.549+01:00I have heard your voice and it is very, very lovel...I have heard your voice and it is very, very lovely!Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-85061252223332916142014-02-27T16:05:27.351+01:002014-02-27T16:05:27.351+01:00Oh now, I came so close to putting a little asteri...Oh now, I came so close to putting a little asterisk on that "quote" because I wasn't one hundred percent sure and a search on the net gave me conflicting results ....so thank you, Uncle David. If I can figure out to reword it without not being overly verbose (already not my strong point), I will. <br /><br />You know the most amazing people. But then again, they are fortunate to have your acquaintance as well. I have always meant to read "Light in the Piazza" and will now. Thank you times two.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-34133515918785494922014-02-27T16:01:39.008+01:002014-02-27T16:01:39.008+01:00Joan, I have to admit that my immediate reaction w...Joan, I have to admit that my immediate reaction was the same as David's. And oh, how sorry I am to hear that we have no come farther in our regards to ageism, certainly in the States. I do see here in France that those of "un certain age" are treated as the individuals that they are and not just folks to shuffle off to a retirement facility at the first possible moment. And even in visiting such facilities this past autumn, I was impressed by the importance of families being present and for the residents remaining as active as possible, including in the Alzheimer units. That too strikes me as quite different. Then there are the many countries - the majority! - that you and I have both seen on our travels where the elderly are treated with the utmost respect...I could go on as to why I think that the US is different but will not...<br /><br />It makes me very angry to think of such a wonderful woman as yourself (not to mention someone that committed their career to serve their country) as being treated in any way other than kindly. I think it also speaks of the general lack of consideration that many (thankfully not all) have for fellow mankind these days...<br /><br />Well, I certainly hold you in my highest esteem, Joan.<br />Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-34278343850771283802014-02-27T15:51:16.850+01:002014-02-27T15:51:16.850+01:00But you do!! Loree, you do. What is your writing? ...But you do!! Loree, you do. What is your writing? It is beautiful, that is what it is.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-61545438500440011162014-02-27T15:50:33.944+01:002014-02-27T15:50:33.944+01:00Isn't that true, Judith? But then, I had journ...Isn't that true, Judith? But then, I had journal writing. :) I loved these awesome women warriors too.<br />And so you noticed the live feed? I get the biggest kick out of that!Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-50653158189820039452014-02-27T15:49:22.843+01:002014-02-27T15:49:22.843+01:00Oooh, je pense que tu as beaucoup, beacoup du temp...Oooh, je pense que tu as beaucoup, beacoup du temps encore, Silke! ;) And yes, so much to do...I love the La Varda story--I can just see it...Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-74174164298852637402014-02-27T15:47:54.287+01:002014-02-27T15:47:54.287+01:00Ain't that the truth, Mr. L. All while trying ...Ain't that the truth, Mr. L. All while trying to keep that inner flame protected so it doesn't go out.Heather Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01316279029849503437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-10206704622668319042014-02-27T11:29:11.663+01:002014-02-27T11:29:11.663+01:00Yes, still. Thanks so much for understanding and ...Yes, still. Thanks so much for understanding and replying. Joan, ironically sometimes "honored" for work with Red Cross in Viet Nam, 66-67. And still alive! Madagascarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206920376051956832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-82767511000405203912014-02-27T10:10:42.001+01:002014-02-27T10:10:42.001+01:00The stories of your voice changes are fascinating....The stories of your voice changes are fascinating. My voice has changed every time I have moved country. It's very unreliable. Fabulous, inspirational women. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-38303140222987806782014-02-27T08:30:29.931+01:002014-02-27T08:30:29.931+01:00Yes, Elizabeth has a website.....a develpoment whi...Yes, Elizabeth has a website.....a develpoment which tickled her to no end a few years back. It was set up, with her permission of course, by (as I recall) two graduate students in literature at Chapel Hill. At the time, I and several others considered that The World could probably limp on just fine without two more masters theses on Flannery O'Connor, but it suddenly seemed a much nicer place when two gradstudents did such a nice, genuinely helpful thing for an old lady writer.<br /><br />----david terrydavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-80295735774327782302014-02-27T05:31:28.078+01:002014-02-27T05:31:28.078+01:00What wonderful company, and those women over 80......What wonderful company, and those women over 80... Elizabeth Spencer, THE Elizabeth Spencer has a website: http://www.elizabethspencerwriter.com/index.htm<br />Wow.<br />xox, VVickie Lesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04236080510636929155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-88918570010768337042014-02-27T00:49:02.187+01:002014-02-27T00:49:02.187+01:00Dear Heather:
I found your blog via Sara in La Pe...Dear Heather:<br /><br />I found your blog via Sara in La Petit Village and I really enjoy reading and finding that calming effect in your writings accompanied by your beautiful pictures. Right now I am 54 years old and laid off my last job in 2010. Since then, my husband has retired from his job, we made the decision to move from our big city life to a country one in July, and I am still asking what-am-I-going-to-do-now-that-I-am-grown-up? I feel these past fours years of being unemployed have been my "a-ha" moment to get on with that artistic career I've always wanted and to start it now, this minute (especially since most of the packing is now completed!) Thanks for the wonderful article (I printed it and have it on my inspiration board),encouragement and keep up with the great work you do. Sincerely, Mrs. Lamar MendiolaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15646200808308934870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-60757348200187185022014-02-26T23:30:58.185+01:002014-02-26T23:30:58.185+01:00Oh, Joan.....I hear you. Still?....your comment p...Oh, Joan.....I hear you. Still?....your comment prompted me to recall a scene from Bruce Chatwin's novel "On the Black Hill" that takes places around 1916 (the entire novel spans 1890-to-1970 or so). In that scene, the local, rural, Welsh authorities organize an enormous, outdoor GALA (!!!!)