10/17/09

The Secret Society Of Oaks - No.9


Queen Nymph Arija
.


This is a tough one. I don't think I can do this nymph justice, I will try.


Not long ago I was reading about India Flint, a gifted artist, writer and poet. She was talking about Attention Deficit Disorder. I agreed with her especially when she mentioned that the symptoms of the disorder described her characteristics when she was a young child. I felt the same way. What India and I shared is having been born to mothers who do not and did not believe that everything had to be labeled and who understood precocious children, otherwise, she and I would have been drugged. We were allowed to flourish in a loving and spirited home life. Her mother is Arija and I happen to consider myself very blessed and lucky to call this wonderful woman my friend.

I love Arija. There are a lot of positions where I may waffle but on this one I don't. This is personal and this is important to me. I saw her at another blog and her comment captured my attention. It's funny to I recall how I thought of her as being aristocratic and distant. Maybe it was her rose avatar or maybe it was her wise bearing that made me think this woman is above my league. Still I followed her and started leaving comments on her blog that is a showcase of the most beautiful landscape and natural resources images. She loves trees so something made me stay. I would not say she is peripatetic but she travels and wanders a lot capturing beautiful images and I found out she is also Peripatetic when one day she gave me a dose of my own medicine.

I was whimpering like a wounded dog and out of nowhere she looked at me straight into my blog eyes and told me what was tantamount to "Stand up and shape up." I do not respond well to strangers being so bold with me but Arija did it in such a gentle and loving manner and then knowing I was nowhere beyond even sitting up, offered her strong and gentle hand. I remember praying hard that week and by week's end the Lord answered my prayers with help coming from the East and from the South. I made two friends that week, even though on my part, it was a friendship of utility, I needed these two friends and my angels brought them to me.

Soon Arija would read something from me like "I hate..." and she replies "You do not hate ..., it is your own repulsion for yourself that you feel." Gulp! I ask her about a sycophantic blogger who started irritating me and she replied "Ces, you would spend the rest of your life pandering to his inferiority complex!" Oh God, I have my own Aristotelian advisor. I share a painting and she along with those who can see through the window of my soul sometimes cringed at what they see. It's as if she was inside my brain and heart when I was painting. Mostly she is exhausted telling me to stop abusing myself. I hear you and I am actually listening!

It's an irony she seldom writes more than a few sentences with her images except for the occasional bout of poetry which I lap with gusto and for her heartfelt and beautiful essays. I admire her intellect. Above all I treasure this wise and loving friend whose life story could provide a rich source of the most captivating screenplays.

I am almost reluctant to feature her as I am afraid you may take her from me, but the more I share her the more love multiplies, and grows. Please say hello to my beloved Arija.


54 comments:

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah, beautifully written AND drawn Ces! Wonderful detail....a regal Nymph to say the least.
I enjoy Arijas beautiful photos, and as you said, there's not much text but the photos speak.
You've almost created a bust of this fair Nymph!
Brava!

XXOO!!
Anne

Baino said...

She is pretty amazing. I've been over once or twice and do like her perspective on life, you've captured her well.

Rosaria Williams said...

What a lovely tribute to a good friend and critical listener. You two are lucky.

yoborobo said...

Ces - she sounds like someone who knows how to shoot straight from the hip. I imagine you like that as well. :) Lovely drawing! xox Pam

Renee said...

I have to admit to being an Arija lover too.

Ces this is a wonderful tribute to an amazing woman.

Love Renee xoxo

Lisa Holtzman said...

Arija sounds like a wonderful, truthful, wise, kind friend. Your depiction in art and words makes me feel I know her. Now off to check out her blog!

Silke Powers said...

Oh, so so so beautiful! I didn't even need to read your post to feel your love for Arija through your nymph drawing of her. It is stunning and radiates such strength and authenticity! We all need a friend like Arija!! You are a lucky woman! Love, Silke

P.S. I was eating a sandwich today and wanted Daniel to take a picture, but I got so into eating it that it was gone before I remembered the photo... I'll try again tomorrow!

