 |
| The Christmas wreath has been taken down, but I’m not ready to strip it yet. Perhaps the sparrows will enjoy it, out in the “terrace” (our condo rooftop, covered with trees, shrubs, perennials in containers). Perhaps it will lift their spirits during these January days of rain, grey, and more rain. . . . |
Is it too late to wish you Happy New Year? I’ve already extended greetings to those of you who follow me on Instagram, where I maintained some posting during my absence here these last two weeks. The “downtime” has been good, I think; I’m looking forward to being back here but also thinking about how to do that sustainably. Halfway through my 14th year of blogging and this evaluation is recurrent (or, at some level perhaps, constant).
Despite some anticipated sadness at not being able to gather with family, we embraced the quiet time between Solstice and, well. . . Now! After a fortnight of reading, eating, knitting, and Game of Thrones bingeing (punctuated by the occasional foray outside for a walk, several workouts inside on a mat, dumbbells and resistance bands BOSU at the ready), a busier schedule begins to assert itself, especially with yesterday’s start of a new term of Italian classes. I met my sister for a (physically distanced, yes!) walk yesterday; tomorrow I’m signed up for a workshop on nurturing creativity; and now I’m trying to decide on a reasonable blogging commitment for the next while. . . .
All of this against the near-apocalyptic background of this week’s news. . . 2021 obviously wants to let us know she can’t deliver what we were expecting of her. . .
For now, I’ve finished writing my Books Read in December post for my other blog — you can read that here to find a few recommendations for reading, some light but engaging distraction; some more serious but still aesthetically rewarding, compelling storytelling. I’m also working on my 2020 Reading Summary which I hope to post next week. And I’m debating whether or not I might just fold that blog back into this one. I welcome your thoughts either here or over on Materfamilias Reads.
And up soon in this space? A post or two about what I’ve been wearing; probably a post evaluating my clothing purchases last year; a post about some refurbishing here (painted a few walls, re-organized a few spaces). Hoping to share some new creative projects with you — sketch journal pages, and a plan to “do something” with the boxes of journals and photos and correspondence I’ve been sorting. . .
Not much content here today, I know, but I’m getting ready. I’m trying to keep it slow, as I’ve been finding much resonance in Katherine May’s advice, in Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, that we surrender to the season’s natural effects, the way Winter turns down the lights and the heat, turns us inward. . . . So I’m going slowly, deliberately. Clearing the desktop, lining up the pens and pencils. Maybe getting the kettle and teapot ready in case you decide to stop in and we can visit for a bit, tell me how the year’s begun for you. . . And perhaps about how you’re stretching that transition, resisting being pushed headlong into Spring before you’ve had enough “rest and retreat.” I’ve missed you; let’s chat!
Oh! Please, don't leave this blog! Your blog has been a mainstay during these very troubling times.. . part of what I call "my socialization"! My husband and I have sequestered for over nine months here in Arizona. We do not see anyone. The minutes I spend reading my blogs are the only contact that I have with the world anymore. We get everything delivered to our door. Please continue to blog even if it's only a sentence or two.
Regards,
CJ in Gilbert
I vote for combining the blogs and then I can benefit from both! At the moment I only read this one but I’m sure I’d enjoy the content of the other as well if you posted it here. Many thanks for persevering through thick and thin. I always look forward to seeing what you have to say. I’m in Wales so this is a window on a slightly different world and I really enjoy it. Diolch!
I agree with CJ and Eleri–your blog has been more welcome than ever as reading it makes me remember lovely conversations with intelligent friends. I also enjoy the comments and sometimes look at previous posts to see what others have said.
Other than a semblance of normalcy, I'm not sure what else I am looking for, but I definitely feel there's a hole to be filled in my life. Something unsettled. Perhaps it's the age-old desire for what one can't have–in-person socializing and travel. Hoping those things change soon.
As I've said at MF Reads- as long as you write about books,too,I don't care where it will be.
We can't expect changes at once. However, it is difficult to be patient,but with a little more of resilience, there will be more good things for us all to come,I hope
Dottoressa
CJ, Eleri, and TofFrance: I'm pleased to hear that this blog has become important to you — lacking the feedback that monetization might bring, it's sometimes tough to assess its "value." and hearing from readers such as yourselves encourages me to continue — just always trying to find ways that keep the work sustainable and interesting to me as well as to you.
Dottoressa: Thanks for the feedback about the book posts– I'm still thinking that through.. . . I agree that it's difficult to be patient but that we need to dip more deeply into that well of resilience we've been drawing from over the last year. (and I know too many of your compatriots are being sorely tested now by the recent earthquakes — wishing them strength!)
More good things to come… I do hope that Dottoressa is right. As she usually is. 🙂 I love the image of lining up the pens and pencils and putting the kettle on. Getting ready to do something can be so satisfying.
Happy New Year to you and Paul. And many more years of continued blogging, my friend. 🙂
You mention monetisation. I would be more than happy for you to make some money out of your writing but I think that the absence of adverts is one of the other things which I enjoy about your blog.
Hi Frances … I’d just like to agree with all the other comments and add how important this blog is to me too! Like Sue , I do hope D is right. My Pollyanna disposition is really struggling lately. Not helped by the dark grey days. I guess Vancouver is the same. I wake up each morning and pop my head out of the window, hoping for a crisp, sunny morning with frost on the trees!
I always felt that if we could no longer travel I’d be sustained by my imagination and memories… I now realise that this isn’t the case …
On a more cheerful note your wreath has lasted well and still looks beautiful!
Rosie xxx
As long as your write about your reading, it matters not where, I will be there reading along with you. Interesting how blogs and our relationships to them wax and wane, and how they become part of our lives. It is hard to do without that form of expression as much as me might wonder if we (or at least I) am grazing too deeply inward.