....the star fixture of which is the last surviving veteran of the Crimean War or some similarly gruesome conflict. They roll him out in his wheelchair. hang medals around his neck, and make speeches about him (he's unable to speak, himself) while several of the village's prettiest and most-sought-after girls drape garlands around his neck and wheelchair.<br /><br />Then?....the party starts in earnest, and everyone loses him/herself in the gay abandon of dancing and drinking and generally having a Very Good Time.....until a violent thunderstorm suddenly blows in. Everyone scrambles for cover in tents and outbuildings. Eventually, everyone just gives up and goes home.<br /><br />It's not until the next morning that a few people begin asking a few other people if anyone remembered to pick up "The Veteran" whom they'd been "honoring". Turns out that, in the melee over rain-ruined frocks and sodden buffet-tents, NObody had thought to retrieve him from the speakers' platform.<br /><br />He's found dead, still in his wheelchair and on the damned platform (and still covered with garlands and medals) that morning.<br /><br />It's one of the most grimly amusing scenarios in all of gossip-y Chatwin's writings. It's also based on a true (unfortunately) incident following the armistice.<br /><br />Thanks for your insightful and genuinely instructive comment.<br /><br />----david terry<br />www.davidterryart.comdavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-25848077312441688222014-02-26T23:19:15.008+01:002014-02-26T23:19:15.008+01:00Dear Heather,
First?.....you can rid your questin...Dear Heather,<br /><br />First?.....you can rid your questing mind of any lingering doubts as to whether Shakespeare wrote that "The eyes are the window to the/your soul".<br /><br />He didn't. Definitely, in fact, didn't. (trust me on this one; my M. Litt and second Masters degrees were in in 17th century literature).<br /><br />The earliest permutation of the epigram is in Cicero's "Tusculan Disputations"....although there are any number of 19th century, shoddily-identified references to the line's being written by Shakespeare. It's one of those lines which have been so chronically misquoted or mis-attributed that there's no hope, at this late date, of ever squashing it....anymore than there's any use, finally, in wearily informing folks (particularly Americans) that "quote" is a verb, not a noun.<br /><br />As for inspiring tales of Ye Olde Ladies?......<br /><br />My longtime friend (I've known her since 1989, when she was a skeptical customer and I was her cynical waiter at what we both recognized as an enterprisingly bad Italian restaurant), Elizabeth Spencer just turned 92. She became famous in the late 50's with the publication of her novella "Light in the Piazza" (which was later made into a very popular movie and, more recently, a successful Broadway musical). She's always been beloved and admired by her peers and critics, but everyone sort of assumed that "The Southern Woman" (published in 1992, I think) would be her last book (she was, after all, 82 at the time).<br /><br />Well, she called up her publisher this past Fall and chipperly announced that, surprise-of-surprises, she had a brand-spanky-new, freshly-minted collection of stories she hadn't really told anyone about. "Starting Over" came out recently (once again, to great acclaim.....google the glowing, reverential reviews in the New York Times, etcetera).<br /><br />She's coming here (driving herself from Chapel Hill, thank you) for lunch with ten other folks in two weeks. All of them are friends who can be relied upon NOT to pester her to sign books while she's trying to eat her timbale.<br /><br />As for old age?.....Elizabeth told me (in her very pronounced, even after decades of her living in Italy and/or Canada, Mississippi accent), a few months ago when I learned of the upcoming book, "OH.....I just stopped THINKING about how old I was when I turned 80. There's nuthin' to be done about it, and I have uh'thuh things to DO."<br /><br />As Frances Mayes (no writing-slouch, herself, and a neighbor....which is the only reason I know her personally) wrote to me yesterday: "Elizabeth is an inspiration to us all".<br /><br />Google "Elizabeth Spencer". She is, indeed, an inspiration (also, I should add, wickedly funny in that sotto-voce, ironic, "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" way old-fashioned and Very Intelligent Southern Women often have).<br /><br />Thanks for the lovely posting,<br /><br />David Terry<br />www.davidterryart.comdavid terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18009130338123162371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498719763759636773.post-84775319433438778112014-02-26T22:37:01.130+01:002014-02-26T22:37:01.130+01:00Not this group of sensitive souls, but on the eve ...Not this group of sensitive souls, but on the eve of turning 74, might I draw your attention to the huge number of people and institutions who honor the great women in their 70s, 90s and so but have so little thought for or patience with us in the flesh and blood. I returned yesterday from an event in our honor, that had a 1/2 hour registration process/period, then a one hour drinks reception where middle age and a few younger chatted among them selves, in a very noisy hall, generally leaving honorees to make it to bar, be heard, get own drink and stand around, knowing nobody. Only after an hour and a half on our feet were we brought to the head table to be seated, later to be honored, making conversation w whomever beside us at long table, if we could be heard in a room full of chattering conversations and happy hoots at round tables in the hall. See also impatience with us when we need to use the bannister at the theatre to deal with the stairs, asking middle aged to break their hanging out on the bannister chat group, getting a "why don't you just stay home" look. I'm getting tired of being honored and would just like to be visible and accepted. Please spread the word and be on the lookout for similar habits and help me break them. Thanks so very much. Madagascarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206920376051956832noreply@blogger.com