Bimbimbie said...

You know that saying that there are six degrees of separation? well it must be a little less in the world of blog...

I thought I recognised the name India Flint, I heard an interview with her on one of my favourite radio programs earlier in the year talking about natural fabric dyes which was very interesting.


Oh and I noticed Silke is drinking, not eating*!*

Arija said...

I am bereft of words, will come bck later when my brain has surfaced from my heart.

Marie S said...

I knew it was Arija before I read the name.
I believe that this is her soul exactly. A woman who sits well in her skin.
I am blessed by the friendship between you two too and I am grateful.
Well done Ces, well done.
Have a wonderful weekend my sweet!

Ces Adorio said...

AAAHHHHHHH! My weekend ended well. Thank you everyone for your comforting thoughts and comments. I will go back to the previous posts and read all of you again and I need to visit and cath up with all of you.

Anne, You will love Arija. What is there not to love? She is a great photographer and has a beautoful garden.

Hello Baino, amazing is the word. She is a beautiful soul so her perspective is beautiful, however, most of my regular blog friends are alike in that regard. You are too my dear, brave sweet Baino, Tsup!

hello Rosaria, I am so happy to see you again! Isn't Arija wonderful?

Pam, she is honest for sure. How are you?

Oh Renee, I know she loves you!

Lisa, I hope you end up being friends too. Arija is also an artist!

Silke, I believe I have omitted something from you nymph drawing, you heart that can see! OMGoodness! You are drinking from a bowl with a handle!

Annie, check out her website. She makes the most beautiful fabric designs! Wonderful!

Oh my sweet dear Arija! Tsup! I love you!

Oh Marie, thank you. I tried, she is more than that. I cannot contain her in a card, that is impossible!

Arija said...

Dearest Ces, if I were a man, I could say you have unmanned me. My dear one I do not sit well on a pedestal...on a simple tree stump yes. I am just a simple soul treading as lightly as I an on the earth and other peoples toes. Sometimes it is given to me to have a glimpse into other peoples souls, if I have been harsh with you at times, I am sorry but that is a given with an older sister.

Your drawing is so very beautiful, I love the dingly dangly bangle with all my tools of trade. Your symbolic details are magical, down to the sheep and the wee ghostie swinging on the branch on my hat.

There is so much I would like to say, but words fail me yet again.

PS Rather than being thin, svelte and aristocratic, these days I lean more to the comfortably rounded...oops, a bubble of chuckles just escaped me...

PPS I have just put up a post especially for you.

Ces Adorio said...

My dearest Arija, if you think I put you up in a lofty place with this post, you are indeed in such a place because the place is my heart. People who get placed in such a chamber doo feel that way, is it because there is too much air in there? Perhaps I may need to fill it up with more friends? I love you what can I say? Damn! If I have unmanned you tell me how I did that? I need to do that with someone.

Thank you for the post. I was going to tell you there is no need but it is such a lovely post and I got lost in the meadows and woods and I ate too many plums.

Arija said...

Of course I did, did I not tell you you are an inspiration? I know my hand is rusty but my heart is young and gay.

No no, the snake is non threatening, even the squirrel is not afraid of it.

No more of those unripe plums...you don't need that kind of belly ache.

Isn't it amazing, the more we love, the more love we are capable of......

Ces Adorio said...

Aaw! Me? Inspire you? I am honored.

Good thing about the snake because I would have fainted, I hope it has no teeth or fangs either.

Yes, the more we love the more we have. Oh that rhymes!

Arija said...

Iiiii knew that! But why is she all in white and wearing a white stole?????

Of course you are an inspiration, who else would there be?

Ces Adorio said...

Aaah, I have decided. I will color her red today and the fabric with swrils of colors. Maybe, I don't know, let me decide as I do it. These are things that stump me!

Arija said...

