Is it you I should be talking too? I thought it was Sandy. You can tell I am not very techie minded If I have made a mistake I apologize. Are they your photos? If so I reiterate - wonderful photos.
Karen, you are good enough. Listen to your friends, and tell the little nagging voice inside to take a hike.
One of the hardest lessons I learned in life is that no matter how irreplaceable, and thus driven, we feel about our jobs, the moment we move on, it’s like removing your hand from a bucket of water. That hole we leave in the water is how irreplaceable we are.
One of the great things about writing posts like these is that when I give myself permission it helps others give themselves permission too! Thanks Katie!
What wonderful photos. I know what you mean about being a single woman. Although I have been married for 56 years, my dear one is slowly slipping away and all the shared jobs about the property are now beginning to fall to me. Our conversations are a bit one sided, and his medications make him drop off to sleep for an hour or two each day.
But I am not downhearted - We too have the Annas, and the Turkey Buzzards, and the other day while talking to our Son who lives back in the UK I was looking out the window when a Hawk shot across the fence right in front of me up past my studio and into the trees of the small forest behind us. I have never seen one do that before, so low on the ground, I then realized that earlier I had picked up a small dead Hermit Thrush off the path, and that was probably his lunch. Later I went out and apologized but by then he had gone off hunting again.
As a Aromatherapist and Herbalist my garden is set out as an Apothecary garden with a mix of herbs for medicine, eating, dyes and as much Bee food as possible as or Bees here are under threat. It also gives me subjects to paint and a quiet corner to write. though there has been little of either over the summer and canning and food prep has taken up much of my time.
I was chatting up my Quince tree yesterday and I think it is time it came out of it's large pot and went into the garden. So I had better go out and see if I can start preparing the space for it. - Sunday afternoon here, went to Church this morning and the sun is shinning . Take care.
Elizabeth - This is beautifully written. I imagine your apothecary garden is such a tranquil place. Lots of love as you walk through this passage with your husband. My parents were married for 55 years before my mom died in 2021. There's no good way it seems to walk that path, whether it's sudden or slow. And all the while, there is still life. I've watched my dad learn to do everything on his own, from finances, to cooking, to doing laundry, to paying the bills - all things my mom had done. The only way is one step at a time - with help from the plants, and birds, and trees.
Whenever I look at your beautiful photographs of the sun rising and setting especially on Sept 12th, I think , hey, all the way up here in northern VT, I have a very similar photograph from that morning. Shades of rich purples, pinks and golden hues. Then I realize, though we live far apart, we share the same sky. And for that reason, I send silent messages as the day begins, or the sun disappears below the horizon. To my family, friends who live near, and across an ocean, and wishing good thoughts to strangers in need. Same sky . It is always enough Karen, more than enough.
( And thank you for the online course tip. For starters, cleaning my lense, now why didn’t I think of that).
Thank you Lor. Yes, I do that too, especially when I look at the stars or the moon. All of us under the same sky. (And yes, Jefferson is great, he doesn't skip the important details!)
Karen, I used to work for a company that allowed 'personal days' which any of us could take when needed just like sick leave. I believe I took 3 personal days while working there for about 5 years and maybe as many sick days. We received our regular pay on those days. This is a way of telling you that I think we all would want you to 'call in' for a personal day whenever needed. No worries. I absolutely believe you should be as kind to yourself as you would be to others. You absolutely deliver at least 200% with every post! So you are good! :) All of this and now I understand why they are called turkey vultures! lol
Ahhhh, so good to see your process in working through the "not enough" stuff and the desire for compassion. I am grateful for whatever you have the time to post, dear friend. Thanks for sharing the beauty you see!
"I decided to finally cut up the small watermelon that’s been on top of my fridge for a week and simply enjoy its sweetness."
The fact that this sentence of yours mirrors *to a T* the watermelon on top of my fridge that's been patiently waiting for me for almost two weeks to take action... is just absolutely hilarious.
Thank you for your post today. I think I needed the reminder. <3
Hi Karen! It’s always good for me to read your honest shares on life in the real world! Not strings of varnished words to simulate a perfect life! My mother’s mother, Ruth Ada Shingledecker, often exclaimed “The hurrier I go the behinder I get!” No woman ‘splaining necessary. Quite relatable to what you said. And it is Sunday, the seventh day, the day of rest. If it worked for God I believe She might bless you. All the best, Karen.
Karen, you are always enough. Everything you share is a gift to the world, even if it's just one single photo. I'm glad you are practicing kindness with yourself.
Dear Karen,
Is it you I should be talking too? I thought it was Sandy. You can tell I am not very techie minded If I have made a mistake I apologize. Are they your photos? If so I reiterate - wonderful photos.
Hi Liz - yes they are my photos. :) I figured you might have landed here from Sandy restacking my newsletter, no worries at all! Thank you!
Karen, you are good enough. Listen to your friends, and tell the little nagging voice inside to take a hike.
One of the hardest lessons I learned in life is that no matter how irreplaceable, and thus driven, we feel about our jobs, the moment we move on, it’s like removing your hand from a bucket of water. That hole we leave in the water is how irreplaceable we are.
