Leah – Page 15 – Leah Wise

Saunders-Monticello Trail

November 12, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged brisk, fall, jefferson, monticello, path, saunders-monticello trail, trail, walk3 Comments

A new friend invited me to join her and a pal for a mid-morning walk on the Saunders-Monticello Trail yesterday. The trail was developed by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in the late ’90s to provide a scenic route and recreational opportunities on the way to Monticello, Jefferson’s estate. The landscape showcases plant species native to Albemarle County and, with the late autumn sun shining through vast evergreens and fading orange leaves, looks like a luminous, fairytale land where sprites and elves cast spells and sing songs in the brush.

The three of us discussed some of my favorite topics – feminism, the church, politics, childhood – while walking briskly along the shaded trail. The weather was perfect. I had a wonderful time.

here and heaven

November 9, 2012November 9, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged beauty, bluegrass, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, folk, heaven and here, here and heaven, life, music, strings, Stuart Duncan, the goat rodeo, yo-yo maLeave a comment

A series of clicks on amazon brought me to an incredible, folksy album called The Goat Rodeo Sessions on which string greats Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile play 11 nuanced, melodically complex, introspective songs. Singer Aoife O’Donavan joins them on a couple of songs and Here and Heaven in particular hit me in that place where music becomes more than just organized frequencies – where life is explained, where beauty is at the forefront and, until the music stops, nothing else matters.

Jacob’s Ladder

November 8, 2012November 8, 2012Posted in interior designTagged art, diy, drawing, frame, hebrew, hebrew cursive, israeli artist, jacob's ladder, jewish, kaf yod shin, limited edition, made in israel, numbered, print, signed2 Comments

Daniel and I visited Circa, our favorite antiques store in town, on Saturday. I stumbled upon a really cool Jacob’s Ladder limited edition art print in the dollar room, where everything happened to be on sale for 50 cents. The rungs of the ladder and Jacob’s sleeping body are formed entirely in Hebrew cursive script. The artist signed his or her name as kaf yod shin (I think) and the print is 221/250 and embossed with a “Made in Israel” stamp. The print was custom framed in 1999. If it looks familiar to you at all, please let me know. I have been struggling to find the history of the artist and the print. Since I am not familiar with Hebrew cursive, it’s more difficult for me to decipher the markings than if it were in block lettering.

The print was originally framed in a gold metal sectional with brown and gold matting. There was no glass over it, so both the matting and print were scuffed and damaged. Upon further investigation, it appears that the matting was originally black and had faded significantly over time.

I had some scrap mat cut to size at my local frame shop, purchased some plexiglas, then repainted a thrifted 16×20 frame with semi-gloss black paint for a more contemporary look. I re-framed the print at home with my staple gun and framing kit, then hung it in my bedroom.

It’s annoying that I’m in these images thanks to plexiglas glare

The total cost of the project was about $10.00, including the print. If you can read Hebrew cursive or are familiar with the artist, please let me know (click on each image to see it larger).

I love discovering treasures for cheap.

Woodstock, VA

November 7, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged adventure, cemetery, fall, family, hangglider, landscape, lookout, parasailer, photography, shenandoah valley, virginia, woodstock, woodstock tower2 Comments

After we visited Luray Caverns, we drove further into the Shenandoah Valley. At one point, we stopped on the side of a winding mountain road to fill up jugs with spring water gurgling out of a pipe. We stopped at my father-in-law’s friend’s family’s campground to park our car, then carpooled over to Woodstock, his childhood home.

Woodstock is a tiny town with a nearly 360 degree view of mountains. We ate at one of the only privately owned restaurants in town, then traveled a short distance to the church Daniel’s grandfather pastored for several years. We explored the small cemetery in the back. I have always enjoyed the stillness of cemeteries. They put life in perspective and reveal the universality of living across centuries and places. Everyone dies. Everyone grieves.

The next part of our journey required our tour guide to drive up a narrow dirt road with corkscrew turns and no barriers to keep us from falling off the mountain. I was glad I didn’t have to navigate it myself. We saw hang gliders and parasailers at their takeoff site on our way up. We parked the car, then took a brief hike up to Woodstock Tower. A narrow steel structure, it used to serve as a fire tower, but was later opened to the public. It provides a panoramic view of Woodstock and its surrounding towns and landscapes. The cold air numbed our faces, but I didn’t mind.

