Do You Try Too Hard to Please?

Do you ever find yourself smiling at every passerby at work, school or even on the street?  I know that I have done this for quite some time, but recently I've started to wonder why.  I'm not saying that smiling at strangers is wrong: in fact it's a nice way to pass on good vibes and maybe even cheer up someone who's having a rough day.  What I'm curious about is the sincerity of the gesture.  

I've been noting that when I smile at a stranger, they typically don't return the acknowledgement.  What is most perplexing is how awful it makes me feel for a short while after.  I always ponder why that person didn't respond with even a nod.  Is there something  disconcerting about me?  Why can't I make this person I don't know smile back?  It's odd how insecure I feel for a moment after the exchange.  So I got to thinking about why I felt that way, and after some time I came to a conclusion: I've been trying too hard.

It may be that I feel this way because I grew up performing.  I was taught to smile unconditionally while on stage, and the lesson might have carried over into my every day life.  When you are performing, you are pleasing your audience.  Pleasing the audience in turn pleases you, and who doesn't like to feel happy?  So I smile to make others joyful, which in turn delights me.  What I did not think about each time I felt let down by a passerby was the fact that, well, they just may not be that comfortable smiling back.  That stranger you encountered on the way to work may have been preoccupied or even upset: the chances that your gesture is returned are the same as the chances that it is not.  It's important to remember that it is not your fault if they don't acknowledge you.

So I plan to keep smiling at strangers, and I will try my best not to expect one in return.  If it happens, then it will be a pleasant surprise:)  What are your thoughts?  Do you find you do the same thing?  If you are the opposite, do overly smiley people make you uncomfortable? 

(Photo from Merchant Circle.)

The Year of Shakespeare

Since 2008, Ohio State University and The Royal Shakespeare Company have had an educational partnership focused on artist residencies and teacher development programs.  Most notably,OSU has sponsored RSC's successful Stand Up for Shakespeare program here in Ohio.  This program brings Shakespeare into the classroom in a way that is accessible and fun for students.

This year, OSU has put together an exhibit called The Year of Shakespeare which runs now through April 29 in the Thompson Gallery Library.  On display are items from OSU's own Shakespeare collection as well as newly acquired artifacts from the OSU-RSC collaboration.  As a Shakespeare junky myself, I am looking forward to checking out the exhibit.

On a related note, Will and I saw the movie Anonymous today, about the real identity of Shakespeare.  A hot topic among scholars, there are many different sides to choose from in the identity debate.  Anonymous explores the idea that the Earl of Oxford was the man behind the pen.  Though a bit far fetched for my taste, it was a beautiful and well acted film.  I would recommend it mainly to see the scenes from Shakespeare's plays performed the way they were intended: bawdily and passionately.


Where do you stand?

Swedish Lanterns

I recently read a post written by Chelsea Fuss of {frolic!} about surviving winter, and since that is a topic near and dear to my heart this year, I wanted to share my favorite tip: lanterns!  Chelsea mentions the Swedish tradition of putting out lanterns as soon as the days turn dark.  Upon reading this, my mind was instantly flooded with images of my own home bathed in glowing light, Will and I snuggling by the fireplace (which we need to get swept out!).  Wouldn't these lanterns make everything cozier?
 

Made by Sheri

Benclif Designs

The lanterns remind me of reading the American Girl books about Kirsten when I was little.  She was a Swedish immigrant, and her family celebrated the Saint Lucia holiday.  Saint Lucia was portrayed by the youngest daughter in a family, and she dressed up in an evergreen crown with candles attached to it.  Though the ceremony takes place at the start of winter, it is meant to celebrate the return of the sun.  What a lovely tradition.

(Image from Linnea's Lights: hand poured soy candles.)

Banjo Love

I have a (not quite secret) love of banjos.  There, I said it!  Those close to me know how gleeful I get when I hear pickin'.  I even own this vintage Harmony tenor banjo...

