Thank you Nathan, my Obscura piece is evolving. I will leave it there for now... but I can tell you whilst it will be very different, The Sernox was my inspiration.
I have always believed some of our most profound wisdoms (and follies) arrive in those hours of the day that are designed for sleep, be that in conversation - whiskey fuelled or otherwise - or the written word. It is a space I inhabit, not always willingly, too often.
It is a mess isn't it Nathan, a mockery of humanness but apparently court jesters are notoriously lacking. I cannot say first hand but my son tells me often the jesters in online games are evil tricksters. Perhaps those in question should lay down their game controllers and concentrate more on that which is real!
This morning I have woken to the silence and calm of snowfall. At last... 🙏🏼❄️
Oh wow, that's so exciting and a deep honour for it to have been an inspiration. I shall await it with as much patience as I can. ;)
I am of that same belief. The early early morning and late late are when I am most sensitive to creativity and inspiration and wonder. And if there's whisky involved then even better.
I wonder what the typical life span of a court jester was in mediaeval times…
Bloody Hell Susie. I've had a week. Waited to read this. Sat weary and started, then awoke a little, then sat bolt upright, in a waking dream, so beautiful. I am startled into a sort of joy, a feeling of brethren. This is brilliant. You. Peaty good.
'I've had a week' that made me smile. You and me both Jonathan.
But, I am seated - well more slumped actually - finally, battle torn definitely but in one recognisable piece and now I smile again.
When a favourite writer scribbles 'peaty good' and 'brilliant' and 'a feeling of brethren' under my own humble words, well, who needs whiskey for that warm glow anyway... I'll take that compliment neat, as it comes and bask in the blushing of my cheeks.
"on a world that forgets to look up." mmm... so sad that people rush through their days and never bother to look up into the sky. this gets me. lovely, Susie! Thank you. XO
It is too easy to forget the simple things when there is so very much 'mad other' to distract Danielle, and right now the world is swamped in the worry and disgust and horror of it all, in my humble opinion, the only healing is up there in celestial calm!
Thank you sweet soul, I hope you are doing well, that the week has been a kind one to you. xox
It's been a crazy week! Three snow days in a row and today is a late start due to ice!! It's been beautiful and great timing because my youngest and I have both been sick, so we needed some extra recovery time.
Oh I'm green with envy Danielle, we are forecast snowfall tonight, I am praying -against all the odds - that for once the weather man is not mistaken and that I wake to snow in the morning!
I'm sorry you've been laid up with your youngest, I too have been hit by some unidentifiable germ this week but due to an already diminished staff - it was a case of whoever could stand could work - I have had to soldier on... TGIF and hopefully two days of rest watching snowflakes fall.
I hope you are both now recovering and able to enjoy the beauty of a white landscape for the weekend - a hug to you both xox
I had one of those mornings on Monday morning this week. I wasn't doing well at all, but needed to be at work, so I was very glad to get the following three days rest. Today was a little crazy, after having a three day break, but it was so worth it.
We are both slowly recovering, thank you. Nicholas had a little bit of everything, was clearly run down, so I'm glad he is starting to come out of that and recover. I haven't really let him be outside much though because of the many things he had, he had the flu and pneumonia together and neither seemed like a good idea to mix with the snow.
Oh Daniella, pneumonia, how terribly worrying, I know from experience, my son was critically ill at the age of just three years with this horrible malady. I am so relieved Nicholas is recovering.
The longer I work alongside teachers the more I revere their stoic ability to soldier on, it is a job that demands not only the patience of a saint but the constitution of an ox also! May we all be built like Apis! xxx
Tonight there is a hint of the smell of snow in the air, I am praying hard I am not mistaken... It is two years since snowflakes fell here, despite almost disabling fatigue I am tempted to wait the night out just to see them falling!
“January carried a palette of every shade of grey imaginable”,
And every shade darker in the visible spectrum .
“…suffocating grey…” Yes, that is exactly what the news feels like in America. And it is difficult to take a deep cleansing breath, but that is exactly what we need to do, so darkness is unable to seep in and plant rancid seeds.
