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The grey clouds outside, weighted with rain, will last through the weekend. I like the rain, but not when I’m feeling a little down and out. Like now.
Because I know that I can’t let the feelings take over or I’ll bury my head under the covers and stay in my PJ’s all day, I’m assembling some indoor activities to keep myself occupied-to keep my head up.
I came across this Vogue cover. It’s the November 2012 issue in Mexico.
Frida Kahlo is one of my very favorite chingonas.I feel sad that I will miss a museum exhibition that this cover highlights. Las Apariencias Enganan ( Appearances Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo) opens on November 22 at the artist’s museum, La Casa Azul in Coyocán, Mexico. Several pieces of Frida’s colorful, unique wardrobe, which set her apart from the women of her time (1930’s-50’s), will be on display.
Frida sits in a tranquil repose on this gorgeous cover. Sitting for Nikolaus Murray, the photographer, must have caused her pain. She suffered from polio, several broken bones including a crushed pelvis from an earlier bus accident, and a spinal cord injury. She was in traction for many months, wore a brace, and limped. And still this woman painted while recuperating in her bed, paintings that are renowned for their surrealist renderings.
In this photograph, Frida projects a wisdom through her eyes-a knowing. Wisdom has many meanings. A simple yet profound one is from Wikipedia “Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true coupled with optimum judgment as to action.” Wisdom is also discernment, insight, lessons learned.
Some wisdom from Frida Kahlo:
In this photograph, Frida projects a wisdom through her eyes-a knowing. Wisdom has many meanings. A simple yet profound one is from Wikipedia “Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true coupled with optimum judgment as to action.” Wisdom is also discernment, insight, lessons learned.
Some wisdom from Frida Kahlo:
- Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.
- Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light.
I love a woman with cojones.
- I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me, too.
It’s raining now. I think I’ll begin the morning perusing the short stories and poems in my new issue of Huizache. What a gorgeous cover, huh. The art is titled ” The Crying Tree,” by Patssi Valdez.
The artist notes, in the back of the book, state: “The crying tree is shedding the tears of distress and pain that one endures in a lifetime.” When I read her quote I think of the wisdom of her words.
In the picture, there is growth, vibrancy, fruit, seeds, and living plants growing right underneath that crying tree. I am reminded that although the clouds are heavy and I’m going through a sad period, that there is beauty from pain, grey clouds, and the rain.
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