I received an email the other day from a new reader. She was a little confused and asked me for an explanation: why was a blog about Old Money talking more about politics and Paris?
It’s a fair question, especially for someone coming to the blog fresh, without the benefit of being on board since 2014.
Here’s a straightforward answer: for about 5 years, I wrote about the culture and concepts surrounding Old Money. How people who’ve had wealth and privilege for three generations or more think, behave, dress, raise their children, and structure their lives, just to name a few categories.
Between my posts and our community’s insightful and informative comments, we’ve covered a lot of ground. I don’t think we’ve said everything that needs to be said: current events and new ideas will always present opportunities to shine a light on how Old Money values can stand the test of time or be implemented in innovative ways.
Conversely, I am wary of beating a dead horse. I am also more than a one trick pony: I care and write about other things, and my experiences abroad have inevitably colored my writing and changed my views. (Equestrian metaphors abound today, for some reason.)
Blog posts have veered ‘off topic’, but I’m just not sure how long I could write about one subject and, first, not bore readers to stone, and, second, not feel like a hamster on a wheel, recycling well-worn ideas ad infinitum.
Going forward, I will of course discuss Old Money culture and Old Money values. I think those warrant attention in a society that promotes the latest thing online as the greatest thing of all time. Furthermore, new visitors need to know what we’re really all about here without scrolling back to a 2019 post in the archive.
When it’s possible to (safely) travel again, I will hit the road and write about what I find in Hong Kong, Dublin, and Rome, just to name three pending destinations on the agenda. So travel insights will continue to be a part of the blog.
As members of this very unique and valued community, you’re always welcome to suggest a subject or topic that you feel needs attention or is relevant to our discussions. So fire away, and I’ll take it all under consideration.
Continue to be safe. Spring is coming.
- BGT
Wonderfully stated.
Perhaps you might want to talk about the profound and abiding joy that listening to Classical Music provides for all of us from the smallest of newborns to the most elderly among us. Just a thought dear sir, based on my long and thoroughly pleasurable personal experience. Live theatre and symphonies were events regularly scheduled and their attendance encouraged (if not required) in my family for as long as I can remember. To this day, I’m still lifted up by listening to Stamitz, Graupner, Boccherini, Vivaldi, Mozart, Fasch, Massenet, etc. etc. etc.
Best Regards,
JanB
p.s. We are all well; hope you and yours are too.
Lovely photo incidentally! (I apologize for any typos/misspelled words or names – poor eyesight – as you may recall.) Thank you!
May I be so bold as to suggest an additional thought for your consideration? This might also be the time to talk about the personal and communal satisfaction and fulfillment in ‘serving others’. One of my most cherished memories is volunteering at a large metropolitan hospital in their maternity ward. My sole function there was to ‘boot and suit up’ and then for the following hours to do nothing but hold, coo at, soothe, rock, and talk to newborn babies. That time was so dear to me and – there is no doubt in my mind – that listening to my voice drone on hour after hour resulted in a whole generation naming their own future pets – Carson, BabyBoo, PapaBear, Champ, PC, and so forth and waiting for them to have their own adventures in life.
It was also one of my greatest joys to visit with the elderly. I would show up, be present, and listen to them. I would drive them anywhere they wanted to go. I would bring them a small bouquet and sweets (if allowed). I would call them and they would call me. I would run errands. And it was never an imposition. It was serving others and the habit of doing so was an honor and privilege passed on to me from my remarkable father and mother.
As you have often said Byron – THIS (terrible season) TOO SHALL PASS. And all the more quickly if we reach out to others not only for their sake, but for the sake of all humanity and for ourselves as well.
Now – lean back, get comfortable and I’ll tell you a story about what BabyBoo did when she only two years old……….
Best regards,
JanB
Just a brief note of clarification because I’ve been asked several times in the last few days. Re: the maternity ward experience.
The volunteers were called ‘baby whisperers’ by the nurses. Because of the location of the hospital, many of the newborns had been (sadly) conceived and/or born from violence (i.e. rape, incest, molestation). As a result – AND EVERY ONE OF THE NURSES BELIEVED IT ADAMANTLY – those particular newborns seemed to lack a certain ‘spark’ for life and the nurses along with the baby whisperers refused to let them go without a hope, interest in and intent to choose to live – even if it meant being subjected to listening to seemingly endless stories about beloved (and some times maybe fictional) pets. Or the stock market. Or the inclement weather. Or the recalcitrant teen at home. etc. All described to the newborn in a well modulated voice and gentle tone of course while each was soothed, rocked, held and cuddled until their assigned time was over and the nurse brought the next little one for his or her turn. (Obviously the content/subject didn’t matter at all. The only thing that mattered was the love being shared between the baby whisperer and the infant.)
The baby whisperers were there because each of us chose to be and our lives were made better and richer for the whole experience.
All anyone has to do to serve – even in this difficult time – is to make the conscious decision to do so and then open your heart. Be aware as you look around you and your world. Then be still and listen and watch for what appears next. And – then – finally – step up. I promise you will never regret it!
I would add that it seems to me – at this particularly poignant time – I live only a few miles away from this week’s senseless Boulder shooting massacre) that along with all of us who are grieving, that the children and the elderly and homebound are especially isolated, vulnerable and in need at this time. But – please – just look around and see who and what speaks to you and your heart.
Thanks again for listening,
JanB
What a beautiful story, Jan. Thank you so much for sharing it. And our thoughts are with everyone in the Boulder area. – BGT
You make me blush!
I choose to believe that there are many similar – but as yet – untold – stories being created and lived all over the world as we speak. And that there will be even more of them in the future. But thank you.
Best regards Byron,
We are sad but steady in this time of mourning.
JanB
An update on today’s coverage of the (Boulder massacre) laying to rest of the first responding police officer who was killed in the line of duty.
It was HEART BURSTING PRIDE in the officer’s actions and service and HEART BREAKING sorrow for his family, law enforcement partners, friends and community.
May he rest in peace along with the other souls taken in Boulder last week.
Watching the images of everything (including the live video feed of 500+ police vehicles from all over the USA/country in a convoy of respect for a fellow officer) for as long as I could bear to do so, will stay with me forever.
JanB