I know, I know, you would probably say, life is not simple. Maybe, just like those Facebook profiles that say, “it’s complicated”, it means a lot of things to different people.
You can be happy with a lot of things (that’s temporary) but it’s the simplicity of it which sometimes put a smile on your face. Yesterday was one such day that made me pause for a while and just savor the hours that passed. My son is on a two-day team-building trip somewhere in Cavite and the house was so quiet except for the occasional barking of our three rambunctious dogs. They think they own the garden and one of them doesn’t know what to do every time he sees some passersby close to the fence, he probably thinks they are a threat to the peace and quiet of the afternoon.
I love that corner of the garden where I could put my feet up and read or sip a hot cup of afternoon coffee giving half of the bread to our dogs. Every Sunday afternoon, there is this program in the AM band where they play old songs from the 60’s and 70’s but mostly from the 60’s. Yesterday, it was a two-hour feature of the Beatles. This group has been a part of my growing-up years and when my son was in grade school, we used to watch a test broadcast of Beatles songs and movies. Sometimes I am surprised to listen to some downloaded songs on his MP3 with several Beatles songs. I smile and he laughs and we would begin to reminisce about those days. The joys of a simple life.
I got myself engrossed reading a book with a different setting and a one-of-a-kind story. It’s my first encounter with the author Marilynne Robinson.
Lila is a fascinating tale of a homeless child, a “story of a girlhood lived on the fringes of society in fear, awe, and wonder.” A limited vocabulary but full of thoughts and wonders about life and existence, such is Lila. It’s a wonderful story of redemption, full of Biblical quotes that seem so essential in the story and in Lila’s quest on the meaning of grief and happiness. I understand this a trilogy, I haven’t read the first two books but this is a stand-alone story. By the way, it’s my 21st book on Goodread’s 2016 reading challenge.
“If you think about a human face, it can be something you don’t want to look at,so sad or so hard or so kind. It can be something you want to hide, because it pretty well shows where you’ve been and what you can expect. And anybody at all can see it, but you can’t. It just floats out there in front of you. It might as well be your soul, for all you can do to protect it.”
Yes, I have started collecting quotes again, copying them on my little notebook. Back when I was in college, I have filled up three journals just on quotes alone. The beauty of a simple life.
I have just started a new book, another new author in my list. Based on the summary it says,” Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is the story of Emily Shepard, a homeless teen living in an igloo made of ice and trash bags filled with frozen leaves.”
“A story of loss, adventure, and the search for friendship in the wake of catastrophe, Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands is one of Chris Bohjalian’s finest novels to date – breathtaking, wise, and utterly transporting.”
I wonder if this would deliver, I am just on the first few pages. Seventy nine more books to go, this one included. Such is the beauty of reading, you are sometimes transported in a world completely unknown to you.
Did a say, it is a simple life? But it is a life that is happy.
Close your eyes, hold hands sounds like a good book. I’m looking for a new author at the moment.
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I hope it is Miriam, it got some positive reviews too.
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simple life is the best!
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Yes, I agree 🙂
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ice to hear of your simple life, and the enjoyment of your dogs, your books, and the old songs. We cannot ask for much more, as we get older. Nice post, Arlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sorry, that should be ‘Nice to hear…’
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No problem 🙂
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Thank you Pete. You’re right, as we grow older, the more we appreciate the simple things. Maybe for some, it’s dull to just play with one’s dogs, garden and read but spending time with such activities are priceless joys to one’s soul.
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Ahh, now I really want to read Lila! The second book, too. Currently I’m reading a book called Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult. I love how every character in this book is carved carefully – sometimes I forget they are characters and I have no doubt that they are real human beings. And speaking of simple stuff, I love munching on Oreos while reading good books on my way back home in the bus from school.
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Thank you Barknoor. Ah Oreo, sinfully delicioso Jodi Picoult is a gifted writer too.
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Sitting in the garden reading with your dogs beside you…what a lovely image. As for me, I am sitting in the very early morning on the front porch. It’s cool and barely light. The birds and insects are the only sound. My coffee is hot and strong. Happy, simple morning. My day will soon change dramatically when my infant granddaughter wakes up! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Doing simple things that make us smile and be happy.
Thank you kindly for your lovely words.
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