A couple of weeks ago, Nigel and I were walking somewhere, and I noticed shadows moving ahead of us. I told him we were chasing shadows. He just thought I was goofy. But, I thought Chasing Shadows sounded like a really good idea for a blog post. Where will that take me, though? You can probably tell these photos are from a while ago. I tried to “bank” some photos before I could employ my new photographer.
Chasing shadows…
There are different ways you could look at this, right? Shadows are around us all the time. Shadows appear inside and out. Lamps create shadows. Cell phones and tablets create shadows. The moon creates shadows, and, the sun, of course, creates shadows. But, do I have that right? Are these all the creators of shadows, or is it the thing upon which the light is cast that creates the shadows?
A little more…
Shadows are those little pockets of darkness. They appear when a light source is blocked by a solid something or other. They often take the form of the solid object, but that form can be distorted as either the form or the light moves. Those little pockets of darkness can be spaces of peace or areas of menace.
Losing shadows…
Remember when Peter Pan lost his shadow? Wendy found it and tucked it safely into a drawer. Peter and Tinker Bell came back the next night to retrieve the shadow and ended up waking Wendy. At first, Peter tried to stick his shadow on with a bar of soap (of all things). Wendy ended up sewing the shadow back onto Peter. The loss of his shadow makes Peter feel like he’s missing a part of himself.
Finding shadows…
That’s the thing about shadows, isn’t it? They are so very hard to hang onto. Up north, we had a weeping willow. During the last summer we lived there, our daughter and her family lived with us as they were transitioning to civilian life. My granddaughter and I would have tea parties under that tree. It was one of my favorite trees, and it was one of the first the new owners cut down. Weeping willow trees are messy. Their branches break off easily, and twigs can be found all over the place. But, the shadows inside its branches are the perfect spot to sip a little lemonade and eat some fancy cakes.
Dark shadows…
Other shadows seem to hang over us forever. Those areas of menace can wreak havoc on our lives. Debt, illness, and failed relationships can create shadows that seem to last forever if we let them. I’ve faced all three of these things. I was in some pretty deep shadows at times. But, I paid off the debt, worked through the grief of failed relationships, and, OK, I’m still dealing with the illness thing. So, we can lose those kinds of shadows. Did you think I was talking about Barnabas Collins and his buddies? Hahaha!!
Ditching the shadows…
Here’s the thing. If you don’t have shadows, you don’t have sunshine, either. If you don’t have those little pools of darkness, you don’t have a source of light. It’s a bit like yin and yang, isn’t it? Darkness (or shadows) is the absence of light. Light would, conversely, be the absence of darkness. So, we need to think of shadows this way…if you don’t have shadows every once in a while, you won’t notice the sunshine.
The Outfit…
I bought this Floral Long Kimono at Ann Taylor a few weeks ago, but I wasn’t sure what to wear with it. I was doing a purge in my closet and found these linen blend pants from J Jill. I am pretty sure they’re pre-pandemic. The best thing about them is they fit again! As I looked at the print on the kimono, I saw a bit of sage green. Now, you know me…if I find something I like, I buy multiples. This Luxe sleeveless top from Old Navy was the perfect match. I like these tanks because they work with so many different things. I like the ones that are textured, but I don’t think they have any of that kind right now.
The Lewk!
I completely forgot to take photos of the jewelry I was wearing, and I can’t really tell from the photos. But, I do know I was wearing these Shay sandals from Miz Mooz. So, I “borrowed” a photo from another post.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Like Peter, we would feel incomplete without some shadows in our lives. I used to be a huge worrier. I would even say, “If I don’t have something to worry about, I’m going to worry about that.” Eventually, I decided to just let things go, and what would happen would happen. Was that the best move? Not always, I’ll be perfectly honest. But, worrying wasn’t helping, either. We all chase shadows at one time or another. And, if you’re busy chasing shadows, you might forget to look up and see the sunshine. So, can we talk? How do you feel about shadows? Are you constantly chasing them? Or, have you learned to value shadows in your life? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
That’s good Marsha, yes if all we ever had was sunshine we wouldn’t appreciate it as much.
Thank you, Rosie! It’s the same with just about anything, isn’t it? If all we ever ate was ice cream, we’d soon tire of even that.
This is a thought provoking one – I love how you tied it all together (look included!). Just like the currently turning season, I feel like I am experiencing more sunshine, while still being grateful for the lessons I’ve found in the shadows.
Thank you, Edi! I wasn’t entirely sure where the post would go until I started writing it. Then, it just kinda wrote itself. I’m glad you are finding more sunshine these days!
I always thought shadows to be the “other side” we can’t be without as you mentioned was the case for Peter Pan, but I also remember one chapter from the “Mary Poppins” books about shadows being free for a certain time.
