Monday, December 1, 2008

Circles

It's the first of the month, and that means it's Theme Day for participating bloggers in the City Daily Photo community. This month's theme is Circles/Spheres. I chose this beautiful quilt hanging on the wall of Wild Thyme, one of my favorite South Pas restaurants. The cafe is owned by the same family who runs Shakers -- another great local eatery. Although name Wild Thyme alludes to the menu's well-seasoned fare prepared in a traditional French style (get the crepes!) -- I'm reminded of that wonderful rambling speech by Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream:

I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows,
Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows;
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight;
And there the snake throws her enamell'd skin,
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in...

Okay, so you won't find nodding violets or sweet musk-roses here, but you might just dance with delight after a yummy meal in this bistro's cozy, comfortable setting. Which brings me full circle -- and how apropos, given the current theme. I don't know the history of this lovely quilt, but it always captures my attention. Although it's a traditional textile, it's also quirky and magical and eclectic. (Kinda like South Pasadena.)

Be sure to circle around the other City Daily Photobloggers, and have a look at the many creative and diverse images from all over the world.

22 comments:

USelaine said...

That is an excellent choice! They look like the seed balls from liquidambar trees.

Jane Hards Photography said...

One of the reasons I like your blog so much is the words that accompany the image. Cleverly incorporated an image of something that is genuine part of your world.

Hope said...

Your words are beautiful as well as your choice for theme day! I agree with everything Babooshka said above. (who also has a great way with words)!

Bergson said...

Circles very pricking

Judy Williams said...

Now you can't give credit to the beautiful golden light of Southern California, yet you managed to obtain it INDOORS too. That is beautiful. I love the quilt's sunburst appearance, also eluding to that famous golden light.

You know how much I love the juxtaposition between shapes (ie: squares and rectangles with the circles). FAB!!!

Saretta said...

That is indeed a special quilt and the lighting on it is fantastic. I love your text, too!

Knoxville Girl said...

Starry sea urchins floating along with your poetic text - and the lovely circle of light that illuminates it all. I'm happily sated with circles.

JAMJARSUPERSTAR said...

Wow! You've got to love a blogger who accompanies a picture of a lovely looking French-style cafe with some Shakespeare! I'm getting hungry because there seems to be a lot of food-related posts today!

Hmmm.... I fancy some french-style fishcakes at Cafe Rouge now....
Ciao

Scarlet xx

Yakpate said...

OMG! That's the quilt that drew me like a magnet when we had dinner at Wild Thyme! I waited until the dinners seated next to it had left, and then spent five minutes examining it in as much detail as possible, since it is displayed behind glass. Not only is it a bold and beautiful graphic design, but each of the circular, embroidered components is textured in intricate layers. Truthfully, it is a museum quality piece...

Laurie, I also love the "X" of light next to the quilt, and the way your shot somehow imbues the empty chairs with an anthropomorphic quality, as if they are admiring the display!

Virginia said...

everyone said what I wanted to say so I will just ditto everyone. THat quilt is AMAZING. Beautiful scene and your words so fitting. Grand job girl!!!

ben wideman said...

Laurie, I have to check out Wild Thyme. Your tip on Gus's BBQ was such a good one, I can't wait to go back! Great choice for theme day.

Petrea Burchard said...

Your prose AND Shakespeare's - a great combination. He was knowledgeable about herbs, too, so it's appropriate to include him in a discussion of thyme and Wild Thyme. He was also timeless, which is why we revere him 400 years after his death. Just don't get me started on Shakespeare, circles and and the music of the spheres...

Halcyon said...

Looks like a great place to eat. I'm sort of hungry just thinking about it!

Great choice for the theme day!

Anonymous said...

Not big on the Bard but I'm big on Big Love.. Wild Thyme was the location for polygamous Bill when he was scoping the waitress for a fourth wife.

Anonymous said...

I do so love that whole silly, brilliant play. Well done Laurie, all around.

Jilly said...

I love visiting your blog, Laurie. I always feel better afterwards. Today's photo is lovely and of course so is the Oberon's speech. I was lucky enough to see Peter Brooks' production of A Midsummer Night's Dream years and years ago. Magical! In another production one of my dogs played 'dog'! and I played Bottom a trillion years ago....your post brings it all back. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

WOW! My favorite restaurant and Shakespeare too!!! Remember, Laurie, that is where we took you and your family when you were considering moving to South Pasadena. The crepes are great and their hamburger is the best I've found. I go there just to get it!

Petrea, I don't know you, but if you can also weave Pythagoras and the music of the spheres into all of this, I'm eager to know about it!! Laurie has linked my web-site. Thabks Laurie. My early work here in L.A. was entitled MS Pythagoras.

I knew the alignment of the Moon with Venus and Jupiter (did I get that right?) would be magical. I can't wait for the night sky so I can see them again. And It's not even Mid-Summer !!

-K- said...

Let's see, if the past week you've told us about the photoreceptors in the retina, the mechanics of the Winter Solstice, Joyce Kilmer and now William Shakespeare.

I should have just skipped college.

Tash said...

You've just made me so happy with this post - I first saw it & thought very clever to select a motif that is not to have a perfect circle & then I realized it was a quilt. Oh my gosh, it is so beautiful. I'm content.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi kids,

I just love these Theme Days. It's really fun to see how the same subject interpreted by so many different creative minds.

Elaine, I really wish I could plug into your brain and download all of your botanical expertise. Liquidamber trees? Wow, that's cool.

Judy, I thought of you when I took this picture -- all those shapes! I'm tickled that you like it.

Knox, "starry sea urchins" makes me want to write a poem about it!

Petrea and Shanna, you two really should meet! Lovely like minds...

PA, I LOVE Big Love! It's one of my guilty pleasures. So, who's your fave? (I'm going with Nicky!)

Thanks, everyone, for the incredibly kind words and beautiful commentary. Until tomorrow...

Laurie Allee said...

Oh, and Jilly -- I played Puck a zillion years ago!!!

Anonymous said...

Circles!