I had planned to write Four Things posts while traveling, but that didn’t happen. Our days were full and, when we did have downtime, I didn’t want to spend it pecking away at my computer. Instead, I wrote in my journal to record all my experiences, thoughts, and observations as close to the moment as possible. I wandered around the villa’s grounds where we stayed in Italy. I painted, sketched, and soaked it all in.
But now that I’m home, Four Things is back.
Here is what I’m reading, watching, loving, and working on…Cotswolds Memoir, Knife Edge, why we bother, and plowing through the mountain before me…
what I’m reading
I was scrambling before we left for our trip to get everything done, so I didn’t have to worry about things left undone while overseas. For that reason, I didn’t read up on the places we were visiting as I usually do. I had pulled out a few books I have on English style, gardens, and even homes in the Cotswolds, but I didn’t open any of them. I resisted the urge to bring books with me and instead downloaded a free book from Kindle Unlimited to read in the airport and on the plane—Cotswolds Memoir: Discovering a Beautiful Region of Britain on a Quest to Buy a 17th-Century Cottage.
I haven’t finished the book yet, but it was the perfect bit of light reading to prepare me for a visit to a part of the world I’ve never experienced. It had me laughing and looking forward to meeting people during our travels.
what I’m watching
As I’ve been recovering from jet lag and a very long travel day on Monday, I started watching Knife Edge on AppleTV+. The show follows restaurants chasing Michelin Stars, whether to keep one or more or to earn one. I’m only an episode in, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I love watching the food, the creativity, and the passion of the chefs, looking for affirmation in their field that would propel their careers.
what I’m loving
“They’ll tell you that the arts and humanities aren’t practical and then read poetry at funerals and weddings, cry over films, and search for meaning in ancient philosophy… Surviving is one type of practicality, knowing why we bother is another.”
– Joel Uili on the importance of art & humanities
I was the beneficiary of the arts and humanities during our entire trip, and it was overwhelming. I came home, filled to the brim by the creations of others, from the meal prepared minutes before I ate it to the paintings rendered centuries ago. We were all created with a desire to create and a longing for beauty. The arts are essential to us as creatives and also for us as consumers. I felt that acutely over the past couple of weeks.
what I’m working on
I have been unpacking and catching up since waking up early Tuesday morning. I was like a whirling dervish set loose on laundry, opening packages that arrived in my absence, tidying up, and getting myself reorganized. I petered out about 2:00 in the afternoon, mind you, but I made the most of the energy while I had it! I’m still catching up, but I’m getting there. The remainder of this week is about getting myself back into my work and life routines.
I also have over 2,000 photos that need to be developed, so I’ve been plowing my way through that mountain.
What are you reading, watching, loving, and working on?
6 Responses
As one of the many people who’d like to make more time for creativity, art, and beauty in my daily life but feel like I rarely manage it, I’m so inspired by the ways you share your own creative journeys on your blog. Sounds like you already have plenty of things to keep you busy, but I hope someday you‘ll think about writing a book of advice on bringing creativity into our daily lives. It seems like there’s a lot out there for actual artists, but not so much for those of us who just want to bring a little beauty into our world. You write about that in such an accessible way.
And on a different topic, earlier this week I impulse-booked a one-day Cotswalds small-group tour for while I‘m in London next month. Enjoying your writeups and beautiful photos, and I just added the Cotswalds memoir to my KindleUnlimited list for the trip!
I recently read Theo of Golden. I could not put it down! Filled with themes of generosity, kindness, friendship, diversity. . .
Welcome home… I bet the guys are glad you’re back. One thing you said surprised me…about developing the photos. You had said you were taking your “good” camera,and I saw that you had…do you still use film, rather than digital?
The quote above reminds me of Dead Poets Society (arguably one of the best movies ever) where Robin Williams states (I’m paraphrasing) “medicine, law..are all noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life but poetry, beauty, art, love…these are what we stay alive FOR.” I believe that to my very bones. Thanks for sharing details of your trip. I am sure you are bursting with inspiration!
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing it with us…including what you are up to now!
Glad you are back, safe and sound, and with plenty of good and beautiful things to share with us. Indeed, we need beauty just as much as love, to thrive in this world!