Two of my most admired holiday gifts may be regarded as symbols for the contradictory life I am leading.
I aim to simplify, slow things down, and un-clutter my existence. I sort through cupboards, clean out closets, trying to rid us of plastic junk and poorly made things. Mark and Sally Bailey's book The Hand Made Home, is a refreshing inspiration for pared down living. Pages of pages of beautiful images, ideas, and inspirational places. Here, you will not find television sets, computers, or advanced machinery. Everything is tactile and plain, patinated and charming. This is how I want my surroundings to be.
Enter my new iphone. Yes, the one who patiently answers your questions about weather conditions, and nearby grocery stores. I confess, I love this little device. It makes me feel contained and safe, in a different way. It holds the people I cherish, my endless to-do lists, my favorite music, and impromptu photos. It relays emails and messages, and keeps me connected, even when I am all alone. And she does talk.
I hope your holidays where wonderful. May 2012 bring joy, health, and peace. I wish your dreams come true, whatever they are. Happy new year!
Happy new year to you too! Your post did make me smile - I got a Kindle for Christmas, and am having a wonderful time reading free, out-of-print books on it. It's a bit funny, reading such old books (lectures on the Arts and Crafts movement!) on such a modern device.
ReplyDeletei think you can have the best of both worlds. wishing you a very happy new year!
ReplyDeletei can relate ..to both! Here's to a healthy safe new year !
ReplyDeleteIphones are wonderful, and maybe it will help you simplify by having everything in one little hand-held beautiful object. Happy New Year to you! xxjxx
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good balance going. Best wishes for a creative and simple 2012! - sus
ReplyDeleteHappy and healthy new year to you! Hopefully our paths will cross again this year.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs
These hi-tech things make parts of life easier but they can never replace the beauty and tactile nature of the other. There is definitely a place for both x
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you too.
ReplyDeleteI think I need a bit of warm, simple and nice living and a bit of communication with the world.
Dreams...just easy living this year!
It's a bit tricky, this balancing between a simple, down to earth living and in 'flying-around-the world-in-two-minutes'sort of life. But we're there, so we just have to learn to balance. But it is kind of fun, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you too!