The Third Act

Snow walk

I feel in much better spirits today.  I'm not sure if it was the walk or just the fact that I moved through my grief.  That happens quite a lot...still.  It's so strange how, when in the middle of it, it seems like it'll never change.  But, everything changes, no?  So today was beautiful and sunny, at least part of the time.  The street in front of my house remains unplowed, but the snow is melting...although very thick and slushy.  In other words, the sequester is still happening.  It's not a bad place to be stuck, though, considering where we get take our walk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter storm Jonas

We're in the second day of this winter storm.  Down here in Richmond it's not awful...especially since I have no need to get out in my car.  Mostly, Avery and I have been hanging out inside.  I'll stoke the fire, check on Facebook, check the weather, edit some film scans, have a bite to eat, etc. etc.  My intent is to use such time as this wisely, but I'm kind of failing.  I'm distracted and not by the storm.  I'm restless and it has little to do with cabin fever.  This effort at internal self cultivation and personal evolution can, well, be a bitch some times.  January and winter can make it even harder.  

So, in an effort at fueling my distraction yesterday, I amused myself by making some snow pictures...

 

 

 

 

 

Winter light...

It's chilly today.  I think we're topping out in the mid-30's.  Although I suppose "chilly" is relative.  In any case, it feels like winter.

The sun is still low to the south.  It's moving since the solstice passed, but the shadows continue to be long.  What I love most right now, is how the light comes in through the windows.  With no leaves on the trees and the current angle of the sun, it's just perfect.

 

dried calendula petals from the summer garden, infusing in olive oil...

 

 

 

anticipating spring with a bouquet a la Trader Joe's...

 

 

please pay no mind to the dirty windows!

At home...

I realize my posts here have become more and more sporadic.  In fact, even my postings over at Flickr have become infrequent.  Everything is going well, but I'm still replenishing my energy reserves after December travel and the holidays.  

Little steps back into mundane life happen, like finally finding a frame for a print to finish off the artwork on my big living room wall.  Getting back to counseling, starting a class, going to a new photo meet up group have all been efforts to put myself out into the world (and limit my natural tendency to isolate myself!).  Five rolls of color film were sent off for processing and I look forward to having more images to work with.  I'm cooking and nesting and generally getting on with life.  Oh, and I had a birthday.  Maybe the first birthday in my life I spent alone...and...I survived!! 

The intent here is to get on the court again with art, and writing, and creating an authentic life.  That being the case I hope to blog a bit more regularly about the process!  Stay tuned.

 

 

Happy New Year!

My new year's eve ritual of choice has become a quiet evening at home.  With a freshly tidied and vacuumed house, a fire built in the wood stove, a lovely dinner of leftovers and a celebratory libation, Avery and I settled in for the night.  After the dinner dishes were done I took to journaling...a couple pages listing my accomplishments for 2015 and another couple listing my desires for 2016.  No regrets listed, no fall-shorts or fails.  Instead I used the opportunity to remind myself of how blessed I am and of the solid ways in which I created, produced and grew over past twelve months.  That may come easy for some people, but not me.  The practice is of great value.

With a reasonable bedtime (sleep didn't come super easy, but insomnia didn't rear its annoying head!) I was able to rise well before dawn, get showered, dressed and meditated and make it down to the riverside at sunrise.  That I wasn't able to actually see the sun is beside the point!  It felt incredibly good to greet the new year with a clear head and open heart.  Avery enjoyed the outing too, but she's always eager for river walkies.

Here's to a new year filled with lots of love, art, garden projects, plant medicine and so much more.

I wish you all a very blessed, prosperous and loving 2016!