Category: MerryThoughts

Sign up to get MerryThoughts in your inbox.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

100 Day Projects Part II

A hundred and two days ago, I decided to meditate for 100 days in a row. I just finished.

I wrote a previous letter about 100 Day Projects. I said that I was planning to start a new something and to make it last for 100 days. I wasn’t sure what it would be but I imagined that it might include pen and paper. Wrong.

I say I meditated “100 days in a row” but I did forget twice. I just simply forgot. I forgot on Day 66, started up again the next day and forgot again on day 87 and restarted again. I was quite disappointed with myself for forgetting, especially that first time. Old Lady Brain. I had also forgotten to lock the back door when I left the house that day, despite the fact that I’d been quite bothered when my son said I leave it unlocked all the time. But it turns out that omissions and interruptions fit right in with the practice of meditation.

Beginning again after being distracted, they tell me, is the essence of meditation. Perfect! Yay me!

Since I am still learning, I listen to teachers on the 10% Happier app and I meditate with their guidance. Sharon Salzberg said, in a recent lesson (after my two omissions), “We say that the moment you realize you’ve been distracted is the magic moment. Because that’s the moment we have the chance to be really different. Not judge ourselves, not put ourselves down, but simply let go and begin again. If you have to let go and begin again thousands of times, it’s fine.”

Well, her words were magic to me. Loving, kind, accepting. Sharon says beginning again is the practice. La! This means that I am all good and my meditation is full of magic moments, as I begin again and again and again.

Beginning again after being distracted, they tell me, is the essence of meditation. Perfect! Yay me!

Since I am still learning, I listen to teachers on the 10% Happier app and I meditate with their guidance. Sharon Salzberg said, in a recent lesson (after my two omissions), “We say that the moment you realize you’ve been distracted is the magic moment. Because that’s the moment we have the chance to be really different. Not judge ourselves, not put ourselves down, but simply let go and begin again. If you have to let go and begin again thousands of times, it’s fine.”

Well, her words were magic to me. Loving, kind, accepting. Sharon says beginning again is the practice. La! This means that I am all good and my meditation is full of magic moments, as I begin again and again and again.

So I’ve completed 100 days of meditation. This morning I did an unguided meditation and afterwards I thought that, since I’m still learning, I’d like to listen to one lesson with guided meditation each day and do one unguided meditation every day. Upping the ante. I’m not sure I’ll keep track of the days this time but I will still have the goal of a daily practice.

I feel very lucky to have access to all these wonderful teachers, thanks to the mind-boggling internet. There is so much out there that is good. Wonders never cease.

“It is never too late to start now.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

“Every sunrise gives you an opportunity to begin again.” ― Debasish Mridha

“Begin again. Begin again. Every year, Every day, Every moment, Begin again.” Shellen Lubin

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”
Posted on by — Leave a comment

An Award in Painting!

Third Place in Non-Professional Painting

This past Saturday I won an award in painting and sold several small paintings, all in one day! Whoa. I cannot say how thrilling this is, how it makes me feel like I’m on my right path, etc. Painting, which I once found somehow terrifying, is now a thing that I love. It’s just a little over a year since I took a course called “Find Your Joy” with Louise Fletcher. And I really did find it. I found my joy. That, in and of itself, is a beautiful thing. But one cannot deny that awards can be lovely, too.

Louise always says that other people’s opinions should not matter. The joy is in doing what you love. Yeah, sure. I cannot argue with that. Very very true. But still! An award!! And many sales!! In painting–a thing I never thought I could do and have been working very hard at all through this last year.

I also sold this small painting.

I’ve been a collage artist, writer, and card maker for so many years. I’ve won awards in mixed media at art festivals, even 2D Best of Show one time, but it’s been awhile. Every year prior to this I’ve entered collages of one kind or another into a local art show that I particularly love, a show that people in the community can enter free of charge, with no risk of being juried out. I adore this. It means that I’ll walk through the show and see that Who’s It paints! So & So does pastels! What’s His Name makes beautiful sculptures! So fun! And prizes are awarded.

