Time to go " play in the dirt". My arborist younger brother called it " Mental Flossing". I see the swing beginning to arch back and try to remain hopeful, hopeful, hopeful...
Mental Flossing is a great term (and also a great publication, if you're not familiar -- mentalfloss.com. Maybe they stole the name from your brother! I don't want to be guilty of toxic positivity, but like you, I'm clinging to hope. Thanks, Susan. I hope all is as well as it can be in your world.
I note the ceasefire and am hopeful but then reality rather points the pendulum back in the other direction because of the imprecise and reactionary nature of the man who caused all of this in the first place.
I played in the dirt today, as I played over Easter and as I will again tomorrow and the next day and the next after that because, whilst I can't believe in the sense and goodness of the US administration, I can believe in the reliability of the seasons and nature and the joy of a palmful of dirt.
I love the image of you playing in the dirt day after day, Prue, It feels like such a grounding counterpoint to everything else, and you're a model of perseverance, too! I may not have much faith in this administration either, but I do find it in other people, and in the rhythms of the earth.
And yes, Ramona’s post was terrific! I discovered a few new voices through it too. Thanks for sharing it here.
God, this was PERFECT. I’ve read and reread it. Wall-E. Yes, my daughter has just been introducing that to my grandson who’s 3 1/2. Eeee -vaah… he says all the time. He’s autistic, and loves this quiet, slow-paced, sweet love story of a “being” , like him, who is tender, without many words. Such a sweet movie and also, terrifying in a “The Handmaids Tale“ kind of way, wrapped up, as you say in a children’s movie so we don’t all freak out. Watching it these days has even more poignancy.
And, the perfect spice rack. The garden. The homesteading friend looking to the soil for solace… so much here. Our slowly buying into this goddamn mess, and now gamifying slow, mindful, presence once again. As you say, God help us.
I can’t remember loving a piece more than this, Elizabeth.
This means so much, Gayle, thank you. I can imagine your sweet grandson and the way he’s connecting with the tenderness in Wall-E—must feel like he’s seeing something essential in it. How special! I also love that you picked up on that mix too, the sweetness and the underlying unease. The movie lands so differently for me now.
So we return to the garden, to the small, real things, to each other. It's less of a choice and more of a necessity lately.
I’m glad this piece resonated with you so deeply and am honored by your generous comment. Thanks, too, for the restack!
Thank you—that really means a lot. I’m not sure I always process things especially gracefully, but I do try to come back to what’s steady and true. I’m glad that’s coming through. I appreciate you!
The closest I come to leaving my thinking is meditation. I do it daily. Some days I am able to let go of thoughts. More often I don’t…or only manage it for a fraction of the meditation period. But I believe the regular attempt is a contribution to my live, and hopefully in some small way, to the wider world. And gardening helps with that too. And so does your writing.
I really love the way you put this, Darrell, the attempt being the thing that matters. That’s been my experience too: not so much “emptying the mind” as returning, over and over again. Gardening is a kind of meditation for me, for sure. I’m honored that the writing sits alongside that for you. Thank you for saying so.
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
What a lovely way to put it, Jill. I love the image of imprecision and eternal spring filling your lungs. I’m so glad the piece could enhance your caring. You've given me a gift by saying so. ☺️
Haha, I love that you picked that up, Don! Thank you so much for your kindness and for showing up for Chicken Scratch with such steady enthusiasm. You are a thoughtful human! 😊
Working on the daydreaming part, Karen, and wonder if I'll be more inclined when I'm not employed full-time anymore. (Not that I'm wishing for that just now, mind you...got to be careful what you wish for, right?)
I really appreciate the comment about the photos. I've been a photo buff for a long time but two college courses certainly taught me things I didn't know! Thanks for noticing.
Oh so that's the 'secret' -- actually LEARN something about taking photos! I could've said something about your beautiful photos way back, but guess I was too focused on reading. But your photos are ALWAYS good.
Ah yes, full-time work, I can see how that can interfere -- but the thing about daydreaming is you can sneak it in, here and there, doesn't need to take up a lot of time. Anyway, Elizabeth, I'm sure you'll get to it ...
“Things aren’t okay, but neither are they finished.” Yes! I feel this too. I truly believe that arc will swing back to goodness and love and community in a way humanity has never known. I believe, and I have hope. And while I don’t have a garden, I do have trees. ✨✨
Trees are magical! We were so surrounded by them for so long that my vegetables were relegated to a community garden space, and a few pots in the yard. Then, tragically, a neighbor removed most of the trees from *his* yard, and the silver lining was that we suddenly had enough sun for our own garden. Speaking of arcs. So glad to know you feel the possibility, too, Nancy. Thanks for reading, commenting AND restacking!!
Time to go " play in the dirt". My arborist younger brother called it " Mental Flossing". I see the swing beginning to arch back and try to remain hopeful, hopeful, hopeful...
Mental Flossing is a great term (and also a great publication, if you're not familiar -- mentalfloss.com. Maybe they stole the name from your brother! I don't want to be guilty of toxic positivity, but like you, I'm clinging to hope. Thanks, Susan. I hope all is as well as it can be in your world.
I note the ceasefire and am hopeful but then reality rather points the pendulum back in the other direction because of the imprecise and reactionary nature of the man who caused all of this in the first place.
I played in the dirt today, as I played over Easter and as I will again tomorrow and the next day and the next after that because, whilst I can't believe in the sense and goodness of the US administration, I can believe in the reliability of the seasons and nature and the joy of a palmful of dirt.
As a PS: I commend Ramona Grigg's latest post where she gives a list of Free Press writers which may be of interest to your readers: https://constantcommoner.substack.com/p/loud-louder-loudest Worth spreading the word...
