Letter Writing--a Lost Art? (Let's hope not!)

I spend a fair amount of time writing: journaling, book projects, blogging...but I am hard pressed to think of the time I actually sat down and penned a letter to someone. Can you think of that time?  Not a message on social media, an email or a text, but an honest to goodness pen to paper.  It can be very rewarding to send and receive an actual letter.  I wish I would write more often to friends and family, but it's just so easy to take the quick and easy way.  Think about the time you sent a letter, wasn't it gratifying and did it make you think..."Gee I should do this more often?"  

There are so many choices on how we communicate today.  Depending on what needs to be said, it may be something as simple as a quick text.  I'm from the generation that if you wanted to talk to someone it was as simple as picking up the phone...that was attached to the wall, of course.  We never had to worry if it was a good time or not...we just called. If they couldn't talk they would let you know, not having to "let it go to Voice Mail"  Granted, it is nice to have options for getting a message to someone.  Yet, sometimes I get nostalgic for a simpler way of communicating. That leads me to the nostalgic art of letter writing. It's sad that writing a letter seems to be "old fashioned" , but writing allows us to express yourselves fully.  A letter also provides the flexibility that the recipient can read at their leisure and take the time to soak in the contents.

I wish I was better about writing letters,  Once I sit down and do it I do find a certain sense of satisfaction and a connection to the recipient.  Several years ago I included in my New Year's Resolutions to write a letter to a family member or friend at least once a month.  A good goal indeed and I started out pretty well, but it fizzled out by the time the tulips arose. I would like to try to do a better job with this goal, but perhaps not strict quotas on how often or how many. 

After my Mom passed, among the photographs and other mementoes were packets of letters she had saved from my grandmother filled with news about things going on back at the farm in upstate New York. It was fun to read what all my cousins were up to as kids. Also, were several love letters that Mom had received from Dad while they were dating.  You just can't have a more valuable treasure.

 I was recently inspired on the topic of letter writing by my reading of the book: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.  The book was a gift to me by my sister-in-law who thought I would enjoy it. (Thanks Christy!)  I did enjoy the book very much, but it had a slow start in capturing my interest. At first the main character seems like a bitter old woman who was quick to complain about many seemingly innocuous details in her life.  In some ways it prompted me to hold a mirror up to my own life; I hope I'm not becoming a bitter old woman. Yet, reading this book would make many people take a second look at their own lives and relationships and perhaps find a way to create better relationships.  The foundation of good relationships is good communications.

This book is structured as a compilation of letters written by and to the main character: Sybil Van Antwerp, a lawyer and divorcee who communicates with many of the people in her life via letters.  Some of them are emails, but still constructed in such a way as to be classified a letter. Also many of her letters were quite formal.  As the story continues, you begin to realize that some of her indignant attitudes are a mask for her own vulnerabilities.  One of the reviews of the book called it a "...masterpiece in human frailty."  I don't want to say too much more about the book to guard giving it all away.  It is a good read and an inspiration in many facets of one's relationships. 

So there it is...I really would like to improve communications with my family and friends and hopefully with an occasional letter or two.  I have bins full of fancy stationery, cards and stickers that  I REALLY should put more to use!  Keep on Writing!    Julie Etta Smith

Taliesin-Celebrating the beauty of the Wisconsin Landscape

Balcony in the main residence at Taliesin

The rolling hills in the driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin are the home of Taliesin, an estate with several buildings on it created through the eyes of America's most celebrated and imitated architect.  He had a knack for creating in such a way as to bring the building and it's surroundings together.  Celebrating nature and also melding form and function.  Wood, Glass & Stone; some of the most important elements in his creations. He was raised in Spring Green, Wisconsin and even if you are not familiar with Taliesin, you can probably guess that I am talking about Frank Lloyd Wright.

Frank Lloyd Wright, circa 1926

A recent trip to Spring Green and Taliesin inspired me to pen this blog. I know sometimes dates are just numbers, but I found it interesting and ironic that Frank Lloyd Wright died in 1959...and I was born in 1959.  It makes me feel younger and/or older... I'm not sure which.  In any case for me that was a unique bit of trivia. 

