Farewell to Lou Reed

There is something in the air or the stars as death keeps springing up, and cancer licks at the heels of family members... But although it's turning out to be a rough month as the leaves fall, and the temperature drops it's nice to remember that death isn't as important as life, and that sadness for a loss only represents the happiness that was. Loved this article by Lou Reed's wife Laurie Anderson after his death. Give it a gander.

"Lou and I played music together, became best friends and then soul mates, traveled, listened to and criticized each other's work, studied things together (butterfly hunting, meditation, kayaking). We made up ridiculous jokes; stopped smoking 20 times; fought; learned to hold our breath underwater; went to Africa; sang opera in elevators; made friends with unlikely people; followed each other on tour when we could; got a sweet piano-playing dog; shared a house that was separate from our own places; protected and loved each other. We were always seeing a lot of art and music and plays and shows, and I watched as he loved and appreciated other artists and musicians. He was always so generous. He knew how hard it was to do. We loved our life in the West Village and our friends; and in all, we did the best we could do."

"I'm sure he will come to me in my dreams and will seem to be alive again. And I am suddenly standing here by myself stunned and grateful. How strange, exciting and miraculous that we can change each other so much, love each other so much through our words and music and our real lives."

-Laurie Anderson

Read the whole article (it's worth it) on Rolling Stone

Completely

True story yo. Complete yo'self.

Via Le Love

What is love?

 You Are Loved via Ruche

An old high school teacher of mine Michael Erickson posted on facebook about an assignment he is currently doing with his philosophy class on 'Love'. When given a safe, supportive and questioning space teens are so much more insightful than I think we give them credit for. His class struggled with some really interesting questions which I thought I would share with you.  It's always worth being thoughtful about life and love. Something to ponder.

How do you know when you are in love?

Is love a choice, a force, a compulsion, an obsession?

Why do we think of love primarily as something we feel rather than something we do? When do we learn how to act with love?

Can you love someone/something without them knowing? Is it love if there is no reciprocity?

What do we get out of loving someone who doesn’t love us back?

How can you tell when someone loves you? How much can they hurt you before you question their love for you?

Is love gendered? Do you feel love or show love differently based on your gender?

Why do we only have one word -love- for so many different manifestations/experiences/emotions?


Man, I had great high school teachers!

Friends

Being surrounded by friends this weekend has made me realize once again how very lucky I am. Sometimes you don't comprehend, I mean, really understand how many totally wonderful people you have around you. I have been so surrounded with love and affection and attention from those who love me that it is a little overwhelming.  Live gives you ups, and life gives you downs, but it's really hard to be sad when you are surrounded by such wonderful people who make you smile and laugh. My favourite things afterall.

Dear friends.
I love you.

John Steinbeck on Love

It's been a while since I've posted. And a longer while since I'm posted something sweet, and romantic and true. I happen to love Letters Of Note, a fantastic site that showcases correspondence. Some of it wise, some of it funny. I happen to be partial to a Marilyn Monroe letter myself. (Those of you who know me may recognize it from one of my facebook profile pictures.)


Well, when perusing the site recently, I came across this letter. It's beautiful, and I hope you enjoy it too.


Happy weekend all.

New York
November 10, 1958

Dear Thom:

We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.

First—if you are in love—that’s a good thing—that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second—There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you—of kindness and consideration and respect—not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply—of course it isn’t puppy love.

But I don’t think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it—and that I can tell you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone—there is no possible harm in saying so—only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.

Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.

It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another—but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.

Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I’m glad you have it.

We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.

And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

Love,

Fa

Found via Letters Of Note

Do What You Love

Do what you love!

This print is only $9 and would make a would look great pinned on an office bulletin board, or a great gift!

Book Fiend

Picnic

Summer weekend are flying by. If you're not lucky enough to get out of the city, then I hope you enjoy your weekend by making a little picnic and taking it to the nearest green space. Make a date out of it! 

I can't give you a link to the above pictures. It was from a site called That Was Just A Dream. However when I went to my google reader yesterday I found that site had posted 50 posts of porn. How inappropriate! So as to NOT link you to porn you will just have to accept my apologies. If you know who to give credit to, let me know and I will list it!

Phyllis and Connie

Today's picture makes me smile. It gives me inspiration and hope. It's not a picture about shoes or clothing of homes or a witty quote. It's a picture of love. 

(I dig that not everyone feels the same way as me, so feel free to move along to the next post if this isn't your cup of tea.)

Some of you may know that I was in NYC (incidentally) when New York approved the same sex marriage bill, and I piled out onto the street to celebrate with the rest of Manhattan, and ended up in front of the Stonewall Inn. It was a beautiful night, full of excitement, tears, proposals, songs, and joy. 