What some call “dark shadows” they are dreading, that has always been “dark clouds” for me.
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Hmmm…I seem to remember that from “Mary Poppins” but maybe it was from a play? It seems like there was another Disney cartoon when the shadows got loose and ran amok. I like that idea, too, of “the other side.” Dark clouds and dark shadows seem about the same, don’t they?
Thanks, Cat!
I think I see shadows all around me, but dark clouds above me with the chance for a thunderstorm. I never really thought about it before.
I hope those dark clouds just pass on over. But, I also know that’s not realistic.
What a pretty outfit and yay for finding old pants that fit once again.
Thanks, Joanne! It’s been a journey…and, it’s like having a whole new closet!
Marsha,
I too loved Dark Shadows and so did my Mother….She always liked those type of shows and I also passed that love onto both my sons as we watched every episode of Dark Shadows together when it re-aired on the SCI FI channel. My oldest son Joey bought the entire boxed set of the series which came in a coffin shaped box with each jacket of the DVD’s forming a picture of Barnabas in the coffin….so cool…You can still watch Dark shadows on Pluto, I think…My son Jim and I then used to watch Buffy, the vampire slayer together when he was a teen….Funny how each generation passes on their loves to the next, huh?? Great post. Thanks for sharing!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks, Deb! My mom really didn’t like Dark Shadows though I don’t think she ever watched it until it came out on VHS. She just thought it was a bad influence on us…can you imagine! My brother loves it, too, and has watched it several times from start to finish. I’m not sure if he owns it or just finds it. Oh, Buffy was so good, wasn’t it? Do you remember a vampire show that starred Frank Langella? Or, maybe it was a movie…I thought he made the best vampire ever!
It’s a movie, “Dracula” from 1979. I have never seen it, but I’ve seen a documentary about it (figures).
Hahaha!!!
Great perspective, Marsha and so true. Without shadows we’d not know what light was and like Peter Pan, we’d be missing a part of ourselves!
Lovely look too – I really like that kimono. Looks soft, silky, and elegant!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you, Kellyann! I knew, when I told Mike we were chasing shadows, I would write a post about it. I just wasn’t sure what direction it would take. It’s so true we don’t know the good without the bad. I saw this print at Ann Taylor in a blouse or a skirt and was so disappointed. Then, I spotted the kimono which is like a linen blend. I so rarely find anything there I like, but that’s changed a bit this year.
What a fascinating post today, Marsha. Lots to contemplate here!!! Your outfit is gorgeous — love the color mix!
Thanks for reminding me about Dark Shadows … it was a childhood favorite!
Thanks, Beth! It was just one of those posts that wrote itself. I thought it would make a post, but I didn’t know where it would lead. I loved Dark Shadows, too! It was so silly when you look back at it now, but gosh did it have me enthralled!
I have never really thought much about shadows and I really enjoyed your foray into the topic! I have been trying to teach my kids that struggle build character: everything should not be easy otherwise you do not grow as a person.
Love those sandals! I have been wearing flat shoes for the most part lately and my feet are thanking me!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! These sandals are really comfortable and are like a hybrid between flat and a slight wedge. As soon as I said we were chasing shadows, I knew it could make for a good post. I think teaching your kids how to struggle and conquer it is a good thing. I had a student who had never failed and literally couldn’t figure out what to do when he couldn’t find a paper. So, failure is not always a bad thing.
I always love your perspective…you’re so right. We wouldn’t appreciate the light if there was no darkness.
That kimono is fabulous, Marsha.
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! We honestly were walking, and I noticed the shadows going before us. I just knew I could turn it into a blog post. Sometimes, I surprise myself with what I come up with!
That’s a interesting one! I guess we all have, or had, shadows. I have to say that the older I get the easier or is to don’t be bothered by them. Great look!
Thanks, Nancy! Oh, I like that. I think I might be that way with some things. Others…not so much!
Love this pretty kimono! And yay for finding pants that fit again!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I saw this print when I first walked into the store a few weeks ago. But, it was on a frilly blouse and skirt. I was so disappointed, and then I found the kimono! Yes, it’s like having a brand new closet!
I love your kimono, Marsha! You’ve styled it so beautifully, too! You are so right – if we didn’t deal with the shadows of life once in a while, we’d never fully appreciate the sunshine when it appears! Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks, Laura! I think both you and I have had our fair share of darkness and are more than ready for the sunshine, right? I was so glad I found these pants because they are perfect with this kimono!
Very thought provoking post! You’re right, we need shadows to appreciate the light. I love your outfit! Your kimono is really pretty!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I really didn’t think this would turn into that kind of post. But, then, I think, when I saw those shadows and said we were chasing them, I was feeling a little low. The weird thing is I love rainy days! Shadows, though, are a completely different animal, right?