Pond image courtesy of kconnors, Morguefile.

There are times when I read some books and contemplate actually doing what the main character is doing. Take Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, for example. It’s nice to fantasize sometimes about living in a cabin in the woods, with my possessions reduced to their minimum (much easier to tidy things up that way), and contemplate the essential meaning of life while doing simple activities.

Thoreau said, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary.” I have to admire that; he recognized the preciousness of life.

But I don’t think I’d want to say in the woods for too long. I’d miss some of the essential elements of life: chocolate, YouTube, chocolate, Facebook, libraries, chocolate, e-mail, chocolate and oh, yes…did I mention chocolate?

“You’re moving next door? Really? Wow!” Image courtesy of alice10, Morguefile.

ITV takes this concept up a notch in their miniseries “Lost in Austen”. In this show, modern-day ardent Austen fan Amanda Price trades places with Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice. Amanda has the advantage of knowing what’s going on (such as the ball at Netherfield) but things get out of whack and it’s funny watching her trying to adjust to that era.

Although if I really wanted to recreate a book…I’d pick Jules Verne’s Around The World In 80 Days. I’d see fabulous sights, meet interesting people, and take you guys along (virtually speaking) because I’d blog about the whole experience. My camera would faint from sheer exhaustion due to all the photos I’d take. Plus, I’d have to hire at least two traveling companions, get multiple visas and figure out the best (and safest) routes from one city to another. Just let me win the lottery first and I’ll get back to you on that. Oh, well.

Readers, what would be your favorite book to imitate in real life?

Street in Morocco. I wonder if it looked like this during Aline’s era? Image courtesy of clarita, Morguefile.

Ever read a book that is just written so well, you can barely stand to put it down and take a break? You literally have to pry yourself away from the book (here, I’ll loan you my crowbar) and you’re anxious to get back as quickly as possible so you can finish reading.

For me, these books are anything written by Aline Griffith, later the Countess of Romanones. She was a 1940s-era American model who later began working for the Office of Strategic Services (a predecessor to the CIA) as a spy. Aline married a Spanish count, Luis, in 1947 and they had three children. In addition, she was friends with Wallis Warfield Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor.

I love her books because she not only discusses her intriguing life as a spy in Spanish high society, but also gives a lot of cultural information about Spain and Morocco. She’s written a total of seven books but my favorites are The Spy Wore Silk, The Spy Wore Red,  and The Spy Went Dancing. These books are real-life memoirs of her life as a spy and offer, to me, an interesting window on a unique culture.

Some professional reviewers have cast doubt on the authenticity of her books, but she does state in a foreword in one book that the book is somewhat fictionalized. Fair enough, to my mind. Plus, whether you believe what the Countess says — or not — they’re still a good read for when you’re lying on the beach, swinging in your hammock or relaxing out on the deck.

So here’s the mission for this post: Go out, find the books and enjoy! (And by the way, can I have my crowbar back now?)

Springtime azaleas! Image courtesy of jjulian912, Morguefile.

Yesterday, my local farmers’ market opened up for the season. The weather was utterly perfect — blue and brilliantly sunny with a chilly breeze that made me glad I was wearing my sweatshirt.

The farmers’ market runs every Saturday from May to October. During the spring and summer, they offer freshly cut bouquets of flowers with colors that perfectly complement one another, as well as artisan ice cream, seafood harvested from a bay only three hours away, baked goods, popcorn and a host of fresh vegetables and fruit. I like apples, so I like to try some of the most interesting varieties such as Honeycrisp and Pink Lady, rather than the usual Golden Delicious and Red Delicious that I find in my store. In the fall, you’ll find pumpkins of every shape, color and size.

There is one stall that I visit every time. The couple that runs it are pleasant people and always ready to chat. Thanks to fellow blogger Russell Deasley and his tasty blog post about whoopie pies yesterday, I had a yen for one of them (chocolate) and munched it while strolling around the other stalls.

There were some changes. Normally, the vendors tend to stay in the same spot, but there was some shifting around this year. But the same people were there with a few new and interesting additions.

There are live musicians to entertain everybody and you’ll usually find cute little toddlers hopping around in time to the music, enjoying themselves without reserve. Sometimes it’s a band playing guitars and fiddles, other times it might be a group of South American musicians playing pan pipes and other traditional instruments.

The other part of “market day” involves a craft fair that sells jewelry, photographic prints, ethnic clothing, items to give your cat or dog some “bling”, or anything else you need for your home. This year, somebody was selling environmentally friendly jewelry made from recycled computer parts — cufflinks made from the alphabetic keys of keyboards or pendants and earrings made from pieces of circuit boards. Pretty attractive, really. Now, that’s the way to recycle your iPad or PC!

I was also taken with one photo in particular. It showed Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” inscription at the Lincoln Memorial in DC with a copy of The Washington Post lying in front of it. The headline on the newspaper is about Barack Obama’s election as President. I liked the juxtaposition between the dream of the past and a symbol of the present reality.

All of this activity takes place close to a lake. After I went through the fair, I took a path that leads near some of the lakeside houses enjoying the brilliant pinks, reds and whites of springtime azaleas, the lavender-colored lilacs and purple wood violets. Everything looked and smelled amazing.

It was one of those mornings where everything fell into place and made for several hours of sheer perfection. And through it all, I’m listening to the music on my portable music player. Michael Bublé’s song below was the perfect accompaniment.