Thank you for ,The Moon and Me.
Tonight, in… “a world that forgets to look up” I finished reading, and out the door I went , for a sunset walk to greet the Moon, there she was , hanging out with Venus, in the pure deepest blue sky. I think it is a sign of good luck, especially when the moon has been honored from a lone hill, far away. Beautifully written, Susie. At the moment, breathing comes much easier.
I am baulking still at those darker, sinister? yes definitely sinister, shades too visible in the spectrum Lor... they don't seem to be fading.
But...
Don't forget, rancid seeds don't generally germinate into healthy plants, only those that have been waiting in good soil all autumn and winter will germinate and grow into bountiful, fruit bearing plants. Take that cleansing breath and exhale far, walk in the sunset, greet Venus and her friends and all the myriad constellations, the moon and me will be reciprocating from afar...
Tonight I have asked her to run with the wind and swirling clouds, I think she may be very close to shining her empathy over you by now...
White ships, a star, a freight of souls carry us far in reality. Emanations... perhaps safety from prophetic interpretations of the blood soaked ground... from those machinations woken in the night haunting the morning.
I saw that same moon thin to our west below the evening star from an eye newly liberated from cataract. What will I do with this unlikely gift to old age? Our daughter also pointed me to our heron flying upstream, and I have seen blue imbolc colour among the branches and in the evening flames in our careful fireplace, now from trees two years dry after their disease.
A selection from the Blake Society's looking back at the last year: so we go sailing...
Thank you always for kind and thoughtful words Philip, for sharing a beautiful and reflective piece of writing also. The Blake Society’s selection you shared is profound and resonates deeply. There’s something so tender about seeking love in the raw, vulnerable places—the darkness, the winter, the outcast. It feels like a call to find beauty and connection even in the most unexpected corners of life.
To have the renewed vision of your eye, what a gift, indeed, to see the world anew in later years, perhaps even to reinvent what had become lacking in definite shape.
Wishing you many more moments of clarity, wonder, and connection—whether under the evening star or by the careful flames of your fireplace. Here I wait for snowflakes to fall, in hope that this time the waiting is not in vain...
Thank you for reading and the invite Matthew, I would love to submit something, I have just found your note and saved to a sticky on my screen as a reminder! Blessings back to you my friend.
‘The Moon and Me’ … wow, so evocative, so beautifully observed, and expressed.
I wonder, aloud, if the deep tiredness somehow allows you to slip into a meditative writing state, a sub-conscious flow of words hidden deep inside but summoned by some magic, a mysterious key unlocking thoughts … however it happens, magic it is. So many enviable words, phrases and sentences. Gorgeous fragments.
I am always very self conscious of posting my poetry Barrie, this — words enrobed by whiskey no doubt — made it despite trepidations! The fact that you, whose work I have admired since I began writing in this magical community, mention it at all calms my fears immensely, thank you for your constant encouragement and support, your comment is enormously appreciated.
If whiskey and hidden reserves of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ are the secret to nudging your poetry into the open, I reckon you should pour yourself another tot!
How do you do this Susie?! You say you have no words and the writing is coming slowly yet you have given us this beautifully moving piece. Gentle yet raw. Your photos matching your mood. May sleep and rest come to you accompanied by the soft falling of snowflakes to lay your head upon. Love. xx
Jo, bless you! I think it was the unaccustomed glass of whiskey - note to self, drink more! Those are the sweetest words I could read this evening, it's been a hellish week but tonight the wind is howling and apparently will turn and twist, gather up armfuls of cold air bringing with it long awaited snowflakes... I will be using them as a soft pillow and a blanket too if they arrive of that I assure you...