She reminds me of Isadora Duncan and her silk scarf! Pity she got strangled by it.

Ces Adorio said...

No! See I colored her. You are making me laugh!

Manon said...

Lovely tribute to Arija!! I love people who tell like it is!!

Was everyone up in the middle of the night having conversations? Wow! I go to bed way too early...lol!! I miss everything!

Ces Adorio said...

Manon, teheheheheh! Seems like it huh?

Manon said...

Ces.... Morning!!! Otis wakes me up early and then decides he's going to nap! Ugh! off to workout sisterfriend!! I'll chat later if you're available!!

Deborah said...

Oh Ces, each one is more lovely!!! I have never met Arijas but now I feel that I know her essence.

I love this Secret Society of Oak...strong women who speak truth. I am honored to be one of them and to be able to call you my sisterfriend.

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Alice and Dead Bob. You are very sweet and funny and I adore you.

Look at Silke with that cup of coffee!!!

I have my oak leaf right here at my desk, next to SPC Ryan...two of the strongest people in my life.

**kisskiss** Deb

Deborah said...

Oh you are making me so happy my Cessalicious! Thrilled I can make you laugh. Yes, Alice and I both have quite a wicked sense of humor! Alice is just her stage name, but she got such a following after the last party that we use Alice on the blog. That is my baby doll, Karli, but you may call her Alice on the blog. She is a fantastic model and requires no direction at all, as you can see with the biting of the mice!

Ces Adorio said...

Yes! I am looking forward to my Manon bloggermance! Otis is spoiled! Hah!

Deborah, someone is going to make all of this illegal. We are having too much fun! Gorgeous! Gorgeous all over. Get to know Arija, she is a lovely lovely soul, just like you! All my blog friends are lovely! YES! No sychophants among the Secret Society of Oaks. Honesty is basic.

Ces Adorio said...

Hahaha! I just realized I promised to "cath" up with everyone. Hahahaha. What gauge catheter would everyone want? HAHAHAHAH!

Ces Adorio said...

OMG! My English teacher should have flunked me for all these atrocious typos. ACK!

Bella Sinclair said...

I bow down to the Queen Nymph. I bask in her wisdom and kindness and grace. Arija is beautiful, Ces, both as an oak nymph and in human form. How fitting that she is in a picturesque landscape setting. That is where she reigns.

I was reading just a little bit about oaks yesterday. Such a strong wood that it is prized for its strength and density. It refused to be felled for centuries (until the invention of iron tools). That, truly, is Arija, she who offers support and shade, who twinkles in the sunshine and sways with the breeze, and who refuses to be felled.

Renee said...

Arija I think you are beautiful, but sorry nymps, I think that Ces made me the most beautiful of all. And really that is only right.

Love you darling.

xoxo

Ces Adorio said...

What sweet and tender comment from you dear Bella, my Quercus Lobata of the west! Yes, yes, there are oak specimen dating over 1000 years old. Even the one where Robin Hood and his men where believed to have hidden. I love oak, it is a beautiful wood, the grain so interesting and varied, it beautifies the landscape and its sumbolism and meaning inspire our lives. It is no wonder that I chose the Quercus family to represent my favorite blog sisters.

Dearest Renee, you are beautiful indeed! No doubt about that!

Manon said...

Ces..... i think the secret society of oaks should meet once a year in a beautiful spot like... Hawaii! LOL!
Are there oaks in Maui or just palm trees?

Manon said...

So funny.... I was just writing to you!

Ces Adorio said...

YEEEESSSSSSSSS!I think that is a marvelous idea! A gathering of nuts! There must be oak trees there? I have to research but if nut, it's okay. We'll find another nut tree - coconut!

Manon said...

Coconuts are awesome!!
We'd have to do a Hawaiian luau and wear grass skirts.... how fun would that be? lol

Ces Adorio said...

