A thousand thanks Pipp, I hope you’re having the same perfect weather we are! I feel unbelievably spoilt to have day after day of sunshine through these holidays, and Rosie is here too… bliss! xx
Such breathtaking beauty, Susie, as always--your words and dreamy imagery, the shared moments of your life there on the hill. And oh, the dandelions! You said of Rumi's words, you wish someone would say them to you. I will: “I know you’re tired [dear Friend] but come, this is the way.” Armfuls of love.
Dearest Renée, though my reply arrives much delayed, it comes with a heart filled with love and thanks for your sweet and very kind beckoning… bless you, your words mean the world to me. xxx
I am most definitely the opposite of tired, and I am heeding Rumi’s advice: “come, this is the way”. Sitting in a waiting room to ‘face the music’ so to speak—you took me far away with mantra calm. Out the door I ran, until I was next to you (we hugged, bear-hug style) —“walk beside me”, so I do. ”Come there’s more”—thank goodness, I am more than happy to. I “hear her notes only by way of the wind as it rushes through the grasses, scattering all that is light”—“high on the south slope of the hill, the sun is creeping”—Wait. What? I am suddenly, rudely and abruptly dropped back into my seat in the waiting room—someone is calling my name. LOR ?! …Thanks for a world filled with beauty and distraction on an otherwise fretful morning. I wrote this while sitting in my car, after the fact, drinking hot tea from a thermos. Good news for now!
Oh Lor..!!! I was immediately terrified and then relieved! I am so glad you ran for the door to join me, heeding Rumi’s words, maybe it was a good omen, maybe not, maybe big hugs ‘bear-style’ are also a necessary ingredient but if it passed an interminable wait with a little less anxiety I am beyond happy. Hot tea in a thermos for shattered nerves is definitely a thing, often my go to.
Coincidentally I too am now sitting in a waiting room with Seth, it is different kind of nerve wracking because this is the Palais de Justice where we will find out if he has been accepted as a bonafide French citizen… 🙏🏽🇫🇷 or whether we have to return with yet more documents!
My turn next…. I’ll keep you posted!
I am so glad you departed with good news - another bear hug is perhaps not necessary but it’s coming anyway! 🐻xx
So happy to read you again Susie. I feel like I have been absent and not caught up here in awhile...? I hope I haven't missed many of your posts. The days seem to fly by and yet, I often wonder where they have gone and what exactly I have been doing.
Your beautiful essay and photos bring spring to me, as spring is very slow in arriving (and the cold, damp, rainy weather keeps me inside more than I want to be.)
Thankfully the birdsong is in the air here now, so I know that warmth and hopefully sunshine will arrive shortly.
I was surprised and grateful that you mentioned the Mi'kmaq in your essay: ''For the Mi'kmaq, the land is family, a living presence that connects each of us, like gossamer threads waving across time and space.'' Such a beautiful vision!
(Many Mi'kmaq live in my part of the world. I am preparing a short vacation along the St. Lawrence Seaway soon and will be travelling through many regions where the Mi'kmaq have lived and live still. They are known as the original inhabitants in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. In the 1700 and 1800's they traded with merchants coming from La Rochelle (France). Imagine the connection ''across time and space.'')
Thank you Susie, as always, for your beautiful words. xx
Jeannine its a pleasure to find your comment on one of my essays whenever you have the time. I know well the speed at which the days past and how they seem to disappear into the past without our noticing! If only we could slow them down, even just a little would be a gift…
Meanwhile, spring is marching on here, too quickly for me—like time—and I feel that my attention should be more focused before the newness fades into the dust of summer, which, this year I fear already will be early. We have had very little rainfall for compared to normal spring months and allow a cold snap has just tried to take hold with a 36 hour deluge, that was it! An unseasonal warmth has returned and is set to stay for the foreseeable days. I make no complaint however, I have two weeks holiday beginning at midday on Friday and much to accomplish in terms of gardening!