This year, having found my joy, I entered a large-ish painting, without fear of ridicule, embarrassment, or loss of limb. I had zero expectations. I had never won a prize in mixed media at this particular show, although some years I thought I had a shot. Never. Never, for years. But now I have, in a medium that I once found so intimidating.

And this! I sold this one, too!

Over the moon I went. Right over it. I zoomed right over it. A banner day, a banner weekend. I could not wait to tell everyone. A freaking award in painting!! Have I mentioned that I went right over the moon? I so did. I am still there, still someplace way beyond the moon. The thing that gives me joy also gave someone else joy, and thus gained me a ribbon. So, okay, the joy really is more important. But I’m pretty sure it’s the joy spilling out all over the place that won me the award. Yeah.

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” ― Tom Bodett

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” ― Rumi

“Comparison is the death of joy.” ― Mark Twain

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Signs

I get a rash every time I recover from any sort of illness. The first time it happened, it was assumed that I was allergic to the penicillin I’d been given. That was a million years ago and I have developed that rash ever since, the morning after I’ve turned the corner, no matter what has made me sick or what I took to get over it.

This week I had a rough 24 hours from the flu shot. The next morning, there was that rash, a visible sign that I am better. Ahh. It always makes me smile. And I feel better still, because of that friendly rash.

(The downside this time was that I was denied my weekly allergy shot because of it. “But it happens all the time!” I cried. “It doesn’t itch!” “It’ll be gone tomorrow!” I never thought I’d beg for a shot in the arm but it is ragweed season and I wanted that shot.)

I’ve been thinking about this little rash. Once a nurse remarked, “What a funny little body!” when I told her. But I feel pretty lucky to have a body that gives me a visible sign that I’ve healed. You are good to go, it says. All better. It’s like having a loving parent who kisses your booboo to make it better. The rash actually adds to my good feeling. No ambiguity. I know I’m better when that rosy little rash shows up. I’m kind of like a plant whose leaves pull up from drooping when it’s given what it needs.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a simple, visible sign that other things are getting better, without conjecture or speculation? Things like relationships, your art practice, the economy, the pandemic, the environment? You could just have a look and know. Oh! It’s better now! Whew! No well-meaning friend offering advice, no puffed up critic, analyst or pundit Telling All. Just an easy knowing.

Punctuation is all important! Is it, “Dogs, please close the gate” or “Dogs!! Please close the gate!”?

I suppose we could rely on our inner knowing for personal things, if only we trusted it. But then there are doubts and limiting beliefs and all. Ugh. And on the others, things are just not that simple, are they? I am happy that I do at least have this “funny little body” to say, Hey! You’re all right! whenever I’ve had a minor illness.

“The existentialist cannot accept that man can be helped by any sign on earth, for he will interpret the sign as he chooses.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre

“The untuned mind receives no signal from the universe.” ― Michael Bassey Johnson, Song of a Nature Lover

“For those of you who are, ‘waiting for a sign . . .’ if you woke up today, THAT’S YOUR SIGN!” ― Steve Maraboli

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”
Posted on by — 1 Comment

Blocking the Blessing

A friend just shared with me the phrase, “Don’t block my blessing.” I had been offered a ticket to something I felt I could not afford and I’d declined, feeling like I should have been paying my own way. I am okay being a little bit extravagant now and then for things that I really really want; but I’m also okay sitting out if it’s a stretch for me. So I thought, it’s nice of her but I am okay with not going.

But. “Don’t block my blessing.” It actually took me a moment to let this sink in. I’m offered a gift–a blessing–and by not accepting the gift, I’m blocking a blessing that she wanted to bestow. That’s an interesting way of looking at receiving generosity.