They arrange themselves in their places on the page, as always beautifully, dear Susie. The world will arrange itself with its jesters, as it will. We remind ourselves of beauty and wonder and capture what we can of herons and foxes and all the shades of grey of this winter to comfort us. Sending wishes for a week of nights unencumbered by insomnia and days where snippets of wonder come freely amidst the humdrum xx
Belated thanks dear Emily, it seems the jesters are still at large and another night of feverish insomnia also but I am still in one piece, fever abated, the weekend upon me and snowflakes are forecast - again, I know but with a warning from the prefecture so it surely cannot be a mistake - and with nothing more important to do than to watch them fall and marvel as all the greys and browns on the hill and the valleys are blanketed in soft white. Can you hear the sigh in expectation?
Sending love and hopes for a gorgeous weekend no matter what the sky does! xx
I can hear the sigh from my warm bed in a foggy England. I very much look forward to enjoying the snow with you, if only vicariously. I hope that mousey is not delayed in her journey too much longer, I would have hoped she’d have made it by now. I did not send her tracked, but I now wish I had… perhaps customs have been searching her tiny bed to make sure she isn’t secretly smuggling contraband! Enjoy the snow, dear Susie, and send photos xx
Beautiful as always, Susie. It captures the distractedness of life at the moment.
Meditative, Susie. Your words are always a beautiful balm. I'm excited to hear of the Obscura piece that is inbound.
"We talk into hours that shouldn't be known," -- such a great line. So true, but so wonderful to occasionally inhabit this space.
A court jester indeed. What a mess. Every day it is something more ridiculous and outrageous than the last. Sign.
May your land be blessed by nature and there be calm and stable seasons ahead.
Thank you Nathan, my Obscura piece is evolving. I will leave it there for now... but I can tell you whilst it will be very different, The Sernox was my inspiration.
I have always believed some of our most profound wisdoms (and follies) arrive in those hours of the day that are designed for sleep, be that in conversation - whiskey fuelled or otherwise - or the written word. It is a space I inhabit, not always willingly, too often.
It is a mess isn't it Nathan, a mockery of humanness but apparently court jesters are notoriously lacking. I cannot say first hand but my son tells me often the jesters in online games are evil tricksters. Perhaps those in question should lay down their game controllers and concentrate more on that which is real!
This morning I have woken to the silence and calm of snowfall. At last... 🙏🏼❄️
Oh wow, that's so exciting and a deep honour for it to have been an inspiration. I shall await it with as much patience as I can. ;)
I am of that same belief. The early early morning and late late are when I am most sensitive to creativity and inspiration and wonder. And if there's whisky involved then even better.
I wonder what the typical life span of a court jester was in mediaeval times…
Don't hold your breath Nathan, it is a labour of love between all other labours of love, it risks taking much time.
One can only hope re the court jester... though this one, unlike mediaeval times has the back up of modern medicine!
Take as long as you need. 😊
Beautiful, vulnerable, strong 💙
This was striking.
Thank you Eric, I love that it resonated in such a way for you, Ive had a couple of weeks of feeling vulnerable but having to be strong 🙏🏼
Bloody Hell Susie. I've had a week. Waited to read this. Sat weary and started, then awoke a little, then sat bolt upright, in a waking dream, so beautiful. I am startled into a sort of joy, a feeling of brethren. This is brilliant. You. Peaty good.
Thanks
'I've had a week' that made me smile. You and me both Jonathan.
But, I am seated - well more slumped actually - finally, battle torn definitely but in one recognisable piece and now I smile again.
When a favourite writer scribbles 'peaty good' and 'brilliant' and 'a feeling of brethren' under my own humble words, well, who needs whiskey for that warm glow anyway... I'll take that compliment neat, as it comes and bask in the blushing of my cheeks.
Thank you, maybe the battle was worth the scars!
I really love the poem… thank you.
Charlene, thank you, what a lovely way to begin my day, I love that you do.
Sending love, hope and wishes for sleep x
Many thanks Jan, I am still wishing too! I hope your week has been kind xx
I'm envious of your regular encounters with nature and how you so beautifully capture it in your writing and photographs. We are fine, the moon and I.
Ben, thank you, I so appreciate you reading and commenting. I hope your week has been a kind one my friend.
