A Respite ...

Photo by Wang Wei on Unsplash

This week, or at least in this newsletter, I vow to provide a respite from the turmoil going on in this country.

Every day, I seek a bit of rest from the concerns. I always watch for and read Bill Davison’s Substack, for example.

I read a bit of poetry. I read historical fiction unrelated to any of my goings on. I watch the hummingbirds and chickadees in our ceanothus bush -- regardless of weather.

Hummingbird painting by Stormy Gale; baby hummers outside my bedroom window.; ceanothus bush

I practice the songs for our next concert, and this time we’re looking back to the 40s, the 50s, the 60s. Fun. I just sing and try not to remember the bad things about those years while I’m singing.

I’m writing a poem a day, and sometimes I write about something unrelated to current life.

This week I talked about writing with two different friends. One via Zoom, and one via telephone. We talked about craft and inspiration, and our writing routines.

This week was my daughter’s birthday, and I’ve spent a lot of time remembering her as a baby. Remembering myself as a young mother.

Don’t worry, the phone did not fall on her head. Me and Stormy January 1968.

Each of these things made me feel better. Each of these things allowed me to be mindful, to breathe, even to smile. I hope I’ve inspired you to share what you do in your own everyday life to keep you going.

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