There are few experiences that can transport me out of the daily – the anxieties, the anticipations, the expectations. Looking out from the Woodstock Tower stands out as a moment I’ll continually cling to for comfort. I felt peace and liberty there. I felt refreshed and acutely aware of my body, of myself. Shutting down my internal dialogue – muting the white noise – and experiencing silence within myself, I looked out, my skin reacted to the chill, I was happy, I was fully aware of that happiness, what it meant, and how long it’d been since I’d felt exactly that way.

I came back to Charlottesville with a brimming-over love for the place I live. I am proud to live here. I love this town and its majestic, natural surroundings.

Luray Caverns

November 5, 2012November 7, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged adventure, dream lake, earth sings, luray, luray caverns, rocks cry out, stalacpipe organ, virginia3 Comments

Yesterday, Daniel and I met up with his dad and a friend for an epic day of natural grandeur perusing.

Our first stop was Luray Caverns. Discovered in 1878, the caverns are both extensive and ornate. At one time, air from the caverns was pumped into a sanitorium for patients with respiratory conditions, keeping the house at a cool 70 degrees in the middle of the summer. It was one of the first air conditioned buildings in the country.

Although I enjoyed the dim, cavernous, immensity of the entire tour, my favorite stop was at Dream Lake. Standing water reflects the ceiling, making the relatively small and shallow “lake” look deep and mysterious. The more you look down into the lake, the deeper it seems.

Luray Caverns is peculiar in that it holds the world’s only Stalacpipe Organ, which also happens to be the largest instrument in the world. Leland W. Sprinkle created the instrument over the course of 36 years, connecting a sound system and rubber mallets to various stalactites. When a key is pressed, wiring sends a signal to a mallet, which taps gently on the side of a stalactite. The sound is amplified through a speaker system and funneled into the Cathedral, one of the largest underground rooms. I never in my life thought I would have the opportunity to literally hear the earth sing. (In my research for this post, however, I see that the earth actually produces a bird like song called the dawn chorus, which the human ear can pick up – how marvelous!)

It reminded me of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees:

“I tell you, if [my disciples] were silent, the stones would shout out” (Luke 19:40)

and of the Psalmist’s words:

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! (Psalm 148:7)

Luray Caverns was just the beginning of a beautiful day. Next stop, Woodstock, VA.

3 months in C-ville

November 1, 2012November 1, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged 2012, change, design, monthly summary, months, mouse, move, october, poetry, reading, recap, reflection, update2 Comments

October felt almost normal.

Daniel and I in our Halloween costumes

This month I (and sometimes Daniel):

enthusiastically attended my ballet classes
worked, one latte at a time, through growing crowds at the coffee shop
grieved (however briefly) over the loss of our mouse, Chantico, and bought a new mouse, Hecate.
suffered through an art film our friends insisted we watch
talked into the night on a front porch
attended the Black Voices Gospel Choir Fall concert, and loved it
ate at some good restaurants
went to my church’s women’s small group consistently
witnessed the Dalai Lama’s and Bruce Springsteen’s visits to downtown Charlottesville
met people from all over the world thanks to the universal need for caffeine
drank lots of spiced hot chocolate and cafes au lait
walked around a pleasant historic area downtown
got a library card
(somewhat) successfully fixed my car’s minor lock problem
finished decorating the living room and kitchen
thought a lot about feminism, sexism, and Christianity
appreciated the fall leaves
survived Hurricane Sandy/Frankenstorm
visited Washington DC for the first time
wrote two poems after a long hiatus from the craft (one, two)
attended a Halloween party
began watching Friday Night Lights
cemented local friendships
fretted over our finances
sold many items at Water Lily Thrift
enjoyed fall
got my first taste of what winter will be like
read 5+ books
dyed my hair dark brown

This month, for the first time since moving, felt normal. Many friendships are secure and openly mutual. We’re even invited to things on occasion! We spent less time exploring and more time inside, partially due to cooler weather. I grew more secure on a personal level and felt more satisfied in my free time activities (reading, writing poems, organizing, thrifting, etc.) I did feel a bit stir crazy and I’m currently brainstorming ways to fill my time. I can’t decide if I want to pursue a side job or if I should focus more on Water Lily Thrift. We’re walking a tightrope financially and spent a lot of time working out a budget and then trying to actually follow it.