Thank you Switter.
Needed this reminder and permission. Thank you, Karen.
One of the great things about writing posts like these is that when I give myself permission it helps others give themselves permission too! Thanks Katie!
My dear Sandy
What wonderful photos. I know what you mean about being a single woman. Although I have been married for 56 years, my dear one is slowly slipping away and all the shared jobs about the property are now beginning to fall to me. Our conversations are a bit one sided, and his medications make him drop off to sleep for an hour or two each day.
But I am not downhearted - We too have the Annas, and the Turkey Buzzards, and the other day while talking to our Son who lives back in the UK I was looking out the window when a Hawk shot across the fence right in front of me up past my studio and into the trees of the small forest behind us. I have never seen one do that before, so low on the ground, I then realized that earlier I had picked up a small dead Hermit Thrush off the path, and that was probably his lunch. Later I went out and apologized but by then he had gone off hunting again.
As a Aromatherapist and Herbalist my garden is set out as an Apothecary garden with a mix of herbs for medicine, eating, dyes and as much Bee food as possible as or Bees here are under threat. It also gives me subjects to paint and a quiet corner to write. though there has been little of either over the summer and canning and food prep has taken up much of my time.
I was chatting up my Quince tree yesterday and I think it is time it came out of it's large pot and went into the garden. So I had better go out and see if I can start preparing the space for it. - Sunday afternoon here, went to Church this morning and the sun is shinning . Take care.
PS I am stunned by your sunrise photos
Elizabeth - This is beautifully written. I imagine your apothecary garden is such a tranquil place. Lots of love as you walk through this passage with your husband. My parents were married for 55 years before my mom died in 2021. There's no good way it seems to walk that path, whether it's sudden or slow. And all the while, there is still life. I've watched my dad learn to do everything on his own, from finances, to cooking, to doing laundry, to paying the bills - all things my mom had done. The only way is one step at a time - with help from the plants, and birds, and trees.
Whenever I look at your beautiful photographs of the sun rising and setting especially on Sept 12th, I think , hey, all the way up here in northern VT, I have a very similar photograph from that morning. Shades of rich purples, pinks and golden hues. Then I realize, though we live far apart, we share the same sky. And for that reason, I send silent messages as the day begins, or the sun disappears below the horizon. To my family, friends who live near, and across an ocean, and wishing good thoughts to strangers in need. Same sky . It is always enough Karen, more than enough.
( And thank you for the online course tip. For starters, cleaning my lense, now why didn’t I think of that).
Thank you Lor. Yes, I do that too, especially when I look at the stars or the moon. All of us under the same sky. (And yes, Jefferson is great, he doesn't skip the important details!)
Such beautiful photos! And such variety of wildlife. The first sunrise photo is stunning, so peaceful.
Thank you Hayley
Lovely picture and words to go with it~ 💕
Thank you Catherine
This is more than enough. Beautifully written, as always. Take care xx
Thank you Cali
Karen, I used to work for a company that allowed 'personal days' which any of us could take when needed just like sick leave. I believe I took 3 personal days while working there for about 5 years and maybe as many sick days. We received our regular pay on those days. This is a way of telling you that I think we all would want you to 'call in' for a personal day whenever needed. No worries. I absolutely believe you should be as kind to yourself as you would be to others. You absolutely deliver at least 200% with every post! So you are good! :) All of this and now I understand why they are called turkey vultures! lol
Thank you Sandy!
Ahhhh, so good to see your process in working through the "not enough" stuff and the desire for compassion. I am grateful for whatever you have the time to post, dear friend. Thanks for sharing the beauty you see!
Thank you so much Julie! I hope you are well. Please tell the group hello for me (if you are still in it), I think of everyone in that group often!
Rest, yes. Follow an arbitrary schedule for posting, no. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this world. The vulture butt especially!
Thank you Jeanne.
"I decided to finally cut up the small watermelon that’s been on top of my fridge for a week and simply enjoy its sweetness."
The fact that this sentence of yours mirrors *to a T* the watermelon on top of my fridge that's been patiently waiting for me for almost two weeks to take action... is just absolutely hilarious.
Thank you for your post today. I think I needed the reminder. <3
Oooh, I hope you cut it up and enjoyed it!! So worthwhile! Thank you.
Hi Karen! It’s always good for me to read your honest shares on life in the real world! Not strings of varnished words to simulate a perfect life! My mother’s mother, Ruth Ada Shingledecker, often exclaimed “The hurrier I go the behinder I get!” No woman ‘splaining necessary. Quite relatable to what you said. And it is Sunday, the seventh day, the day of rest. If it worked for God I believe She might bless you. All the best, Karen.
I think I would have loved Ruth Ada Shingledecker. Thank you Gary!
Beautiful video Sunrise, Karen. The spectrum of colours is amazing.
Thank you Neil!
Take some time off for goodness sakes! Your devoted readers demand it!
Thank you Michael!
Karen, you are always enough. Everything you share is a gift to the world, even if it's just one single photo. I'm glad you are practicing kindness with yourself.
Thank you Alexa!