The Wistful Grandma
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact
  • Grandma Dolls
  • Traditional Plaited Wool Rugs
  • Seasonal Items

Eloquence is Words on Fire

4/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
This past week I had the pleasure of going to a lecture at a local college. It was part of a yearly series of scientific lectures where the recipient accepts an award for being an explorer in some facet of the scientific world. It is an event I always look forward to. Not just because I learn so much about a part of science I might be totally unaware of but because the speakers are so riveting. I am fascinated by people who are artists with public speaking. I admire people who are masters of our language and can convey their thoughts with such skill. I am a fan of eloquence. 

In our current world where we substitute emojis for a sentence, use autocorrect for spelling and grammar and tweet complex ideas in 140 characters we need to make room for eloquence. If hearts and minds are to be changed to make the world a better place then we need to speak out which is the Latin root ( eloqui ) of eloquent. It is not surprising that even the use of the word eloquence in conversation has decreased dramatically over the past decades. We don't value it as much. Maybe we don't think of it as much. Until we hear someone who has it. Then you can appreciate its power.  In a future where computers and robotics will be increasingly taking the place of humans we need to keep our ability to think and convey our thoughts through the spoken word. This is what separates us from machines. The visceral immediate turning of the heart because of receiving human words. Words on fire.

And that is another definition of eloquence. Eloquence is words on fire. And fire changes things. So be mindful of the power of the words within you. Speak out.

(Graph found by doing a search on Google.com of "definition of eloquence" 
and clicking on the "Translations, word origin, and more definitions" link.)
0 Comments

It's Not Just Stitches

4/18/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have a whole stack of personal projects in various states of completion. Some have been started and then put aside because a deadline for something else became more pressing. Some have come close to being done but lack just a few embellishments or framing. And others were purchased at a vacation spot or because they were beautiful and never even started. I seem to be a crafting magpie with a short attention span. Most crafters I know have this same problem. Earlier this year I took a good look at the pile and made a pledge to myself. I am going to complete them.

It is now April and I've finished two of the projects that were partially started. And it feels good. I have now decided to tackle a really large counted cross stitch that I purchased a few years ago at Disney World.  I never started it and as I opened the package I remembered why I had purchased it. Our family has spent a lot of really good times there. (This is not a paid promotion for Disney by the way.) It has been one of our places we can go together to just have fun with no other purpose in mind. Relaxation, no work or school, holding hands, laughing, rides, food, fireworks. We've been known to wear mouse ears and hug a princess or two. And this year we have the opportunity to go back with the grandkids. I can't wait to see another generation making family memories. And I am so looking forward to seeing it all from a new perspective.

So as I put in endless little x's, because this project is a big one, I am appreciating the process. And when it's framed and on the wall it will be a reminder of some really good times past, present and perhaps future. We'll all be able to point to it and say "remember when". All 3 generations of us. And that is the reason I bought it, am plying my needle back and forth and seeing this through to completion. It's not just stitches.

0 Comments

A Break From the Ordinary

4/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I've taken some time off to recover from surgery. Whenever there is a break from the ordinary  routine it's an opportunity to learn something. I've had to slow my pace and be kind to myself. Healing doesn't happen overnight. I may want to hurry the process but good luck with that!

The body is an amazing thing. Every day when I am in good health I never think of what a wonderful thing it is to get out of bed each morning and just go about my day. Breathing, walking, eating without effort. Taking care of myself without assistance. Not needing drugs to make life comfortable. Having no limitations so I can change my plans whenever I want. That's what the expectation is with health. But when surgery sets you back, you can either be miserable or look at it as a lesson in appreciation. Appreciation for the people who help you. Appreciation of the ability of your body to heal and resume normal function. Appreciation of getting back to just the ordinary.


So as I relearn the joy of putting on my own shoes again, walking further than the driveway, and as I'm putting the crutches back in the attic, I'm going to keep this new perspective in mind. This body may be getting older, but it's still got some miles to go. The ordinary is to be appreciated.

0 Comments

    Classes
    Sign Up Now!

    Wool Rug Braiding Class
    Saturday March 11, 2023
    9:00 am - 2:30 pm
    ​Register/Pay Online


    Craft Shows

    Milwaukee County Sports Complex
    6000 W Ryan Rd
    Franklin WI 53132
    Saturday April 15, 2022
    ​Sunday April 16, 2023
    10:am - 4:00 pm

    ​​

    Links

    Old World Wisconsin

    Blog Categories

    All
    Car
    Cooking
    Crafting
    Death
    Family
    Garden
    Grandchildren
    Holidays
    Home
    Inspiration
    Life
    Seasons
    Time
    Wisdom

    Blog Archives

    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed