Hi loves
I was hoping my next post would be something grand and pretty, a “this is what I’ve been reading and here’s what I think about it!” post. But September (soccer) has me under its thumb and every day, I drop a new email or text or administrative hope. Last night I was hoping to celebrate the fall equinox in a ceremony of some kind. Instead, my son brought home an acorn and a feather from a lakey swim and I plunked them on the table while we ate dinner. Voila! Ceremony.
This is something I sent my friend Colleen because her book Sorry For My Loss is out on Tuesday. The object in my hands is a metal (western) saddle pencil sharpener. What?! My head exploded when I saw it.
The inchworm photo is perhaps a little gross. I saved some kale one day to show my daughter after school. The other sprigs I washed thoroughly and was doing my best to incorporate into dinner as if the inchworms had left anything with which a human might cook. My decision to save ingredients for Show and Tell was not upvoted by my child who was, instead, so shiveringly disgusted, it increased my fascination and delight.
The next morning, we found a few inchworms who had migrated from their rightful post on the to-be-composted vegetable leaves in the kitchen to a light switch and a haunt below the counter.
It’s been uncomfortably hot for September so we’re keeping the water fights going. One day a sick child stayed home from school. By the afternoon - after my meetings and their convalescence - we were both so hot in the stuffy, sun-baked house, we filled the small pool of their babyhood and chucked water balloons at each other. This doesn’t seem like the right messaging for staying home, I thought to myself. But it was so fun and felt so good, I reasoned it was good for the soul therefore good for the body. I’m not sure of the science but it did help me ship the kid right back to school the next day sans guilt, even though their lobby to stay home again was STRONG.
Speaking of strong wills, here are two would-be picnickers disappointed by our decline of an invite.
This is not my lochness monster. I’m still fixing my knitted (Gordon Clute) hat and making (faraway) designs for another sometime.
I bought a card for a friend and this is how it rang up, lol. Nothing like zero care in capital letters!
The last thing I need to tell you is that yesterday while being treated to special, “just-for-you” instructions on drawing an octopus, I was told by the artist: “Don’t be too jealous. This is something I’ve been practicing.”
How humorous, beautiful, and true is that statement! Practice DOES usually make the production of things more successful; it often leads to a more impressive end product. And we shouldn’t get too jealous of others who seem to be doing things more proficiently. Maybe they’ve put in the work! Maybe your practice will pay off one day, too!
We are all on our own journeys, our own practicing grounds, To do this work - to practice your path - is one of the most holy and necessary things you can do, I believe. (But Jungian psychologist James Hollis agrees! Here’s a podcast episode with Elise Loehnen I found inspiring and here’s more Jungian psychologists saying sweet things about staying loyal to yourself in spite of - and because of - life’s difficulties.)
Finally, the title of this post comes from an instruction I was given one day by a child who had had ENOUGH of me jamming their water bottle with too much ice because I (a potentially perimenopausal soul) had been feeling quite warm. “Can I have some water with four ice cubes ONLY?” this child asked. It amused me, sure, but I also appreciate someone who knows what they want. May we all be so clear about what we need and so confidant in our requests!!
Today I’m sending you cartoons even though last weekend we said, “We’ve got to cut down on cartoons,” September rituals that will have to do, and hopes for a calm and fruitful week for you ahead. If your heart is hurting, I am sending journals and tea (and inchworms) and wise voices. If your nerves are itching, I’m sending running shoes, fresh air, and fresh herbs.
This week someone gave me (unnecessarily and enthusiastically) the business card of their physical therapist. It made me chuckle and think, “I deserve this.” How much PT or exercise proselytizing have I done in my long life? Too much and not enough.
Sending movement and ritual that heals!
Xoxo
Kara
Lolol Don't be toooo jealous. Those ducks look oddly fake! Not in the video but in the photo. Love the physical-therapy pusher. Sounds like meeee! Ha.
I’d love to see the picture of the excellent octopus 🐙. I promise not to be jealous 😄.