September 20, 2021

Musings About Makeup, Art, and Mortality

Good Morning friends.

How was your weekend? Did it treat you well? Did you enjoy the fine weather? Did you spend time with your best-loved humans? We went apple picking with friends this weekend, had brunch with other friends, dinner with still other friends, and finally, lastly, we had a scare with my dad. Last night, on our way home from upper state New York, we got a call from my mom that my dad’s blood pressure had suddenly spiked. He takes his own blood pressure daily which I’m ever so thankful for. He said he wasn’t feeling quite right yesterday and after taking his vitals late last night he knew a trip to the emergency was in order as his blood pressure had spiked. Thankfully, he’s fine. Unfortunately, it did scare the hell out of me. They kept him at the hospital for nearly three hours just to make sure it came down. Which it did! Early this AM I was on the phone with his doctor arranging for an appointment just to check everything out. My dad is a stubborn old mule and he won’t make the appointment himself and he won’t let my mom do it either which means my sister and I have to take charge sometimes. Next week he has his yearly pacemaker check-in but my sister and I decided we did not want to wait that long to make sure everything is ok so later this afternoon he’ll see his cardiologist.

I know it was a mere blood pressure spike but small things can turn into major health issues. When my dad was rushed to the hospital to get a pacemaker in I couldn’t even begin to describe to you how badly it scared me. It wasn’t a good feeling. I hate having to face my parent’s mortality. I’m very close to them and I can’t picture life without them in it.

Today, I’m ever so thankful he’s well and safe even if I’m running on very little sleep because of it 🙂 My dad is a strong man but when things like this happen sometimes I need a moment to process everything and reassure myself all is well. Thanks for listening to me babble about that a little this morning.

Life is short friends! Treasure every single precious moment and be thankful for it.

Speaking of being thankful…

One day, several months ago, in the wee hours of the morning, my friend Waverly helped me to de-frame and pack up a bunch of very old Divine Comedy engravings that were hung in my home office. I replaced them with a beautiful, antique John Quidor print that we scored at auction which my boyfriend hung for me. Several of the Divine Comedy engravings were hung above the fireplace in my office and we kept the original lighting that was hung above them as it worked well with the Quidor print. Quidor�s works are dominated by Dutch New York and as we make our home in an old, sleepy hollow river town it seems right Quidor�s works should live with us for a time. I�m sure many of you already know which one I am hanging. It�s of course, Ichabod�s mad chase as the Horseman pursues him! It joins and compliments another Quidor I have of the Devil and Tom Walker.

As for the Divine Comedy prints, my time with them came to an end and I’ve sent them off to a new home and hopefully, the new owner will love and appreciate them as much as I did. One pictured here is my very favorite depicting Dante at the Gates of Hell. Some of you will recognize its quote from the many times I�ve mentioned it on the blog! �Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate� I decided months ago whom they�d go to but until recently, thanks to a friend, didn�t have the courage to send them off (I’ve been overthinking sending them for nearly six months now!). The prints will go to someone who doesn�t really know me but will receive them as a thank you along with a beloved copy of Paradise Lost. Sometimes the most beautiful, meaningful things in your life have to be moved on to someone that impacted your life in some tiny way. This is the circle of life. Remember to cherish your books and art but also, remember to share them with others. That, my dear friends, is how we share history, beautiful art, and good reads. These things are not meant to be hoarded away by any one person but to be shared with others in the hopes they’ll impact their life as they have yours.

And finally, something a little lighter! Many, many new makeup items have finally popped up for the Holiday 2021 season. This year, the Holiday 2021 Makeup Collections were a little late coming but they’ve finally arrived. I didn’t mind the later releases to be honest. I wouldn’t have minded if they even waited a little longer. By December, I’m sure Spring 2022 will be released. For now, we celebrate Monday with many new collections and gift sets. Have any piqued your interest?

And that my friend is a Monday Musings post.

Today, I want you to have a beautiful day. I want you to remember that time is precious and you should spend it with loved ones when possible. And remember those who have come into your life in some weird way and perhaps made it better, don�t forget to thank them for it!

Be the good humans I know you are!

