What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

ec8200c79735676a7bcb7105809d7a2c
I’ve been in school since I was five. And though in two short weeks I’ll begin my 30th year of teaching, I’m still thrilled to be as much a student as when I walked into Mrs. Monday’s Head Start Class–minus the dog ears and knee socks. As I tell my kids, the purpose of education is to learn to critically think and to discover the joy of lifelong learning. Last summer while in Barcelona I fell in love with the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. This summer on a staycation stop encore, thanks to my daughter, Taylor, I fell in love with the photography of Richard Avedon. That’s the thing about classics–whether books, movies, music, or art–they never go out of style so their appeal is cross- generational. Like a fine wine they become more valuable when vintage. And when seen, shared, discussed with others we often see something new we missed the first time through.


I wrote last month about the Golden Age of Couture exhibit which I saw with friends on a Frist Friday. Today I went again with my mom, sister, and daughter. I knew Taylor would love the clothes given she plans to study fashion marketing this fall. But because she also has a huge interest in photography, she called me over to the photographs she really adored and told me they were all by Avedon.

After stalking him on the internet, I realized I’d fallen in love with some of his work long ago…like pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller and of John Jr. and Jackie O. I discovered new photos as well. Among the favorites below, my top pics are in the collection touring this year: The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family…as well as my boy Brando. Then there’s my second imaginary boyfriend, Elvis, who I fell for at the age of six (at five my first was Ringo Starr). Enjoy…

9cf4806a7f7740dab41251af551241a6 059-john-fitzgerald-kennedy-theredlist

008-jackie-kennedy-theredlist tumblr_noupgeYY8m1ttb6hjo2_1280

PHOT-RicAvedon-500-H-16 richard-avedon-man-shaving

Dorian-Leigh-Evening-dress-by-Piguet-Helena-Rubensteins-apartment-Île-St.-Louis-Paris-August-1949

Cindy McCain

I'm Cindy McCain, Southern Girl Gone Global, who flew from my empty nest to write/teach for three years in Marrakesh, Morocco and the Caribbean. Now back in Nashville, I'm sharing tales, tips, and takeaways from exploring 27 countries and finding treasures in my backyard. My blog offers itineraries, travel/hospitality reviews, and inspiration for letting go of fear, holding onto faith, and finding freedom in roots and wings. Featured in Yahoo!, US News and World Report, Expedia, Orbitz, StyleBlueprint, SheKnows.com. Named a Top 35 Baby Boomer Blogs 2020-2023 and a Top 50 Travel Blog of 2016.

One thought on “What I Learned On My Summer Vacation

  • July 22, 2010 at 11:52 AM
    Permalink

    Hi Cindy,
    I found you via Michael Turner’s announcement about the Her Nashville article. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it.

    I so identify with living a life through literature. So much so, that I started writing and I can’t stop. I live through my characters and they’ve taken me to wondrous places I never would have gone.

    I wonder, might I “blogjack” your article and share it on my own personal blog…of course giving you full credit with a link to the article and your blog.

    Please email me at mizging at gmail dot com.

    P.S. I’ve contacted Volunteer State here in Gallatin, hoping I can be a guest in one of their Creative Writing classes to discuss the E-book explosion (publishing) and demonstrate the ease of reading on my netbook. Most of my work is also in print, but far more expensive than downloads.

    Reply

Leave a Reply