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Why are women in older portraits always naked?
And why would a lady want to attend a picnic without clothes?
That's just asking for trouble and to be eaten by ants?!
And why would a lady want to attend a picnic without clothes?
That's just asking for trouble and to be eaten by ants?!
This summer I've had the pleasure of participating in quite a few picnics - both real and imaginary ones. At least once a week, Vivian and I decide to "cop a squat" on the carpet in our living room to eat our lunch. (We eat outside as well but lately it's much too hot for that!) Often we'll watch a movie or play music while we eat.
When my niece was here, we also picniced each day. On the third day of her visit when I began to set the table for our lunch, she asked me, "Aunt Mandy, can we have a picnic again today?" How could I refuse such a request?!
Why is it that eating food on the cold hard ground (or on the floors inside your home) make lunches or dinners more exciting? How come the disposition is more relaxed and less protesting occurs when you determine to eat a meal as close to nature as possible?
Just the word "picnic" draws to mind a warm feeling -- a feast, friends, family and the great outdoors. After I think of the term picnic, I immediately think of "comfort" as in comfort foods and a comfortable setting with loved ones.
Vivian and I had a glorious picnic with some of her stuffed animals earlier this week. Monkey enjoyed his banana. Kermit the Frog put away his usual flies and opted for potato chips instead. Elmo indulged in corn. It was a most courteous and joyful feast for all, especially for Viv who had a grand time jibbering away at all the attendants. She was a gracious picnic host, I must say proudly. (See photo below)
Now, if you will..... please play along with me. Let's take a break and enjoy a virtual picnic together. Use your imagination. Come'on, please play along and pretend with me.
We're having a picnic - You and Me. Let's describe our adventure.
1. What color is our picnic blanket?
2. What color is the basket? (Or what are we pulling our feast from?)
3. What foods are we eating?
4. What drinks do we have?
5. Where are we dining (indoors, outdoors, in the park, on the beach)?
6. What sounds do we hear nearby (birds chirping, kids playing ball, waves crashing against the shore)?
7. What are we talking about? Or are we silently sitting?
8. What time of the day is it?
Feel free to post your answers in the comments section. Or you can create your own picnic post and answer the questions there. Let's start a virtual picnic that spreads across the nation. I'd love to hear your idea of a perfect feast.
Did just thinking about a picnic make you feel better? I hope you'll take the time to have a picnic this summer. Sometimes just the simple things in life can make a real dent of joy in your day.
Happy Picnicing Everyone! May it be a wonderful event (without the ants and flies)!
6 comments:
I just posted about it on my blog:http://enjoylifeenjoynow.com/2010/07/virtual-picnic-with-mandy.html.
You made my day--picnics are GREAT!!
That pictures is out of control--gave me a good laugh.
I hope my picnic isn't too lame--lol
Gosfam - Thanks for playing along! :)
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Here are my answers:
1. What color is our picnic blanket? Red and white checkered of course!
2. What color is the basket? (Or what are we pulling our feast from?) A huge yellowish one from Longaberger
3. What foods are we eating? The question is what AREN'T we eating -- b/c we have a serious spread of potato salad, watermelon, chicken salad sandwiches, turkey burgers, chips, grapes, brownies, cookies, and more!
4. What drinks do we have? Sweet tea, lemonade, ice cold water, and a few six packs of beer and two bottles of wine.
5. Where are we dining (indoors, outdoors, in the park, on the beach)? We're in the grass under a huge shady tree next to a bay where waves are gently crashing. About 200 yards away is a playground where children are laughing and playing -- a mix of quiet and noise.
6. What sounds do we hear nearby (birds chirping, kids playing ball, waves crashing against the shore)? Birds overhead eyeing our food, kids laughing nearby and our own hunger in the stomach!
7. What are we talking about? Or are we silently sitting? We're talking about anything and everything - how we "met" to our families to music to animals to what we would do if we had a super power for a day!
8. What time of the day is it?
About 7 p.m. -- the sun is about to set in an hour and we will watch it.
I would love to have a picnic with you and Vivian!
1. What color is our picnic blanket?
The blanket would be a soft, comfy blue.
2. What color is the basket? (Or what are we pulling our feast from?)
It would be a cooler with wheels since the food would need to be kept cold.
3. What foods are we eating?
A meat and cheese platter with crackers, veggies with dip, potato salad and sourdough bread with butter. For dessert, assorted cheesecake.
4. What drinks do we have?
Strawberry lemonade and wine.
5. Where are we dining (indoors, outdoors, in the park, on the beach)?
In the park.
6. What sounds do we hear nearby (birds chirping, kids playing ball, waves crashing against the shore)?
It would be ducks and geese quacking and honking. We save some bread to feed the birds. There's also a waterfall splashing in the background, along with kids laughing and playing.
7. What are we talking about? Or are we silently sitting?
Silent? Heck no! We'd be talking about everything...life, love, happiness, kids, dreams, writing, creativity, music...whatever comes up in the conversation.
8. What time of the day is it?
If it's not too hot out, it would be 3:00 pm.
So let's have a picnic :)
What color is our picnic blanket? I'll have to say pink if Jillian comes along :)
2. What color is the basket? (Or what are we pulling our feast from?) I think I would bring a cooler too. I love chilled food.
3. What foods are we eating?
Sandwiches, fruit and lots of chocolate chip cookies.
4. What drinks do we have? Lemonade and water.
5. Where are we dining (indoors, outdoors, in the park, on the beach)? Wouldn't it be fun to find a park with some cool sculptures to look at?
6. What sounds do we hear nearby (birds chirping, kids playing ball, waves crashing against the shore)?
Kids playing, birds chirping, U2 playing...maybe your Bono singing along :)
7. What are we talking about? Or are we silently sitting?
Life...can we talk about my Hugh Jackman obsession too? I think I need therapy.
8. What time of the day is it?
How about 4 P.M.? Does that work for you? I love that time of day.
Thanks Mandy. That was fun. Wish I could fly down to Florida for that picnic now :)
I can't even begin to post my answers. I am too busy being consumed by that photo and wondering why the men have on full suits and the women are naked as can be. I think this is definitely some male artist's version of how he wants life to be.
Let's see, a perfect picnic to me, would be on a bright, multi-colored blanket on a beach, without oil. In a vintage basket, we would have some shrimp salad, French bread, a nice bottle of wine, an assortment of cheeses and fruits, and some Cajun music, playing in the background!
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