I realized that what you leave behind can hit you hardest in the small ways. You want a friend to commiserate with on local events or weather annoyances. You hear of a new store opening and just wish you could helpfully tell someone about it or check it out with them. You enjoy the excitement of making new friends but miss the comfort of old friends. Your neighborhood is beautiful but you miss having a park within walking distance. You are tired of telling people what FSU stands for. You aren’t capable of giving people good directions within town. You begin to realize that the culture of your new location differs from your old home in just enough ways to make you feel like fish out of water (for instance, southern aristocratic culture is annoying).

All that being said, we really do like living here. People here are more like us in terms of background, beliefs, political leanings, and education than most citizens of Tallahassee and that’s made it easy to settle in.

See all monthly summary posts here.

water lily thrift: november picks

November 1, 2012Posted in Water Lily ThriftTagged apples, boots, boutique, cold weather, dress, etsy, fall, november, sale, shop, sweater, vintage, water lily thriftLeave a comment

I do a product update about every week at my online vintage shop, but I thought I’d feature some November appropriate items, new (to my store) and old. Click on the image to go to the listing.

Apple Pickin’ Corduroy Dress

Green Bell Sleeve Dress

Maroon Western Motif Blouse

Knit Sweater

Purple Cape

1970s Ribbed Sweater

1970s Heeled Loafers

1990s Zipper Boots

1980s Cream Lace up Boots

Slouchy Cowgirl Boots

frankenstorm

October 29, 2012October 29, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged blizzard, charlottesville, frankenstorm, hunkering down, hurricane, sandy, virginia1 Comment

Charlottesville is too far inland and too far south to get the worst of Frankenstorm, but we are currently under high wind and blizzard warnings (heavy snowfall is predicted only for altitudes above 2,000 feet, however, so we’ll likely be fine within city limits). Our neighbor’s parents, who live in the DC area, have been evacuated and are on their way here.

This is what it looks like outside right now.

I met about five Floridians in the span of 30 minutes at the coffee shop this morning. It’s my guess that they’re more willing to brave the storm than most natives. We’re not underestimating the effects of the storm in the Wise household, though. We’ve got canned goods and candles and a bucket full of water on hand in case of a power outage. Daniel’s currently making Rosemary Shortbread cookies, as well. Our pet mice are lucky to be snuggled in warm, grassy beds within their terrariums instead of out braving the cold, windy, wet weather.

Praying for those who will get the worst of the storm.

dorothy perkins

October 28, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged design, dorothy perkins, fashion, flapper, frankenstorm, halloween, polyvore, roadside prophet, style2 Comments

Dorothy Perkins is a UK based brand and women’s retailer. I suspect, unfortunately, that they’re a bit like the Forever 21 of England, but maybe their products are of higher quality. Their clothing appeals to my aesthetic to a greater degree than most American, mid-range designs do. That mixed print dress in the center would look great at a holiday party.

dpwish

Sorry to bring you another set and no meaningful content, but I woke up with a cold and spent most of the day sleeping or clicking mindlessly through internet content. Since Frankenstorm is headed our way within hours, the sun hasn’t shone all day; it turned out to be the perfect day to relax and recover.

We attended a “Vintage Cocktail” themed Halloween party last night and I dressed up as a flapper. I prided myself in the historical accuracy of the overall look; unfortunately, I only have a headshot of my get-up. I wore vintage costume jewelry, a thrifted drop-waist dress, and richly hued makeup to complete the look. Daniel, on the other hand, was a Roadside Prophet; he wore a board with boldly etched, condemning verses on it around his neck. I was a symbol of debauchery and he was the radical, moral response to it.

live/wear

October 26, 2012Posted in inspirationTagged backpack, bird, blue, boots, cardigan, green, livewear, mint, plaid, scarf, side tableLeave a comment

livewear

Today, a live/wear inspired by this wonderful side table setting and wall display. Mint green and pale blue anchor various textures, prints, and mediums to create a cohesive, visually exciting space. I love when a space, or an outfit, manages to be both interesting and relatively laid back. I tried to capture the feel and color scheme of the home design with lived-in basics, vintage details, and pattern mixing. I love those boots in particular. I would definitely wear this outfit.

