Discovering Wabi-Sabi

Something clicked.
After 50+ years of living, I've discovered it.
Now I feel defined, emboldened and free.

What is it?
wabi-sabi 
Not to be confused with wasabi 
which I also love.  :)


Be Still My Heart: Cobalt Blue Glass 
iso 1000, 50mm, f 2.8 1/80 sec

It's been there all my life,

but my life had never met wabi-sabi before.

And now, I know what I have loved,

and my love is justified.

What is wabi-sabi?

It is a Japanese world view of 

finding beauty in the imperfect 

and embracing the humble. 

A life where old and battered objects

are preferred over the new and pristine.

Teapot by Hall (USA) Teacup by Copeland-Spode (England) 

iso 1000, 62mm, f 2.8 1/30 sec

This explains why,

when you come to my house for dinner,

I won't have a new, matching dinner set on the table.

Rather,

each place setting will have a unique piece

of {mostly} vintage ironstone transferware

that I searched for and found

one at a time.

(And do you know,

no one has ever commented on this.

Ever.

It is unnoticed. )

Maybe that is why I felt so alone in my wabi-sabi-ing.

Keys to Unknown Doors

iso 500, 70mm, f 2.8 1/4 sec

I have collected my dinner glassware,

French, red, retro,

the same way - although this is a matching set.

A few pieces here,

a few pieces there.

And now, I have enough for a party.

Each glass is special.

I found it and

 it became part of my life.

Vintage Red French Glassware {Luminarc}

iso 1000, 55mm, f 2.8 1/15 sec

I haunt thrift stores, flea markets and the like.

I bring home the old, battered, unloved

and give it a home.

Why?

I like to look at it.

Something about it is special in my eye.

It stimulates my imagination.

How about you?

Do you wabi-sabi?

Good Riddance Martha Stewart

(or More Reading on Wabi-Sabi)

iso 500, 63mm, f 2.8 1/20 sec

Until next time,

wabi-sabi on.

Photo Editing with Topaz Impression
They offer 30 day trials. 
Here is a $10 off link 
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