Well, my son, Bruce Smith-Standish, reviewed my "blog" last night and provided me with his very own special type of support for this endeavor. While he found my first "post" (as it were) a nice introduction, he replied in an "electronic letter by mail" - which I am told is an "email" that I needed to "Punch it up" and "not be afraid of color".Our son Bruce, (shown at right during a community fair) you see, is a free spirit - one who embraces a different view of life.
In fact my husband Edwin Cabot Smith-Standish and I often ask our selves when we see Bruce "how did this happen to us?"
Still Bruce seems to have his finger on the pulse of new things, so I girded my loins and said to myself, "Martha, color your world."
To inspire me I put my favorite Vicki Carr album on our Curtis Mathis stereo, set the volume at a sensible level 3, and looked at the world around me. Bruce said that I could choose any hue around me, so long as it expressed my passion for life. Really! "Passion" at my age? Dear, naive Bruce. Passion at this point in my life is reserved for a good 5NT hand at bridge at Shaker Heights Country Club, and maybe, if I am feeling totally out of control a nice rare steak.
And then I found it, the perfect color for my "blog". Something not too flashy, or bold. Yet something beyond dull boring beige. And are you ready? How about - and dare I say it...
Ecru!
It is easy on the eyes, and it doesn't cause strain. It is timeless, while evocative of things trustworthy, and familiar. It is an honest color, and flattering to all but those with olive complexions.
I was so excited that you will never guess what I did. I called Bruce, direct dial long distance at his business, Chaps Leather Store (and how lucky was he to get Ralph Lauren to design in leather!) and told him what my color is.
"I'm proud of you mother," he said. "Ecru is a big step for you."
And isn't that what life is about? The adoration of your children, and personal growth. That is what "Ecru" means to me.
What color touches you to the very marrow of your soul?
In my next post I will introduce you to my jewels.*
Yours in deepest gratitude,
Mrs. Edwin Smith-Standish
*Like Cornelia, my jewels are my children, each of whom, excels at what they do best, even Bruce.
