Last Sunday's newsletter from "Poetry Unbound" quotes a letter from Emily Dickinson. The phrase that caught me, "and so I sing as the Boy does by the Burying Ground-because I am afraid-"
So many different reasons to sing.
And...something I shared on Instagram in response to the prompt "unexpected." Something I've been meaning to share here, especially after Nancy wrote about the bridge and not having her camera.
It was amazing.
Plant and soil, both from California.
This morning I listened to a conversation with Heidi Gustafson on Feedback Friday. She has a book out, primarily about ochre, called Book of Earth which is beautiful. I am just now settling in to read it more thoroughly.
Part of the discussion was about ethical foraging, about connection to the place where something might be collected and who you need permission from.
And about purpose, are we respecting what we take?
What I hold in my hand is about family and birth place.
It feels good to hold.
It leads me back to why we make and who we are making things for...
This month I have been participating in a challenge created by Susannah Conway, April Love.
A prompt is given each day that can be responded to. She does these about 3 times a year and there is very active participation on Instagram. Instagram is not my favorite format but I understand why people choose it and so I post there occasionally for those who find it easier and that I suspect don't come here.
Today's prompt is "reflection" and mine is that being given a prompt can help keep momentum going when the brain is full and overwhelmed...which is true for me at the moment.
Not much making happening right now.
(This is from last week when it was cold and sunny. Now it is cold and wet.)
Also, a snuggle helps.
Morning routine, the first hour or so: up very early. Feed dog and cat. Drink coffee. Very simple knitting. As soon as it is light enough, outside to let the chickens out of their coop. Lola and I wander through the garden; this time of year there is watering and berries to pick. And then one more cup of coffee, a bit of sewing, more knitting, maybe some writing, doodling or reading something that takes attention. I'm trying to spend minimal time online at this time of day.
I've been accepting that morning time is my most creative and productive time. By afternoon I'm firmly in I want a nap or taking a nap mode (depending on whether I'm at work). By evening it's all about reading (okay I'm willing to do that any time of day) and trying to stay awake long enough to not be waking up at 2 AM.
This is the long response to the prompt for A Month of Everyday Adventures.
....
Found in the garden today: snail races?
They are up on the sides of my mini-hoop house.
...
Since I could, I took the spinning wheel out on the porch today.
Success! I tend to get the twist too tight so I was chanting to myself "loose, loose, loose." Like any word, it sounds funny if you say it too many times...