This weeked the first couples were allowed to marry, legally in New York State. Now this has been a right in Ontario where I live since 2003. Toronto is a very special place. I grew up with people literally from all over the world, I learned to play the dreidel game in elementary school. My high school teachers were cool, pierced with mohawks, and openly gay. I never thought that anyone was less or more than myself, and that everyone is and should be treated equally (thanks momma, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom). So when I read this story about the first couple to marry in Manhattan I literally stopped in my tracks. It wasn't that long ago that my parents wouldn't have been allowed to marry in the United States. It wasn't until 1967 that the US Supreme Court ended all race based marriage restriction. Really? Are you hearing this? Alabama didn't repeal it's mixed race marriage laws until 2000. What? Are you kidding me? I simply cannot imagine being in love, going through the ups and the downs of a relationship, and not being able to recognize my union legally or spiritually, not being allowed to have a wedding.

"We've been together 23 years... this is the first day of the rest of our lives"

Holding on to your love, no matter what your country or state says. That's beautiful. 

And then I cried at work. True story. I'm a sap for love.

I Love My Mom

Happy Mother's Day! My mom is the bestest mom in the whole wide world, and I'm not just saying that because she invites me over for Sunday dinner and feeds me good food! She also encouraged me to go to school for whatever I wanted (a real luxury in some families), paid for me to do competitive rhythmic gymnastics, and then let me quit, raised me on healthy food, and she loves me lots! (This is a shortened list of wonderful mommy things of course.) So tonight I'm going to make her a yummy dinner. It's not quite a fair trade, but hopefully I will have lots and lots of Mother's Days to show her how much I love her!

I Love You

Happy weekend everyone! It's a long weekend for me as I have Monday off. Not sure what I'm going to get up to, but I have a friend in town from Montreal, so I'm sure it will be fun! I hope your weekend is full of love!

le love

Cupid (For a Day)

How about this romantic shoot to celebrate this day of love? 

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Go out and love someone!

via

Love Banner

Would it be too much to have one of these hanging in my house? MY HOUSE OF LOVE?

No, I didn't think so.
I think this is supposed to be used for an outdoor wedding, but who is keeping track of such things?
 

Love banner via victorian station

Cool Stuff Under $30: Valentines Day Edition

Two weeks until Valentines Day! 

Looking for something sweet for your sweetie? Might I suggest the following? (All perfect for those on a budget... and if your budget is a little bit larger, feel free to pick up more than one! Or diamonds. Whatevs. Girls do love their sparkle!)

1. Philosophy: Sweet On You Set - $25

2. Body Shop: Sensual Massage Oil - $18 

3. Measure Your Love Cups - $14

4. Enormous Champions: Our Love Is Here To Stay Postcard Set - $10

5. Red Leather Diary - $25

6. Sex And The City Movie DVD - $22

7. Banana Republic: Stackable Eternity Ring* - $22

8. Nars: Lip Gloss - $24

* Please note that this very pretty simple ring could be mistaken for an engagement ring. And wouldn't that be awkward? Present at your own risk. Maybe if you're not on one knee when you give the gift she won't get the wrong idea...

And all the single ladies and gentlemen? Give a listen, and know that  True Love Will Find You In The End, then buy the above items for your female besties. Valentines day is about any sort of love. Show some to those who mean a lot to you!

We Have All That We Will Ever Need

It's about finding those moments of stillness and perfection with the ones we love.

Freya Art

New Orleans Wedding

Love the bride's short and sassy dress, as well as the bridesmaids shades of green. What a great way to unify a group without making everyone wear the same dress! This link is-a-going to those I know who are getting married. It's best to spread the love (and the inspiration) around!
via

I Love My Wife

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
Theodore Hesburgh

Heard this on the CBC while driving around town for work, and it struck chord. How else besides exhibiting love, respect, and kindness to each other can a couple do to show their children how to be kind, loving and respectful? A small thought, but an important one.
via

Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts

via

Black And White Love

I didn't realize until I did a search for the word Jill on my blog that I had actually features this photogrpaher twice already. I guess I like what she does (kidding, I KNOW I like what she does!)

Jill Thomas

Toronto Wedding By Erika

My friend Erika is a photographer. A good one.

This shoot she did was posted on The Wedding Co.

 I'm reposting it becase I think it's lovely. 

"Laura and Goh are planning a wedding in Ireland this summer but decided to have a small ceremony at Toronto’s City Hall for logistical reasons. A short ceremony and dinner with friends was the extent of their planning but unbeknownst to them, their friends had a few surprises up their sleeve.

The event began with all the guests serenading them down the aisle to “Stand By Me”. After the ceremony, champagne was popped, impromptu speeches were made and a four-wheeled bicycle was unveiled covered in lilacs and complete with a homemade “Just Married” sign. The happy couple were escorted along Queen Street by a parade of friends all on their own uniquely decorated bicycles to their dinner destination, tin cans and all."

This Is A Story About Love

This is a story about love.