Submitted by Jeff Buster on Sat, 09/29/2007 - 20:56.
Carpe diem is one way to say it, but when I saw the glass pedestal cake plate on the sunny bank of the Lower Shaker Lake I had a feeling “seize the day” was being exercised in the superlative.
What was the occasion?, I asked.
“I am waiting for my friend - we celebrate our birthdays with a picnic here every year” the young lady told me with a slight European accent. “Would you like a piece of cake?”
Not shy, I downed a slice of still warm poppy seed Bundt cake. This is a walk I need to take more often!
I complemented her on her elegant candle accented cake pedestal - and her public poise. What a great day for cake in the park!
“We must milk the day” she replied with her hand in the air making pulling-squeezing milking motions - "not let anything keep you from enjoying every minute…"
I had never heard the expression “milk the day” (you’ll note from the carpe diem wikipedia link above that the Latin literal translation is close to “pluck the day”) but boy did this gal know how to demonstrate an appreciation of being alive on a sunny September day…
FYI - she's reading EAT THAT FROG by Brian Tracy
Printer-friendly version
Nice !
There’s an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that it’s probably the worst thing you’ll do all day.
What it means is to take care of the most difficult task first, and then you are empowered with the sense of accomplishment for the rest.
People also say milking it out, making it last savoring it.
Another good one is “ I am just skating” not expelling much energy just gliding along.
My favorite “where was I” being made aware of an event that you wish you could have taken part in.
Colorado
For a minute, I thought you had escaped to Colorado or Idaho. Great job Jeff--this is a great photo that epitomizes the positive side of our region.
A charming and idyllic scene
A charming and idyllic scene captured of a lovely local locale- its with a sense of sadness (as Laura alludes to Colorado) that I too, might first associate the scenario with other locales innately characteristic of people with such moxie and appreciation for / celebration of nature. How many others were appreciating that very day, in that same place? Perhaps others will be newly inspired to do just that.
I think this would picture would have been a wonderful addition to the Envisioning Cleveland exhibition celebrating our region and currently on exhibit at CSU Levin College.
This lovely lady and her delightfully romantic idea should be considered trend-setters - to me, this is another example of the rich uniqueness, flavor, and flair those who hail from other places and migrate here bring to our region.
Milk the day, Indeed!