It all started here at the Pastime Theatre in my hometown. The Pastime closed many years ago; now an apartment complex surrounds the old movie theatre, which houses a furniture store. Photo by Jordana Shalhoub
The Sunday Scribblings topic is "kissing." My imagination and ideas about kissing were sparked at the Pastime Movie Theatre in my hometown. Watching people kiss in the movies seemed preferable to real life and boys my own age - until I was 17 and met Lonnie Peacock, 21 who lived in a town 47 miles away. He understood the importance and art of kissing. He took his time, savouring every moment of every kiss.
Since then, lots of delicious kisses have come my way, as well as some not-so-great ones. Sadly, too many men have failed to learn the art of kissing. They don't appreciate that proper kissing takes time and effort. Too often people fail to slow down long enough to enjoy the romance.
I can't imagine life without kisses or the anticipation of kisses. Some of my favourite songs are about kissing: "It's in his Kiss," "Kiss Me" from Sixpence none the Richer and Faith Hill's "This Kiss:"
"...You can kiss me in the moonlight
on the rooftop under the sky
You can kiss me with the windows open
while the rain comes pouring inside
Kiss me in sweet slow motion
let’s let everything slide..."
Kissing has long been the popular focus of dreams, fantasies, movies, poetry, literature. In William Boyd's novel "Restless," kissing is a source of fascination:
"...She remembered something a woman in Paris had told her once. A woman in her forties, much married, elegant, a little world-weary. There is nothing easier in this world, this woman had claimed, than geting a man to kiss you. Oh really? Eva had said, so how do you do that? Just stand close to a man, the woman had said, very close, as close as you can without touching - he will kiss you in one minute or two. it's inevitable. For them it's like an instinct - they can't resist. Infallible."So Eva stood close to Romer in the doorway of the shop on Frith Street as he shouted and waved at the passing cars moving down the dark street, hoping one of them might be a taxi. "We're out of luck," he said, turning to find Eva standing very close to him, her face lifted. "I'm in no hurry," she said. He reached for her and kissed her."
To read about more delectable kisses, visit Sunday Scribblings.
Oh my, put Boyd's seek a taxi/give a kiss moment into a movie scene and it would win an MTV award for Best Cinematic Kiss. Gave me goosebumps.
Posted by: annieelf | 09 January 2007 at 16:18
So true that so few men can kiss well. I love all three of those songs you named, so thank you for reminding me of them.
Posted by: tarakuanyin | 09 January 2007 at 01:33
I agree -- the advice in that William Boyd passage is worth trying! Thanks for sharing your memories.
Posted by: Dani | 08 January 2007 at 18:29
You are so right...too many bad kissers. LOL I have "Kiss Me" on my post...great minds ;) XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 07 January 2007 at 23:18
Lonnie Peacock! Wonderful! My first kiss has no last name. Or rather, I don't recall it. Do you mind if I borrow 'Peacock'? Henceforth my first kiss was a Swiss orphan mysteriously named Oliviero Peacock! Thanks, Tara!
And that passage from the book is wonderful too.
Posted by: Laini | 07 January 2007 at 22:53
Love those songs. Love those thoughts on kissing. Great contribution! Thanks!
Posted by: Chickadee Chatter | 07 January 2007 at 22:33
Great post, Tara. I loved all of those songs you named.
Posted by: January | 07 January 2007 at 21:40
matinee kisses - sigh!!! - too delicious!
Posted by: bb | 07 January 2007 at 19:34
Where I live I suspect standing that close to a man could get me something much less pleasant than a kiss. But I now have Faith Hill in my head to sooth away any worries about that.
Posted by: Frida | 07 January 2007 at 17:58
A nice appreciation of kissing!
Posted by: my backyard | 07 January 2007 at 16:19
I enjoyed reading that.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 07 January 2007 at 15:15
Wonderful story and a great photo.
Posted by: JHSiess | 07 January 2007 at 11:34
Your picture reminds me of kissing during the movies! I don't want to think about the awful ones...:-P
Posted by: Michelle | 07 January 2007 at 07:26
I totally agree. It never fails. Stand close to a man and in moments - smooch!
Thanks for sharing.
Frances
Posted by: Frances | 07 January 2007 at 06:31
Love the quote! It makes me want to read the whole book. And of course I must try out the advice.
Posted by: Lisa | 07 January 2007 at 05:42
Great advice from William Boyd - I think I have to try it. But will it still work after 35 years of kisses?? we'll see ;)
Lovely, fun post!
