Last weekend, I visited William Cullen Bryant’s home which is located on Long Island. He was a prominent nineteenth-century American poet, civic leader and newspaper editor. That was a balmy afternoon with a grace atmosphere.

The man and his daughter whom I took pictures with are the owners of the house. Their dresses, expression, and behavior all represented a classical fashion style which completely depicted what the elegance is. I was touched…

You guys who know me know that I like to use a different fashion style every day, but I am indeed fascinated with classicism. My look can be mannish, mannish-womanish, womanish-mannish, boyish, girlish or androgynous. But if I just can choose one, the traditional dress which is graceful, steady and cultured is the first choice. I love the pattern of the daughter’s dress so much. Her father told me the dress was made by her. 

I was touched not just by the decoration of the house, the design of the clothes, the beauty of the scene, but also for the veritable lifestyle. The owners bought the house and open it to visitors for free on every weekend. They spend money, energy, even life in here just for protecting and showing the history, the culture, and the poet’s life that have gone far away. The father and his daughter come to the house every weekend, playing piano, enjoying serenity and chatting with their traditional finery. What romantic life they are spending! I was touched…

Just as my four English conversation teachers who are more than 65 years old spend their life with Chinese language, and the source of energy only comes from the interest. How simple it is! I was touched… 

Simple thought, simple life, simple connection…

Through more than one year I realized that the American spirit and culture are the most valuable things for me, whether “Obama drama” or the common people’s life, I was touched…

                                                                                     —— 谭琳 11/21/2008