Redefining misanthropy for a fresh generation. Standard posts begin with a definition from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary followed by a modern adjustment. Miscellany on Wednesday and storytelling on Saturday.
Ok...the name "Hippo" really should have given it away, right?! And Aphrodite is really said that you passed on her gesture to the virgin Mary...But alas, it matters not. Just hope none of those Olyumpus deities turns those two lovers into lions!
Yay for Still Life! Madame Mikki rocks and is a gal to admire for more than a few reasons. I happen to admire this fashion savvy maven for her great taste in shoes! :)
Excellent story, Doug. Kept me wondering if he'd get the girl. And in the end, she got him. As it should be.
beautiful story! I was truly worried for Hippo, how many more chances he's gonna miss, but happily Still Life was curious enough to find out who paints the apples. I'm smiling in tears.
i think this may be one of the *most* charming of all the amazing/entertaining tales you've written that i've been privileged enough to read, and i absolutely LOVE it!
First I listened to you read the story, next I read it myself, and then I listened to you read it again. I do truly love it.
My favorite line: Hippo started out of the trees but worried suddenly that introducing himself as both a secret admirer and a vandal might be off-putting.
That quite literally brought tears to my eyes. And its posting was so perfectly timed, as my spirits were in need of an uphill "push". So thank you thank you.
In a few weeks, I'll be receiving my new chair which drives up to 7mph compared to the turtle-slow 5 of my current one; I should be able to cover plenty of ground in search of those golden apples.
Thank you, Quilldancer and that's interesting. When I was done writing I bet myself that was the line the non-fiction Still Life will like best.
TLP, you may not be easy to impress but you sure ain't hard to get a compliment out of. Thank you.
Thanks, Dddragon. That's good to hear from someone who's met the real thing.
Quilldancer, those are terrific definitions. I especially like the second. Poetry without irony is something I sure never learned.
Thanks, Brian. My pleasure.
Well, then, Mireille, I ought to get away with it. Thanks. and Zockso!
Thanks, Joel.
Good news, Still Life but watch the ducks. We all want to see your book so I'm glad this wasn't a distraction.
Sophisticated, wouldn't that take time away from the blog?
Feline, I'm a plagiarist but it was along time ago and besides, the author is dead.
Mutha, good to know. I look forward to meeting the new character.
Everyone, sorry for the long absence I took a 1/2 planned and 1/2 impromptu overnight trip up the coast and have to get home tomorrow so, in the words of the muse, take care of each other.
Wow - that was a good welcome home tale. A beautiful story inspired by it seems, a beautiful spirit. I think I have a tear in my eye. I loved the painting also.
I'm reading the story late, so no need to return any comment here. I just had to say that this story is amazing. It was more touching than any Hallmark movie I've ever seen, and that's saying A LOT! Romance and heartfelt humanity wrapped up in a powerful little short story. Well done!
To hear the story, tap the amphora
First? ...First?... (first?)
ReplyDeleteEcho.... echo.... (echo...)
It's lonely at the top. Time to check out Doug's story.
Don't get used to it! :)
ReplyDeleteOk...the name "Hippo" really should have given it away, right?! And Aphrodite is really said that you passed on her gesture to the virgin Mary...But alas, it matters not. Just hope none of those Olyumpus deities turns those two lovers into lions!
ReplyDeleteYay for Still Life! Madame Mikki rocks and is a gal to admire for more than a few reasons. I happen to admire this fashion savvy maven for her great taste in shoes! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent story, Doug. Kept me wondering if he'd get the girl. And in the end, she got him. As it should be.
beautiful story! I was truly worried for Hippo, how many more chances he's gonna miss, but happily Still Life was curious enough to find out who paints the apples. I'm smiling in tears.
ReplyDeletethe love the painting too.
i think this may be one of the *most* charming of all the amazing/entertaining tales you've written that i've been privileged enough to read, and i absolutely LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteit's... perfect.
Sar, it seems funny to see you there. Just going to bed?
ReplyDelete:-), Minka
Thanks, Actonbell. That's a kind compliment.
Minka, you sure know your mythology. Or should that be you're mythology?
Sar, as it should be, yes.
Thanks, Ariel. If you're worried how these will come out, remember I'm writing within an hour of Hollywood.
Gosh, Puppybrose, thanks. I enjoyed writing it, too Plagiarize an old myth, blend in a living poet and the credit you can take is inspiration itself.