So here’s that word, “bless,” again, used in a beautiful, non-religious way. Or maybe it is religious. It’s the religion of Us. Ordinary people blessing each other, without hierarchy or rank, in an everyday way, by offering gifts, favors, kindnesses, gentleness, a helping hand now and then. No one stands above, in robes and beads. These are blessings among equals, neither person more important nor better than the other. One half of the blessing is the giving, one to another, things that we lovingly want to give. The other half is accepting the gift. If we don’t accept it, the gift lies unopened.

Acceptance, too, is a gift.

Left on my porch last winter by two lovely friends

Acceptance and gratitude are part of the religion of Us, too. These are faiths in which I want to participate. I am grateful for the blessings of words, offered to me by everyday teachers–friends, family, even strangers. Around any corner, in any conversation, there’s wisdom to be found.

“Gracious acceptance is an art – an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving . . . Accepting another person’s gift is allowing him to express his feelings for you.” ― Alexander McCall Smith, Love Over Scotland

“Giving feels fantastic and for there to be a Giver, there must be a Receiver, so allowing yourself to receive is an act of love.” ― Rebecca O’Dwyer

“Because we idealize Giving so much, we ignore the ability, blessing, and duty to Receive.” ― Ashlecka Aumrivani

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Process Painting

I just tried something I’d never heard of before. It’s called Process Painting, and it’s a combo of meditation and painting. I watched a brief demo by Patty Ripley in my online art group and I couldn’t wait to try it. It’s a process whereby you meditate and then paint, letting whatever comes up within you lead you. The aim is not to make a painting–but spiritual, personal growth. Well, this hits my two biggest things of late. As we all know, carpentry is not one of those. No, dummy! Meditation and painting!

Patty states: “I devote to the healing power of art. It isn’t about making the final product yet more about the process. It’s about connecting with the spirit within and channeling that. It’s about allowing the narrative to be fueled by emotion, sensation and landscape. All is welcome here.” It might sound woo-woo and it is. Right up my alley!

I bought some kids’ paints and poster board, taped two pieces together to make a nice big surface on my wall, and began. First, I listened to her meditation and then I let loose. I should say that my painting is normally fairly free to start with. But here, there is absolutely no imperative to show what you make or to make a pleasing painting or to follow any rules at all. The idea here, though, is to let anything at all come up from within you. Emotions, thoughts, reactions to the meditation, reactions to the colors and the paints, responses to whatever you’ve just put down. And then just follow.

I started with brushes, even skinny ones, which I normally avoid because of my shaky hands. But the paint was a lot like finger paint, so I started using my fingers. Much more fun and freeing.

And then I shut out the little voice that says one should not make the same mark again and again in a single painting, so I just went all out with circles. Circles circles circles! I love circles and I put them into my paintings all the time.

Why? Hmm. I had to think about this. Circles are unending, symbols of life and infinity. They seem to float, like bubbles, which are perfect and ephemeral (thank you, Lynn) and therefore precious; a treat; a gift. They are happy, simple shapes. They represent love (xo). They are happiness.

And there was more that I won’t go into because it was really just for me. Just as when you try it, it will be just for you. I will do it again. It was a beautiful, opening experience for me.

“Devoting to your energetic being will help you reconnect with the pure essence that you are.” – Patty Ripley

“This true essence is beyond the ego. It is fearless; it is free; it is immune to criticism; it does not fear any challenge. It is beneath no one, superior to no one, and full of magic, mystery, and enchantment.” – Deepak Chopra

“Magic happens here.” – Patty Ripley

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Play to Your Strengths

This is just one of the many piles of pieces I cut, sanded, and polyurethaned THREE times.

I am the lucky one who will be showing my work in a small solo exhibit at a bank downtown, coming up in November. Woohoo!! I’m planning to hang my acrylic abstract paintings–a new-ish medium for me–and I have been working very hard towards getting them done.