I love languages jeannine, I wish I had the capacity to learn more but sadly at my age I am limited it seems to the two I know and only snippets of all that remain. And there are so many, with myriad expressions and words for emotions and ideals, for a feeling that in either French or English are non existent. This is how I came to be reading about the language of the Mi'kmaq last week. I fell in love with the meaning of their word goodbye, more like 'au-revoir' or à bientôt in French of course but still not as deeply connected as Ne'multes.
I love that the gossamer thread has crossed time and space over the centuries!
I hope you find time to write a few words during your journey along the St. Lawrence Seaway, I would love to know more! Enjoy... I send you hugs along the threads as I type. xx
Enjoy your Spring Break Susie. Be gentle with your gardening, as I know that when I start also, my sleepy winter muscles will most probably not cooperate at first!
I'll be sure to write, draw and hopefully paint while visiting many of my favorite places along the coast. And share!
Spring gardening is not the gentlest of sports is it… but enjoyable nonetheless Jeannine, I am sure you agree… seeds of beauty waiting to please! And for once sleep is not a battle.
Many thanks Jeffrey, I wait the late returners with impatience; the golden oriole and the nightingale both have the sweetest of all birdsong here on the hill… soon.
The stunning photos, getting to peek at your world through your eyes, the pace, the love for the land and life all around… all so beautiful. Thank you for the breath of fresh air, Susie. Such a gift. ❤️
I always feel a little out of breath in spring Sumaya, so much happens all at once there is never enough time to capture it all, either in image or words… but, I never stop being eternally grateful for the time I do have, or the fact that I live amongst so much that is truly a gift and a balm to the soul when needed. I love that you see it as such too, that you have your own hill to love and seek peace and joy and amazement in too! Sending love dear one.. xxx
Susie, I think on your words with my heart my soul, a sense of loss and memory: "... a profound belief that all separations are transitory, like the swallows, the dandelion seeds, like us. It is not so much an expression but a feeling that extends beyond people to include the land, waters, and every living creature thereon."
With heartfelt thanks for this poetic and deeply caring essay.
Dearest Mary, to touch hearts and souls, if only briefly, with just a little of the good fortune I have found in living in such a place, on this beautiful hill in France, amongst all that nature gives me and to be noticed with such attentive eyes as yours touches my own soul deeply and unforgettably. You are a blessing dear one, and deeply cherished xxx
Such delicious quietness in your careful observations, my friend. So different from the pace of your life otherwise, as you describe it. What a magnificent thing to be able to pick up your camera, begin moving your feet and somehow reel around to find True North again so unfailingly. It is your very own brand of magic, and watching you work it, storm after whirlwind, after cacophony, calming your awareness and finding glimpses to wonder at...
Dearest Davey, how I relish sitting for a quiet moment—today I have fresh ginger beer, not tea because the weather warrants something cool—to read your comments. Always, you find a way to make me feel less hassled, less chaotic... give me reason to think of all those momentary glances through the leaves that bring peace, and the realisation that despite my constant busyness, I am fortunate. I am eternally grateful to you for that.
Last evening, just before sleep, I heard the first nightingale of the year serenading me from somewhere invisible, tonight I will try to record her voice, also the golden oriole have returned, the songs from the hill do much to bring a feeling of sweetness and calm. Always there are reminders of good fortune and a different pace of life, for this too I am grateful.
This is, without question, a meditation. So many sensual details that are truly transportive, especially the comparison of the warm breeze to the touch of cashmere. And your photographs always make me feel as if I'm standing right there with you. I loved hearing that your son walks with you and tries to explain higher mathematics! Those moments are precious, getting any focused time and attention from a mostly-grown child.
Ahh thanks Ben, comments lie this from someone who writes like you make my day, I truly appreciate them. I am thrilled you were able to really feel the photographs too, I have been really pushed for time this last trimester and felt they were not quite what I would have captured of spring had I had more freedom, again, heartfelt thanks.
