It’s time to retire Gotham Girl Chronicles. As I head into my tenth year of blogging, it’s time for a change.
Ten years ago I was floundering without an identity after retiring from the corporate world and my dear father was battling Alzhiemer’s. It was the move to NYC that saved me in so many ways. When I would hit the streets of NYC and take out my camera I would just lose myself in a way that’s hard to put into words. Looking through the viewfinder, I could step into another world. The anxiety of figuring out who I would become and the gut wrenching heartache of my father’s illness would float away. I’d become unaware of my outside world and absorbed in the process, allowing myself a safe place where I could empty my thoughts. And in the blink of an eye those years flew by and my creative desires blossomed.
Over the past six months I’ve thought a lot about this space. Should I give it up? I so wanted to during the times that someone would hack into my blog. It would infuriate me so and all I wanted to do was to shut it down. The days of feeling overwhelmed with all the things I wanted to accomplish made me think – one less thing on my plate. But after lots of digging deep inside myself, I feel it’s important to continue the journaling process. A big reason why? It’s my way of remembering. Remembering what I saw and how I felt, regardless if I was in my backyard, walking over the Brooklyn Bridge or hiking through the rice fields in Vietnam.
A few weeks ago I sat down with a couple of photo albums my husband made of our trips from twenty plus years ago. I had totally forgotten some of the small villages we experienced as we road our bikes through Bordeaux, France or drove the backroads of Italy. What a joy to sit and reminisce. Even as I read through some of my entries from my first few years of New York, it reminded me of how special to have documented my thoughts. As I move along in the aging process I know my images and my words will continue to be invaluable to me. Who knows what I’ll remember a few years or twenty years from now. Another reason for writing is to keep my brain stimulated. No doubt, writing forces me to organize and articulate my thoughts and that stimulates the brain.
So speaking of aging, recently I was having a conversation with a friend and somehow we ended up in a discussion where I said…”If I could travel the world and collect seed pods for the rest of my life I’d be a happy camper!” It’s so true. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve loved the faded, the decayed, the imperfect – appreciating the beauty of impermanence, the beauty of aging. On the farm I’d be with my father in our peach orchard and squeal with delight when I’d find a peach on the ground that was decayed and contorted. For some reason I found beauty in it. And I still do to this day. My father recognized this and assisted me by bringing me all kinds of objects throughout my childhood and even into my adult life. Always saying, “I really think you’ll like this one!” Who knew all these years later I’d still be enamored and finding so much satisfaction in collecting and photographing these often decayed and discarded items. Irving Penn said it best – “My preference is for flowers considerably after they have passed the point of perfection, when they have already begun spotting and browning and twisting on their way back to the earth.”
Of course this conversation brings me to the term wabi-sabi. I can’t recall when I first heard those words, but when I did I knew it represented so much of what I loved. A Japanese term meaning the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. So often we go after the new, but I find myself going after things that show signs of aging and the passing of time. My “storied objects” series is a reflection of this. There’s a beauty that can come only with age. Moving forward this will be my focus. Finding beauty in the aging process whether it’s an object or even myself. I want to share the art of aging. I document for myself, but would love to hear your thoughts as well as we head down the path of aging.
Stay tuned. There’s changes coming.
I can’t begin to tell you how much your musings resonate with me, dear Robin. I absolutely love your story. But then, it only makes sense that THIS is how we’re thinking and pondering in these sunset years when we are every day faced with the fading glory of life as we’ve known it.
My own experience is that if I don’t blog about what has been, I most certainly “lose” it. It’s not so much that it’s transient but that it all runs together over time. I NEED to keep the memories as whole as possible because they were so important in the moments they happened. Also, for me, I have children and grandchildren for whom the record will remain, should they wish to peruse it from time to time. I think of it as my legacy for them once I’m gone.
Might I add…do it for those of us who follow you and find unending inspiration from you!
“Thinking and pondering in these sunset years when we are every day faced with the fading glory of life as we’ve known it.” That sentence speak VOLUMES and brought tears to my eyes. “The fading glory of life.” Thank you! Yes, I totally get what you’re saying. We are both so fortunate to travel and have experiences that it can often just run together. Even my mornings of working in the backyard run together and thanks to a friend of mine (https://donnamhopkins.com/journal/2018/5/30/busy-as-a-beaver) she inspired me with her blog posting to start a garden journal. Short notes, to the point, but I can go back and look when I fertilized something, ha! Whatever it takes, right? You are certainly going to leave a treasure trove for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren for sure. What a wonderful gift for them that will be passed down generation after generation. I LOVE THAT! Thanks always for being such a great cheerleader! xo
I relate to your love of aging, decomposing, wabi-sabi everything. So you said you are retiring this blog. Does it mean you are starting a new one? Or did you talk yourself out of retiring this one?
I enjoyed reading your thoughts here so much.
Thanks so much Ruth! The contents of this blog will remain, but I will have a bit of a new look. The domain GothamGirlChronicles.com will also remain for family and friends why may still use it to find me. But I will have the domain of RobinWertzCraig.com and a new title and tagline as well as a very simple look. So stay tuned! And I know of all people your appreciation for wabi sabi! ❤️
This place has been a touch stone for me. When I had doubts about my ability to cope with my mother’s dementia, I sought solace here. When I doubted my photographic style, I looked to you and the way you grew into your voice. When I felt anxious and worried for the world, your words comforted me. I am grateful for your friendship and for the art you’ve shared that has enriched my life.
