Thank you for writing this. Feels good knowing I am not alone experiencing this kind of impotent anxiety about our current world. Repetitive tasks with my loved things brings comfort to me as well. Putting our own universe in order when we have no control over the larger one. Simple pleasures also help me calm my mind and appreciate my life. Thank you Barbara.
Thanks for sharing that beautiful photo of the morning sun on the sea stacks. I’m doing the same as you but probably with more drama and angst. Wrenching my focus away from the huge and unsolvable toward the small and lovely. My amaryllis has sent up two new leaves and I talk to her every morning when I’m making my coffee. Watching for birds foraging in the yard. Enjoying the wind’s footprints in the evergreens. Thinking about and calling beloved friends and family. Managing the continual sighs flowing around my heart.
What a lovely phrase, “managing the continual sighs flowing around my heart.” I have plenty of angst, but it’s not good for me, so I keep refocusing, refocusing, refocusing….
I'm not sure I'm managing in this madness. It doesn't feel safe. Books, my usual sanctuary and escape, aren't even enough. Maybe once the weather warms up and I can get outside to walk, I'll find some solace.
It really isn’t safe. One thing my husband says is a Stoic or Buddhist idea: the cup is already broken. By which he means, it was never safe. I struggle with that idea, but it seems to help him when things get really out of control.(But you know, he’s English.)
I feel a bit lost too these days. So I am trying to keep a clear head as much as I can. I go out for a walk every day to give me a feeling of calm inside. It helps me. My walk is not very long because I have a lot of trouble with the pain of arthritis especially in my legs and hips. I love being outside in the fresh air at least for awhile. I can relate to your post here. Thinking of you as I go out for my walk everyday. Take care and be kind to yourself too. Sending hugs from Sweden near the Baltic Sea.
Thank you for the view of the world from Sweden, Iva. I also sometimes have trouble with arthritis interfering with walks—it is a thing! Staying in motion however we can is powerful, and I agree that being outside is so helpful. Fresh air!
We lost our German Shepherd recently. He got us out of the house 4 or 5 times everyday. Now we have to do it on our own. Much harder. He loved running free in the woods with a big log in his mouth. When we finally did a walk without him, his logs were still there… where he left them. It was like finding a message from him at his favorite place. So we are walking again now with him. Maybe I’ll take a picture like I used to do sometimes. The woods we found with his help is a peaceful place. It is slowly undergoing a change as the days get lighter and a bit warmer. It meant a lot to me to get a reply from you. You are my dearest author… ever. You speak to my heart and soul. I have come upon one of your books that I haven’t read yet when I most needed what you had to say. You have found me in my darkness. Thank you for that. I know you know how important that can be at times. It’s evening here now in Sweden in our little town called Nävekvarn. I am watching my American series The Blue Bloods. I love it. I was born in Czechoslovakia and grew up in the US in Boston. When I was 21 years old, I got married and built my family. We moved to Stockholm then, my husband and I. Thank you for your writing…. Including The Crone. I found it just when I needed it. I told you that I often found your writings just when I most needed them. I am 77 years old. Do write if you feel like it or want to. Thank you for this moment this evening with you. Yes… the internet can be magic sometimes. If we had grown up in another time, we would never make this connection, I guess. But it being now in the world and you being you and me being me… here we are!! Awesome!!! Really really Awesome!!! It’s a Kind of Magic. Don’t you think? I think so anyway. And I am grateful for that… Grateful to you … and grateful to the music group Queen who sang that song. I love it!!
I do my laundry on Mondays too:) I am mostly just trying to live my life. Doing my usual chores, going out to dinner once a month with my highschool friends, going to bunco, going to bookclub. Volunteering at our local theater and state park. Staying with my 12 and 15 yr old granddaughters while their parents are out of town; taking my 15 yr old grandson out to dinner and the comic book store. I feel panicky and frightened sporadically but I try and remember that when I feel they way; the bad guys are winning. I try and remember that 99.99% of my family and friends are on the same page I am on. And I do my best to try to keep my daughter's spirits up. She is a social worker in a clinic for refugees. She and her staff are under much stress these days. Thank you for being a light in these dark days.