Taliesin has a unique pronunciation: TAL-ee-ESS-in.  Once you have heard it correctly pronounced a few times it is easy, but it did take me a few times.  Wright decided on the name of his 800-acre estate to honor his Welsh heritage. Taliesin means "shining brow " in Welsh. His home was built on the "brow" of the hill to have a vantage point for viewing the rolling hills of the landscape. In true form of many of his architectural visions, he wanted the building to be treated as a n element of nature. He knew that if you build a structure on top of a hill, then you lose the hill.  As Wright himself explained: "It should be of the hill, belonging to it, so hill and house could live together each the happier for the other."

I am not a student of architecture, but nevertheless it is fascinating to tour this place and learn about some of the unconventional types of building styles that Wright introduced. For example, the concept of "open air" design and having rooms flow one into the other, i.e. living room into dining room, with no separation, was an idea that Wright really encouraged in his designs.  The Victorian style of design required separate rooms and many walls to divide them.  Wright insisted on a more open design. He also developed a concept  he called Compression and Release, creating a low, intimate space that suddenly opens up into something expansive and full of light.  When you step from a smaller space to a larger room full of light and height, the room seems more alive.   It makes the presentation of a high vaulted ceiling that much more grand. An interesting concept, but when touring Taliesin, my husband, who is 6'2" had to really watch his head in the contracting and expanding process. Wright was 5'7". 

Wright's private residence was at Taliesin, but several buildings on the estate were also dedicated to a boarding school: Hillside School. He had it built for his aunts, who were teachers with a desire to run one of the first co-educational boarding schools in the country. The school operated only from 1901 to 1915. The building remained idle until 1932, when it was remodeled and used to house the newly founded Taliesin Fellowship, a school for apprentice architects.   The foundation and general philosophy of the school was a hands on approach.  Several of the early students started by remodeling the Hillside School and adding a 5,000 square foot drafting studio.

Salvaged pieces: Blossoms of the Soul
 

Many of his design styles were also heavily influenced by his love for Japanese culture.  He made several trips to Japan, and spent a fortune as a collector of paintings and sculptures for his home in Spring Green. Some of his architectural styles were also influenced by his concept of a building's "spirit", which he felt was more important than it's geometry or physical form.  Following devastating fires at Taliesin, Wright was able to salvage several pieces of artwork and sculptures.  Frequently he incorporated them into the rebuilding of the structure with the believe that the spirit lives on and is incorporated into the new building. 

Wright and his apprentices called these features "Blossom of the Soul."  

Here is a photo of a salvaged sculpture that was literally embedded into the masonry at Taliesin. The sculptures were not meant to be just a historical footnote, but rather to become a new part of the buildings character.

Prior to visiting Taliesin, I just viewed Frank Lloyd Wright the way most of the general public does: he was a man of great talent who achieved and pioneered many techniques/styles in architecture.  Yet, like many accomplished geniuses he had an interesting and an often troubled life.  There was so much drama and tragic events in his life that sometimes it was amazing he had the strength and tenacity to deal with it all. Yet, the love of his work and passion for his art made him persevere. 

Both the joys in his life and tragic events are beautifully crafted in this book: The Women by T.C. Boyle. The book is not a true biography of Wright, but rather historical fiction.  The events that  took place really happened but the conversations and inner most thoughts of Wright were embellished to tell the story. He had three wives and a mistress.  (maybe more than one mistress, depending on how you define mistress) His first wife gave him six children and there were also several illegitimate children. Fires  struck twice at Taliesin, and Wright rebuilt each time. One of the fires was arson, started by an employee on the property.  After starting the fire, he killed people with an ax if they were seeking to escape. Gruesome story. Seven people were killed in that fire, including  Wright's true love and mistress: Mamah Borthwick Cheney. He had originally built Taliesin as a place they could be together: shielded from aggressive reporters and the public sentiment regarding their non-married status.

The book is fascinating with insights about the personal life of these famous architect, yet the narrative can be quite confusing because it is not in chronological order.  The events actually occurred, but bounces back in forth in time. For example, the two fires are Taliesin are discussed in the book, but the second fire was documented first.   Perhaps the author formatted it this way to force the reader to gain a better understanding of what happened when.  When I first started reading this, to keep everyone straight, I had to write down out the names of his wives, and when he was married to whom. Nevertheless, it provides some insights into the life of this architectural genius.

So, have I piqued your curiosity? After visiting Taliesin, it confirmed my thinking that when one travels  to visit a specific place it’s always good to do your “homework” before AND  after the trip.  You can learn so much more and it opens up new windows on the given topic. What is more exciting than to make new discoveries?

