Groovy

Groovy.

What a groovy word ~ groovy. It’s one of those words that never goes out of style. It means whatever you want it to mean – it can refer to music, a person, a state of mind. It goes back to the jazz age and used most often used by jazz musicians describing music that swings. It means that something is original, excellent yet understated or unassuming. It is excellent, yet cool. If you’re in the know, you know. It has been used since the jazz age and is still one of our great words and used today. When was the last time you used the word groovy to describe something? Let’s be honest – when you think of candles, for example, doesn’t it make you feel groovy? Candlelight transmits a feeling of being at ease and casual. Let’s get groovy again and not worry about the perfectly designed living room or the latest new and improved kitchen features. Your home is your own so trust your instincts to include a mash-up of styles, colors, family photos and treasured quilts on the beds. The core of décor is candles.

What time is it? Does anybody really know what time it is?

Depends on who you ask. If you ask a dog you will be told ~ now. If you ask a 5 year old, the answer generally gets mixed up between events that happened maybe yesterday or last year and whenever. Kind of refreshing. Sometimes a business has a convoluted time line that may not travel from point A to point B in a straight line. It’s true. One thing leads to another. One experiment may have failed but eventually leads to a new discovery that turns out to be profitable. Making original candle designs is part artistry and part science and part math – nobody told you there would be math!  How many candle makers does it take to make a candle? It all started a very, very long time ago when people wanted to light the darkness of their homes at night, add beauty to celebrations and to honor special ceremonies. Over the centuries the materials have been refined so that today’s makers have the best of the best to work with. Candles made today, especially by the artisan craftsman, over those that are mass produced, are created to deliver fragrance and clean long burn times to give you good value. The wise and creative mind of Lewis Carroll once wrote: "The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings-- And why the sea is boiling hot-- And whether pigs have wings." Not sure exactly what he was talking about, but it sure sounds groovy, especially the part about wax.

Wax on, wax off.

Have you heard the saying “get your mind right”. It has to do with being in the moment… to think about what you’re doing, what you’ve learned; to be able to concentrate on the person you’re with instead of the text message on the phone. Have you ever noticed that candlelight has that affect? Does candlelight have magical powers? Not likely. It does call your attention – it beckons you to watch the flickering flame, sit back, take a deep breath and turn off the electric lights. “Get back to where you once belonged.” Written by yet another poet, John Lennon. There is a unique discipline about lighting a candle and a sincere satisfaction in honoring a tradition we hold dear because it means Family. Friends. Memories. Candlelight puts the “special” in special events and makes even a simple get-together groovy.