38 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kimkats

    You are so right, Muse. Everyone who comes into your life does so for a reason, no matter how they come into it, and I want to thank you for coming into mine. I eagerly check out your blog every day (multiple times, actually) and am so grateful that you take the time, effort and energy to keep all of us up to date on new releases, and what is good and what’s…. not so good.

    Thank you Muse. I like having you in my life. It makes it a better life.

    • Isabella Muse

      Kim, I feel the very same way! I always look forward to your daily comments! They brighten up my day and the blog. Yes, sometimes people come into our lives in unusual ways, even strangers and we become so grateful for how they make us feel.

      Thank YOu for being in my life 🙂

  • Dallas

    I remember you posted a photo of those prints in your home office and I admired them so much! Whoever is getting them is very lucky! I’m so sorry about the scare you had with your dad. My dad has a pacemaker as well for many years now and I hope you take comfort when I say it improved his quality of life

    • Isabella Muse

      Wow, good memory! I did! A few years back on IG! I hope they’ll love them as I loved them. Thank you very much! I take a lot of comfort in your saying that! I really appreciate it!

  • Christine

    I’m so sorry about your scare with your dad 🙁 I’ll be praying for him! I always laugh when you use the “abandon hope all ye who enter here” quote in some of your older posts. It reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks, Christine! That’s so lovely of you! Haha! Yeah, quite common with pirates apparently 😀

  • Anna

    I saw and liked all your IG apple picking pics. Thanks for posting those! I’m unable to get out of the house at the moment and you brought a bit of Fall to me with those. I’m so glad your dad is ok! Please update us after he sees his doctor!

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Anna. I will! He goes this afternoon! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos! I’m sorry you are unable to get out of the house at the moment for whatever reason but hopefully you will be able to soon! <3!

  • kjh

    Being closer to your parents� age than yours, mortality grows more and more in your face. You do want to share�more than you want to offload� all the stuff. I feel guilty a lot about how acquisitive I�ve been, as well as how much STUFF I�ve inherited. It goes waaaay beyond makeup. Then I feel a bit guilty about being beset with first world problems. Look at WTF is happening! To counteract a bit, I do something silly. Like an elf, I put garden, other decor, baskets, etc. on people�s porches/in the yards. Sneakily. I�m up and they�re not. Like my mum�s elephant doorstop in Ellie�s yard. Yes, Capt. Obvious! (Not sure my pachyderm can get used to the Pepto Bismol colored abode, lol. ) Or the two baby gargoyle ornaments that I left on the stairs by their gargoyle parents, who live there all summer. Seldom do I hear about the consternation these people have, wondering who is doing this, and I�ll never tell. Mischief with no mischief and I know that it has caused a bit, of wonder. Wonder is good. I�ve been there, done that with my parents and it hurt like an infected sore. It�s terrifying. Yet, when it�s over, you say �I�d do it again in a minute�. About heaven: If there are no dogs (Twain, as you know) or iPads or my parents, I�m not going. You know, I hate everything inspirational except your posts, and that says a lot.

    • Isabella Muse

      Morality hits when you become an adult in my opinion. Some point in your life you actually grow up enough to realize that you aren’t immortal and more importantly that the people you love are not either. I never really want to share to be honest but I find a certain therapy in typing it out sometimes. You guys are my unwilling audience so to speak as I tend to type up life posts more and more lately 🙂 and I’m ever so grateful when you all nod, agree, and understand what I am trying to say 🙂 You shouldn’t feel that way because all problems both big and small are important ones. I’m here should you like to piss, moan, and whine about life, the universe, and everything. You’ve listened to me do so plenty. That made me smile. Wonder is good indeed! Wonder=magic and magic seems to be felt so little in today’s world. I love you for bringing some of that wonder and magic to others. It’s part of the reason I packed up the prints. I wanted to gift them to a complete stranger who I have hopes we’ll find the joy I found in them 🙂 I’d feel the same I think! Even losing someone is something we’d all do again and again just to have those precious few moments back with them again. Hell is so more fun though and I’m 100% positive the Devil loves dogs, technology, and good sex LOL! We should go there. Heaven is for the goodie goodies anyway 😀 Thank you, thank you so muchh! The fact you even read these posts means so much to me!