As for the math, my son has more confidence in my ability than I do — shamefully my brain is simply not equipped for anything higher level than basic, a fault in the fabrication perhaps! 😉
Susie thank you. A beautiful meditation on LIfe budding. And yes a meditation, because so entranced do we become reading your words and looking at your stunning photos, that we are focussed solely on this one thing. Which in essence is what meditation is. ❤️
Your son joining you for every walk. The togetherness. All so heart warming.
“I know you’re tired but come, this is the way.”
― Jalalu’l-din Rumi
Yes the image of that is so powerful and oh how I also would love someone to say that to me!
May you continue to enjoy your Spring Susie, despite the huge amount of work it creates for you!
Dear Jo, enormous thanks for always making me feel good about being here, that I am not wasting the precious little time I have in writing — maybe we can say “I know you’re tired but come, this is the way.” to each other, then "like gossamer threads waving across time and space" share the feeling vicariously knowing that we are each holding the hearts of the other... 💞
I love having Seth with me while walking, I don't even mind that I have to run for the most part to keep up, gone are the days of me calling him! And he's learning; yesterday he spied a pine marten before I did, the day before a stag hiding behind some brambles...
I worry less and less as to who will watch the hill when I am gone 🥹
Spring has digressed, forgotten where it was at! This morning I have four layers of clothing and gloves on again it's so cold and this after shorts and t-shirt weather last week!
Enjoy your autumn days, may the gold be abundant in every way possible, sending love right back to you xxx
Your writing and photography are absolute magic. So, so wonderful.
You make my heart sing Genevieve, huge and heartfelt thanks for being here. 💛x
Breathtaking yes! Gorgeous Susie.
A thousand thanks Pipp, I hope you’re having the same perfect weather we are! I feel unbelievably spoilt to have day after day of sunshine through these holidays, and Rosie is here too… bliss! xx
Oh so glad the weather is treating you well lovely!! You deserve sunshine and how perfect over your holidays!!! Makes a change!! Enjoy!!🥰
Thank you Susie for the mention!!
You’re so very welcome lovely!
Such breathtaking beauty, Susie, as always--your words and dreamy imagery, the shared moments of your life there on the hill. And oh, the dandelions! You said of Rumi's words, you wish someone would say them to you. I will: “I know you’re tired [dear Friend] but come, this is the way.” Armfuls of love.
Dearest Renée, though my reply arrives much delayed, it comes with a heart filled with love and thanks for your sweet and very kind beckoning… bless you, your words mean the world to me. xxx
deep bow with love
Love the soothe and balm of your writing Susie. A gift to us all.
Bless you dear Síodhna, as are you beautiful soul… xx
I am most definitely the opposite of tired, and I am heeding Rumi’s advice: “come, this is the way”. Sitting in a waiting room to ‘face the music’ so to speak—you took me far away with mantra calm. Out the door I ran, until I was next to you (we hugged, bear-hug style) —“walk beside me”, so I do. ”Come there’s more”—thank goodness, I am more than happy to. I “hear her notes only by way of the wind as it rushes through the grasses, scattering all that is light”—“high on the south slope of the hill, the sun is creeping”—Wait. What? I am suddenly, rudely and abruptly dropped back into my seat in the waiting room—someone is calling my name. LOR ?! …Thanks for a world filled with beauty and distraction on an otherwise fretful morning. I wrote this while sitting in my car, after the fact, drinking hot tea from a thermos. Good news for now!
Oh Lor..!!! I was immediately terrified and then relieved! I am so glad you ran for the door to join me, heeding Rumi’s words, maybe it was a good omen, maybe not, maybe big hugs ‘bear-style’ are also a necessary ingredient but if it passed an interminable wait with a little less anxiety I am beyond happy. Hot tea in a thermos for shattered nerves is definitely a thing, often my go to.
Coincidentally I too am now sitting in a waiting room with Seth, it is different kind of nerve wracking because this is the Palais de Justice where we will find out if he has been accepted as a bonafide French citizen… 🙏🏽🇫🇷 or whether we have to return with yet more documents!