This story is perfection. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteFirst I listened to you read the story, next I read it myself, and then I listened to you read it again. I do truly love it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line: Hippo started out of the trees but worried suddenly that introducing himself as both a secret admirer and a vandal might be off-putting.
Wow. *Impressed* And I ain't that easy to impress.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Lovingly written.
I really really like this one!
ReplyDeleteStill: surprises and rewards that lay deep within or just out of sight.
still n. 1) the quiet before dawn 2) the edge of possibilities
ReplyDeleteWord verification: exgem -- extreme gem -- apt description of, Still Life with Apples.
You both break my heart. A story beautifully written for a beautiful woman. Not too stalkerish, I think, for a secret admirer and a vandal. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNicely done. My favorite to date.
ReplyDeleteThat quite literally brought tears to my eyes. And its posting was so perfectly timed, as my spirits were in need of an uphill "push". So thank you thank you.
ReplyDeleteIn a few weeks, I'll be receiving my new chair which drives up to 7mph compared to the turtle-slow 5 of my current one; I should be able to cover plenty of ground in search of those golden apples.
I keep telling you Doug, you should have your own book published. Great story!
ReplyDeleteLove the story! Where do these wonderful tales come from? Are you an author, as well? Quite the talent, Doug. Love it, just love it.
ReplyDeletePoetry, my boy. Still as ready is something I really love.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new person in the neighborhood...
Thank you, Quilldancer and that's interesting. When I was done writing I bet myself that was the line the non-fiction Still Life will like best.
ReplyDeleteTLP, you may not be easy to impress but you sure ain't hard to get a compliment out of. Thank you.
Thanks, Dddragon. That's good to hear from someone who's met the real thing.
Quilldancer, those are terrific definitions. I especially like the second. Poetry without irony is something I sure never learned.
Thanks, Brian. My pleasure.
Well, then, Mireille, I ought to get away with it. Thanks. and Zockso!
Thanks, Joel.
Good news, Still Life but watch the ducks. We all want to see your book so I'm glad this wasn't a distraction.
Sophisticated, wouldn't that take time away from the blog?
Feline, I'm a plagiarist but it was along time ago and besides, the author is dead.
Mutha, good to know. I look forward to meeting the new character.
Everyone, sorry for the long absence I took a 1/2 planned and 1/2 impromptu overnight trip up the coast and have to get home tomorrow so, in the words of the muse, take care of each other.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteYou may hide behind your self-appointed title of "curmudgeon", hermano mio, but you are a poet at heart...
Beautiful!
well... if you 1/2 to you 1/2 to.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, haaa! Puppybrose is a witty lady FO SHO! No wonder bohemians just loooooveee her!
ReplyDeleteStill... a word not understood by lil' bohemians...
still: the word my foolish heart never heeds.
ReplyDeleteWow - that was a good welcome home tale. A beautiful story inspired by it seems, a beautiful spirit. I think I have a tear in my eye. I loved the painting also.
Well done. It is so difficult to hear anyone tell stories these days...espcially as good as this.
ReplyDeleteWow, Doug, one of your best!
ReplyDeleteStill waters run deep... and Still Life IS deep. But you knew that.
Beautifully symbolic, the Cezanne of storytelling you are.
ReplyDeleteHermana, Pablo Neruda, Ambrose Bierce and Edgar Allen Poe have all proven that poetry can live in a grouchy soul but I do love an argument.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Puppybrose. It was that or jump out of my truck on Highway One.
Miz B, most li'l ones only learn stillness by aging or under chloroform.
Thanks, G. I was proudest of the painting :-) I once tried painting a still life with apples, actually, but the fruit was too quick for me.
Thanks, Old Mule. And thanks for your poem. It's going up now.
Aral, I don't have your visit but it doesn't take that to know Still Life is deep.
Oh, thanks, Cooper. So I can keep my ear?
I'm late, Doug. You're awesome. And Hippo's really a chicken. I oughta know ...
ReplyDeleteI'm reading the story late, so no need to return any comment here.
ReplyDeleteI just had to say that this story is amazing. It was more touching than any Hallmark movie I've ever seen, and that's saying A LOT!
Romance and heartfelt humanity wrapped up in a powerful little short story.
Well done!
O Ceallaigh, I think you can get non-aerosolized spray paint now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jamie Dawn. I just can't help talking back to you.
I adore this modern myth - and must admit it was the bird which lured me into reading it...well done Master Doug.
ReplyDelete