Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Choice


(I took this photo on Portobello Road last summer; talk about joy!)


"We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy,
even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry."
~E.B. White



27 comments:

  1. How true this quote! Hope you are doing something today that brings you joy. We went to our favorite art cinema this noon, and saw the stunning Penelope Cruz in Broken Embraces. Loved it. Have you seen it?

    Marjorie

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this quote - it is wonderful and so true!

    Today I had a really nice day visiting with elder friends at the assisted living home - I hadn't been there in 3 weeks due to the holiday, so it was especially wonderful. They are my breath of fresh air!

    Sending warm hugs to you my wonderful friend! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great photo and very true quote. We should definately try to use our time on things that gives us joy in the long run. (I actually wrote about this in my last post, concerning blogging).

    I hope your day is filled with joy.
    Warm hugs from Norway - where it is very cold for the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely.
    How are you doing?
    I hope better.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think there's a measured truth in that, though it's also our duty to strive and change, in a way that's compatible with bringing us joy. I do love your photography; laundry through the gate is twice as interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. i think this is absolute truth in that statement.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for your comments, everyone!
    Marjorie: I haven't seen it yet, but now I certainly will!
    Cathi: It sounds like you had just the kind of day White is talking about in this quote.
    Pamela: I agree.
    Mia: I'm heading over to read your post right now.
    Country Girl: I'm doing okay, and I really appreciate you asking.
    Mise: I like what you've added to White's idea, especially since I was just having a conversation with my brother about this very thing. I think a great deal of joy can be found in this process of striving that you describe--pain, too, but that's important as well.
    Char: hugs to you.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely!! I hope to visit London in June with my teenage son (if he'll be seen with me.) I'm looking into a hotel very near Portobello Road.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love all of this! The photo and the story behind it. The quote and the fact that it makes it OK for me to enjoy just hanging out in my house with soup on the stove and laundry in my lap.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh Gigi,
    I love that photograph. When we were in Italy last year, I took SO many photographs of laundry (and other things) through some of their magnificent gates.
    We should definitely do what the quote says although, I'm afraid that we have to do many things in our lifetime that do NOT give us joy. A fact of life, I'm afraid. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Isn't it a shame that we have to be reminded of this simple fact. Love your gorgeous photo - it says so much! Leigh

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the photo and the words. Sometimes I think you have to coast a bit in between bouts of joy!

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  13. gigi
    i love hanging laundry, and i love how it looks. even better thru wrought iron !
    ~laura

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Gigi,

    Thank you so mmuch for you sweet comment on my blog. About your blog, I just love it the way it is and think it is great that it evolves with you. Do not feel guilty about not commenting enough on other blogs. Like a real friend, Blogfriend should also understand that we do not always have the energy or time to do it. And like a proper friend we will wait until you are ready. As this is said - I always love to hear from you and to read your posts.

    I hope this week turns out better than last week for you.

    Warm hugs form a cold land.

    ReplyDelete
  15. what a gorgeous gorgeous photograph!!
    i finally have my 10 up. thank you for inviting me.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Clean laundry=happy heart

    i tell ya

    ;)

    Love the new banner, and of course, you! xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a beautiful blog. I came for a visit from Soul Aperature. Oh JOY, my word for this year, the photo of the laundry brings me great JOY. And thanks for the quote too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Both of which, by the way, bring me joy. Of course, I generally pick my grapes out of a supermarket bin. But still...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, yes... I find these words, and your photo too, Gigi, both very uplifting. I was doing laundry and ironing today...bliss! :o) Happy Week, my friend ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have taken a bit of a break from blogging, but have come back SO missing visiting you. I must catch up and see what is new in your parts of the world....

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a wonderful sentiment to keep within ones heart!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Some wise people would go so far as to say that if we are fully concentrating on what we are doing - all things bring joy! I'm still trying with peeling carrots and cold running water but haven't reached enlightenment yet! Haven't lost hope though - BRILLIANT photo! xx

    ReplyDelete
  23. EB White was a wise man...and this is a wonderful illustration...Love the sentiment and hope all is well...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Good evening dearest Gigi,
    I've been thinking of you non-stop, and I hope this photo truly has given you some happiness! My goodness, look at your new header - stunning!
    Wishing you many smiles today....
    Bises,
    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  25. You really do have a great blog here. I have a blog myself which brings inspiration and guidance to people all around the world. Life is hard enough, and I hope my site can contribute anything positive to someone's day.

    I'd like to exchange links with you to help spread some traffic around between each other. Please let me know if this is possible. Until then, keep up the good work.

    Jason
    TheWISDOMWALL.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. sweetest gigi, it's been so quiet in your world over here, and i thought about you as i was working on some sketches tonight and wanted to say HEY, YOU'RE AN INSPIRATION TO ME. thought you'd appreciate it. you are, indeed, a killer poetess, a truly gifted wordsmyth, and an old soul. you're also, in this funny little blog world, a dear friend. hope your choices are getting easier.

    love from the desert. xo.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you.