Recognize Beauty

Maybe you've already heard this story from the Washington Post before (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html if you're having trouble with the link.) It's the story of a social experiment involving a world-class violinist and a subway station - and it's a fascinating commentary on our society.

How often are we too busy to notice great talent or beauty or excellence because it comes in an ordinary package? Do we see beauty in our friends? Our parents? Our spouses or siblings or children? I think sometimes we forget that extraordinary things often happen in ordinary places. We don't have to be in a museum or a concert hall to experience talent. We don't have to visit the wonders of the world to experience the beauty of nature. No one has to designate something as beautiful or valuable for us to recognize it as such.

We have a winner!

The votes are in and we have a winner!

Congratulations to Summer Myers! Summer gets to choose between two posters made by annilygreen*. Email us with your choice and contact information and we'll make sure you get your prize.

Thank you again (so so much) to everyone who sent in an essay. They were all beautiful in their own perfect way and we've enjoyed hearing from you.




*Don't forget, both of these posters are available in Annie's Etsy shop for purchase. You can buy one to hang on your very own wall! I certainly intend to do so.

90 Years

This is later in the day than we usually post, but it was only a few minutes ago that I learned we needed to have a post. We need to have a post, my lovely friends, because today is the 90th anniversary of the adoption of the amendment that gave women the right to vote. 

The fight for suffrage in the United States began all the way back in 1848. For sixty years, amazing women attended conventions, picketed the White House, marched in protests and demonstrations, and went to jail in the pursuit of equal political rights.


On August 26, 1920, the amendment was finally made official. It's impossible to do justice to all the women who deserve recognition, but today I hope we can remember their sacrifices and honor them all. 

Let the Voting Begin!

First of all, thanks to everyone who sent us an essay. They were all wonderful and lovely to read.

Second of all, we have a top three for you Lovely Readers to vote on! Go democracy!

So, in no particular order, our top three essays:

Rachel Slough: Rachel Learns to Kill Vampires

Summer Myers: It's Still Okay

Julie W.: Comfortable

Check out the poll on the right side bar and vote for your favorite of the three. Voting will close in one week, August 31st. Happy voting!

Lesson Learned, Agata

Essay #11 by Agata Mancini. This is our last essay before the voting begins, so start reviewing your favorites! 


It was January 2006 and my boyfriend of four years and I had traveled to Australia for six months with a couple of friends. We wanted to work, travel, experience the country - just have an amazing time.


About two weeks into our trip, my boyfriend's father was diagnosed with cancer. Stage four. We couldn't believe it and, I guess because we weren't exposed firsthand to what was happening, were perpetually hopeful that he was strong enough and that "everything's going to be fine." We spoke to him on the phone, shared our positive insights and did our best to cheer him up.


In the beginning of May, my boyfriend decided to go back. His mom had asked him to come home; his dad wasn't doing well.


I couldn't leave. I mean, my little sister had purchased a ticket for Australia and was going to be there in just a few weeks.


I couldn't leave. I knew I needed to support him, but I couldn't leave my family either... My sister was young and my mom was terrified of her being in the country on her own.


I couldn't leave. And what about the rent? We were renting with two friends and I couldn't just leave them hanging like that. They wouldn't be able to afford rent.


So he left May 9 and I stayed.


It was hard.


We broke up a month or so later because he simply couldn't really handle everything that was happening. He needed more support than I could give him over the phone. His father passed away on July 14. On July 16, my birthday, I was on a plane headed for Canada, desperate to make it to the funeral on the 17th.


I made it.


But he didn't want me there.


It was hard to accept. I had been there for the family for four years... but I wasn't there for them when they needed it most - I couldn't just show up when it was all over and offer support. I had let the entire family down, not just him. Worst of all, I never said goodbye to his dad and the last memory he would have had of me was that I had forsaken his son and his family. It was awful.


I still hurts now.
It still brings tears to my eyes to write this
Even though we got back together
Even though he forgave me
Even though we are now married and in love and happy.


In the end, the rent wasn't important. I could have kept paying my share even though I was gone. My sister would have been okay on her own - my friends would have made sure of that. I made the decision I did, because I was worried about disappointing other people. I was thinking with my head, about the logical thing to do, about everything that needed to be taken care of by me. I should have thought with my heart. If I had, I would have been on that plane with him.