      • kjh

        You realize that life is growth, challenges, achievement, and love. And you are always refining your ideas. I know the Italian side has Dante DNA, but you have to have Greek as well. Bec you exemplify what Socrates reminds us (cannot believe I�m saying this, it�s so pompous and pseudo-erudite) �An unexamined life is not worth living.� And yes I had to look up the attribution. You are open and genuine, and willing to give all an open forum. All good. And good that dad is doing ok. And that despite being a Y (chromosome) he�s not being uncooperative, just a bit testy and assertive. Good things, too.

        • Isabella Muse

          🙂 you are every a brilliant voice on this blog miss kjh (after all these years I still don’t know your real name)! Thank you for that. Ahh you wish to shove Socrates upon me, do you? Not the torture of Dante’s descent into hell but that of the wisdom of Socrates. If we must go there it should probably go as, “I am the wisest (wo)man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” The truth of myself. I am, ever, always, no one, that knows nothing, my dear blog friend. You ALWAYS, always, have a home and an open forum here to speak your truth and your wisdom about makeup, life and everything. Ah yes, my dad to a T! Test, assertive, stubborn, and knower of all! I guess that Socrates quote is not a good one for him haha….!

          • kjh

            Actually,I have a bit of tenure here. Waaaay BITD with a hiatus around 2010-2011; lost my job & avoided you, Christine, Marlena (first iteration) and maybe VintageorTacky Cora (was she up then?) because I could not stand the temptation. Never commented until the past few. I think you brought me to AB/KB before I ever thanked you. And over the years, like all your readers believe, you�ve saved us big bucks. The older I get, the more invisible I become�but that�s by choice, not societal disregard for my age bracket. Frankly (no, not you Scarlet) IDGAS. You have joy genes, determination, spunk, total lack of pomposity despite great knowledge, and creativity. I love the experience of �Oh, so that�s who Adam Driver is! I know the face and a role or two, but HTF does she think he�s hot??� We have almost diametrically different tastes (peachy coral, gourmand? No bell to ring here.) but I love your enthusiastic reviews. I believe the current phrase is �Tell us what you really think, Muse!� �Cause you do.

          • Isabella Muse

            Oh my gosh girl I can’t remember that at all! You’ve been around always 😀 is she still even around? I used to love her! Awwwww <3! You owe me no thanks! Please don't become invisible here I love you here. SNIFF omg thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are amazing thank you so much!

  • Christina

    I’m so glad your dad is ok! My dad is dealing with health issues as well that don’t look too promising for him, and as sad and cold as it sounds, we’re all just mentally preparing ourselves for the worse. Facing our parent’s mortality is indeed frightening.

    Ah, Paradise Lost and Divine Comedy–some of the greatest literary works ever. Being an English and Humanities major (with the intention of going for a PhD), many a days and nights were spent pouring over those works. I remember the first time I read Inferno–what a shock! But I liked it! Now reading Paradise Lost in its entirety is truly a feat; I’ve only done it once.

    • Isabella Muse

      Oh Christina I am so sorry to hear it. What’s going on with him if you don’t mind me asking? Sigh. You never want to see your parents, particularly your dad, as being someone who isn’t a super hero that can overcome anything. That’s always how I see my dad. As a complete immortal. Having to face the fact he is not is really a hard and bitter pill to swallow. I’ll keep your dad in my thoughts and my heart and hope for his return to health. Oh joy…such joy…….I love that you spent hours with those pieces. As have I. They are two of my favorites. Paradise Lost was probably some of my best spent hours. I love revisiting it from time to time and reading the parts that struck a chord inside heart and my head! Canto III from the Divine Comedy is probably one of my best-loved reads (with The Mysteries of Udolpho coming a very close second). There’s something terribly satisfying about the hellish journey and redemption.

      • Christina

        My dad suffered a few strokes last year and recovered pretty well, but this year, he had an accident and fell down a couple of steps in his garage and landed on his head. He was in the ICU with brain trauma for a while. He has a few other problems that I’ll share with you privately that has significantly hindered his recovery, but yes, it’s been a tough year for my family. I have a slightly estranged relationship with my dad, so it doesn’t help. Hanging in there!