"on a world that forgets to look up." mmm... so sad that people rush through their days and never bother to look up into the sky. this gets me. lovely, Susie! Thank you. XO
It is too easy to forget the simple things when there is so very much 'mad other' to distract Danielle, and right now the world is swamped in the worry and disgust and horror of it all, in my humble opinion, the only healing is up there in celestial calm!
Thank you sweet soul, I hope you are doing well, that the week has been a kind one to you. xox
It's been a crazy week! Three snow days in a row and today is a late start due to ice!! It's been beautiful and great timing because my youngest and I have both been sick, so we needed some extra recovery time.
Hope you are well, sweet girl! XO
Oh I'm green with envy Danielle, we are forecast snowfall tonight, I am praying -against all the odds - that for once the weather man is not mistaken and that I wake to snow in the morning!
I'm sorry you've been laid up with your youngest, I too have been hit by some unidentifiable germ this week but due to an already diminished staff - it was a case of whoever could stand could work - I have had to soldier on... TGIF and hopefully two days of rest watching snowflakes fall.
I hope you are both now recovering and able to enjoy the beauty of a white landscape for the weekend - a hug to you both xox
I had one of those mornings on Monday morning this week. I wasn't doing well at all, but needed to be at work, so I was very glad to get the following three days rest. Today was a little crazy, after having a three day break, but it was so worth it.
We are both slowly recovering, thank you. Nicholas had a little bit of everything, was clearly run down, so I'm glad he is starting to come out of that and recover. I haven't really let him be outside much though because of the many things he had, he had the flu and pneumonia together and neither seemed like a good idea to mix with the snow.
Hugs back to you! XO
Oh Daniella, pneumonia, how terribly worrying, I know from experience, my son was critically ill at the age of just three years with this horrible malady. I am so relieved Nicholas is recovering.
The longer I work alongside teachers the more I revere their stoic ability to soldier on, it is a job that demands not only the patience of a saint but the constitution of an ox also! May we all be built like Apis! xxx
Now if I could just toughen up my heart a little!! Ain't gonna happen! XO
"We are fine, the moon and I." 🖤
Sleep now, my friend, the world needs you rested and refreshed.
I can't remember the last time I felt snow on my face. It is the smell of it I miss the most.
Tonight there is a hint of the smell of snow in the air, I am praying hard I am not mistaken... It is two years since snowflakes fell here, despite almost disabling fatigue I am tempted to wait the night out just to see them falling!
I may rest while I watch... 🙏🏼xx
“January carried a palette of every shade of grey imaginable”,
And every shade darker in the visible spectrum .
“…suffocating grey…” Yes, that is exactly what the news feels like in America. And it is difficult to take a deep cleansing breath, but that is exactly what we need to do, so darkness is unable to seep in and plant rancid seeds.
Thank you for ,The Moon and Me.
Tonight, in… “a world that forgets to look up” I finished reading, and out the door I went , for a sunset walk to greet the Moon, there she was , hanging out with Venus, in the pure deepest blue sky. I think it is a sign of good luck, especially when the moon has been honored from a lone hill, far away. Beautifully written, Susie. At the moment, breathing comes much easier.
I am baulking still at those darker, sinister? yes definitely sinister, shades too visible in the spectrum Lor... they don't seem to be fading.
But...
Don't forget, rancid seeds don't generally germinate into healthy plants, only those that have been waiting in good soil all autumn and winter will germinate and grow into bountiful, fruit bearing plants. Take that cleansing breath and exhale far, walk in the sunset, greet Venus and her friends and all the myriad constellations, the moon and me will be reciprocating from afar...
Tonight I have asked her to run with the wind and swirling clouds, I think she may be very close to shining her empathy over you by now...
Thinking of you with love Lor - thank you xx
How I value your writing.
White ships, a star, a freight of souls carry us far in reality. Emanations... perhaps safety from prophetic interpretations of the blood soaked ground... from those machinations woken in the night haunting the morning.
I saw that same moon thin to our west below the evening star from an eye newly liberated from cataract. What will I do with this unlikely gift to old age? Our daughter also pointed me to our heron flying upstream, and I have seen blue imbolc colour among the branches and in the evening flames in our careful fireplace, now from trees two years dry after their disease.
