Loved this.
There is an article today in The Oregonian by columnist Margie Boule talking about the 20 years of journals at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon (a wonderful coastal town). Part of the allure of this place is that each of the rooms are decorated in the style of a famous author: Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, Willa Cather, etc. I have not had a chance to stay there yet but have walked through and eaten at the restaurant on a past visit to Newport.
The article today all about the words people have left in the journals that are placed in each room over the last 20 years. All kinds of things. Life things. Good and bad things. Private things and silly things.
At the end of the article was the following quote left in one of the journals by a visitor:
"It's been so long since I picked up a pen and wrote more than everyday necessities: a grocery list or a phone number. But something about this place, authors alive and breathing within its walls, reminds me that I am writing because I must, because it is how I am supposed to experience the world. And if my words never glimmer longer than a moment, it doesn't matter. Because in that moment I am living and my words are lighting my jouney."
Amen to that.
The article is not archived online yet, but when it is I will post a link.
sounds very cool ali, cant wait to see the article :)
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Can't wait for the link. I saw something about this resort on the Travel Channel, some time ago, and would love to visit something. Thanks for the heads up.
Sue
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I love that quote. You definately don't need to be "famous" to write some great quotes. Just listening to my 3 year old talk, I hear "gems" all day long. It's just about opening your ears and listening, and feeling your world around you. Thanks for sharing, Ali!
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I just read that in the paper... the stack of the journals on the table was so neat....
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Thank you for sharing the great quote- you inspired me to start my typepad account and for the first time in years I am keeping a regular jounal...love the continual inspiration.
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I just read the main page of the hotel's site... it sounds incredibly peaceful! Gosh, I need that so much right now. I could at least close my eyes and pretend. ;)
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By the way, I love your current "Today" quote. That is something that my husband and I are really trying to work on, the words that we speak. Focusing on POSITIVE words.
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that's lovely... I don't journal much anymore, but I handwrite letters to penpals overseas. It's a real gift to handwrite things. When I receive a handwritten letter, I feel a little piece of that person has arrived with it. It's so different from a type written letter...
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What an awesome quote! Can't wait to read the article. Thanks for sharing!
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thks for sharing this Ali.. I'm a writer at heart, and I for one, loved these words u shared.. amen and amen. I agree.
thks for all your inspiration!
hugs
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Second the 'Amen' to that! Thank you for sharing that inspiration!!
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Really love that Ali! Thanks!
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Ah, you need to take a break with Chris and go stay there some time---it's wonderful! I've stayed there several times---years ago when I spun yarn my spinning buddies and I would work our way thru the Black Sheep festival in Eugene then go with all our new fibers for a night at the Silvia Beach Hotel, sleeping (or not sleeping in my case!) in the bunk room and spinning in their lovely, third floor sitting room/library with a gorgeous view of the Pacific to gaze at while running some new silk or alpaca thru our fingers---sigh, fun memories! I've also stayed in the Jane Austen room with my husband---more sweet memories! Fabulous food there too....might have to go borrow the neighbors paper and find the article tomorrow if they're finished!
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I was JUST thinking today about all the people who are WRITING again because of Blogs! Of course, blogs are not handwritten, but they ARE journals.
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I've stayed there, and wrote in one of those journals. I definitely recommend it. I'd like to go back.
Smiles!
Dianne
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Speaking of the Oregonian Ali; there is something that I think you AND Chris most definately need to read!
Friday, March 16th's Oregonian Metro section includes an article by Richard Cockle,about a life style quite often over looked. I wish it didn't take such a sad article to get my town on the map.. but such as it is I think it will be an awakening for those of you who rarely need to look outside the preimeter of the suburbs.
Small towns are amazing and importaint part of our world today . . even if they go unreconized! I hope you get what I'm saying when you read this article!
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I love this post (and the specific excerpt from the journal that you chose to share with us)...AWESOME!
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Wow, I took pictures of that hotel the last time we were in Newport and I didn't even realize it's history! See how easy it is to miss stuff!!!
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I have been wanting to stay there for YEARS, perhaps this will be *the year*. I hope I hope!
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You know, I've just started journaling again as a way of talking to God. I've been doing it consistently for about a 10 days now, and I've been blown away by the effect it has had on my life.
Thanks for posting this. I have to say there IS something about keeping a journal where you allow yourself to talk freely about the good and the bad. Real life stuff.
Writing is certainly how I process my journey. And I found up until recently I've been making excuses for why I couldn't do it - namely that I didn't have time. But if something is really important to you, you'll make the time for it. I'm starting to make the time again. :)
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merci!
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
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Thanks for sharing this wonderful quote from what sounds like an absolutely fabulous place...I am putting it on my "must experience before I die list" and will be intentional about visiting such an inspirational place. It reminded me of the latest issue of Sommerset Studio (March/April issue) -- not a magazine I read all the time -- but this one was filled with creative items (pages, altered art, etc) that were supposed to celebrate women in literature. I loved it -- because some of my favorite female writers were honored -- and I loved hearing what their words meant and inspired in other women...and was a huge reminder that while what I write on a daily basis -- may only glimmer for the moment -- but may also influence the course of future generations in my family or the world...that is reason enough to pick up a pen, a paintbrush, a picture some stamps and paper and just capture the moments...it is my calling...it is an honor to be able to do it -- and I am blessed to be able to express all that is within me with words and creativity.
Thanks fo being a spark that ignites my fire of creativity on a regular basis. I pray that you find that fire within you as you work on your new project...not a fire that burns you out -- but a fire that allows you to create and write and inspire better than you ever have before.
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That is phat. I am SO going there someday. Chills just reading that.
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This would be a great basis for an issue of your AEzine!
Sue
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Have you ever listened to Cheryl Wheeler? Great musician. She has a song about the Sylvia Hotel - wonder if it's a reference to that place?
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