Avoid news. Journal. Meditate. Nature time, hiking, gardening. Hot beverage and Bird watching. Memoirs and novels before bed, Got rid of facebook, insta and threads. Using Bluesky and Substack. I will retire from a retail job in a few months and after a neutral, liminal, fallow period plans are for travel, hugging my dog, more time with friends and my adult children and grandson. More sunrises and sunsets to enjoy. Weekly farmers' markets. Library time and book clubs. Strengthening classes at our new senior center. Putting more life in my balance. I think about writing, at least writing up my Father's letters to my Mother from WWII that are in pencil fading fast. Thinking of bringing my organizational and minimalists skills together in helping others. Mostly reading, music, dance, yoga, long drives in the country, and then more reading.
One of the big things for me is limiting news/social media time. Some is okay, but too much leads me to a spiral. I’ve been thinking of a bird feeder—good idea.
I long for warmer seasons so I can work in my garden and turn on my waterfall. The cold is taking its toll with the news. I cry when I need to and I go to a progressive church which speaks out.
I just got an email that the community garden plots will be open March 15. I know nothing much will grow yet, but I’ll be out there anyway. Crying is appropriate. May spring arrive quickly.
Aside from deep immersion in my own fiction, I've been reading yours. I'm reading This Place of Wonder and loving the world you created. I also am down with the Zen of folding laundry 😁
I pulled everything out of my drawers a few years ago and Marie Kondo'd the pile. And it's back again. I'm a stuffer. It's time to find the joy in my clothes again. I gave up television news when I left Idaho in 2005 so it's jarring when I run into it online or in my email. The sea stacks are lovely. When I visit the shore, I always sit and let the wind and sounds roll over me. Thank you for reminding me of the experience with your lovely photos of your home.
Im doing well. Thanks for asking. Currently, I'm on cup of coffee number two, and about to get some tests ready for my son, whom is in private school at home. This ritual of teaching has opened many doors for me, including writing publically for the first time. I enjoyed this note, and decided I wanted to see more of your writing, as I enjoy a good read with my coffee. I would love it if you followed me on a journey of exploration, as I communicate with extraterrestrial entities. ✌️❤️🕯️and 👽 (peace, love, light and extraterrestrials)
A wonderful read to start my day, Barbara... thank you for reminding me that taking care with small daily things can be more valuable than I realize, actually pleasurable and important, and healing. I'll look deeper into finding a sense of well-being in consciously accomplishing daily activities, and celebrating them. Reading the other comments here remind me that we all share a similar sense of dread, anxiety and uncertainty these days. It helps to read the words of others.
Now --coffee, and a few minutes watching the birds at my feeder. And then I plan to go fold that basket of clothes that's been waiting for days, and to do it mindfully.
Hi again, Barbara - I am enjoying the plethora of fantastic writers here on Substack, and you are definitely one of them. I am not sure if I am managing, to be honest. I feel like I am carrying heavy boulders on my back, and I keep switching them around trying to redistribute the weight. But one thing that is definitely helping is the writing I am doing now, that I haven’t done in years.
Thank you for the reminder that the little things provide an escape. We don’t need to make grand plans in order to soothe our frayed souls.
But, I did escape recently. I spent a week in Portal, AZ. The Chiricahua Mountains are this unexpectedly beautiful place riding out of the desert just off the Mexican desert. I recommend it to anyone looking for a winter escape into rustic peace, quiet, hiking and so, so many cool birds.
Thank you for writing this. Feels good knowing I am not alone experiencing this kind of impotent anxiety about our current world. Repetitive tasks with my loved things brings comfort to me as well. Putting our own universe in order when we have no control over the larger one. Simple pleasures also help me calm my mind and appreciate my life. Thank you Barbara.
