victoria thorne

3.3.13

18.2.13

3.2.13

formulate

We weave our strand into a network of relations.

What comes of it we never know. . . That is true of all action.

Quite simply and concretely true, because one cannot know.

That is what is meant by a venture.

And now I would say that this venture is only possible when there is trust in people.

A trust- which is difficult to formulate but fundamental- in what is human in all people. Otherwise such a venture could not be made.

-Hannah Arendt

photos: vt

12.1.13

4.1.13

yesterday, our youngest son (who is home for a bit from college, and it has been a joy) mentioned in his beautiful and laconic way that is amazing, the work that we all do. he wondered aloud that there are things we think we cannot live without, or do not want to live without- in this case, i had been considering beautifully formed ceramics (heath, thank you) and he had been thinking about additional expenses (coffee and such) at college- he works as a bike messenger, also- and how we spend our lives working to pay for these things. and we buy and we work and as the cycle goes, how do we live? when do we live? only he said it much more succinctly and purposefully than i have. i just wanted to remember.

considering this

often leads me here

photo: edward hopper via vt, chicago

3.1.13

shining like the sun

it is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race...now i realize that we all are. and if only everybody could realize this. but it cannot be explained. there is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun...if only they could all see themselves as they really are. if only we could see each other that way all the time.

thomas merton, conjectures of a guilty bystander

23.12.12

peace, from our house to yours, and wishes for a very happy christmas

photo: kevin chaves

8.12.12

do that which is good

& thou shalt have praise of the same

2.12.12

christmas lights

trainspotters

via

the most venerable

ancient industries

one way to look at it

1.12.12

liminal

25.11.12

treehorn

23.11.12

tinseled

18.11.12

happy

thanksgiving

table: victoria thorne design

photo: rick e. martin

little stories

a place for thanksgiving

here

[scroll down a bit: circa the 2005 Mercury News]

table: victoria thorne design

photo: rick e. martin

14.11.12

all the strong things of her heart

she had only to stand in the orchard, to put her hand on a little crab tree and look up at the apples,
to make you feel the goodness of planting and tending and harvesting

-my antonia, willa cather

thanksgiving table setting: victoria thorne design

photo: rick e. martin for the mercury news

the soul selects her own society

emily dickinson

thanksgiving table setting: victoria thorne design

photo: rick e. martin for the mercury news

12.11.12

wisp

so many people keep talking about happiness. i love happiness.

who doesn't?

but what it is, perhaps, that we are all really talking about- i have begun to think it is really peace: that happiness is the upward part of peace, the clear and present joy part of peace. it's so measurable! the other kinds of peace seem less quantifiable.

so when we think we are not happy enough, we can begin to think, instead: what peace am i missing?

where is the bit of peace in this moment, or this hour, or this day?

when we begin to be able to find that peace, happiness sits like a wisp upon it.

try this, maybe.

happiness may already be right where you are. i think it is a strong possibility.

thanksgiving table setting: victoria thorne design

photo: rick e. martin for the mercury news