My style has become more laid back and less prissy since moving here. I think it has to do with feeling more settled and less scrutinized. I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I did in Tallahassee. Maybe I needed a fresh start. Leaving the style blog world behind has done wonders for my confidence, as well. When you’re photographing your outfits daily, you feel pressured to always bring something new and interesting to the table. Now I don’t worry about wearing the same, beloved shoes 3 days in a row. Who cares? Wear what makes you feel good about yourself; wear what works for your lifestyle; wear what you can afford.

spiced chocolate cafe au lait

October 26, 2012Posted in DIYTagged at home, cafe au lait, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, espresso, fall, latte, nutmeg, recipe, spiced, spiced chocolate1 Comment

A simple way to (literally) spice up your morning coffee.

If I had a milk steamer, this whole process would be legit, but since I don’t have one (yet), I have to get creative to make foamy, steamy drinks at home. I also don’t own an espresso machine. Becoming a barista has shown me the error of my ways: I can’t call a blended coffee beverage a latte or mocha because those terms apply to espresso only. Therefore, today I bring you a simple recipe for Spiced Chocolate Cafe Au Lait (coffee and steamed milk) instead.

What you’ll need:

Ground medium or dark roast coffee
Ground Nutmeg
Ground Cinnamon
Chocolate Syrup
A blender or Magic Bullet
Milk
Whipped Cream or Marshmallows (optional – clearly, I didn’t add any)

Directions:

Brew enough coffee for one mug.
Pour desired amount of milk into microwave safe container and heat for 1 or 2 minutes until hot.
Blend coffee, heated milk, 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup, 2 shakes nutmeg, and 3 shakes cinnamon in a blender or Magic Bullet for 15 seconds or until desired amount of foam is created.
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy.

some days

October 24, 2012Posted in life in photosTagged charlottesville, confederate, fall, history, indian summer, library, monuments, springsteen, statues, sunset2 Comments

Some days are so lovely you’re nearly brought to tears with happiness.

Yesterday was perfect. I went downtown early to avoid possible parking annoyances due to the free Bruce Springsteen concert. I had planned to read on a bench somewhere along the Downtown Mall, but as I walked along its stretch I remembered that there was a whole expanse of unexplored historical territory about a block over: parks, buildings built in the early 1800s, the old courthouse, and several imposing statues. I rambled up the hill into the cobblestone square and found a little park with a Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statue and several inviting benches (isn’t it just so wonderful that we honor Confederate soldiers? hint: no).

Pardon me if the rest of my writing becomes incoherent. I’m trying to think past the hulkish rage-crying of the four year old in the apartment upstairs.

The weather warmed to a balmy 80 degrees by yesterday afternoon, but it was mild in the shade of fall-colored trees. I took a few pictures of the orange and red leaves to send to my loved ones in Florida. I began reading Half the Church on my kindle and when that became too overwhelming (it deals with incredibly weighty issues), I went over to the library to get a library card. I haven’t had one since high school, so it brought back all the joyful expectation the library held for me then.

The work day was satisfying – we got through the after-concert rush without any major hiccups. When I work the afternoon shift, I get to see the sun set on the way to my car. It’s always beautiful; I never get tired of looking up. As dusk settled in, the sky was streaked in turquoise and orange. So many days here are like this, I’m sure, but I hardly make the time to appreciate it.

Can you believe I get to see this every day?

“your life is hidden with Christ”

October 23, 2012October 23, 2012Posted in thoughtsTagged christianity, identity, introspection, original, poem, sapling, theology1 Comment

Wrapped in your own appendages

Fetally bowed:

Warm, blind, elastic

Gently burrowed

Swaddled,

Swallowed.

By the soft skin of

Your mother’s fluid

Arms

Under brown earth

Under dragging feet, under

The whimpers and

Shouts and snarls

Of Toil.

Your heart beats loud

With the hum of

Happy Solitude.

Awaking then to

Endless, White, Blankness

(here, finally, content)

Of the hiddeness of Christ.

october moodboard

October 21, 2012October 21, 2012Posted in inspirationTagged ballet, cardigans, fall, feminism, hot chocolate, madeline l'engle, moodboard, october, skinny jeans, skyline drive, vera bradley2 Comments

october

Before the month is over, I intend to enjoy:

Making use of my scarf collection
Comfy cardigans and flattering jeans worn out in the lovely, mildly cool weather
The printed tees I’ve added to my wardrobe lately
My gray, second-hand Minnetonka moccasins
Crossbody Vera Bradley bags, perfect for adventures
Old school Madeline L’Engle books and literature on Christian Feminism
My ballet classes; I wish I could go more than once a week
Hot chocolate and mochas
The colorful fall landscape along Skyline Drive