So long Marianne

Oh Leonard, this song is so incredible. Just heard it again this morning while listening to CBC Radio 2 Morning with Tom Allen. After watching this video of a live performance from the 70s, I was trying to figure out why he was so overcome with emotion. I discovered that 'Marianne' was Marianne Ihlen, a love of Cohen's who he met in Hydra in the 1950s. While at a supermarket one day, Cohen saw her and asked her to join him while sitting outside. Of course she joins him...

Once he returns to Montreal, he sends her a telegram which reads:
“Have house. All I need is my woman and her son. Love Leonard.” That's the stuff movies are made of, no?


NOTE:
If you don't listen to this morning show, you should. Here is a sample of today's line up:
Paulo Nutini
Alex Cuba
Hawksley Workman
Joni Mitchell
Leonard Cohen
Pete Yorn

You can stream it live too, for anyone in the US...here's a link!
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/index.html

What's new pussycat?

With Fall comes the rise of new things (did you see what I did there? fall...rise...). Oliver starts Kindermusik on Thursday and I start French next Monday! Oli's Kindermusik class is called 'Feathers' and focuses on nature sounds and the musical poetry of Woody Guthrie. How sublime is that? He gets a shaker that is in the shape of a bird too. I wonder who will play with that more...

As for the French classes, I decided that while I am on parental leave, I may as well do something that will enhance my skills in the art world. To get into most MA programs you need to be capable in either German or French. My Dad spoke German but, unfortunately, never taught me! So after 10 years of painstakingly being taught French by those who could barely speak it themselves (merci beaucoup, BCI and MCI), I am attending the Alliance Francais with hopes of emerging a bilingual master!

Now we need to find something for Matt to do. Any suggestions?

Update: Jane Eyre

Well I finished the book. Epic.

The Helio Sequence

Me like a lot. Had the album for a long time, just never got down with it. Fantastic review of their newest album Keep Your Eyes Ahead here. Favorite track is 'Broken Afternoon'.

Charley Harper

image via bittenandbound

I really adore Charley Harper. A while back we bought his ABC book at Old Navy of all places. His paintings are so fascinating to Oliver (and his Mom and Dad). His geometrical renderings of wildlife encourage us to think of life in a whole new way. I choose to think of it is although we are all a puzzle. Pieces of the puzzle that all fit together.