As I write this column, the mountain ski areas around the US are all closing with the highest recent snow totals of the entire season coming at the end – several feet of snow fell on the last day at many ski resorts. Now we switch to get-ready mode for swimming, tennis, golf, and beaches.
Soon, some we know will be complaining about summer’s heat, but after this cold and very snowy spring, not I!
Things have changed, Summer isn’t what it used to be.
Something odd has happened to our concept of the Summer vacation season in the US!
When I was growing up, Summer vacation seemed to last forever. Long, lazy days of running around shirtless, wearing only tennis shoes and shorts, playing outside in our tree house, or biking with neighborhood playmates, plus so many days at the lake swimming, lounging in the sun and water-skiing. Today, when the much-anticipated Summer month of June finally arrives, the kids get out of school, many of us meet up for our annual family reunion, we throw in a quick week or weekend at some destination, then August arrives and the kids go back to school? The traditional three-months of summer vacation, have now been reduced to only a month and a half!
The purpose of our website magazine, ARTSandFOOD.com, is to make your whole life feel like a vacation. As we say, “The best things in life… are never boring!” Today one can fly to Paris from the US for about $280 one way… considering it costs $1500 a year to just ride the NYC Subway, a weekend in Paris is no longer a once in a lifetime affair. Pick your pleasure and let’s have some fun, entertaining, traveling, enjoying the arts and living with good design, all year long!
I recognized early on that good taste is free, so regarding the good life, just be selective when money is involved, otherwise, create it. I can easily spend $350 – $500 taking my wife and two friends out to a nice restaurant with wine, but when we cook a wonderful meal we can entertain a half-a-dozen friends at home for around $250 or a special couple for less than $100. Living the good life does not have to be expensive, because good taste and talent (having skills) are free!
Let’s have some fun as we entertain and “recreate” this season. Welcome to Summer and Sunshine!
Until later,
Jack A. Atkinson
Founder, Editor, Publisher of ARTSandFOOD.com
PS: I agree with David Rockefeller: “Beauty gives one joy, and joy, in turn, generally adds new and productive facets to one’s overall perspective.”
The late David Rockefeller was one of America’s great art collectors of the 20th century. His quote speaks to the intrinsic value of art and the positive emotions viewing and owning art brings with it… “The Joy of Art”.
If you have not yet felt this joy of art, you simply need more exposure! Keep reading ARTS & FOOD – soon the emotions and pleasures of art will start to wash over you and add new and productive facets to your overall perspective!
