To Autumn

This ode was written by John Keats, an English romantic poet. "Ode to Autumn" is known as the most simple of Keats' odes, depicting the features of fall in quiet, poetic terms. 
Keats was born in 1795 and died young from tuberculosis in 1821. He was only twenty-six years old. 

                          SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
2. Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
3. Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

Fashion For Fall

Wondering which styles will make the top 10 list for autumn? Interestingly enough, vintage trends such as velvet and peplum seem to dominate 2011's fall runways - so do weird things like polka dots and graphic design! (Who gets to decide what's "in" anyway??!? I often wonder...) Sometimes it's interesting to see how intertwined are society and fashion. So if you're planning on going shopping anytime soon ladies, here are a few things to keep your eyes open for... 

 1. BIG Number One.... Back to the 18th Century - LACE                           

Lace reminds me of a lot of things.... ancient wedding dresses, old-fashioned frilly baby caps, grandmothers crocheting, petticoats... but it has never called New York's catwalk to mind - until 2011. Lace is definitely in - hence its place of honor on my list! Lace cardigans, lace skirts, lace tights, long lace undershirts, lace-covered shoes, black lace, pink lace, gray lace, tan lace, white lace.... I've even seen jewelry covered in lace. It really isn't a bad idea, and when compared to all the other bizarre fabrics on the runways, it certainly seems like the fashionists and fashionistas might be onto something, and, what's more, have displayed good taste for once. So keep a close lookout for lace!

2. Back to the 80's - LEATHER

                In contrast to old-fashioned feminine lace, leather-everything also made a significant appearance on autumn's runways. Lace vs. leather... an interesting contrast. I wonder if women's struggle for dominance over men in our society has anything to do with this masculine trend. 

                Everyone could use at least one leather jacket in their closets - at the very minimum, a leather handbag! You don't need to go for this biker leather-beserk look, but one or two leather pieces wouldn't be a bad idea for this fall. Believe it or not, even leather skirts are in... 

3. Back to the Future.... Those Colors?????

Lace and leather are not so radical... but how about mustard yellow and Yves Klein blue? It's then that things start to get a little weird...
           But they may not be as avant-garde as you think. Take mustard yellow, for example. When put together just the right way, it can be an awesome shade... and so fallish! If it's a good color on you, go with a trendy cardigan in that color. (Hey, if Miss-40s on the left there can look that good in one, why can't I??) If not, a pair of trendy heels! And if it you are a non-mustard and a non-heel person, try mustard flats.
           And for the ultra mustardaphobes, (and yes, I did just make that word up,) go with a mustard scarf peeping out from under your jacket. The point is, something mustard must (haha, get it??) find its way into your wardrobe for fall. (Plus, it sort of matches all those pretty leaves!)

      So must jade green. Now that is a color that pretty much looks good on everybody. Try a maxi sweater in this color, (maxi sweaters are also in) or a choker dress (so are these) for fancy occasions. And then there's the jade-green scarf. That always works.
 

Last rad color - (and probably my fav) - Yves Klein blue! And you always have to say it or write it with an exclamation mark! Because it's just that kind of color!
           Yves Klein was a modern French artist who liked to paint with this shade of blue for some reason. Shoes in the Yves Klein shade ROCK. They really do. But you should wear this blue paired with minimal shades, such as a black skirt, (with those shoes,) or a tan outfit, if you opt for Yves Klein jewelry/accessories. Yves Klein blue provides a perfect pop of color for a dull day (and for a dull look.)
           Then of course, there's always the Yves Klein blue scarf... (for the YvesKleinblueaphobes.)

4. PATTERNS Till You Puke (Not Really)

Patterns have always dominated the runway... but it's the type of patterns that make the era unique. This season's top two: polka dots (yuk!) and black-on-white blocking (yay!)

        Okay, I guess polka dots can be cute... in small doses, though,  please. Frilly polka dotted shirts are good, especially under trendy fall cardigans/jackets. (Think denim or lace.) Polka dotted hair accessories, such as headbands, are cute. So are those scarves. (Obviously.)