I have 24-25 paintings finished! That is, they are painted. Many have even been varnished. So I set out to frame them. Because of the cost, I had decided to frame them myself, with simple slat board frames. Simple, she says. So very funny!

But I measured! The replacement pair were 1/4″ too long.

Measuring, cutting, and any kind of precision work are skills that do not live in either my body or my personality, are not found within my skill set, and frankly, are not even things I aspire to cultivating. I do not like power tools that could take off part or all of a finger. I like my fingers! I dislike sawdust and sanding. I abhor getting sticky polyurethane on my hands and do not like breathing in the fumes of mineral spirits. I have Essential Tremor, i.e., my hands are not particularly steady. I am currently in need of new glasses. I am clearly unfit for this type of work! And yet I set out to do it. So, bully for me, right?

First mistake: going into production mode before seeing one frame all the way through. I take that back. First mistake: thinking this would be an easy project or even doable by me. But had I put together one, before cutting so many pieces, I might have seen the error of my ways much sooner. Second (third?) mistake: failing to ask anyone exactly where to lower the blade of the chop saw in regard to my (clearly poorly marked) line until I had cut half the pieces. I could go on, but why? The only joy I had in this project was riding to Menard’s for wood with my friend who has a truck. But why agonize over this any longer? Suffice it to say, I am regrouping. I shall buy frames and use the many pieces of slat board cluttering my studio to build yet another funky Christmas tree for our house. Stay tuned.

Hmm . . . What are these three pieces for??

One simply must consider one’s strengths and weaknesses before taking on a project. Ask yourself, Who am I? and answer carefully, before beginning. Am I precise and meticulous by nature? No!! One must not go off willy-nilly without doing any research beyond watching an overly simplistic YouTube video of a man working in his well-appointed wood shop with exceptionally fine tools. Remind yourself that the man in question does not show himself measuring and cutting the boards. Nor does he ever address the issues of clear eyesight and perfectly steady hands.

Ugh. This project seriously disrupted my studio and prevented me from doing the thing I love, which is painting. Many bad words were uttered. But I have learned some things about myself and about life, one more of which is: Pay others for work at which you suck.

“Always remember, your weakness is somebody else’s strength.”― Vinaya Panicker

“Knowing your weakness is a strength.” ― Dr Toyin Omofoye

“Not necessarily what’s tough for you is tough for everyone.” ― Sarvesh Jain, The Awakening Wisdom of Life

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Magic Hour

The first time I heard the term “Magic Hour” I was with my son at Central Park in New York City. It was twilight. People were out walking with kids or dogs or partners; playing catch; throwing frisbees. The light was particularly beautiful as it slanted through the trees and my son commented, “Magic Hour.”

Now I’ve looked it up I see that it’s also called the Golden Hour, particularly by photographers and cinematographers. I like magic better. It’s the kind of light that seems possible only through magic. Of course, Wikipedia explains it scientifically and that is well and good. Science is good. But my eyes glaze over as I try to make heads or tails of the explanation. Why try? I ask myself. I mean, you should certainly feel free to try. But I’ve tried (a little) and I am okay with limited knowledge, especially when it comes to natural phenomena. Plus, my brain is getting old and I’m not sure what else will fit in there.

I feel the same about the moon, dew, frost, shooting stars, rainbows, murmurations and migrations of birds, and many other amazing things. I could read the science about all of these–and I have, fruitlessly, about some–but the thing is, I feel that my particular brain is not wired for that kind of understanding; and anyway, I find it far more fun to think of the more beautiful aspects of our world as mysteries I will never fathom. Correction–mysteries I do not need to fathom.

Let me just love them. Let me just feel things. Awe, wonder, luck, gratitude.

I do understand that Magic Hour is just about a half hour of actual time, the half hour after sunrise and the half hour before sunset. It is definitely a gorgeous time to be outdoors, looking, seeing, and/or as I did recently, taking a bazillion photographs. It will make you feel very lucky to be alive and on Earth.

