I have not posted a word for quite some time, I succumbed to March madness and break out in hives every time my phone rings.
I used to welcome phone calls but lately they concern the funereal dates of elderly relatives and the horrific untimely death of those too young.
NYC is great until a friend gets shot in the head or your much admired sculptural artist's child dies from a seizure.
I should not be writing about any of this, I do not want to remind anybody of their pain but oddly, those closest to me never read this blog.
Death is an invitation we shall all receive, hopefully in our sleep. It is the burden of those who awake to mourn, to hopefully appreciate life and make the best of the day that they are given.
I give you yet another image of Venice, it is my wish to be cremated and have my ashes unceremoniously dumped off any bridge into the Grand Canal, until then I shall drink and smoke and enjoy every minute of every day in memory of those who have passed.
35 comments:
HALLELUJAH, you're back. I was worried...
I go to Italy on Friday and from Rimini to Venice next week.
What a coincidence again.
Hello:
As one becomes older, [and we are not including you here] one's thoughts increasingly turn to death and the realisation that, sooner or later, we shall all shed this mortal coil. Having six months ago been diagnosed with leukaemia, such thoughts tend to surface rather more often than before but, conversely, one does find oneself valuing and appreciating more, rather as you say, all that life has to offer.
And one of today's joys is that you have a new post which includes one of your delightful images of Venice which so captures the very essence of this most wonderful of cities.
And, for now, banish all thoughts of being dumped in the Grand Canal!!
Love this illustration...
Well, David, you could be dumped in the Canal Grande, die and then have your ashes dumped in it. It would be a double death. And a great one.
Of course I don't mean it seriously!
I got myself a good (I am still reading it, so my review has to be neutral) about Venice. I'll quote a passage your pigeons reminded me of: "...they (the pigeons) have been flying and fluttering in Saint Mark Square ever since it was fashioned. Why should they depart now?And if they were to be removed, would the square itself be nobler or safer?The case is arguable.(....)The birds are part of the spirit of place. They are the grey stone come alive and rendered soft to the touch".
(Venice, Peter Ackroyd)
David, you are back! I thought you might have frozen to death up there in the mean cold snowy north. I missed your illustrations but all is well now. And someone will surely kindly disperse your ashes in the Grand Canal, but not so soon. We need our regular shot of DMcG color. So you are not allowed to even think like this. A bientot.
Oh, and is there pigeon disguised as a penguin in there...? or vice versa.
Welcome back, David. I absolutely love your illustrations, but I'm willing to bet I've said that before.
I was, at one time, surrounded by death. It changes you. For me, it drove me into my own head, a comfortable place, for the most part, where I can write the world to reflect how I feel it SHOULD be...
Thinking of you.
Pearl
We shall all die- a fact that somehow we manage to mostly forget about until we are surrounded by others' deaths and it's weird and it's hard until we finally come to a place of acceptance.
If we can.
Beautiful illustration, David. I am always glad to see you here.
I think it's wonderful that you share also the serious things in live with us. Our lives are not only happy and our blogs should not pretend that. Love the way you wrote it and wish you all the best!
as always: like the illustration!
THANK GOD you're back...I feared you may have fallen into another canal and almost went into stalking-mode again.
Thank you for sharing with us what you have been going through. No doubt, it sucks. This time of year is a bit trying for me as my young niece passed away during Holy Week six years ago. Since then, I try to live every day to the fullest in honor of her.
Be well, my friend, and don't be a stranger!
XOXOXO ~ Beth
I thought we had lost you forever after your long winter hibernation! Glad to have you and your wondederful drawings back!
I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you, David. Thanks for returning to blogland!
I am sorry for your recent losses. As one who has experienced many, I too can tell you that they change who you are in some ways. For me, it was learning that life is short, and can be fragile, so make the most of moments, friends and the love you have around you, and give back where and how you can.
Hugs to you,
E
When I saw the new illustration (love it!) pop up on the blog feed, I was SO excited to see you were back! I'm sorry you've had such heartbreak recently. My heart goes out to you.
Big Hug!
I'm glad you're back, but sorry to hear about the deaths. Unfortunately, I'm no stranger to untimely death, whether it's the young lady to whom I was close who was murdered on the LIRR (frankly I don't miss New York but still enjoy visiting), or the friend killed by a drunk driver where I now live.
I'm glad to see you here! even telling the sad facts of life ...
occasionally life, rattles us
to show that only the present is real and matters.
And it's just a moment like this, 'better tapped' in life
that you presents to us in your gorgeous illustrations!
X De
ps: I loved the previous post!
text and pictures are amazing!!
I am glad to see you again, I missed you.
I do understand the feeling, especially at those times when it seems that all you hear about is death and loss, when you want to just curl up and avoid contact with the outside world..
I have been through these spells, I fear most people have .. and the older you get, the more it happens. But you have to keep the perspective that You remain alive and well and will honor those who are gone with loving thoughts and memories and you will live a little more intensely perhaps, for them too.
much love, C
Helllloooo! You're back:) Sad but alive and kicking it does seem to happen this way all of a sudden death is around every corner.... sorry for your loss:(
See you and read you again soon, I hope!
David, I have been looking every day to see if you had written since February!
I find your illustrations stunning and what you write always thought provoking and well written.
I am happy that you posted again
David, so glad you have popped back into blogworld I was getting worried about you. Unfortunately life is short and the older we get the more we are aware of it, live every day like it is your last and enjoy life to the full, we do owe it to those who have gone before.
XXX
David, just tried to send you an e mail but it bounced straight back, is your e mail working? or is it my service provider, it always seems to have problems with AOL. Drop me an e mail when you can.
XX
Glad to see you back and very sorry for your recent losses. I so understand losing many loved ones but we have all the great memories to keep them alive forever. Looking forward to more paintings and posts from you.
sometimes, to put distance between ourselves
and pain, we must wish a few weeks away.
Hi Dear David
Sorry to hear about your many losses.. a sad and difficult time for you.. I have the same wish to be cremated and thrown over the seas so maybe I'll drift up to Venice for the after party..
Take care...xxx Julie
Great to have you back - and to have another Venice illustration.
Death CAN come as a friend, but more often or not Death appears as a bastard burglar, stealing away the precious ones and leaving us raw and bereft.
the loss of a child is especially cruel.
Ali x
You have exactly the right take on it David. Bravo!
You have exactly the right take on it David. Bravo!
Hey, Great illustrations! i like so much your blog! :)
Good to see you back on , hopefully the spring will be better for you.
P.S. it's me Amy !!!
Welcome back and love the illustration!
Oh definitely order up a ceremony! So much better on one of the little bridges on Venice's back streets don't you think?
There are way too many pedestrians on the Rialto bridge...
Voila!
You inspired me to do a post on Venice bridges!
Grazie
Just happened upon your Blog. Yes life can be brutal and even tragic. Friends and family disappear before our eyes and good friends, true friends, the kind you call at 3:00 in the morning and they are concerned and helpful are rare and the only real jewels in our crowns. Bravo! Enjoyed your blog. A new follower, Lorenzo
Love that you are writing again.
I have missed you.
XOXO
You are 100% correct. Enjoy the smokes and the drinks, buddy.
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