Black blocking white (or vice versa)... Now we're talking. This is the classiest of classy looks ever invented. Black is in perpetual style, as is white, and when you put them together... it looks good on pretty much anyone pretty much anywhere. It's formal, ultrakool, mature, and very modern. Always.

So try this look - it's not too hard. All you need is a white piece of clothing, and a piece of black clothing. Try a black cardigan over a white blouse, with black boots and white lace tights. Or a white flowing skirt with black turtleneck and black pumps. Or a dress with Cruella DeVille style color blocking and a lacy white cardigan... the choices are endless. And if you need a bloop of color, there's always that mustard... or Yves Klein blue!... or jade green, all in accessories such as jewelry, hats, head scarves, neck scarves, and handbags. Black-on-white is just too awesome not to do at least once this autumn.

5. A Fantastic and Fabulous Fall Fashion - FEDORAS

A fedora automatically screams out, "Trendy!" It can't help it, it's part of the fedora's nature. It adds class and fashion to any outfit. If you're feeling drab, slap on a fedora and you'll be transformed from ordinary drab to rockstar. Sound almost too good to be true?

Gray, black, beige and tan are the safe colors that go with anything. If you need a splash of color, try a fedora in lilac purple, navy blue, or soft pink. You really can't go wrong with this fantastic hat. Trust me.

  And finally....                  
              6. The Awesomest Trend of the Millennium - LONG SKIRTS

It honestly doesn't get any better than this. Modesty is in style, can you believe it?!? This year, hemlines have gone south to mid-calf and floor-sweeping looks. Pull out every swinging flowing skirt you own - and keep your eyes open, because they might be more available than previously. The length is perfect because it can easily be paired with boots, flats, or heels. Maxi skirts are especially in.

In cold weather you want to pair these skirts with duster coats, trendy scarves, leather boots, cardigans/turtlenecks/maxi sweater or leather jackets, and perhaps a fedora. With warmer weather, a light blouse with a lace cardigan would look good paired with flats - or high heeled, close-toed, pumps. Like black-on-white, long skirts are timeless...but take advantage of them while they're walking the runways in the high-class fashion world and wear them to death!
           So this might not have been the deepest post in the world, but fashion is one of my passions - and even though I may not own a scrap of Yves Klein blue clothing, it's fun and interesting for me to stay updated on what society's trends are with regard to dress.
           Time to go shopping!!!!!!

Getting to Know Milton and His Times

           Thousands of poets have come and gone throughout the ages; only a few bask in the light of distinction. Several names everyone knows are: Shakespeare, Dante, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Homer, Edgar Allan Poe - and John Milton. You have probably heard of all of these men, whether or not you are acquainted with their works and context. And yet Milton's "Paradise Lost" was written about four hundred years ago, in a style unfamiliar and awkward to our modern ears, concerning an archaic tale filled with classical mythology and midrash - how did such a poet "irrelevant" to our modern age create such a timeless pedestal for himself?
           For one thing, Milton's poetry is timeless. For another, he was a truly great man, one of the geniuses of his age and perhaps the most educated poet to ever pick up a pen. "Paradise Lost," for instance, he wrote as an old blind man in prison - he would create the verses in his head at night, and then dictate them to his three daughters in the morning. I myself doubt that I'd be able to read the poem aloud without stumbling, much less compose it and recite it from memory hours later!
          He was born in London on December 9^th, 1608, son of a composer and legal secretary. In those days wealth guaranteed a good education and Milton's family was very well-to-do. (One wonders what the Poets' Hall of Fame would be missing had he been born a pauper.) When he was twelve years old he went to St. Paul’s school in London. Here he began to study Latin and Greek – eventually he would become fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Spanish, Dutch and Old English! No doubt his profuse knowledge of eight languages contributed to the diversity of language in his writing. According to his younger brother, John would study very hard, often sitting up until one in the morning with a candle. His early classical foundations combined with his self-discipline and innate genius are key factors in his fame and greatness later in life. 