...which I'm hoping to one day get restrung so I can learn how to play it.  There's something charming about banjo music.  It's the voice of a country at work and play.  It expresses joy and sorrow with the same level of honesty.  And have you ever heard someone amazing, like Earl Scruggs or Steve Martin, go to town on one?  Well here they both are together!

Aren't they incredible?  Makes ya want to dance.  What kind of music give you that blissful feeling? 

(Photo from Etsy store Dixie's Doll Emporium)

Winter Blues

I'm not normally someone who gets the winter blues: in fact, I really enjoy the crisp air and the snow.  This year, however, the days seem exceptionally grey with a decided lack of precipitation.  I was surprised to discover not long ago that Columbus is one of the cloudier cities in the U.S., and I'm starting to wonder if the knowledge has effected my outlook.

Being a gal who takes pleasure in a good puddle splash (and an artsy dose of melancholy), I've always liked the rain.  I revel in the feel of the tiny drops against my face and the sound of it dashing through the trees on its way to earth.  I like how the creek outside our apartment rushes faster and fuller during a storm.  I feel the same about snow: watching the little flakes flurry softly brings me a sense of calm.  Recently I've taken notice that the ever-present clouds don't have the same effect without its companion deluge.  They tend to make me feel too somber, and my wanderlust has moved from winter wonderlands to sunnier plains.  I must say, the mood is rather unpleasant!  

Do you ever get the winter blues?  Any good cures out there that work for you?  I'd love to hear.

(1. Favim  2. MyRentalPad  3. People's Postcode Lottery)

Wouldn't You Like To Go To...

...The Great Barrier Reef?

This is a trip I would love to make, even though the plane ticket alone is pricey.  To be able to swim with the sharks and see the coral would be a dream come true.  

Some of these clams can grow to over 120 years old!

Ah-mazing.

There are a lot of companies that have diving tours.  Here are a few...

1. Diving Cairns 

2. Dive the Reef 

3. Deep Sea Divers Den 

So much beauty and adventure in one place!
 

1. Love These Pics  2. Cairns Unlimited 3. BBC

Braids

Ok, so I may be in my late 2o's, but I'm a sucker for braids.  I wear them quite often, and having so many different styles out there makes it fun to play around.  Mostly I do fishtail...

...and milkmaid braids.

Do you wear braids?  What sort of ways do you wear them?

(1. Big Dreams, Small Pockets  2. US Magazine  3. weheartit.com  4. I am Chuck you are Pie) 

Grieving

Yesterday in the large-windowed break room at work, I noticed a fallen bird out on the ledge.  The lovely little thing had a wreath of dead pine needles surrounding it supplied from a nearby row of trees.  At first I wondered if it had happened by accident, but I think that was only because I was so surprised by the sight.  I had never encountered a bird memorial before, but I now believe that's exactly what it was.  

I started looking into birds and grieving, and have found that it's a very common thing not just for birds, but all across the animal kingdom.  I came across some very touching stories about birds and their loved ones.  Many are variations about a bird not leaving a mate's side after their death.  Others tell about bird funerals, like this story found in Britain's Daily Mail online.  

It's always sad to see an animal like that, but how wonderful to know the feathered dear was loved.

Winter Birds

Hearing some friendly crows cawing out my window today left me imagining what they may be saying to each other.  Here are some gorgeous crow photos (and a book!) for your perusal, complete with artist's links if you feel so inclined.

Carl Christensen

Gothicrow

Gothicrow again:)

Katja

Lisa Fleming and Anne Marie Dominik-Harris

This is a children's book based on the popular video about Cassie and Moses!  You can check out my post on the video here.  I can't wait to get a copy to share with the little ones in my life.

The Civil Wars

So my gift to my sister was the Civil Wars concert in good ole Kentucky:)  

Here she is in anticipation of finally finding out what we're doing... 

And here we are before the concert started...

If you haven't heard the band, they are an amazing Americana inspired folk duo.  Their music was a great inspiration to me while performing Voice of the Prairie this past November.  It was just the two of them on stage, and the only accompaniment was a guitar and a keyboard, played by them and them alone.  Their music is passionate and they are so very charming.  Here's my favorite song, "My Father's Father", for your enjoyment...