If you are interesting in visiting Taliesin and finding more about Frank Lloyd Wright--here is the link to the website: https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/tours/

                                                                                                    Julie Etta Smith

The Link between Art & Madness

Vincent van Gogh,1889

Creative people have frequently been considered "different" from the norm of the general population. In more specific terms, the artistic temperment frequently manifests itself with manic-depressive  symptoms.  Modern psychiatry has taught us that when we look at the life stories of the truly creative writers, painters and musicians, many have exhibited strong indications of manic-depression or more recently referred to as Bipolar disorder. It piqued my curiousity to find out that there is a rather extensive list of many artists throughout history who have suffered from some type of mood disorder.  A partial list contains:  Vincent van Gough, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, Virginia Woolf, Lord Bryon, Mozart and Hemmingway. Just to name a few...These are some of the most recognizable.  The definition of the illness has changed over the decades, but it can be determined that these artists were most likely Bipolar by the exhibited behaviors and symptoms that were recorded.

Thoughts about this topic recently came to me after reading this intriquing book: 

Touched with Fire: Manic -Drepressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. by Kay Redfield Jamison. It's not a new idea, there has been a correlation between artistic temperment and mani-depressive states for as long as the two have existed.  Yet, this book takes the time and research to actually establish the correlation.  It presents in-depth reasearch on the lives of several famous writers and authors.  Granted, some of the book is dry and "technical" but she does a wonderful job of supporting her thesis and backing it up with facts and figures, not just suppositions.

One quote from the book, that highlights the link bewtween art and "mental distress", also points to the dilemmna of a hesitancy to pursue treatment for fear of quelching the flames of creativity. Jamison states: "Many artists and writers believe that turmoil, sufferring and extremes in emotional experience are integral not only to the human condition but to their abilities as artists.  They fear that psychiatric treatment will transform them into normal, well adjusted, dampened, and bloodless souls--unable, or unmotivated to write, paint or compose.  These fears have greatly intensified as a result of the availability of a wide range of highly effective mood-stabilizing medications."

Edvard Munch- The Scream, 1893

I know all too well about that fear of loss of creativity and the feeling of "flat" emotions from the use of "mood stabilizing" medications. I went thru a whole bevy of meds when initially diagnosed with Bipolar disorder over 20 years ago. I remember that "flat" feeling and just going through the motions of my day. I was so glad to be connecting with reality, but I just didn't feel like myself.

So when I started Lithium to help my symptoms, it became evident to me that this particular drug could help me without feeling like a "bloodless soul".  Lithium is the most commonly prescribed medication for Bipolar and generally the most effective. Nevertheless, for some people it becomes a tradeoff and a difficult choice to make: sometimes the creative process is enhanced by manic episodes. Prescription remedies seem to botch (in the patient's opinion) their "humaness" and creativity. Yet, the alternative of experiencing continued manic episodes and low depressive episodes takes it's toll on the human body. 

Bipolar illness not only worsens over time, it becomes less responsive to medication over time.  Episodes and hospitalizations can increase and sadly, when left untreated, can result in suicide.

While  I don't put myself in the same category as some of these great writers who have suffered for their art, I find some comfort in the fact that as a patient diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, perhaps there is something inside me that is actually creative, not just "crazy".  I don't have the enormous talent of Virginia Wolf, Hemmingway or Poe, yet I have indeed suffered for my art. Not just my art, but also the desire to have a so-called "normal" and happy life.

Once I finally accepted my diagnosis of Bipolar and  determined the proper medication, then things were smoother sailing. Studies have shown that people on lithuim experience few side effects of any kind and less than one third report any significant negative changes in intellectual functioning and reasoning. The creativity was still there, but when going down pathways to find my creative yearnings, I walked down a well lit path, instead of stumbling in the darkness. Perhaps some of my creativity had changed and even stifled, but I was still able to function and not detached from reality.  Hemmingway said it right: "There is nothing to Writing, all you do is sit down at a typewriter and Bleed." So true.  But I would add: just make sure you have the Band-Aids handy.       Julie Etta Smith

 

The Magic in Mentoring

 I really wish I had a mentor. I could use some  technical assistance and at least some moral support on my current project.  I am in the process of "melding" two blogs into one, for several reasons.  It's a long story, but I still want to be able to maintain two separate areas of focus for placement of my writings: one for travel: americandestinations.net and the other for all the other interests that I write about: julieetta1982blogspot.com