            In the seventeenth century, college took the place of high school, so at seventeen years old John Milton enrolled at Christ’s College in Cambridge. He was hardworking, yet argumentative, which led to his suspension in 1626 after a dispute with his tutor. This was a foreshadowing of the stormy part he would play in politics in the future - Milton always felt he was entitled to his own strong opinions, and had been classically trained to think critically and express himself forcefully. He was eventually assigned a new teacher and graduated with a B.A. in 1629, ranking fourth out of twenty-four honors students. However, he always felt out of place at Cambridge; contradictory to his strong-minded nature, he held a reputation as a sissy, nicknamed "the Lady" for his long curls, scholarly disposition, and effeminate features. Hoping to become an Anglican priest, he stayed to obtain his Master of Arts degree on July 3^rd, 1632. He had made a few good friends, among them Edward King, for whose death he would compose “Lycidas” – and the theologian Roger Williams who tutored Milton in Dutch in exchange for lessons in Hebrew.

           The next six years John "took off" - he moved to the country and spent these days in isolation, studying and reading theology, philosophy, history, politics, and science. This would be deemed a colossal waste of time by our modern views - according to our standards, he was obligated at that point in his life to get a job, to work, to utilize his college degrees. Yet he knew he needed this time alone to continue to deepen his learning, to grow more, to "find himself", so to speak. The results were his well-earned reputation as the most educated English poet of all time, a thorough knowledge of the classics, and a well-trained mind. He continued to write poetry during this time.

            In May 1638 John went on a tour of France and Italy, meeting famous intellectuals such as Galileo, displaying his poetical skills and experiencing new ideas and traditions. News of civil war in England recalled him home in July of 1639. Back in England he began writing prose tracts against episcopacy and became a private tutor. In the spring of 1642, Milton married seventeen-year-old Mary Powell. Unfortunately, it was not a happy marriage and matters were made worse when the English Civil War broke out in August and his wife’s family sided with the king while Milton sided with Parliament. Around this time Milton wrote the “Divorce Tracts,” which advocated divorce and earned him the new nickname “Milton the Divorcer.” 

            In March 1649, the Cromwellian government appointed Milton Secretary of Foreign Tongues. 1652 was a difficult year for Milton – in February he became blind, in May his wife died giving birth to daughter Deborah who later also died, and one-year-old son John died in June. Three years later he remarried, but then his new wife and daughter both died in 1658. Experiencing traumas such as he did in 1652 perhaps created a more mature and stronger Milton - he had come a long ways from near college expulsion over a tiff with a tutor in 1626. 

            Oliver Cromwell also died that October and Cromwellian government came to an end. The period of the Restoration began and Milton was forced into hiding because of his propaganda writings and association with Cromwell. King Charles II was restored to the throne on May 30^th, 1661. In 1663, Milton remarried yet again and spent his time tutoring and writing “Paradise Lost”, which was published in 1667 and received immediate acclaim, admiration, and popularity. Seven years later the poet died of kidney failure on November 8^th. He was buried in the Church of St. Giles Cripplegate.

            John Milton lived during stormy times in England. Charles I and Parliament had been at constant odds for a long time, and in 1642, when Charles raised his royal standard in Nottingham, the break was final. Then three major battles were fought by Charles’ supporters against the supporters of Oliver Cromwell. Charles was defeated for the last time in 1646 at the Battle of Naseby, and he surrendered to the Scots rather than to Parliament. But the Scots broke their promise and sold Charles to Parliament in January of 1647 for £600, 000. Charles then escaped in November to the Isle of Wright and the last battle of the English Civil War was fought at Preston. The supporters of the King were defeated – Charles I was tried at Westminster Hall in January 1649, found guilty, and executed on January 30^th.

