jewelry gift pouch | PS MacMurray

Yesterday was not a very good day. Let me rephrase that. Yesterday was probably a fine day, but I was moody.

I’ve noticed something interesting over the past few years, more precisely since I’ve begun to work for myself and thus spend more time at home. My mood changes with the weather. Even if I try to avoid this, it just creeps up on me. I am not even sure it is a matter of light. I can be perfectly cheerful on a grey day, but when it is stormy, well, so am I.

Writing for social media can be exhilarating. Actually, most of the time, it is. Seeing the audience respond is fascinating. Some are discreet, others quite playful. It is much like developing a relationship and I often tell my clients that the most important aspect of social media is to develop a voice. And it must be a genuine one.

On an emotionally off day, like yesterday, keeping the conversation going can be tricky. Sometimes, it is best to pull back and allow a bit more silence. Inevitably, however, at some point one person will post a comment that just brightens my day. In that instant, I remember that, in spite of my momentary sadness or anger, I am doing what I love to do and I am grateful. More than this, I am reminded that it is always in the midst of others that I am uplifted, even if it is a virtual encounter, on a computer screen. I need to remind myself to not be such a hermit all the time.

I ended the day with a long phone talk with my sister. I really try to make it a point to not indulge in much complaining, but I am far from perfect. There are a number of concerns on my mind these days, aside from my occasional one day of questionable moods, and I have come to realize that a bit of venting, in the right context and with the right people, is actually good medicine. It’s all about processing, and processing requires honesty, even if it means speaking harsh words for a moment. Even if it means a bit of swearing too.

My sister and I compared notes about situations we find exasperating. It’s funny how, though we live 200 miles apart, our respective experiences seem to mirror each other. Thus, we took turns bitching for a while, until our respective perceived problems led us to see that we too are part of the human comedy. At that point we usually turn silly and laugh like little girls who cannot stop giggling. This is great medicine indeed.

Beech Leaf Pouch

Meanwhile, I am working on another batch of Beech Leaf Pouches. With Valentines’ Day approaching, the gift pouches seem to be going fast. I enjoy making these and have been pretty good at keeping a daily evening schedule for artwork.

This evening is a bit different. I am writing from a table at 158 Main. I brought my tablet so I could write this while I wait for the server to bring out dishes. She places them on the table for me to snap a picture before they are taken to their proper destination. I am slowly building an image library and will sit here on occasion at breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner to this end. Pictured above, the BLT on rye I enjoyed tonight.

Slàinte!

Another mild day. And a good day for a drive. I had to run an errand in St. Albans. It took some time away from the keyboard, but then again it forced me to clear my mind for a few moments.

Over the past year, someone put up four windmills on a small hill between Fairfax and St. Albans. It is always a delight to see these graceful giants. I know there is much controversy around this type of contraption, but this does not take anything away from their beauty… although I realize the word beauty may not be agreeable to everyone either.

ps - 1219 - windmill

When I see these, I think of Roderick and I smile. He was so fascinated by alternative means of living and producing energy. I can easily imagine how he would have reacted to seeing them for the first time during one of our drives.

He would have changed our heading immediately, to take a road in their direction instead, and he would have looked for someone to speak with. Roderick could approach anyone that way. He was simply, genuinely interested in what people were up to.

While in Texas, we came upon two ridges featuring row upon row of windmills, turning gently on the horizon. Roderick immediately found his way to the base of the facility, which was clearly marked “Private,” but as usual they let him right in. Standing at the foot of these giants was mesmerizing. And he was so happy in that instant.

Now I realize that he had a great capacity for awe in spite of his struggles with depression. I do not believe my sense of awe is anywhere as defined as his was. I experience joy, but awe? Rarely. Except when I experienced it through him.

Then again, there is a good lesson here. Awe did not descend upon him out of thin air. He found his way to it; he took the turns in the road that lead to exploration. I confess that I have not expanded my horizons much in quite a while. This gives me much to ponder.

Perhaps that brief look at the windmills as I drive by now and again is enough. It is a glimpse, a nudge that connects me to a sense of wonder. Sometimes, all that is required is to walk away from the task at hand, or go for a short, unexpected drive. All that is required is a detour.

Silvio took a picture of an agate and silver swivel ring on one of my beech leaf gift pouches today. That was pretty awesome!

Slàinte!

PS MacMurray

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Words on a whim – 12/19/13