“It was the Magic Hour, the moment in time when every leaf and blade of grass seemed to separate, when sunlight, burnished by the rain and softened by the coming night, gave the world an impossibly beautiful glow.” ― Kristin Hannah, Magic Hour

“They always stayed at the beach to enjoy the golden hour, that hour when the sun sank low enough to spangle the water.” — Elin Hilderbrand

“The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.” ― Anais Nin

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. If you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Wish Making

Crystal Bridges Art Museum, 2012

I just celebrated my birthday. I woke especially early on the day, to a bright cool morning, one of those that I think of as magical. And Miles wanted to go out, so my early waking became an early Up Time, too. Perfect. I stood out on the balcony while Miles putzed around in the yard. I was thinking about what I want in my next year, my life. Many things. I have many things with which I want to fill my days, my life. In my mind, standing there, stretching luxuriously, in that cool, pre-dawn air, I began making a list.

I want to see a fox again. More than one and often. I haven’t seen one in awhile. I want foxes to live close at hand. I want to go to New York again . . . to have at least another good year with both of my dogs . . . to see that gorgeous Caribbean water again, soon. I want a really good piece of cake.

I continued my list the next morning.

Curiosity Here I Am

LIST OF THINGS I WANT

To bring forth magic and passion in my painting and my writing

To deepen my friendships

EQUANIMITY

Adventure . . . travel . . . gentle daring

To be kind

To manifest innocent mischief

Lightness

Openness

Magic & passion in everything I do and touch

To savor everything

Connectedness

Joie de vivre

To be like a hot air balloon–full, airborne, colorful, adventurous, rising, floating.

I did not see a fox on my birthday or the next day. I am okay with that. I have seen them around here and I will again. Many of these other things on my list, however, are up to me. And isn’t that the best kind of wish to have, anyway–a wish that I, myself, can make happen? These are the sorts of things that put me in the driver’s seat, so to speak, of this shiny red moon-roofed, zippy, road-hugging, responsive yet thrilling car we call Life.

What’s on your list?

“If you are a dreamer come in

If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar

A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer

If you’re a pretender come sit by my fire

For we have some flax golden tales to spin.

Come in!

Come in!”

― Shel Silverstein

“We often confuse what we wish for with what is.” ― Neil Gaiman, MirrorMask

“Wish on everything. Pink cars are good, especially old ones. And stars of course, first stars and shooting stars. Planes will do if they are the first light in the sky and look like stars. Wish in tunnels, holding your breath and lifting your feet off the ground. Birthday candles. Baby teeth.”― Francesca Lia Block

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. And if you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Mischief in the Woods

If you have the time and inclination to frequent wooded areas, there’s no telling what you might find. Oh, depending upon the season, you may discover wildflowers, heart-shaped rocks, beautiful vistas of trees and bluffs, happy little creeks, rock cairns, winding paths, maybe a fox or two if you’re lucky, deer or great blue heron, any and all of these wonderful things. You might find the remains of a stone chimney where a farmhouse once stood, the shell of a turtle, the skull of a raccoon. You will likely run into hikers, dogs, and sometimes, horses. These are all to be expected and delightful to come upon.

But then. Occasionally you’ll find something that delights or surprises in a very different way. One winter someone was making grapevine wreaths and leaving them all over the woods at Grindstone, making all of us regulars smile. Who was it? Tiny snowmen appeared after a big snowfall. Happy messages scratched into the dirt, hearts painted on the old silo.

Once I chanced upon a swing hanging from a very great height off of a fallen tree over a deep crevasse at Gans Creek. This had to have been through the efforts of more than one person, and at least one daredevil crawled or walked?? out on that tree to attach it. Yikes! You can’t tell from the photo, but that swing was hanging from a VERY high place! It was even difficult to get onto for swinging and it did not stay for very long. I imagine a park ranger found it too dangerous, but it was super fun to find there and I was sorry to see it go away.

