the real voyage of discovery
consists not in seeking new landscapes
consists not in seeking new landscapes
but in having new eyes.
Proust Here is the first post of little augury written last December 31st. Much is the same with me, along with an afterward.
What moves us to reach out to others with our thoughts, opinions- our suppositions? For me- I have been continually inspired by one particular blog all year- An Aesthete's Lament. Thank you.
I also begin with an ending of sorts- a dear friend and sometimes mentor died on December 15th and I made a promise to keep just a bit of his wit and wisdom alive by sharing it whenever possible. Hopefully this Little Augury will do that and more. Surely it will evolve- follow along if you'd like to see just how.
a toast to S.Peele and you...
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne? ~rabbie burns (1759-96)
afterward-
I read several blogs in 2008 before I began my own- I never commented on a post before I started writing my own.
TOASTS to, Jason Clark, Pamela Terry & Edward, PVE, An Aesthete's Lament, House of Beauty and Culture,Rosie, Elizabeth Avedon,Lauren Hutton, Kelly Smith,Elizabeth Floyd, Architect Design-Stefan, Agnes, le style et la matiere, masion 21,balsam fir, rurritable, meg at pigtown designs, Home Before Dark, Paul Pincus, LBG, Jezebel, Mrs.Blandings, Topsy Turvy,Cote de Texas, The Peak of Chic, Emily Evans Erdmans, Debra, Janet of JCB, Maison Bleu, Jesma, StyleCourt, B.Cushwa, Pooka, Hels, mamacita, Vicki Archer, laura-what I like, Ulla of Model's Own,Sanity Fair,Penelope Bianchi, LIZZIE, Martha, Columnist, tartanscot, Hill Country House Girl, Denise of a Swelle Life, Clarity.
These Lovelies commented on posts the first 6 Months of 2009-& for that my gratitude.
I didn't do any Counting of Visitors on little augury until the end of OCTOBER- and my advice to anyone starting a blog is-Don't. Unless you have a wonderful Entre into that world, focus on what You want to say and Others may want to read-Not what you think other Bloggers want to read.
These Lovelies commented on posts the first 6 Months of 2009-& for that my gratitude.
I didn't do any Counting of Visitors on little augury until the end of OCTOBER- and my advice to anyone starting a blog is-Don't. Unless you have a wonderful Entre into that world, focus on what You want to say and Others may want to read-Not what you think other Bloggers want to read.
Do you have resolutions?
I do.
I will.
I want to focus more attention on design in my postings. I have a great series of posts planned - the Most Devastating Beauties of the Last Century. Look for these posts to begin in early January.
I asked Fabulous Augurs for their lists:An Aesthete's Lament,Emily Evans Eerdmans, Rose C'est La Vie, A Bloomsbury Life, Architect Design, Houseof Beauty and Culture, Paris Originals, Le Style et le Matiere, Elizabeth Avedon, Model's Own, InDecorous Taste, The Blushing Hostess Entertains, Lucindaville, and perhaps a few surprises. No?
(I ask them to submit up to 10 Names for compiled List of 10 Devastating Beauties. Ask 10 people and get 10 unique answers- YES! There is some small consensus- But mostly an INTRIGUING MIX. I hope you will stay in touch.
winter 1670.
.
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Can't believe it's just been a year. Can't wait to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary and many more to Little Augury!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and New Year! I've loved following and I'm assured you will continue to be one of my top favs!
ReplyDeleteIt has been fun to watch you grow and glow. I am so glad you have chosen to blog from your head and heart and haven't allowed the masses to mess with that sassy, smart, bold, but deeply kind self. Coming to Little Augury is like coming in the backdoor into the kitchen/library sitting yourself down, following the rhythm of the conversation that bounces around from person to person with charm, laughter, intelligence and often wickedly amazing insights. Glad I stopped by months ago! Best wishes to you in the year ahead.
ReplyDeleteLA~Kudos! Though I've not been the most faithful commenter over the past year (you know us rabbits have a hard time settling down), I have faithfully followed and always been inspired by your posts. Look forward to the newest series dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sorry I didn't discover you till the year was more than half over. Happy One Year, Little Augury.
ReplyDeleteYour original impulse to start blogging as a way to honor your friend's memory reminds me of the of calm, meditative conclusion of Thornton Wilder's 1920s novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey--a paperback copy of which I picked up at Goodwill one day when I was still in high school, merely because it had a cover illustration by Rockwell Kent. At the time, I didn't know anything about the book.
It tells the story of a priest in Colonial Peru who, through diligent research, tries--and pretty much, despite his efforts, fails--to discover some sort of meaning, some message in the apparently random deaths of five travelers in the sudden collapse of a historic bridge. For all of his troubles, Brother Juniper ends up burned at the stake for heresy, and it's left to a minor character to tie up the loose threads, as she attempts to comfort one of the victims' survivors:
But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.
