Be in Love with Life

BE editor mark

The “Amore” Issue! I love Love. I drive my daughters crazy with this notion. But it is true.

“The Rose” was the very first song I can recall memorizing. I learned it at a church camp in Colorado Springs the summer after completing 7th grade. At the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains we spent hours singing this song, rehearsing for the performance we would give our families at the end of the camp. Ever since, I have been singing this song to myself when I cannot go to sleep — it has always proven more effective than counting sheep or singing “99 bottles of beer on the wall.”

Over and over again, I recite the words in my head until my eyes get heavy and my anxiety wanes, and off to dream land I go. To me, it describes the various forms of elusive love, which definitely seem the most common types these days (Yes 2020, I am referring to you …). However, it ends with the hope of something on the horizon. How befitting a time to reflect, with winter on the way out and spring in the near future.

You will find several love affairs among the pages of Bella this month. My personal favorite, and my own affair, is my beer-venture! I have fallen in love with the process, the culture, and the tasting of craft beer. It will be a years-long journey that started in high school in Golden, Colorado, with the Coors Brewery, and was resurrected at the Aiken Brewing Company, located next door to my Studio in downtown Aiken. Follow my monthly articles and weekly blogs to participate in my adventure!

In our centerfold, you will find the ADDA’s recommendations for showing your love this month — thee are some amazing specials from local businesses. Don’t forget to take a photo in front of the iconic “Love Is…” mural on Newberry Street. Artist Betsy Wilson-Mahoney’s painting graces Bella’s cover this month — a painting of the lovely Violet Jones standing in front of the mural. It depicts all of the love the people of Aiken poured into their city during the rise of the pandemic.

Artist Robert Campbell returns to Bella with his love for rhinos in Kim Cordell’s article about The Aiken Center for the Arts’ exhibit “Going … Going … Gone,” which features 3 artists who champion animal conservation. Robert’s passion for rhinos is unlike anything I have seen in art — it is truly a love affair witnessed in the brush marks that cross his canvasses and bring life to these amazing animals.

Whatever your Love, however you express it, may you be in Love this month. In Love with the little things, proud moments, new perspectives, acoustic music, fermented beverages, REALLY good food, and the people who pass in and out of your life.


“It’s the heart, afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance

It’s the dream, afraid of waking

That never takes the chance

It’s the one who won’t be taken

Who cannot seem to give

And the soul, afraid of dying

That never learns to live”

from “The Rose,” written by Amanda McBroom

Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.
Picture of Ladonna Armstrong

Ladonna Armstrong

Publisher of Aiken Bella Magazine.

In the know

Related Stories

Letter From The Editor | These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ | Palmetto Bella

Letter From The Editor | These Boots Are Made For Walkin’

“These boots are made for walkin’” Lee Hazlewood, as recorded by Nancy Sinatra I try not to offend anyone. Doesn’t make me feel good, and I’m certain it doesn’t make the other person feel good, so I see no value in it. But Ladonna is, for some reason, offended by my little black boots. The feeling is not mutual — they have never offered any opinion of Ladonna whatsoever. But she has had it in for my boots for well over a year. Ladonna: You need some new boots. me: Why? These are fine. Ladonna: Because you should have several pairs of nice boots. me: I only have one pair

Read More »
Be Conscientious | Palmetto Bella

Be Conscientious

“Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen … yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.” ~ Bradley Whitford April is the “Action” Issue. It is a little bittersweet for many, as we normally celebrate sports and sporting events in the spring. The weather is warmer, the flowers are in bloom — beauty is unfolding itself everywhere we turn. The outdoors beckons

Read More »
Make Your Own Luck | Palmetto Bella

Make Your Own Luck

Learn to B-Positive Have you ever wondered whether some folks are just flat-out lucky? Perhaps there are some who are wired differently? Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t — you’re right.” The following is a great example of this quote. One of my Sunday school buds told our class a story I will never forget. As a 17-year-old, Nicky entered Boot Camp. He said that he was petrified and had a sinking feeling of failure. He dropped to his knees and prayed, “Lord, I need help. Please send me a sign to help me survive Basic Training.” With bowed head, Nicky’s eyes

Read More »
More Power To Your Elbows | Palmetto Bella

More Power To Your Elbows

It’s more British than American. And it likely originated as a toast. The phrase “more power to your elbows” meant you lifted your comrades up to continued good fortune, with many more celebrations to come (so their elbows would therefore be bent in many more celebratory toasts). But now, “more power to your elbows” is most often just said in recognition of a thing well done, with hope for even more successes. A sort of quirky wish for “good luck.” I am quite smitten with the phrase. But when it comes to traditions of good luck, I suspect most of us are more familiar with the “bending of our elbows”

Read More »