My turn next…. I’ll keep you posted!
I am so glad you departed with good news - another bear hug is perhaps not necessary but it’s coming anyway! 🐻xx
So happy to read you again Susie. I feel like I have been absent and not caught up here in awhile...? I hope I haven't missed many of your posts. The days seem to fly by and yet, I often wonder where they have gone and what exactly I have been doing.
Your beautiful essay and photos bring spring to me, as spring is very slow in arriving (and the cold, damp, rainy weather keeps me inside more than I want to be.)
Thankfully the birdsong is in the air here now, so I know that warmth and hopefully sunshine will arrive shortly.
I was surprised and grateful that you mentioned the Mi'kmaq in your essay: ''For the Mi'kmaq, the land is family, a living presence that connects each of us, like gossamer threads waving across time and space.'' Such a beautiful vision!
(Many Mi'kmaq live in my part of the world. I am preparing a short vacation along the St. Lawrence Seaway soon and will be travelling through many regions where the Mi'kmaq have lived and live still. They are known as the original inhabitants in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. In the 1700 and 1800's they traded with merchants coming from La Rochelle (France). Imagine the connection ''across time and space.'')
Thank you Susie, as always, for your beautiful words. xx
Jeannine its a pleasure to find your comment on one of my essays whenever you have the time. I know well the speed at which the days past and how they seem to disappear into the past without our noticing! If only we could slow them down, even just a little would be a gift…
Meanwhile, spring is marching on here, too quickly for me—like time—and I feel that my attention should be more focused before the newness fades into the dust of summer, which, this year I fear already will be early. We have had very little rainfall for compared to normal spring months and allow a cold snap has just tried to take hold with a 36 hour deluge, that was it! An unseasonal warmth has returned and is set to stay for the foreseeable days. I make no complaint however, I have two weeks holiday beginning at midday on Friday and much to accomplish in terms of gardening!
I love languages jeannine, I wish I had the capacity to learn more but sadly at my age I am limited it seems to the two I know and only snippets of all that remain. And there are so many, with myriad expressions and words for emotions and ideals, for a feeling that in either French or English are non existent. This is how I came to be reading about the language of the Mi'kmaq last week. I fell in love with the meaning of their word goodbye, more like 'au-revoir' or à bientôt in French of course but still not as deeply connected as Ne'multes.
I love that the gossamer thread has crossed time and space over the centuries!
I hope you find time to write a few words during your journey along the St. Lawrence Seaway, I would love to know more! Enjoy... I send you hugs along the threads as I type. xx
Enjoy your Spring Break Susie. Be gentle with your gardening, as I know that when I start also, my sleepy winter muscles will most probably not cooperate at first!
I'll be sure to write, draw and hopefully paint while visiting many of my favorite places along the coast. And share!
Sending hugs once again through the threads.
Ne'multes. xx
Spring gardening is not the gentlest of sports is it… but enjoyable nonetheless Jeannine, I am sure you agree… seeds of beauty waiting to please! And for once sleep is not a battle.
Ne’multes dear soul xx
I relished the joy of the birdsong, Susie - what a beautiful rhapsody.
Many thanks Jeffrey, I wait the late returners with impatience; the golden oriole and the nightingale both have the sweetest of all birdsong here on the hill… soon.
The stunning photos, getting to peek at your world through your eyes, the pace, the love for the land and life all around… all so beautiful. Thank you for the breath of fresh air, Susie. Such a gift. ❤️
I always feel a little out of breath in spring Sumaya, so much happens all at once there is never enough time to capture it all, either in image or words… but, I never stop being eternally grateful for the time I do have, or the fact that I live amongst so much that is truly a gift and a balm to the soul when needed. I love that you see it as such too, that you have your own hill to love and seek peace and joy and amazement in too! Sending love dear one.. xxx
Susie, I think on your words with my heart my soul, a sense of loss and memory: "... a profound belief that all separations are transitory, like the swallows, the dandelion seeds, like us. It is not so much an expression but a feeling that extends beyond people to include the land, waters, and every living creature thereon."