Anyway, if that was partially the impulse for you to begin your blog, to share your late friend's words--and with his, your own--with other people, then it was a very good impulse, because by by your posts over the last year, we've all gained. Numbers don't matter, but quality does. I'm glad I found you.
Has it really only been a year? So many great posts, and conversations and links to new people and books... I've been inspired, moved and disturbed(lobster claws) in turn. It's never quite predictable, but always interesting reading here. Happy blog birthday Gaye, and a toast to your friends.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Your posts have always been exciting and interesting to read and I enjoy the new perspective gained from being a constant visitor.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you in the new year! Liz
Ohh... congrats! Today is my one year anniversary! Isn't it fun and fabulous? So many wonderful friends. Happy, Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteI've loved reading LA this year, and I owe thanks to Aesthete's Lament (which? whom? I also read avidly) for pointing me your way. Cannot WAIT for the posts on the beauties of the last century - should be tremendous. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to have discovered your blog...even though it was late in the year when I did. I VERY much look forward to what you have in store for 2010! This year I wish for better balance of work and pleasure / relaxation and achieving of goals. And of course I wish to keep improving my blog and my writing! Bonne Annee!!
ReplyDeleteOne day, after wandering thru my rose garden, round the Pagoda and Pool and then back to my library...I stumbled across your site. I was taken aback by the image posted, that of a young woman in Elizabethan mode, yet seemingly Beatonish. AN AESTHETES LAMENT was the stepping path to you.
ReplyDeleteEveryday, I check both blogs, for you really capture the essence of frivolous information of the Stylish and Beautiful of Yesteryear. So many times, you cross the bridge to a time lost to illuminate all.
Never forget your dear friend who led you down this path...he is alive when you write!
xoxo,
Regina Joi
This has been the best year! Your posts have been an inspiration on all levels and I look forward to so many more in 2010!
ReplyDeleteGaye, you always delight, intrigue and surprise - can't wait for more! EEE
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your toast! A year?! Congratulations to you.
ReplyDeleteok - since you didn't ask me I'll weigh in - for my age group, I would say Princess Diana. Something about her drove me to her pictures. I could never just turn away. I can think of many prettier, smarter, even nicer I suppose - but for my generation - she was my Jackie and Audrey rolled into one.
Best wishes for many more happy years blogging.
Joni
thanks everyone. good wishes for all of you in 2010!
ReplyDeleteJoni-oh, I have other plans for you!Now as to Diana-I had a similar fascination with her-she was married when I was in college, for several years after I would get photo books of her for Christmas-still hang on to them. Her transformation and short life will captivate future generations I do think,perhaps it is yet to be time for that sort of style worship-but You are right her beauty did have devastating consequences for her own life.She definitely fits the profile.Gaye
Magnaverde-I have this very book! I am going to do a second reading, I must. This quote is perfect. G
ReplyDeleteRJ and DMC-I owe a year's worth of thanks to the Aesthete. He makes every diligent blogger better- no matter what they want to talk about. I am honoured with the beaten path from the Aesthete's to my door. G
HBD and EA,2nd toasts to you both for continued support and friendship. GT
ReplyDeleteDearest LA,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be happier that you moved into the neighborhood this last year; you have made us all the better for it.
Congratulations on this most pivotal of achievements.
On a more personal note, I owe you an apology for failing to contribute to your upcoming posts following the trust you placed in me by asking. Forgive me my deplorable manners, but in an age of brevity (tweeting), I am embarrassingly prolix and technologically challenged. Should you extend the courtesy again, I shall demonstrate pluck and resolve.
I savor the thought of many memorable reads to come.
Congratulations on your one year anniversary, and happy new year. You've been a very welcome addition to our blogosphere, making a huge inspiration by interconnecting and cross referencing with others. Well done, you!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful new year. Edward and I thank you for the sweet toast! And we both look forward to your insight and creativity in your postings of 2010! All the best to you!
ReplyDeleteI missed you while I was away up North. Love Love la! And Happy Number 1!
ReplyDelete:)
The most important thing is to just keep saying what you say best. So many people ask me for advice in starting a blog, and I always say, BE YOURSELF. If Little A is anything, she is HERSELF. Here's to her! Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteAnd a toast to you! Congratulations on your first year, and what foresight you had in putting those nasty numbers called stats out of your mind to focus on the words.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading about this intriguing mix of devastating beauties. An FYI - when I read your announcement the first woman to pop in my head was Sophie Dahl. Maybe this was prompted by the reference to Isabella Blow in your sidebar, but she'd be on my list not just for those huge eyes and angelic face but for her dreamy and fearless way with words. Even her cookbook is a delight!
Denise-she is a devastating beauty. Young but definitely out there in the 1990's Please come back to the list coming next week that is a compilation of the name submitted by the Panel I assembled. I am going to try to add the names from ALL the comments and then announce a LIST OF 10. Gaye
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