Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Of Rain and Idleness


Will it rain today, or will it (sigh) snow? There is no way of knowing, and so we wait by the window with trappings for both types of weatherly doings: parkas and snow boots, raincoats, umbrellas and wellies. The thermometer is hovering around the freezing point this morning, and the foretold precipitation could go either way.
  
The latest issue of Lapham's Quarterly contains an essay on the art of idleness by Sven Birkerts, and it's a treasure to assimilated slowly, be there rain or snow in the offing. Titled "The Mother of Possibility", the article can be read here and many thanks to Terri Windling at Myth and Moor for mentioning the online edition .

I occasionally have an opportunity to leaf through a paper of LQ when I discover one in a magazine shop, but much of the time, I forget about it. LQ's founder and editor, Lewis Lapham, thinks that we cannot come to know ourselves without first knowing our stories and our history, that we need the seasoned aromatic lumber of our collective past in order to build the future. His quarterly publication is dedicated to reclaiming the treasure trove of our forgotten history, one theme at a time.

The Spring 2011 issue is one I shall be carrying around until it falls apart. Perhaps I should purchase a few more copies?

5 comments:

the wild magnolia said...

The heat and humidity are returning here in south Florida. We are blessed yesterday with rain and hopefully again this afternoon, and the rest of the weekdays. This is very good news. A saying here in Florida is, "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes and it will change."

I checked out LQ and very interesting article. I will go back and read it in installments. Idleness a place we visit in mini moments once we are adults. Thanks for the heads up.

Intriguing photo! I love a mystery!

Wishing you a most wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

I love that photo, Cate. Wonderful colour, that umbrella.

kerrdelune said...

Magnolia and Lilian, on such a gray day, we need all the color we can get. My favorite umbrella is red, and it always cheers me up!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

I think I need a red umbrella. You gave me an idea...

Cindy said...

It rained AND snowed here today as I took my four mile walk. I bundled up against the cold and thought of Spring and gardening and....more rain showers. They're necessary.