This is for all to enjoy. Please be safe. Please be respectful.

Then there was this head-scratcher. Atop a very high hill, way at the back of the woods, one winter I came upon a full size grocery shopping cart. In it were a basketball, several cans of Keystone Ice, a pair of Birkenstocks, and a couple of hand warmers. Hmm. A prank on the owner of the Birkenstocks? This, too, took some doing. Here’s where I am tempted to simply write SMH (shaking my head). Though it was not a particularly welcome sight, it was memorable.

I suppose we could all use a little mischief now and then. What innocent mischief might we create? Oh, I don’t mean a thing that irritates or makes a mess, but something to bring a smile to a stranger. I have one thing that’s been percolating in my brain. The possibilities are endless.

“Every last one of us has a spark of mischief in our eyes, and that spark of mischief is what connects us all. . . But we’re Carefree Scamps, all of us. And we make people laugh. These are the people whose friendships I value.”― Karl Wiggins, Wrong Planet

“If you are not smiling, mischievous, satirical for some time every day, you are not living.” ― Sandeep Sahajpal, The Twelfth Preamble

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. And if you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Quiet

Here in College Town USA, summers are quiet, and Sundays even quieter. My dogs and I can cross Broadway with almost no waiting on a Sunday, much as we did on any given day during 2020. Traffic is less, downtown sees fewer people, and stores are markedly less full. The slower pace and the quieter ambience are nice, for those of us who live here all year long and who don’t depend upon students for our livelihood.

In the next week or two, the buzz begins. Students come back to town, start moving into apartments and dorms, fill up the stores and roam around downtown, especially in the evening. We welcome them back, though, and there’s no denying that the added liveliness is contagious. It will soon be time for us all to absorb the seasonal changes that give the Midwest some of its charm. But right at first, it’s a little bit hard to lose that quiet time of summer.

Early mornings find me writing my Morning Pages, in bed. If the weather is nice enough for my windows to be open, I love listening to the quiet. As dawn unfolds, and sometimes before, I’ll hear a single bird begin to sing. Cardinal, usually, although I’ve learned that I sometimes mistake a wren, with its loud voice, for a cardinal. Now that’s just wrong. Clearly, I am no birder! I only know a few things.

Before long I hear my neighbor out front with her dogs, and maybe another dog walker chatting with her. And then the neighbor’s car pulling out of her driveway. I’m pretty sure I’ve already heard the high school marching band, practicing for the start of school. They are back on the job before the other students, and up and out early, with the birds. The sun rises higher in the sky and the town wakes up bit by bit. I love a slow morning!

Quiet is good for the soul, along with the hum of cicadas in the evening and the sounds of my neighbors, playing fiddle and guitar in their backyard. I love the combination of human and insect music, easily heard on these quiet evenings.

So now we get ready for the bustle and buzz of students, school, and traffic, the human parts of the changing seasons in a college town. Change is good. It helps us grow.

“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

“She liked the life she had. She loved habits. She craved a day with nothing in it, a long, quiet stretch of hours in the studio.”― Ann Brashares, Sisterhood Everlasting

“When you pay attention, you prop the door of your soul ajar to welcome the unexpected and the uncontrolled . . Paying attention is a habit forming mind-set that comes with repetition and with intention. You give yourself permission to “do nothing.” You create quiet spaces. You open a door.”― Cindy Crosby, Chasing Dragonflies

If you’re looking for my cards or art, you’ll find all of that on my website. And if you enjoy these letters, feel free to forward this one to anyone you think might like it. And if someone forwarded this one to you, you can sign up here to receive the letters right in your Inbox. Finally, you’ll find past letters and poems here.

Thanks for listening,
Kay

P.S. MerryThoughts is the name of my first book, out of print at the moment. The word is a British one, referring both to a wishbone and to the ritual of breaking the wishbone with the intention of either having a wish granted or being the one who marries first, thus the “merry thoughts.”