Sunday, April 26, 2009

Forecast

If you read the headlines or watch the news, you probably won't want to leave the house. Let's review: we've got a global swine flu pandemic in the making, a few escalating wars, at least two nuclear threats and a worldwide economic meltdown. We've got a nationwide housing market catastrophe, an unemployment disaster, a health care crisis, and an education system freefall. We've got a government that appears to have lost its checks and balances -- as well as its ability to balance its checkbook. We've got enough nightmare-inducing facts and figures to have made even Nostradamus need an antidepressant.

But the couple in this picture is oblivious to all of that.

I think these two are wiser than all the scaremongering prognosticators. In this couple's world, it's just a sunny day in springtime -- a perfect time to be in love.

21 comments:

Jilly said...

Love it! They've got it right, Laurie. Live in the moment - and so have you.

Julie said...

With the dominance of the media being what it is, and people only ever reading the bad news, issues have snowballed.

I know they will respond by saying they are only the bearer of the news ... this was always only a cop-out.

Virginia said...

Ain't love grand! Sigh
V

Anonymous said...

Funny how death and destruction and celebrity news are all hugging the same front page.

Judy Williams said...

My favorite song from my favorite musical EVER. WOW - I couldn't stop smiling during their entire performance. And they sound so much like the original that we have on vinyl record!

This couple has a sweetness. I like how their legs are entwined and the the rest of the world is a thousand miles away.

What a fantastic way to start out a rather dreary morning. :~)

Yakpate said...

If a mushroom cloud was reflected in the window behind them, this couple probably would keep on kissing.

It's a survival-of-the-species trait... the young ignore the negatives while their hormones... and idealism... surge. Thankfully!

Dixie Jane said...

I agree with Yak and I am on the same page with Judy. I was fortunate enough many years ago to see, The Fantastiks, live at U.T., off-Broadway's longest run. And I too have a well-worn vinyl record. Listening and/or watching the news is enough to make one crawl into bed and curl up in the fetal position. Not to mention celeb news like Mia Farrow going on an all water diet for 21 days. I have yet to figure out how this affects their causes.

But then there is "The perfect time to be in love." Any time is the perfect time. Thanks for the reminder, Laurie.

dbdubya said...

Hey, let's put things in perspective. Forget the negative spin on the news. Sure the economy is bad, but indications are that the housing market and credit crisis may have hit bottom. There's better than expected news from Ford, and GM finally appears to be taking things seriously. Chrysler...oh well. Jobs will return and there are tremendous opportunities for reinvention and entrepeneurship at times like this. We have not had an attack on US soil since 9-11. The violence in Palestine of a couple of months ago has calmed down, Iraq is much more stable than a year ago, there's a plan to bring the troops home, and our President is more effectively addressing Afghanistan. In November, our country voted for change and they got it. What happened to the euphoria following the election? In South Pasadena, we still have some of the best schools in California and a safe and caring community. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball and the Lakers and Ducks are winning in the playoffs. And, it looks like USC and UT will both have good teams and perhaps we'll get a rematch of the classic Rose Bowl game 3 years ago!

We have the ability to choose how to accept the things that are thrown at us in life. As many have pointed out, this young couple is oblivious to what's going on and are purely in the moment. It's a beautiful Sunday in South Pasadena. We have the freedom to attend the church of our choice, go to the Mission Street West Spring Festival, or go to the park to enjoy the sunshine.

It's a beautiful day and the news is not going to prevent me from enjoying it.

TheChieftess said...

DBD...you're my hero!!!

Cafe Observer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cafe Observer said...

Hey, let's bring things back to reality. This very young couple probably are still dependent on someone else (parents?), annnnd, they don't seem to have ever had to deal with a cat.
So, I agree with you, LA, maybe that's some wisdom to follow.

Dixie Jane said...

dbdubya, I like your attitude. You are living in a wonderful place to practice it. Sometimes the rest of us get bogged down with the circulating bad news in the absence of the beauty and happy living conditions that prevails in your neck of the woods. Although I consider myself luckier than 95% of the rest of the world, I admit that I easily succumb to the bombardment of the negative.

Laurie Allee said...

Fear is a commodity -- and the media uses it to its advantage whether that advantage is to get ratings for their stations, sell papers in a dwindling newspaper economy or up lagging ad revenues for their biggest advertisers. (Watch pharmaceuticals surge in the wake of this oncoming flu problem...) That's life in modern times. Books like The Culture of Fear address this brilliantly.

But optimism, love, clear-headedness, bold initiative and reason are our commodities and we can call on them whenever we choose. It's been a long time since we've had leaders or a cultural elite who dared to say, we have nothing to fear but fear itself. But it's still true today.

It IS a beautiful Sunday. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Laurie Allee said...

Oh, and everyone in this area should check out the MIssion Street Arts and Crafts Faire. We went yesterday and it was really great.

Cafe Observer said...

What did you buy, LA? And more importantly, what did u eat?? Does Shanna sell/xhibit at these events? Can hardly wait for your pics from de faire!

-K- said...

Thanks, I needed that.

Jean Spitzer said...

Yup. . . . Either the sky is falling . . . or it's not. Might as well make out. Lovely photo.

Double "D" said...

Laurie, These kids definitely have it right.
The news magazines on TV and news papers coming at you from every direction are the biggest hinderance to some peace of mine for everyone.

Like you I tend to spend more time wandering neighborhoods and driving the country side looking for inspiration for new paintings. When doing this you see that everything is peaceful and beautiful and calming. When we take a vacation it most always has a connection to water. I can sit by a lake or stream and just listen to the water and gaze at distant horizons. Ease back on the gas pedal and coast to a stop. Get out of the car and look at the true colors of our life.

Your pictures and your prose tell such wonderful stories. I always enjoy them.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi all,

Thanks so much for all of the lovely sentiments, kind words, and overall coolness that makes me so happy to maintain this blog.

Until tomorrow!

Virginia said...

Just listened to the clip. I LOVE that song. I worked backstage on the Fantastiks in high school. (I was too shy to ever try acting. Can you believe that one??)
V

barbra said...

You captured a lovely moment! Love this photo.

I'm so sad that my weekend was too busy and I couldn't make the street festival. But I didn't even have a spare minute. :-(