In the first week of 2021, when I have not been working, I have occupied myself with an exploration of poetry.
As in reading, and also doing my own version of newspaper black-out poems, in the style of Austin Kleon. Have you tried it? You must. It's fun in an unexpected way. Meaning the interesting finished product (I just circled words I liked without thinking how it would end up), as well as the pleasure of blacking out the unwanted words. The polka dot tape was my own idea.
Maximum enjoyment is being derived as well from the neighbor kids' snowman,
and the filtered sunlight coming through clouds and bare branches on the day we cleared the driveway.
Red and white and green are still in evidence here at Tall Tales Headquarters. In the form of flowers as well as a house that remains fully decorated.
There will be time enough in the days to come to slowly pack it all away. Work days are full of hurry and urgency. Much to accomplish, with only so many hours in the day. When I am at home, I feel the need to move in 3/4 time to make up for that.
Today I was still for a long time as I read this WONDERFUL article that Dottie told me about. Text messages and phone calls, all ignored. While I sat, captivated once again by the writing of Ann Patchett.
Oh, Carol... thank you so much for including a link to this "WONDERFUL article". I'm still processing it but it moved me in a way I'm not sure I can even put into words. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Emie | 01/07/2021 at 05:37 AM
Echoing Emma's comment. Wonderful article... What a beautiful story of friendship. Thank you.
Posted by: DebVZ | 01/07/2021 at 06:44 PM
Carol, thank you so much for the Ann Patchett link. It was the exact antidote I needed to everything else swirling around.
Posted by: Faith | 01/07/2021 at 09:10 PM
Emie: so glad you liked it 😄
Posted by: Carol | 01/09/2021 at 08:41 AM
Thanks so much to you andnDottie for the link, I plan to share it.
Posted by: Jacki long | 01/11/2021 at 04:05 PM
The article by Ann Patchett was a joy to read. I was so afraid it would end with her death. I was relieved to find out it didn't. I have a great friend who I was paired up with through Love Notes - you sign up and are assigned someone to write to for three Sunday's in a row. You finish a phrase and send it. One of the several times I did that, Joette and I clicked and we have been writing to each other for several years and have become fast friends. We have never met but I know her so well as does she me.
Posted by: Carolyn Dietrich | 01/21/2021 at 05:08 PM
Carolyn: that is a lovely thing... especially in a pandemic.
Posted by: carol | 01/21/2021 at 06:09 PM