            For the next eleven years Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth was the government of England. In theory Parliament was in control, but in reality, it was Cromwell and the army who held the real power. Eventually Cromwell established the Protectorate, effectively making him monarch. This was the government of which Milton was Secretary of Foreign Tongues, and one of which he approved and supported. He wrote many tracts in support of the Commonwealth and its theories. At Cromwell’s death in October of 1658 the Protectorate was at an end and Parliament made the son of Charles I king in 1600.
        These were the tempestuous times in which the great poet lived. They were days well suited to a man such as John Milton, and he played an important role in the drama of England's political turmoil. Amidst the darkness of regicide, harsh Cromwellian government, and general uncertainty and disorder, Milton's epic "Paradise Lost" glimmers as a small point of bright light - the light of the most important tale of redemption in the English language. Milton had been steeped in Christianity since childhood, yet he also unconsciously portrayed the Jewish message of repentance alongside the Christian Messiah's sacrifice in a chaotic chapter of English history. For this he was immortalized in English literature and in the minds and hearts of those touched by salvation in "Paradise Lost" , which has become, for us, "Paradise Regained." 

            

An Introduction to Classical Music - 5 Favorite Pieces

If you think classical music is boring, maybe you've been listening to the wrong pieces.

Sometimes it's difficult to dig through all the works written throughout history, from Handel to Debussy, to find music relating to modern life. However, some pieces are absolutely timeless. Here are five of my favorite classical works to add to your new autumn playlist. Enjoy!


1.The Sunset Piece (Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major by Bach)
This is not this cello suite's official nickname, but it reminds me so much of a sunset every time I hear it that I can't help but call it the Sunset Piece in my own mind. You decide what time of the day it feels like to you. Its rich cello sounds are warm and comforting, in spite of the conflict towards the middle when the key changes to a stormy minor. In the end the conflict is resolved and the notes are back to themes of warm orange sunshine characteristic of a setting sun.  watch Yo Yo Ma play this piece


2. A Snowy Moonlit Garden (Claude Debussy - Clair De Lune)
Inspired and named for moonlight, this nostalgic piece is one of Impressionism's most famous masterpieces. It begins tentatively, then morphs into aggressiveness with its chords, flows into a lovely stream of broken chords and crossovers, and ends on the same shy theme. Written by French genius and pioneer of Impressionist music Claude Debussy, it recalls more than moonlight - it evokes a whole era of music, art and culture during the early twentieth century. Listen to Clair de Lune


3. Passionate Storm (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Symphony No. 25 in G Minor)
The full spectrum of human emotions expressed through Mozart's musical genius are covered in this single movement. The opening bars are undoubtedly angry, perhaps disappointed, and undeniably stirring. Components of the piece reflect passionate happiness which ultimately fades back into the initial passionate hatred. It personally reminds me of Mozart struggling with his genius in an age which did not quite understand him, as he did not quite understand himself. He was perhaps one of the greatest composers who ever lived, and yet he died young and was buried in an unmarked grave, his greatness undiscovered by his own time.
Listen to Mozart's symphony


4. Dreams of Love (Franz Lizst - Liebestraum)

The German Liebestraum is translated "Love Dream," a more than fitting title for this romantic piano piece expressing all the ups and downs, sadnesses and joys, excitement and melancholy of love. It is a very graceful work, calling to mind images of hearts, rainbows, swans, butterflies, etc. :)

Listen to Liebestraum

5. The Music of Israel (Bedrich Smetana: -The Moldau Symphonic Poem)


About one minute into this work, this seemingly Tchaikovsky-sounding symphony starts pouring out the soulful melodies of Israel's national anthem "Hatikvah." I firmly believe this is the only way Hatikvah is meant to be heard and played. The Jewish composer Smetana did a fabulous job with this nineteenth century symphony, and moreover he is to be applauded for his courage to write and perform this work in an era not so favorable to Judaism. Like Mozart, it is a stirring work, yet not in the same passionate manner - the emotion is expressed in a Jewish way through minor keys and graceful melodies. It is a song for the patriotic, dramatic, soulful and/or melancholy mood.
The Poem