Loved Sipsworth. Lovely photo🩵
Wasn’t Sipsworth gorgeous? I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks for sharing that beautiful photo of the morning sun on the sea stacks. I’m doing the same as you but probably with more drama and angst. Wrenching my focus away from the huge and unsolvable toward the small and lovely. My amaryllis has sent up two new leaves and I talk to her every morning when I’m making my coffee. Watching for birds foraging in the yard. Enjoying the wind’s footprints in the evergreens. Thinking about and calling beloved friends and family. Managing the continual sighs flowing around my heart.
What a lovely phrase, “managing the continual sighs flowing around my heart.” I have plenty of angst, but it’s not good for me, so I keep refocusing, refocusing, refocusing….
All we can do is encourage each other.
I'm not sure I'm managing in this madness. It doesn't feel safe. Books, my usual sanctuary and escape, aren't even enough. Maybe once the weather warms up and I can get outside to walk, I'll find some solace.
It really isn’t safe. One thing my husband says is a Stoic or Buddhist idea: the cup is already broken. By which he means, it was never safe. I struggle with that idea, but it seems to help him when things get really out of control.(But you know, he’s English.)
I feel a bit lost too these days. So I am trying to keep a clear head as much as I can. I go out for a walk every day to give me a feeling of calm inside. It helps me. My walk is not very long because I have a lot of trouble with the pain of arthritis especially in my legs and hips. I love being outside in the fresh air at least for awhile. I can relate to your post here. Thinking of you as I go out for my walk everyday. Take care and be kind to yourself too. Sending hugs from Sweden near the Baltic Sea.
Thank you for the view of the world from Sweden, Iva. I also sometimes have trouble with arthritis interfering with walks—it is a thing! Staying in motion however we can is powerful, and I agree that being outside is so helpful. Fresh air!
We lost our German Shepherd recently. He got us out of the house 4 or 5 times everyday. Now we have to do it on our own. Much harder. He loved running free in the woods with a big log in his mouth. When we finally did a walk without him, his logs were still there… where he left them. It was like finding a message from him at his favorite place. So we are walking again now with him. Maybe I’ll take a picture like I used to do sometimes. The woods we found with his help is a peaceful place. It is slowly undergoing a change as the days get lighter and a bit warmer. It meant a lot to me to get a reply from you. You are my dearest author… ever. You speak to my heart and soul. I have come upon one of your books that I haven’t read yet when I most needed what you had to say. You have found me in my darkness. Thank you for that. I know you know how important that can be at times. It’s evening here now in Sweden in our little town called Nävekvarn. I am watching my American series The Blue Bloods. I love it. I was born in Czechoslovakia and grew up in the US in Boston. When I was 21 years old, I got married and built my family. We moved to Stockholm then, my husband and I. Thank you for your writing…. Including The Crone. I found it just when I needed it. I told you that I often found your writings just when I most needed them. I am 77 years old. Do write if you feel like it or want to. Thank you for this moment this evening with you. Yes… the internet can be magic sometimes. If we had grown up in another time, we would never make this connection, I guess. But it being now in the world and you being you and me being me… here we are!! Awesome!!! Really really Awesome!!! It’s a Kind of Magic. Don’t you think? I think so anyway. And I am grateful for that… Grateful to you … and grateful to the music group Queen who sang that song. I love it!!
I’m honored, Iva, and yes, the internet and how connections is a beautiful little magic.
I do my laundry on Mondays too:) I am mostly just trying to live my life. Doing my usual chores, going out to dinner once a month with my highschool friends, going to bunco, going to bookclub. Volunteering at our local theater and state park. Staying with my 12 and 15 yr old granddaughters while their parents are out of town; taking my 15 yr old grandson out to dinner and the comic book store. I feel panicky and frightened sporadically but I try and remember that when I feel they way; the bad guys are winning. I try and remember that 99.99% of my family and friends are on the same page I am on. And I do my best to try to keep my daughter's spirits up. She is a social worker in a clinic for refugees. She and her staff are under much stress these days. Thank you for being a light in these dark days.
Grandchild time can be very cheering, for sure! Love the comic book store and dinner outing idea. And I love that’s how the bad guys win.