I love the image of you playing in the dirt day after day, Prue, It feels like such a grounding counterpoint to everything else, and you're a model of perseverance, too! I may not have much faith in this administration either, but I do find it in other people, and in the rhythms of the earth.
And yes, Ramona’s post was terrific! I discovered a few new voices through it too. Thanks for sharing it here.
I also play in the dirt every day I can Prue.
She did it again.
Read, reread, reflect upon,
listen, listen up!
Hear, hear! 🙉 Appreciate you so much, Marisol.
God, this was PERFECT. I’ve read and reread it. Wall-E. Yes, my daughter has just been introducing that to my grandson who’s 3 1/2. Eeee -vaah… he says all the time. He’s autistic, and loves this quiet, slow-paced, sweet love story of a “being” , like him, who is tender, without many words. Such a sweet movie and also, terrifying in a “The Handmaids Tale“ kind of way, wrapped up, as you say in a children’s movie so we don’t all freak out. Watching it these days has even more poignancy.
And, the perfect spice rack. The garden. The homesteading friend looking to the soil for solace… so much here. Our slowly buying into this goddamn mess, and now gamifying slow, mindful, presence once again. As you say, God help us.
I can’t remember loving a piece more than this, Elizabeth.
This means so much, Gayle, thank you. I can imagine your sweet grandson and the way he’s connecting with the tenderness in Wall-E—must feel like he’s seeing something essential in it. How special! I also love that you picked up on that mix too, the sweetness and the underlying unease. The movie lands so differently for me now.
So we return to the garden, to the small, real things, to each other. It's less of a choice and more of a necessity lately.
I’m glad this piece resonated with you so deeply and am honored by your generous comment. Thanks, too, for the restack!
It’s like you are inside my head. I love the way you think and express things. Love your observations and care.
Big thanks, Gayle.
Currently working on mental wandering…
Can we make a button? 😅
Sending light and good movie-watching your way, Eileen. Thank you for being here.
Thank you for spreading the light.
In bumpy moments, I might started asking myself “how would EB process this”
Thank you—that really means a lot. I’m not sure I always process things especially gracefully, but I do try to come back to what’s steady and true. I’m glad that’s coming through. I appreciate you!
The closest I come to leaving my thinking is meditation. I do it daily. Some days I am able to let go of thoughts. More often I don’t…or only manage it for a fraction of the meditation period. But I believe the regular attempt is a contribution to my live, and hopefully in some small way, to the wider world. And gardening helps with that too. And so does your writing.
I really love the way you put this, Darrell, the attempt being the thing that matters. That’s been my experience too: not so much “emptying the mind” as returning, over and over again. Gardening is a kind of meditation for me, for sure. I’m honored that the writing sits alongside that for you. Thank you for saying so.
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
Got three chances to enjoy this—still so perfect, and funny!
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
PS. NPR is doing a segment right now on WAMU on the word about friction which made you laugh. One of the things the author of the book suggested was having time when you’re not looking at or listening to devices. So I promptly turned off the car radio.
Imprecision breathes life back into my lungs, as does eternal spring--which only ceases in the outside world: your sharing enhances my caring!
What a lovely way to put it, Jill. I love the image of imprecision and eternal spring filling your lungs. I’m so glad the piece could enhance your caring. You've given me a gift by saying so. ☺️
merci
“My stubborn, possibly delusional sense is that we are about to tip back the other way, toward something more focused on cooperation and decency.”
Haha, I feel the same way, Elizabeth. Thanks for your hope, and for your great writing! 🙏💚
Haha, I love that you picked that up, Don! Thank you so much for your kindness and for showing up for Chicken Scratch with such steady enthusiasm. You are a thoughtful human! 😊
"I need to remember how to daydream." Yes! It's a tonic I highly recommend.
Taking good photographs is a skill I don't have, and I admire yours, Elizabeth.
Working on the daydreaming part, Karen, and wonder if I'll be more inclined when I'm not employed full-time anymore. (Not that I'm wishing for that just now, mind you...got to be careful what you wish for, right?)
I really appreciate the comment about the photos. I've been a photo buff for a long time but two college courses certainly taught me things I didn't know! Thanks for noticing.
Oh so that's the 'secret' -- actually LEARN something about taking photos! I could've said something about your beautiful photos way back, but guess I was too focused on reading. But your photos are ALWAYS good.
Ah yes, full-time work, I can see how that can interfere -- but the thing about daydreaming is you can sneak it in, here and there, doesn't need to take up a lot of time. Anyway, Elizabeth, I'm sure you'll get to it ...
Elizabeth, this is a gorgeous essay! Well done! Thank you!
Many thanks, Mary! That word gorgeous. ~melt~
Frictionmaxxing!! Here’s to that! 😀
Ha! Thanks, Josh. I think some folks are the OG friction maxxers. Since your Stack promotes an analog future, perhaps you're among them? 🤜 🤛
:) I used to just call it making things hard for myself, but now I have some GenZ slang at my disposal!
Take that slang and run with it!
“Things aren’t okay, but neither are they finished.” Yes! I feel this too. I truly believe that arc will swing back to goodness and love and community in a way humanity has never known. I believe, and I have hope. And while I don’t have a garden, I do have trees. ✨✨
Trees are magical! We were so surrounded by them for so long that my vegetables were relegated to a community garden space, and a few pots in the yard. Then, tragically, a neighbor removed most of the trees from *his* yard, and the silver lining was that we suddenly had enough sun for our own garden. Speaking of arcs. So glad to know you feel the possibility, too, Nancy. Thanks for reading, commenting AND restacking!!