I’ll look forward to a new blog, a new space and a fresh focus from you. I love what you love – things imperfect. And I love the idea of a focus on aging. Perhaps you might like these photographs on The Aging Female Body. http://ambershields.com/visionsofjohanne
I read your comment and then realized I know this woman! Hi Donna.
Love these connections!!❤️
Donna, you are the sweetest. I honestly can not wait to meet you one day. But until then, you will also continue to inspire and motivate ME! I hope you’ll join in on some of the aging discussions as I know you have thoughts on this topic. Thank you dear one! And now I’m off to visit the link you shared! Oh, also…I LOVED learning about Samuel Zeller. Oh my gosh…I totally fell in love too. Every single word you used to describe WHY was so right on! Now I must order his book! ❤️
Since I started following your blog my mother developed dementia and is now living in AL. It’s very hard for me to deal with, and I understand that a big part of the problem is my own fear of growing old. I have a hunch this new blog will be a lifesaver for me.
Oh Nancy…I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I so understand. And yes, I think for all of us that have experienced a close family member with this dreadful disease and has this thought in the back of the mind…will this happen to me? I think there needs to be more open communication about all of this aging process so we don’t go down this path all alone. So yes, please join me! I am now off to your website and blog to see what you’re up to. Just taking a peak into your sight made me think….why am I not spending time here? So thanks for giving me a nice evening read with a glass or two of wine. I’m looking forward to it! Thank you! ❤️
I’m also reflecting and writing (at the age of 70). My husband and I lived on a sailboat from 1978-92. Many adventures, including ocean crossings. I wrote newsletters during that time (before computers!), and I’ve assembled them into a book. I’ve wanted to write this book for 30 years, and this was the year to finally complete the task. I plan have it up on amazon by the fall. For a while, I thought I’d do it as a blog: http://jeanbaardsen.blogspot.com/. I got about halfway through the book, on the blog, then heard about Blurb.com, and decided to go ahead with a print book. And, talking about hacking, my website got “phished” and the host suspended it. I decided to start over. It’s in progress, but here’s a link: https://jeanbaardsen.wixsite.com/jeanbaardsenart. That’s also a reflection – on my art, and what I’ve accomplished over the years. Robin, I enjoy your well-written, contemplative blog. I plan to follow you in your new direction.
So nice to meet you Jean! Oh, wow…what a life you’ve lived. That’s a long time on a sailboat and I’m sure you have so many stories to tell! Thanks for the links. My first glance is WOW! I can’t believe how artistic you are and how many different mediums you work with! Just awesome. I know you have plenty to fill your days now that you’ve landed (!) in North Carolina. I love your artist statement too. So I’ll plan to check it out in more detail during my evening happy hour/hours! Thanks so much for your comments and look forward to your interactions as we continue our path! ❤️
Thanks, Robin. Art brings so much meaning to my life. I’m grateful every day for what I’ve been given.
I have followed this blog from day one. I’ve learned so much from your writings and so appreciate all that you shared along the way. You inspired me to write my blog, where I document our daily lives for our Daughter, Shantel. I understand your need to move on to different things, and I can’t wait to see your new blog, and follow the aging process along with you. Love and hugs, XOXO
Thanks my dear. We’ve traveled this path together for many many years and I look forward to many more. Love you!
That were a lot of thoughts and words, Robin. However these words stuck with me “I document for myself. I want to share the art of aging” and not in that order.
Often Ginnie and I have the discussion about her blog “In Soul”, that is for us. We like to keep the memory and I am so grateful Ginnie is keeping the score of were we have been.
As a “internet” family and we were lucky to have met, we grow to care for each other and we want to be informed and keep up with “how are you. How is your mom, Do you still cope, can we help out”. We care about each other, we spend time with each other even moer than with my own family.
I know blogging is time consuming and we all have our periods of not being in the mood, too little time, “a burden” but then we see the joy that “our story”brings to somebody else or that my problem is not only a problem I have, we relate and give comfort.
We will follow you on the path that you will choose to write down your “adventures”. Have a good day and know that we love you.
Astrid, this note brings tears. Tears that represent the opportunity we had years ago to connect and then the amazing time we had together to solidify our friendship with my visit to your country. What generous and heartwarming words. I hadn’t thought of it that way…we spend more time together than with our own family. So true. My internet friends know more about me than my own family. Thank you so much. With so much love and respect to you both. ❤️
I am so glad I finally saw this post Robin as I have been in and out of blogging for various reasons. Your words resonate with me deeply as I am in year 8 of blogging and know a change is coming for me too. I love wabi-sabi and how it relates to the beauty of aging. And so I will be following your new blog as you inspire me to look again deeply within my own wabi-sabi self for inspiration and purpose.
What a sweet note Donna! Thank you! I look forward to your input as we delve into the art of aging! I so enjoy your garden scenes you share. I know you’re taking a break from social media for a bit, so I’ll look forward to your return!
Robin, your words in this post resonate deeply with how I perceive you through your shared photos and thoughts without ever meeting you personally and that makes them quite special and somewhat touching. Enjoy the turn in your blogging and where it will lead you, I’m looking forward to following you on the path!