...hehehe...and coconut bikini bras like they do wear for the tourist shows! Hahahaha! Deborah could be the queen of the Luau since she has the longest legs! Oh so does Tessa and Anne. The tallest oaks have to entertain the rest of us!

Manon said...

I'll be the pig in the middle of the table with an apple in my mouth..... Lol!

Ces Adorio said...

OMG! You just made me choke with laughter! The pig! No way! You are so skinny. Not a whole lot of fat! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OMG! The thought of you with an apple in your mouth. HAHAHAHAHA!

OMG! I am having too much fun after a horrible last few days this week. This laughter may be illegal!

Manon said...

Not a lot of fat but a lot of meat....lol! I like to think that I could handle that job....lol!!

Are you doing better sisterfriend? Sorry you had such a bad week!!! Laughter is the best medicine my friend!! I love to laugh and I love people who make me laugh!! You make me laugh!!!

ramblingwoods said...

I agree with you. I think I found Arija's blog a year or so ago and everything you said it true..I was interested to read about you and India and your challenges as children. As mother to such a child and as a special education teacher (retired), I can say that 'yes', you were both blessed to have Mothers like those....Michelle

Manon said...

Hahahahaha!! Ribald bloggermance..... made me laugh!!
Glad things are perking up!!

You are now queen of the nut..... or queen nut....or a nutty queen!! Seriously, they are such beautiful works. Your imagination is incredible! Send me some of that will ya?
I'm working on another mosaic painting....lol! This one is a close up .... much better. I thought the last piece was too cutesy!!

Ces Adorio said...

Hello Ramblingwoods! Oh yes. My report cards were always filled with comments:
Talkative
Inattentive
Disobedient
Then they transferred me to Special Education calsses for the gifted and I had a lot of fun and we were all talkative and hyperactive but we learned a lot. Thanks for visiting. Don't be a stranger.

Ces Adorio said...

Manon! Sorry about that. The Viking just got home and he gave me some meat so I had to matinate them.

Oh yes, I would love to give you some nuts! really. Email me your snail mail address and I will whip up some choice nuts for you!

Ces Adorio said...

Manon! Sorry about that. The Viking just got home and he gave me some meat so I had to marinate them.

Oh yes, I would love to give you some nuts! really. Email me your snail mail address and I will whip up some choice nuts for you!

Manon said...

I was like.... what's snail mail? I had to figure out what it was.....lol! My address....lol!!

Have fun with your Viking!! I'm going out to dinner later with my friend Cindy! Her husband, Dr. Joe, is at a conference in Hawaii...lol! I wanted to tag along and swim with the sharks..... just kidding!!

Have a great Saturday night!!

Ces Adorio said...

You too honey! It's beautiful here today so we are barbecuing. Have a wonderful weekend sisterfriend! Tsup!

Renee said...

You my darling doll.

xoxo

buckram and bembo said...

i like the side burns

Arija said...

Holy Maraccas! A weekend of nuts in grass skirts..what a sight! Thank goodness I have the perfet build to really fill out the grass skirt and the coconuts can hide the inadequacies above.

Deborah said...

Ok, but I'm just warning you and Manon, I'm gonna need large coconuts...

Ces Adorio said...

Gifted does not necessarily mean one can type!

Kathie Brown said...

I, too, love Arija. I have only met her through my blog, but that has been enough. She called you her little sister. I took it literally. I see now how you are close in heart. Thanks for this wonderful tribute to her! She passed her award on to me! I agree with you, that all things in life (and especialy children) should not be labeled! I like it that she gave out this award without any rules! Now I will pass it on!

Arija said...

Hey Ces, a funny thing happened yesterday on the way to the forum.... I could smell your BBQ, and I wasn't even hungry!

Ces Adorio said...

Hello Kathie! if Arija gave you the award then you most definitely deserve it!

Aha! Arija, I are you sure it was not Katherine Hepburn barbecuing?

silk scarf said...

I agree with Ariji's comment. It can be a beautiful pattern for a silk scarf.