The opening group was a fantastic new-to-the-States trio of sisters called The Staves.  I love discovering new music!  Here's a sweet song of theirs called "Winter Trees"...

I hope you enjoy all of this lovely music.

Can You Keep a Secret?

Today I took a half day from work to take my sister to an...ahem...event in Louisville, KY.  Tomorrow I'll let you know how it goes!  

The Lovely Agnes Obel

Yesterday I posted about the fantastic Dolly Parton, an icon through the ages.  Today I want to share with you Agnes Obel, a new(er) singer/songwriter whom I adore.  Take a listen: I'd love to hear your thoughts!

I Will Always Love You

Dolly Parton's new movie, Joyful Noise, is out this week, and I must say that she looks as cheerful as ever:)  I find this woman so very talented, genuine and charming, and I wish her luck with her new flick!  Here's a look back at some lovely Dolly moments:

 

Steel Magnolia's is my favorite...what about you?

Romance of the Rails

I don't know about you, but to me there's something romantic about train travel.  Traveling trains are harder to come by here in Ohio, but out in Massachusetts, we used to ride them from the suburbs into Boston all the time.  It was always so peaceful to lean your head against the cool glass and watch the world crawl by your window.  Trains often make me think of the old West, and I feel a sense of adventure whenever I step onto one.  They are a sign of progress and the past all at once.

It's amazing how far we've come since then: check out this Japanese Bullet Train (known as a Shinkansen)!  This particular model boasts the world's fastest internet.

...feeling adventurous?

Tough yet Feminine

Maybe it's just because I have tattoos of my own, but I love the image of a tattooed bride.  My friend's wife Leah had her tat's showing at their wedding, and it was lovely to see her as her true self on her big day.  I like the unexpectedness of wearing girly things while showing off my own ink ;)

Tori and Leah

Here are some other beautiful tattooed brides I found...

Delightfully Engaged

Cup of Jo

Sweet Baby Danzig

Ruffled

If you have tattoos, would you (or did you) show them off at your wedding?

(This is just too sweet!)

Bottom photo courtesy of trendhunter.com.

Vintage Style: Bonnie Parker

Or rather Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker!  This is one of my favorite movies: I love the whole look and feel of it, especially Faye's costumes.  They are so chic and effortless, and look surprisingly easy to escape in, ha ha.  (The gunslinger attitude helps, of course.)

So in the vein of Lucky Magazine's "Get the Look" series, I scoured Etsy for some finds that would make Faye- and Bonnie- proud.  

 

The gun is actually a belt buckle!  Hilarious.  And awesome. 

Wouldn't You Like To Go To...

...Fairbanks, Alaska?

As winter truly sets in, I've been thinking more and more about ice and polar bears, and escaping to see the Northern Lights.  Now is the perfect time to catch them in Alaska, as they are at their strongest between December and March.  

The red aurora is said to be the most rare, caused by high altitude oxygen mixed in with the colliding gas particles.

The Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour outside of Fairbanks, looks like a fantastic place to stay.  I love the idea of the hot springs in the morning before setting about your day.  You can even elect to get an Aurora Borealis wake up call, since they are best seen past midnight.

I love that this map shows the way to the North Pole!

Scientists are predicting 2013 to be the height of Aurora activity in this particular lights cycle.  Wouldn't it be amazing to see? 

Cold Winter's Night

Yesterday we had our first real snow here in Central Ohio!  I personally adore a winter flurry; don't you?  One of the best things to do is to cuddle up with the one(s) you love, be they friends, family or both.

We moved to an apartment next to the lovely Alum Creek this past August.  I have enjoyed discovering the river and its inhabitants and capturing our little piece of nature through the changing seasons. 

 

Stella enjoyed watching the flakes from her window seat.

I made pork stew to warm up, and had trouble keeping Napoleon away from the ingredients:)

How do you spend your chilly winter days?