Besides being a Pulitzer Prize winning author, Eudora Welty was a friend and neighbor of my grandmother and her sister. In a small town like Jackson, Mississippi, familiarity of such sort could barely be helped. It's not often that I get back to Mississippi. When I do, the time is filled with eating and visiting, as all Mississippians are wont to do. This go around, though, I had an agenda. And on that agenda was a tour of Eudora Welty's home. (It just so happens that my parents live spittin' distance from her house.) The docents wouldn't let us take photos inside the house, which is almost perfectly restored, even down to the books scattered on sofas and tables all over the house, not unlike Choctaw Books! (Must be a Mississippi thing.) This is me, rocking on her side porch, getting lost in the dreams that seam to float through the air in Mississippi.
What is it about that state? Maybe creativity is fostered because the whole state revolves around relationships. Is that possible? Mississippians could care less what you know, it's all about who you know. Who is your mama? What's your mother's maiden name? And, oh, John is your cousin? How about that! My neighbor's son is your son's roommate at Ole Miss? You know Lou Ann? In Mississippi, it's always a small world.
Aw, it's so sad, the Byzantine Chapel at the Menil Collection closed its doors last weekend, to send the redeemed frescoes it so beautifully housed back to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus.
Reese and I happened upon the final divine liturgy last weekend, and gloriously shared in communion celebrated by, and this is a big title, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. It was a particularly moving experience -- more than once it brought tears to my eyes. Because someone else said this much more eloquently than I....
"At the heart of the Menil Foundation's dedication to the Lysi frescoes is the idea of stewardship: the responsible management of something entrusted to one's care for a period of time."Brilliantly said. So much to take from that. Reminds me of the little amount of time we had to guide our daughters before they left home. Also, can't help but think of personal stewardship toward gifts and talents to which God has entrusted me.
There was absolutely no reason to paint this side cabinet other than I was ready for a change.
Also, I've been working on a commission all week. No photos, yet, since it's to be a surprise for someone. It's coming along nicely, though. Better get back to it.
2 comments:
Sarah,
On a visit to Jackson a few summers ago, I brought a writing/ teaching friend so we went to Eudora Welty's house. I remember interviewing her for an English project in high school. What a joy to see her home! I loved the stacks of books. I also loved her humble typewriter set next to the window so she could watch what was going on in the neighborhood. This was a highlight of our trip.
I have taken on the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge to write every day in March. Some days it's an easy task, some days, not so. But it has made me more appreciative of the blog world. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret
http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com
What a thrill it must have been for you to have interviewed Eudora! At the tour, I loved the little film they showed in the gift shop area. For whatever reason, my sister and I got the giggles right before the house tour, and instead of concentrating on what the docent was saying, I was concentrating on trying to be on my best behavior and not laugh out loud, which absorbed a large portion of my mental capacity. The part of the inside tour I remember most was being told to stay on the plastic runner and not touch anything. It was a huge relief to finally go outside and breathe the fresh air.
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