        LOL! What does it say about us that we find the whole journey through hell and redemption “terribly satisfying”? But serious, they’re magnificent pieces. I read them in my early years of study and don’t remember a lot of detail anymore, but you’ve inspired me. I feel like after I decided not to go for grad school, I shoved aside all the classics and made room for all the modern works I didn’t have time to read while I was in school. But I’m all excited for them now. 🙂

        • Isabella Muse

          wow Christina. I had no idea. You never mentioned it to me in all our chats. I’m very sorry. He sounds like my dad! Keeping active and trying to do stuff he shouldn’t be doing. This is my dad. My dad isn’t supposed to use power tools (due to pacemaker), isn’t supposed to be lifting heavy things, etc..but nope, my dad does all of it and anything. I don’t want to hinder or baby him but I wish he’d listen more to his body and know what he can and can’t do anymore. I’m very sorry. I will keep him in my thoughts and send positive vibes. I’m very close to my dad which makes anything doing with his health hard and ironically, you’re a bit estranged. We can’t win either way it seems….! I hope you’re doing ok! I admit I loved the journey through hell the best of all…..! But yes, Dante’s redemption was a satisfying end to an epic poem. There’s something very satisfying about the darkness that turns to the light. Oh go, go and read them. Lost Paradise is like a dear old friend. Milton’s take on Satan’s fall from Heaven is probably one of the most epic of descriptions I’ve read of the story. I love his journey from Hell to the Garden of Eden. I take comfort in the weird darkness of it all. Dig out some Poe while you’re at it. It is spooky season after all! 😀

  • Susan Zimmerman

    I’m so grateful your dad is ok. When someone you love is in danger, the world spins sideways. And I feel that same tension realizing that my parents are in their twilight years. It’s an incredibly sad notion that I will someday face my days without them.

    • Isabella Muse

      Truth. It was something simple but it still got me scared. It really is a sad, sad feeling to think of parents not being there 🙁 Thank you for your words! They mean the world to me!

  • Stephanie Guerrero

    I am glad that you are taking no chances with your dad. I am hoping this was a one off for him. You are such a good daughter! I hope that you have a wonderful week.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks Stephanie! So far, so good. He got an excellent report at the doctor and they said perhaps it was brought on by him not scheduling his meds at the same time daily. He’s bad with that! He was also working in the heat on Saturday in the garden so we are wondering if that might have been an issue!

  • Kay

    I�m sorry to hear you had such a fright Muse, I hope your dad�s appointment with the doctor goes well and gives you all some peace of mind.

    On Christmas Day a few years ago my dad went up to the bathroom before dinner and in all the chaos it took us a little while to realise he hadn�t come down when we started serving the food. When someone called up he was sitting on the landing and all his colour drained, we were terrified he�d had a stroke. We live in a small community and I bet the blue ambulance lights on Christmas afternoon had people talking for days! As it turned out he was suffering with an episode of very low blood pressure and a few weeks of rest and monitoring it in future is all that was needed at that time to keep it in check. But jeez Louise, that really scared me. I�m close to my parents too and that was probably the first time their mortality seemed so real. A big hug from me to you!

    My lighthearted note is that a proper legit U.K. store has started stocking a small selection of Bath and Body Works products! *faints with excitement* honestly I don�t know when I will next get to the States so this is huge for me right now! Nothing seasonal at the moment but I remain hopeful!

  • Kimmwc03

    I am behind on your blog because work is super hectic now but I hope all goes well for your dad. I’m super close with my parents too and I know how hard it is to see them struggling with health issues.

    • Isabella Muse

      Oh no worries! I’m so behind lately too due to work and other stuff 🙂 He’s well thank you! It is! It really is because suddenly they are the kid and we’re the parent! It’s a tough one but he’s fine thankfully!

  • Kim Marietta

    AWWWW!!! Bless your heart!!! I will pray for ya’ll & your dad!!! Sending you hugs!