A selection from the Blake Society's looking back at the last year: so we go sailing...
"Seek Love in the Pity of others Woe
In the gentle relief of another's care
In the darkness of night & the winters snow
In the naked & outcast Seek Love there"
Thank you always for kind and thoughtful words Philip, for sharing a beautiful and reflective piece of writing also. The Blake Society’s selection you shared is profound and resonates deeply. There’s something so tender about seeking love in the raw, vulnerable places—the darkness, the winter, the outcast. It feels like a call to find beauty and connection even in the most unexpected corners of life.
To have the renewed vision of your eye, what a gift, indeed, to see the world anew in later years, perhaps even to reinvent what had become lacking in definite shape.
Wishing you many more moments of clarity, wonder, and connection—whether under the evening star or by the careful flames of your fireplace. Here I wait for snowflakes to fall, in hope that this time the waiting is not in vain...
Always a blessing to read your writing Susie. I do hope you will submit a poem or two for my anthology I am putting together in April. Blessings.
Thank you for reading and the invite Matthew, I would love to submit something, I have just found your note and saved to a sticky on my screen as a reminder! Blessings back to you my friend.
‘The Moon and Me’ … wow, so evocative, so beautifully observed, and expressed.
I wonder, aloud, if the deep tiredness somehow allows you to slip into a meditative writing state, a sub-conscious flow of words hidden deep inside but summoned by some magic, a mysterious key unlocking thoughts … however it happens, magic it is. So many enviable words, phrases and sentences. Gorgeous fragments.
I am always very self conscious of posting my poetry Barrie, this — words enrobed by whiskey no doubt — made it despite trepidations! The fact that you, whose work I have admired since I began writing in this magical community, mention it at all calms my fears immensely, thank you for your constant encouragement and support, your comment is enormously appreciated.
If whiskey and hidden reserves of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ are the secret to nudging your poetry into the open, I reckon you should pour yourself another tot!
How do you do this Susie?! You say you have no words and the writing is coming slowly yet you have given us this beautifully moving piece. Gentle yet raw. Your photos matching your mood. May sleep and rest come to you accompanied by the soft falling of snowflakes to lay your head upon. Love. xx
Jo, bless you! I think it was the unaccustomed glass of whiskey - note to self, drink more! Those are the sweetest words I could read this evening, it's been a hellish week but tonight the wind is howling and apparently will turn and twist, gather up armfuls of cold air bringing with it long awaited snowflakes... I will be using them as a soft pillow and a blanket too if they arrive of that I assure you...
With love dear lady xx
They arrange themselves in their places on the page, as always beautifully, dear Susie. The world will arrange itself with its jesters, as it will. We remind ourselves of beauty and wonder and capture what we can of herons and foxes and all the shades of grey of this winter to comfort us. Sending wishes for a week of nights unencumbered by insomnia and days where snippets of wonder come freely amidst the humdrum xx
Belated thanks dear Emily, it seems the jesters are still at large and another night of feverish insomnia also but I am still in one piece, fever abated, the weekend upon me and snowflakes are forecast - again, I know but with a warning from the prefecture so it surely cannot be a mistake - and with nothing more important to do than to watch them fall and marvel as all the greys and browns on the hill and the valleys are blanketed in soft white. Can you hear the sigh in expectation?
Sending love and hopes for a gorgeous weekend no matter what the sky does! xx
PS there is still no sign of mousey... 🥺
I can hear the sigh from my warm bed in a foggy England. I very much look forward to enjoying the snow with you, if only vicariously. I hope that mousey is not delayed in her journey too much longer, I would have hoped she’d have made it by now. I did not send her tracked, but I now wish I had… perhaps customs have been searching her tiny bed to make sure she isn’t secretly smuggling contraband! Enjoy the snow, dear Susie, and send photos xx
I love the medieval moment! How great/
Isn't that somehow a great thing to know!
Thanks always Deirdre.