So I am a strong advocate for fighting against the phrase "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."  I always like to TRY to learn new stuff and like to think that I can pick up on new ways of doing things. Yet, it's really scary sometimes to take the plunge.  Just like this birdie, I wish I could just keep using a parachute.  Sometimes to proceed without the parachute, I have to consider what would be the end result without the parachute.  So yesterday I spend at least 3 hours transferring all 110 blogs from my site (and some on my computer) to a flash drive.  Now they are safely tucked away in case my "parachute" fails. So I did take the plunge and purchase a new domain address for my original blog and it is now operated by the same web development platform as my travel blog: WIX . However, I am not really sure what that means in terms of how it will function and what it will look like? Guess time will tell, but I have a few things I hope to accomplish with this new change.

So I started my first blog almost 10 years ago (Wow, hard to believe it's been 10 years!) Then after learning a few basics...completely self-taught, I started another blog that I could funnel all my travel features into and it helped me collect the material needed for the publication of my National Parks book, I have learned so much about blogging, writing, computer usage and formatting throughout this process and almost all of my efforts have been self guided.  I do remember getting some feedback from others who operated their own blogs and yes that was helpful.  Yet the step by step processes had to be more of a trial and error basis. Even back then, I wish I would have had a mentor to guide me through some of the steps. In hindsight, it many ways I have been my own mentor: teaching my self along the way. So in that respect, Oprah is right...allowing myself to "see the hope inside yourself".  Nothing like "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps", but there were many times I wish I had an outside source to help some of the questions that I just couldn't find answers to. 

Some subject matters lend themselves to hands-on mentoring....like quilting. In recent years I have expanded my interest in quilting and when I joined a local quilting guild (Willow River Piecemakers Quilt Guild-terrific group!!) I have access to a whole group of very talented quilters whom have really helped me improve my skills and inspire me to pursue new creations. Any quilter will tell you you can never have too many on-going projects! It's easy to get inspired for the next big thing.

On the other hand, writing, blogging and publishing is by nature a more solitary process because everyone has differing expectations.  Many of the techniques and how-to's on the computer can be learned via help desks and "chats", but it is hard to find one to one personal assistance.  Over the years I read books, articles and used on-line help to set-up both my blogs and to help me write and publish my books. It sometimes has been an arduous task to figure out and achieve what I was, and still am trying, to accomplish. Sometimes when you find a key source, you can find delight in it helping you along the way.  When I started blogging and free lance writing 10 years ago, one of my key sources became, in essence, a mentor to me: Kristen Lamb.  She is an author and a blogger who has written several books about writing.  My favorite book of hers really provided many insights and helped to navigate the nuances of both blogging and the publishing industry.  Her book is: Rise of the Machines, Human Authors in a Digital World.  It's an awesome and interesting book.  It seemed so cutting edge when I purchased it (Copywrite 2013), and even now it has great value, but it's truly amazing how rapidly this industry changes. Nevertheless, thanks so much Kristen.

This blog post itself is an experiment as to how and where it will be posted and what it looks like to my readers. So other than all the above mentioned aids to helping me with blogs and publishing, guess I just have to take the plunge and leave my parachute behind. Wish me luck.                                                                                                                  Julie E. Smith

"A Walk in the Park...Journeys through our Nation's Greatest Treasures" A book profile

 As I am taking several different pathways for marketing my recent book, I wanted to provide an overview of it that is easily accessible to be viewed by prospective vendors. I want to provide more information about the book, than what is currently available on the Amazon/KDP site.  The book was self-published by Kindle Direct Publishing and can be found on Amazon by typing in the complete title:

"A Walk in the Park...Journeys through our Nation's Greatest Treasures."   Julie E. Smith

The book was conceived, in 2016, during the Centennial celebration of the National Park Service. My love of travel and the beauty of our National Parks encouraged me during this time period to pursue visiting many parks on my bucket list. I visited as many as time and finances would allow. I have been to many of the major parks but also a few of the lesser known parks.  I did not know, at the start of my explorations, that there is a beautiful National Park in Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Check out Chapter 13! 

Along the way I have learned so much about the intriguing history of the National Park Service and what makes our system in America so unique. The contributions of men such as Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir were instrumental in preserving the legacy of our Parks. 

This book is not meant to be a guidebook of each and every site, but rather an overview with many helpful travel hints on how best to appreciate our National Parks and Sites. I hope it provides an inspiration and invitation to explore.    Julie E. Smith

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