Posted by: Becca | 07 January 2007 at 02:13
*giggles* I didn't know that we were that transparent. So true though. :)
Posted by: Brian | 06 January 2007 at 22:49
yummy yummy post!
i love the Boyd quote...but won't disclose whether or not it works and on whom...i'm just not the type to kiss and tell ;-)
Posted by: susan | 06 January 2007 at 22:32
Wonderful writing and quotes about kissing. And the name "Lonnie Peacock" - wonderful!! Much peace, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 06 January 2007 at 22:24
I don't think I should try that technique - my husband might not approve! (I meant, I don't think I should try it on other men :) )
A lovely post.
Posted by: Catherine | 06 January 2007 at 22:02
I'm going to try what Eva did to Romer
(my husband sounds a bit like him)...bet it will work.
Posted by: Gemma | 06 January 2007 at 20:39
Tara wonderful information here! Loved this post in all it's wisdom! Very romantic scribble.
Hugs Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 06 January 2007 at 18:20
delish.
Posted by: [a}ma | 06 January 2007 at 16:17
Actually Lonnie and I never went to the Pastime Theatre - that was where I saw blissful movie kisses!
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 06 January 2007 at 14:56
Ah! A first kiss, in the backrow of the Pastime Theater, with a green-eyed boy named Lonnie Peacock; sounds like the perfect premise for a coming-of-age story.
"It's In His Kiss" is playing in my head right now - what a fun post, Tara. You've brought back memories of those teenage moments in the dark back row of the theater - waiting for him to stretch and reach his arm over the back of the seat...off to reminisce myself back to sleep now. Thanks for giving me something sweet to dream about!
By the way - love the marquis photo.
xxx
Posted by: tinker | 06 January 2007 at 14:52
Wow, I really loved that book excerpt! It's so true, isn't it? I'll try it on my hubby tonight, although that's probably cheating- he likes to kiss me anyway.
This was lovely as usual, Tara!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 06 January 2007 at 14:45
What an interesting post! Thanks for sharing it!
Posted by: twitches | 06 January 2007 at 14:40
Tara, I know I'll always find an engaging story or post on your blog. How lovely!
Kay
Posted by: Kay | 06 January 2007 at 12:44
It's been so long since I've had a good read here...I feel like I've missed so much. Your post reminded me of our neighborhood theater and the kissing that went on there too. It is sadly closed and an attempt was made not long ago to revise it...if those walls could talk from all the teenage Saturday shows. Thanks for the reminder.
I hope all is well with you dear Tara!! I hope to be back to keeping up very soon.
Love,
Lisa
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa(oceandreamer) | 06 January 2007 at 05:57
Amber, it wasn't my first kiss but it was the first one worth noting. And he had green eyes. :)
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 06 January 2007 at 00:28
Kisses are delicious it's true.
Posted by: kristen | 05 January 2007 at 23:36
That is wonderful advice! I think it is true. ;) Now I want to read the book.
Lonnie Peacock!? What a great name for the man who gave you your first kiss! LOL! Was he a 'peacock'? Mine was Eric Kirch, and he was a senior and I was a freshman...He was 6'4, and had beautiful green eyes. I always knew I would end up with a man with green eyes!
Thank you for reading my CaC post, Tara. You are too kind to me, I think. ;)
:)
Posted by: Amber | 05 January 2007 at 22:45
Tara,
What a delightful post. It caused me to reflect back to my first kiss with a girl-friend. and I realized that you are right on the money with your assertion of men having no clue of how to kiss. At least until they have met the girl who teaches them.
I think I'll write about that first kiss, maybe expound and move a little further down the road, in my SS post.
Oh, btw. I now, do know the secret to kissing. ;-)
Have a good weekend my friend.
rel
Posted by: rel | 05 January 2007 at 22:44
You're too right when you say many men have failed to learn the art of kissing - as I found out along the way unfortunately!
Posted by: Hundred and one | 05 January 2007 at 19:10
What a fun post, Tara. Loved it. Hmmm, do you ever wonder what happened to Lonnie Peacock? ;) He just may have kissed his way across a continent.
Posted by: artzyjudie | 05 January 2007 at 18:43
oh, lovely!
William Boyd is a favorite author of mine. With that excerpt, I don't have to explain why!
Posted by: Colette | 05 January 2007 at 18:29