The Grand Canyon

grand_canyon_6, a photo by Learning-by-Action on Flickr.

What could be more timeless than the Grand Canyon? The rocks exposed over time range from 200 million to nearly 2 billion years old. 2 billion years old...let that figure wash over you a moment. Neither the deepest nor the longest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is nevertheless world renowned, and justly so, for its jawdropping beauty and scope. 5 million visitors a year can't be wrong. Stand on the rim, and gaze. Awe-some.

The Wizard of Oz - 1939

Dorothy's Ruby Shoes, a photo by KimPrint on Flickr.

This movie lays claim to the title of Most Watched Film in History. It didn't even recoup its production costs at its release, but the world eventually woke up and embraced all the charms of this movie. Friendship, family, bravery, search for Self, an archetypical villain and an otherworld soaked in Emerald green are the building blocks of this classic. Who doesn't recall that breathtaking moment when Dorothy's sepia toned world becomes Technicolor bright in Munchkinland? Or that feeling of bittersweet relief when she leaves her loyal friends, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion to return Home with three clicks of her ruby slippers. This movie will be enjoyed for many, many more years to come.

China

Holiday decor ideas: Miles Redd's luxe red table setting, from Domino magazine, a photo by xJavierx on Flickr.

Our love of all things refined and elegant, as exemplified by a formally set table with fine china, is timeless. Porcelain, which was so completely mastered and refined by the Chinese, just became known as 'china' when it came to Europe. The fine china houses of Europe have taken what the Chinese started and added an endless amount of design and experimentation over the years. Meissen, Sevres, Limoges, Royal Doulton, Spode, Wedgwood, Belleek and countless more have all given the world lovely plates upon which to rest a meal. In our rushed and budgeted existence, we may not have the wherewithal to stage a formal seven course meal on Limoges china, but it is nice to know all it would take is a quick trip to a specialty china shop and several thousand dollars and voila! You are The Sun King, reigning over the soup course. Yes, dreams are timeless too.

The Tuxedo

Men's uniform, a photo by Nefarious Kitty on Flickr.

Developed in England in the late 1800s, the tuxedo has become an ingrained tradition in America for the memorable occasions of high school prom and weddings and pretty much nothing else unless you happen to be George Clooney in which case you are heartily encouraged to wear one every day. The tuxedo continues to evolve gradually, and does follow the tides of fashion: shawl collar, notched collar, bow tie, long tie, shiny shoes, matte shoes, etc., but somehow still manages to have timeless appeal, a far cry from its distant dowdy cousin, the denim leisure suit, of 'Not Timeless' fame. Gentlemen, you become suave and debonair and at least seven times more handsome when you don a tuxedo, please don't balk, but submit studiously and seriously to this time honored suit that will make you a Man.