SPRING...

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 16, 14 September 1938, Page 1

SPRING...

Spring is in the airl Yes, it is unmistakable. I noticed it especially a day or so, back when I woke up in the morning with the sun streaming on my face. There was that sparkle in the air and in the song of the fc.v gallant ■birds who sing over the city—a sparkle that is peculiar to Springl In two seconds my mind was made up —there was to be no city for me c:i a day like this; I would play truant and get away to where the birds oug'.it to be.

An hour later found mo far up at the top of a hill gazing blissfully down at the blue sea dancing in tfhe sun. Sitting, partly submerged, in a bed of bracken, I was the only still thing amidst the surrounding activity—the ground was alive with the bustling of countless insects, whilst the birds flew hither and thither intent on some immensely important business, yet still finding time to sing of the joys of Spring. But it was the trees that held my attenion more than anything as they gently swayed, and rustled in the breeze. I had always regarded the wattle tree as a beautiful and generous lady who willingly sacrificed great bunches of golden, loveliness to help brighten our homes; but to-day, as I sat beneath her,, she seemed aloof, with all her thoughts turned inwards to concentrate on the still further unfolding of her fairylike beauty.

Nearby the wattle tree stood a slender young fir tree, so graceful and slim, and, though small in years, he was great in dignity, and had already acquired an air of responsibility that fir trees seem to have over their neighbours. How I wished that we humans were as naturally graceful and slender as these trees! I stretched myself luxuriously and was just about to get i to my feet when the idea sruclc mc— Yes! here it was—here was the key. ! You see, I have always been looking for an ideal example of graceful beauty, coupled with simplicity, that would serve as a goal for health and beauty :aspirant«. The idea of striving to recapture the wonderful beauty that, is attributed to the Grecian youths and maidens, is a trifle annoying. Why 'should we look back to a past civilization for one ideal? Why not find something of our own, something in keeping with modern environments, something real. That is how it struck | me. Nothing could be more appealing than the suppleness of trees and plants —there's nothing rigid about them —the way they sway always from the steady position of their roots, swinging to the music of the breeze and gathering 1 greater dignity and strength with passing years. There they are, free to look at, offering you their silent companionship. Simply beautiful, beautifully simple. I could wish for no greater loveliness than that possessed by those two trees; —the fir, strong, slim and dignified and the wattle, dainty, colourful and reflective —so there and then I decided to redouble my efforts towards gainingi this goal. Fearful that I might be growing sentimental I brought my imagination down to earth and let it slip down the hill-side and hasten along the road badk to the busy streets. There all the most exciting shops had

By Caroline P. Ward

their windows 'garbed in the latest ideas and the brightest of colours to rival even the Spring flowers. Enchanting things to catch the feminine fancy such as brilliant silks with dazzling stripes and patterns, hats small and large, mostly trimmed with what looked like a !r;rbacious border caught in a shrimpnet, high-fitting shoes both dainty and strong, simple day frocks, gorgeous and lavish evening ones and most important of all, the -slim-fitting costume. Ah, there's the rub: slim-fitting! Amid all this Spring-consciousness what can we do about ourselves?. Surely this is an ideal time to give ourselves a good Spring overhaul to • ensure that the "slim-fitting" 'will look slim. Every woman in her right inind is keen to be slim, to feel alive and to look young. Yet what are you doingf about it? Like the wattle tree you will have to let your gaze concentrate inwards whilst others look upon the Most lihrdlu hrdlu hrdlu hrdlu lirdlu lovely result. Most likely you are' tired of the inevitable magazine and newspaper articles that assure you that to follow vtliis or that remedy is thel only way of looking one's best. Thisl Spring I am making a new suggestion' —don't read any of them! Decide for yourself wha.t you will do and go about it your own way. Then you will be creating something and if you do it well you will experience the joys' of an artist.

Working along these lines and with the ideas before me of being slim and supple, .of feeling full of energy and looking, even when tired, fresh and youthful. Here axe some of the things I am doing: (1) Slim and supple: each morning exercise every part of the body from the toes upwards finishing with massaging the scalp. Make up exercises as I go and swing them to the music (?) of my own humming. My motto for meals is to eat less and masticate more. Lunch now consists entirely of fruit and nuts (except when I go out!) And no odd cups of tea. . (2) Energy: Being in every scrap of sunshine I can; always to till the mind with something constructive immediately it seems empty; go to bed a shade earlier and fall asleep at once by rythmical breathing and a happy thought (just one!) Pull myself up every time I waste energy over un-' necessary worry and irritation. (3) Fresh and youthful: re"do" my face at least twice daily; acknowledge every gust of fresh air by a good deep breath; take notice of grace of such movements as bending to pick up some J thing, stretching to pull the blinds and most of all—walking; see that clothes are comfortable so that my face—never very beautiful —will not be still" further marred by twists of discomfort. To sum up I want to do it all by natural means with as much freedom from rigid rules as possible,, to combine self-expression with common-sense and I shall be confident that I shall be looking very nearly 100 J>er cent right in my new Spring Suit! In spite of what I have said you may still .feel, as many do, that you would like help over one or two points, if so do not hesitate to write to me, C/o Hutt News.