Color of the Year

Pantone’s Color of the Year
Every so often, I write about the Pantone color of the year. It’s a little piece of light news amidst what is otherwise a not-so-fun news cycle.

For those who haven’t heard of Pantone, it’s an American company with a color matching system that’s widely used across the fields of graphic design, printing, fashion, product design, textiles and manufacturing.

… Cue the drumroll …

And the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year is: Viva Magenta! Here’s what the Pantone website says about the color:

Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative. This year’s Color of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement … Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.

Meanwhile, I thought I’d go find some magenta photographs to inspire you, as if you need further motivation beyond those provocative words from Pantone. The photo at the top of this story was made during a memorable sunset one winter evening, from our home in Steamboat Springs.

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Seven Summits
Quick: can you name the highest peak on the seven continents, without peeking?

You’re wondering why I ask. The subject came up recently in one of my French classes; I was speaking of the time when I was interested in high-altitude climbing. I had read a book by Dick Bass and Frank Wells, about their decision to summit the highest peak on all seven continents, a feat that had never before been accomplished until Bass did it in 1985.

Today it’s more popular, and some even call it a cliché, but dang, a few of those mountains are brutally difficult to climb. There are differing opinions about exactly which mountains go on the list, because of geo-political boundaries. Here’s the list that Bass and Wells used, showing the seven continents and their highest peaks:

That’s all nice, but this is a little story about the earth’s continents, not about big mountains, and those are the seven continents as I learned them.

And then suddenly in that French class, I had a new piece of information to wrap my brain around. I learned that according to the French, there are five continents: Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and Asia. I’m still processing this one! I’m also wondering about those French mountaineers who are working toward climbing the Seven Summits…

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Parting shot
I was with dear friends, enjoying a delicious lunch in a lovely setting, when I noticed how the sunlight was playing with wine in a glass. This is the reflection on the table.

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