Hello Friend,
Welcome to March! I don’t know about you, but for me there’s something so satisfying to my sensibilities when the first of the month lands on a Monday. It’s like the possibilities are endless and everything can start over fresh. All is right with the world.
There have been a few things this past month that have threatened to capsize my February peace; circumstances, discouragements, disappointments above and beyond those related to pandemic worries and restrictions. I think I spent most of February on the brink of tears, which is unusual for me. It’s all so wearying.
I’m weary. Are you?
But now, I’m taking a deep, deep breath and letting it out slowly. It’s March 1, and it’s Monday. The perfect time to start fresh.
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One thing The Simple Woman’s Daybook does for me is to help centre my thoughts and get me writing, especially in times when the writing hasn’t been as often as I’d like. I know I need the time and space to be quiet with my thoughts in order to put words on paper coherently. Since I haven’t had that recently, the Daybook is a welcome prompt. Many thanks to Peggy for beginning this venture years ago.
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For Today
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Looking out my window …
It has been snowing. Judging by the pearl grey sky (and the weather app), it’s going to snow some more. My world has been clothed in fresh white. It’s as though a Great Cake Maker has taken a spatula to smooth the icing on house and vehicle roofs, windshields and driveways, but has forgotten to smooth over the pattern of divots left on the front yard by our friend, Rabbit (who may be here even now, hiding in plain view, his ears flattened against his snow-white body).
I am thinking …
That we’ve come a long way since last March, and I wonder how future generations will perceive 2020. Will it be a nostalgic picture in the way that our generation looks back on the 1920’s?
I am thankful …
For the sunshine this past month. No matter how cold it gets out there, if the sun is shining life is hopeful.
One of my favourite things …
Reading to my grandchildren. Even before the pandemic, I read to them on video chat. They request their favourite books, and these days Little Munch barely says hello before it’s “Read the brown-bear book.” The most delightful thing of all is when I only turn the pages and they “read” it back to me.
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I am creating …
Some mock-ups for picture books about Jubal and his adventures. I have shared some of his shenanigans here.
I am wearing …
Black pants. Blush pink boat-neck sweater with three-quarter length sleeves. Tennis bracelet. Pink lipstick, called Cindy.
I am reading …
Beautiful words strung together: Wendell Berry, Robert MacFarlane, Mary Oliver, Shawna LeMay, Sarah Clarkson, John O’Donohue. I read them in books and Instagram posts. In snippets, here and there, not cover to cover. They feed my soul.
A bird the size
of a leaf fills
the whole lucid
evening with
his note, and flies.
Wendell Berry
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I am watching …
This … and understanding that very hard times have come before now. At least my pantry is full, and I’m not hiding in a bomb shelter night after night.
I am listening to …
Bluebird by Alexis Ffrench.
I am hoping …
We can do an actual in-person walk-through of the wedding venue soon. A video tour just isn’t enough.
I am learning …
That planning a wedding during a pandemic requires Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan E …
In my kitchen …
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In my garden …
All is quiet under a blanket of snow, waiting and listening for the first signs of spring: sap running and new roots digging deep. Waiting is a posture we have all been in for what seems like forever. But it isn’t forever, and soon … someday … one day, the waiting will be over.
Shared Quote …
Sometimes, especially on the longest days, I feel that I walk from tiny grace to tiny grace, my daily bread taken bite by bite and to my astonishment, for this moment, it is enough.
Sarah Clarkson
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A moment from my day …
Yesterday, with Babe, in the enchanting quest to find her wedding gown.
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Closing Notes …
Pretty lace on a beautiful gown, the sweet voice of Little Munch reading to me, vivid petals on the flower in my kitchen window, sunshine, beautiful words, and soothing music … these are the tiny graces I walk among in what could otherwise be an overwhelming world. And the only thing required of me is that I notice them; that I give them my attention and dive deep in the moment. And, I find it is enough.
Thank you for stopping in today. Bye for now, and stay safe out there. Happy March!
Joy
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Feature Image by Maja Cvetojević from Pixabay
Beautiful, Joy! I always feel like I’ve been given a moment to just stop and rest and breathe when I read your blog. Thank you! <3
Thank you, Kathy! Your comment filled my heart to the top.
Lovely Daybook, Joy! Your post encourages me to look for my own tiny graces.
Thank you, Karen. Those tiny graces … not that hard to find when we remember to look. 🙂
You make me miss Victoria magazine.
I’m sorry February was so hard.
I LOVED Victoria magazine. Thanks for stopping in, Colleen.
I love the idea of seeing ‘tiny graces’ throughout our day. Thank you for sharing yours! Recently I read some letters written by my great-aunt while in China during war-time (1940’s), and it sure put perspective on how we really live a charmed life even during this time of a world pandemic.
What a treasure those letters must be! Yes, even in a pandemic we do live a charmed life.
What a lovely Daybook post. My grandson is just 15 months old, but already he is a book lover, like his mother and both his grandmothers! It makes my heart happy to see his face light up when he sits in my lap, directs my finger to touch the pictures, and turns the pages. Also, I love Sally Clarkson’s books. Have a happy day!
Those moments with the grandchildren are precious indeed! Thanks for visiting, Beth.
Hi,
I’m new to The Simple Woman. I love the format and the inspiration she gives. I really like your post…so much to consider. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!