Avoid news. Journal. Meditate. Nature time, hiking, gardening. Hot beverage and Bird watching. Memoirs and novels before bed, Got rid of facebook, insta and threads. Using Bluesky and Substack. I will retire from a retail job in a few months and after a neutral, liminal, fallow period plans are for travel, hugging my dog, more time with friends and my adult children and grandson. More sunrises and sunsets to enjoy. Weekly farmers' markets. Library time and book clubs. Strengthening classes at our new senior center. Putting more life in my balance. I think about writing, at least writing up my Father's letters to my Mother from WWII that are in pencil fading fast. Thinking of bringing my organizational and minimalists skills together in helping others. Mostly reading, music, dance, yoga, long drives in the country, and then more reading.
One of the big things for me is limiting news/social media time. Some is okay, but too much leads me to a spiral. I’ve been thinking of a bird feeder—good idea.
"In my novels, I am in charge. I run the world. It helps to feel that way for a few hours every day."
Yup.
I love your essays. They are always inspiring. I have also read many of your books which are gateways beyond our current circumstances.
The gateway of my books is enormous for me. I’m so glad you’re here, Betty.
i'm in the midst of reading everything you have written. i love all of your themes and relate to so many of them. thank you.
So glad we’re on the same wavelength, Rebecca.
What a great perspective on laundry! Using it as a practice to become present – love it!
I long for warmer seasons so I can work in my garden and turn on my waterfall. The cold is taking its toll with the news. I cry when I need to and I go to a progressive church which speaks out.
I just got an email that the community garden plots will be open March 15. I know nothing much will grow yet, but I’ll be out there anyway. Crying is appropriate. May spring arrive quickly.
Aside from deep immersion in my own fiction, I've been reading yours. I'm reading This Place of Wonder and loving the world you created. I also am down with the Zen of folding laundry 😁
Thank you, Susan! TPOW is one of my favorites, honestly.
I pulled everything out of my drawers a few years ago and Marie Kondo'd the pile. And it's back again. I'm a stuffer. It's time to find the joy in my clothes again. I gave up television news when I left Idaho in 2005 so it's jarring when I run into it online or in my email. The sea stacks are lovely. When I visit the shore, I always sit and let the wind and sounds roll over me. Thank you for reminding me of the experience with your lovely photos of your home.
It’s always therapeutic to go through the drawers and get rid of things. One of my favorite tasks!
Im doing well. Thanks for asking. Currently, I'm on cup of coffee number two, and about to get some tests ready for my son, whom is in private school at home. This ritual of teaching has opened many doors for me, including writing publically for the first time. I enjoyed this note, and decided I wanted to see more of your writing, as I enjoy a good read with my coffee. I would love it if you followed me on a journey of exploration, as I communicate with extraterrestrial entities. ✌️❤️🕯️and 👽 (peace, love, light and extraterrestrials)
Glad you've discovered writing publically.
A wonderful read to start my day, Barbara... thank you for reminding me that taking care with small daily things can be more valuable than I realize, actually pleasurable and important, and healing. I'll look deeper into finding a sense of well-being in consciously accomplishing daily activities, and celebrating them. Reading the other comments here remind me that we all share a similar sense of dread, anxiety and uncertainty these days. It helps to read the words of others.
Now --coffee, and a few minutes watching the birds at my feeder. And then I plan to go fold that basket of clothes that's been waiting for days, and to do it mindfully.
Hi again, Barbara - I am enjoying the plethora of fantastic writers here on Substack, and you are definitely one of them. I am not sure if I am managing, to be honest. I feel like I am carrying heavy boulders on my back, and I keep switching them around trying to redistribute the weight. But one thing that is definitely helping is the writing I am doing now, that I haven’t done in years.
Thank you for the reminder that the little things provide an escape. We don’t need to make grand plans in order to soothe our frayed souls.
But, I did escape recently. I spent a week in Portal, AZ. The Chiricahua Mountains are this unexpectedly beautiful place riding out of the desert just off the Mexican desert. I recommend it to anyone looking for a winter escape into rustic peace, quiet, hiking and so, so many cool birds.