  • Dee

    So good to hear that your dad is ok! Very scary to go through that. Tomorrow isn’t promised so we need to treasure today!

  • miska

    Isabella,
    That’s awesome that your Dad checks his blood pressure every day. He caught it and went to the ER before anything happened. Being consistent with your daily meds really is important. I’m always badgering my Dad about this fact. I’m glad your Dad is doing okay and following up with his doc. I’m super close to my Dad as well and I’m his caretaker. Our Dads sound like they have some health problems (high bp and a pacemaker) in common. My Dad had to have a leadless Micra pacemaker put in emergently back in February. He was in the hospital for an unrelated infection. All of a sudden I get a call and my Dad is being moved to the MICU and this is going down the following morning. It’s a fairly new technology and I had zero time to research it, ask questions of the cardiologist and let my Dad know wtf was going to happen. It was during a peak COVID-19 spike in our area and I wasn’t allowed into the hospital. It was hell, total and complete hell to go through that. It’s scary when a parent falls ill. My Dad is the only family I have left. Just thinking about the day when he won’t be here anymore…it’s too upsetting to put into words. My heart goes out to you and others reading this and going through the same issue. In an attempt to lighten this depressing thought I’ll leave you with a quote a late friend used to tell me when I was down in the dumps or disappointed in something. “Disappointment: running into a wall with an erection and breaking your nose”. If you don’t find any humor in that then I just don’t know what to tell you. And can I just say geez the holiday kits are coming out already!? I’m finally just now starting to settle into Fall. Give me the pumpkin spice everything!!!!! Three guesses on what I’m drinking as I type this. Oh well, here’s hoping that they release some good stuff for this holiday season. Personally I’ve been pretty let down for the past few years. And once again, thank you for all that you do with reviews, heads up on sales and discounts, swatches and everything else. Coming here and reading your blog has definitely been a bright spot, even more so in the past year or so. I don’t know how you keep up with this on top of your job but I’m really happy that you do!

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi Miska it’s a relief he does because he is very very stubborn! He takes his meds but not on a good schedule which apparently might be why he had a spike. We set up a little reminder alarm on his phone and watch so he remembers to take them at the right time hopefully it helps 🙂 Wow you too? Mine had one put in as an emergency too. He was experiencing a very slow pulse rate and we kept urging him to see the doctor about it and he kept putting it off. He finally went and the doctor was like, We need to get you to the hospital right away you need a pacemaker. Thankfully it happened prior to COVID because I would have been in a tailspin like you! That’s so scary! This was very comforting to read. Thank you for that. Truly! We relate on so many levels wit this because I feel exactly the same about my dad and how I’d be without him and it’s just too upsetting to think of. LOL! I laughed rather hard at that 🙂 And again, thank you, because I needed that smile 🙂 YES YES YES please let me enjoy Fall so not ready for Holiday! Me too! holiday Collections are just meh lately but the discounts are always good which do so tempt me 🙂 Thank you, thank you so very much for that Miska it means the world to me you are enjoying the content. I haven’t been good keeping up lately but I am trying and I appreciate you reading and sharing! It means a to me! More than you’ll know! Hugs and many good vibes for you and your father!

  • Veronica Denise

    Thank God your Father is OK. Sometimes medications need to be changed, you mentioned he takes his BP at home- if its the kind that goes on the wrist, they might need to be calibrated or of its old, maybe replace it. You said he has a Cardiologist so thats covered & you mentioned a Pacemaker. Sometimes being dehydrated or eating a lot of salt/sodium can make it go up. So glad he has a Daughter like you & I am glad hes OK. Very scary stuff. He will be included in my prayers tonight!! Love U Muse xo

  • Mary

    I’m so glad your father will be fine, and thank you for reminding me of John Quidor’s wonderful works of art and the stories he illustrated. Long live good literature and the people who appreciate it!

    I was born on Washington Irving’s birthday. “The Devil and Tom Walker” was always a favorite, and I remember reading it from my older sister’s high school English book, along with “Rip Van Winkle,” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and Hawthorne’s, “Feathertop” and �Rappaccini�s Daughter.�

    You brought back a great memory, Muse, and I’m wishing you a happy Halloween!