With heartfelt thanks for this poetic and deeply caring essay.
Dearest Mary, to touch hearts and souls, if only briefly, with just a little of the good fortune I have found in living in such a place, on this beautiful hill in France, amongst all that nature gives me and to be noticed with such attentive eyes as yours touches my own soul deeply and unforgettably. You are a blessing dear one, and deeply cherished xxx
This is so beautiful, Susie. It went straight to my heart.
Mary, that makes my own heart sing with happiness. Thank you. xx
Such delicious quietness in your careful observations, my friend. So different from the pace of your life otherwise, as you describe it. What a magnificent thing to be able to pick up your camera, begin moving your feet and somehow reel around to find True North again so unfailingly. It is your very own brand of magic, and watching you work it, storm after whirlwind, after cacophony, calming your awareness and finding glimpses to wonder at...
You are a gift.
Dearest Davey, how I relish sitting for a quiet moment—today I have fresh ginger beer, not tea because the weather warrants something cool—to read your comments. Always, you find a way to make me feel less hassled, less chaotic... give me reason to think of all those momentary glances through the leaves that bring peace, and the realisation that despite my constant busyness, I am fortunate. I am eternally grateful to you for that.
Last evening, just before sleep, I heard the first nightingale of the year serenading me from somewhere invisible, tonight I will try to record her voice, also the golden oriole have returned, the songs from the hill do much to bring a feeling of sweetness and calm. Always there are reminders of good fortune and a different pace of life, for this too I am grateful.
Forever thanks my dear friend.
As special as ever ❤️
Thanks heaps gorgeous, I hope life is being kind... ♥️xx
This is, without question, a meditation. So many sensual details that are truly transportive, especially the comparison of the warm breeze to the touch of cashmere. And your photographs always make me feel as if I'm standing right there with you. I loved hearing that your son walks with you and tries to explain higher mathematics! Those moments are precious, getting any focused time and attention from a mostly-grown child.
Ahh thanks Ben, comments lie this from someone who writes like you make my day, I truly appreciate them. I am thrilled you were able to really feel the photographs too, I have been really pushed for time this last trimester and felt they were not quite what I would have captured of spring had I had more freedom, again, heartfelt thanks.
As for the math, my son has more confidence in my ability than I do — shamefully my brain is simply not equipped for anything higher level than basic, a fault in the fabrication perhaps! 😉
Susie thank you. A beautiful meditation on LIfe budding. And yes a meditation, because so entranced do we become reading your words and looking at your stunning photos, that we are focussed solely on this one thing. Which in essence is what meditation is. ❤️
Your son joining you for every walk. The togetherness. All so heart warming.
“I know you’re tired but come, this is the way.”
― Jalalu’l-din Rumi
Yes the image of that is so powerful and oh how I also would love someone to say that to me!
May you continue to enjoy your Spring Susie, despite the huge amount of work it creates for you!
Much Love from golden Autumnal days.
xx
Dear Jo, enormous thanks for always making me feel good about being here, that I am not wasting the precious little time I have in writing — maybe we can say “I know you’re tired but come, this is the way.” to each other, then "like gossamer threads waving across time and space" share the feeling vicariously knowing that we are each holding the hearts of the other... 💞
I love having Seth with me while walking, I don't even mind that I have to run for the most part to keep up, gone are the days of me calling him! And he's learning; yesterday he spied a pine marten before I did, the day before a stag hiding behind some brambles...
I worry less and less as to who will watch the hill when I am gone 🥹
Spring has digressed, forgotten where it was at! This morning I have four layers of clothing and gloves on again it's so cold and this after shorts and t-shirt weather last week!
Enjoy your autumn days, may the gold be abundant in every way possible, sending love right back to you xxx
💞💞💞
Gorgeous. A meditation in words
I am delighted you think so Beth, many thanks for joining me.