“I want you to stop running from thing to thing to thing, and to sit down at the table, to offer the people you love something humble and nourishing, like soup and bread, like a story, like a hand holding another hand while you pray. We live in a world that values us for how fast we go, for how much we accomplish, for how much life we can pack into one day. But I’m coming to believe it’s in the in-between spaces that our lives change, and that the real beauty lies there.”
– Shauna Niequist
spring finally arrived
and this happened
My work is featured in the summer issue of Artful Blogging Magazine. Whole lot of gratitude to Shawna Lemay for the writing prompt. Her blog is always so thought provoking. This beautiful publication, reads more like a book than a magazine and it’s chock full of wonderful inspiration. Happy to be in the company of such talented people. Kind of a dream come true.
speaking of inspiration and dreams
The lovely and amazing Kelly Ishmael turned me on to this gorgeous book – Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai. Photos by Michele M. Waite. All about growing, harvesting and arranging seasonal flowers. Wonderful information and the photos are to die for.
How sweet is this??
Even Mozart was impressed!
Chloe Lemay is an art student at Sheridan College, soon to be majoring in cartoon/animation. She did this adorable image of Mozart and I just love it! He will be appearing at the end of each blog post from now on. You may view more of Chloe’s wonderful, whimsical work HERE. Word is that she will be doing commissions this summer if anyone is interested.
I’ll leave you with these beautiful words found on Calm Things a while back.
Wishing you all good stuff!
“The Monk Manifesto: Seven Principles for Living with Deep Intention“ by Christine Valters Paintner.
The Monk Manifesto
- I commit to finding moments each day for silence and solitude, to make space for another voice to be heard, and to resist a culture of noise and constant stimulation.
- I commit to radical acts of hospitality by welcoming the stranger both without and within. I recognize that when I make space inside my heart for the unclaimed parts of myself, I cultivate compassion and the ability to accept those places in others.
- I commit to cultivating community by finding kindred spirits along the path, soul friends with whom I can share my deepest longings, and mentors who can offer guidance and wisdom for the journey.
- I commit to cultivating awareness of my kinship with creation and a healthy asceticism by discerning my use of energy and things, letting go of what does not help nature to flourish.
- I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways.
- I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the regular practice of Sabbath and resist a culture of busyness that measures my worth by what I do.
- I commit to a lifetime of ongoing conversion and transformation, recognizing that I am always on a journey with both gifts and limitations.
..and some random ramblings
Spring reminds me of an impressionist painting, as little dots of color start appearing here and there. Seems the color around me is mostly yellow at the moment, as the rabbits have eaten all my purple crocus. I wonder if the purple ones have a sweeter flavor..maybe the yellow is too tart?
Been listening to an old favorite. Debussy seems to go perfectly with Spring and Impressionism.
My little chipmunk friend, Cheeky, has returned. She waits by the deck door most mornings for her handful of peanuts. Sometimes she follows me out to the bird feeder in hopes of catching a few sunflower seeds that spill on the ground.
Amazing how many seeds she can squeeze into those cheeks of hers.
Enjoying these longer days and loving the golden hour light through my dirty windows.
Still avoiding much of the political news on television and social media. Scary and depressing.
Thankful for those little empty spaces in time..
It’s Ours
there is always that space there
just before they get to us
that space
that fine relaxer
the breather
while say
flopping on a bed
thinking of nothing
or say
pouring a glass of water from the
spigot
while entranced by
nothing
that
gentle pure
space
it’s worth
centuries of
existence
say
just to scratch your neck
while looking out the window at
a bare branch
that space
there
before they get to us
ensures
that
when they do
they won’t
get it all
ever.
– Charles Bukowski
I have loved the last two books I’ve read recently-
“My Name is Lucy Barton” by Elizabeth Strout
“All the Broken Things” by Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer
Just started “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard
Perfect timing as it’s an exploration on foot in a region of Virginia and we will be heading there and beyond in a couple weeks.
Excited to meet a photographer friend and his family from Scotland this weekend. They will be visiting Boston for a few days. Been following his work on Flickr for a few years now. I find it pretty amazing to think of all the wonderful people – photographers, writers, artists – I’ve met through photography. An incredible, supportive and generous community.
So I’ve rambled enough for now…time to catch up with all of you.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week.
strolling, shooting, shopping and coffee with a good friend and fellow photographer, in an outdoor cafe. a perfect way to end the week.
Cheers to a lovely weekend, friends!
Friends are like walls.
Sometimes you lean on them,
and sometimes its good just knowing
they are there.
~ unknown
Hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!
