What a luscious weaving of threads. The tapestry of this post nourished me. Thanks you. Yesterday I wandered two lavender farms. Drank lavender lemonade. The bees were flourishing. Perhaps a few have visited your garden and added sweetness.
And the wisdom of permission to create space in this busy world when our culture demands forceps be used. To let the words flow when they are ready. So "yes" to that. Just makes the gift of this more delightful!
Ooh! If you have a lavender farm suggestion, I've been wanting to go to one. Lavender lemonade sounds divine. I made rose syrup to use in seltzer and blue sun tea for the party yesterday.
I've had "newsletter" on my mental list for a while, but today, sitting in my parents' back yard, staring at the grapevines and thinking about how easy that party was, and how sad I am about Jake, the words came.
Fun! Thanks for the recommendation! And for the healing vibes for Jake. He's such a sweet person, adored by the kids. I can't imagine what his family is going through now, what decisions they are trying to make on his behalf.
Oh, Laura, I relate to everything you wrote here. The missed deadlines, the "missing my kids," the prioritizing of health and energy, etc...
For me, what's different this summer as compared to last is the emphasis on balance as opposed to survival. Summer 2020, Kirk and I built in some routines to our day, chief among them a daily tennis match (we are blessed with a plethora of courts in SW Portland). We have a very bastardized version--I get a huge handicap that includes a double bounce and use of the doubles court, ha! But I realized that just that little bit of competition mixed with cardio lights up the happy places in my brain. Last summer we managed to start every other day with tennis, and this summer it's pretty much every day that we're home.
Last year's worry that Trump would be reelected has been replaced with a broader, more insidious fear--the focus on one person has bled into generalized anxiety regarding climate change, the death of democracy, the Delta variant and my unvaccinated grandbabies, and so on. Hence the need for proactive daily respite: walking new trails, camping, doubling down on family activities, in addition to the daily tennis match (reader: I beat Kirk 3 games to 2 today. Yes, I keep score).
So, writing? Well, it's going super slowly, if at all. I'm grateful for my editing/coaching business and clients. My need to feel productive is satisfied by immersing myself in the projects of others at the moment--but I still need to remind myself that there will be time (and desire) for my own projects again, but maybe not until 2022.
Thanks for this lovely newsletter, Laura! I hope your teacher friend recovers.
Tennis! That's something I've thought about adding to our days. I used to love playing. The energy from the game--the movement, the competition, the strategy--must be so rewarding. And such a fun kind of quality time to spend with each other!
I hear you on all the worries--climate change and fire season and my unvaccinated nine-year-old and so much more. As far as the writing, you just launched an amazing book, you're helping so many writers with your coaching work, you have a newsletter, and whatever other projects will come when you're ready. My new novel edits--thanks to your sharp eye--are on hold because of still being in the edit process for my Lanternfish novel. I turned in the developmental edits and will get a response, and maybe then I'll lean into the new book, which has been so exciting to work on. Essays seem like a better fit for this in-between time for me. And a lot of quiet time. Thinking. All the things we do when we aren't writing enrich the work when it's time.
Ooh! That's great to know! Thanks for the tip. And if you ever want to come by before or after tennis to have iced tea or coffee at my rainbow table, you're welcome!
Beautiful essay, Laura, as always. This summer has been difficult in a number of ways but we kayaked down some Class 1 and 2s, maybe one 3, on the Rogue River this past week. Nothing like trying to beat a rapid while getting splashed and tossed to wake up your mind and body, in a good way.
Kayaking down rapids! What a great way to spend some of this summer. I've been swimming in a (cold) pool and it gave me that sense of awakening and being really, really present in my body.
Thank you for reading, Martha! I really need to make a plan to come visit your new shop. It makes me so happy, seeing your photos and knowing you're doing this.
I got to spend time, hug and love up my son and daughter in law after 21 months apart. Now I am grieving again as they go back home. The missing of them feels so raw after managing it for so long.
I got to spend time, hug and love up my son and daughter in law after 21 months apart. Now I am grieving again as they go back home. The missing of them feels so raw after managing it for so long.
Oh Val! How hard to say goodbye. It took so long to get back to each other that every goodbye must feel extra hard, like a reset back to the time where you couldn't/wouldn't be in person. Now I kind of want to explore the idea of saying goodbye in this time, how the pandemic shaped what goodbye means. HMM.
Thank you so much, Janet. I've struggled so hard, thinking about how healthy he appeared up until the aneurysm, how good-natured and warm and funny he is. How much he helped a whole school full of kids feel good for the past school year and a half. Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jake-hueni-hospital-fund
Laura, I love reading your newsletters - there is always so much that my heart relates to, and my life. Not returning to pre-pandemic expectations! Time in the hammock! Leaving the boxes.... there are good changes from quarantine. And the waves of grief. I am so sorry to hear about your teacher friend. Much love to all of you and thank you for writing and sharing.
What a luscious weaving of threads. The tapestry of this post nourished me. Thanks you. Yesterday I wandered two lavender farms. Drank lavender lemonade. The bees were flourishing. Perhaps a few have visited your garden and added sweetness.
And the wisdom of permission to create space in this busy world when our culture demands forceps be used. To let the words flow when they are ready. So "yes" to that. Just makes the gift of this more delightful!
Ooh! If you have a lavender farm suggestion, I've been wanting to go to one. Lavender lemonade sounds divine. I made rose syrup to use in seltzer and blue sun tea for the party yesterday.
I've had "newsletter" on my mental list for a while, but today, sitting in my parents' back yard, staring at the grapevines and thinking about how easy that party was, and how sad I am about Jake, the words came.
Will send my positive healing to Jake, too. There is no limit on that.
Here is one place we went that should still be open next couple of weekends: Wayward wind lavender
17005 NE Courtney rd, Newberg.
You can also u-pick for bouquets 💜. Please take sweet care.
Fun! Thanks for the recommendation! And for the healing vibes for Jake. He's such a sweet person, adored by the kids. I can't imagine what his family is going through now, what decisions they are trying to make on his behalf.
Oh, Laura, I relate to everything you wrote here. The missed deadlines, the "missing my kids," the prioritizing of health and energy, etc...
For me, what's different this summer as compared to last is the emphasis on balance as opposed to survival. Summer 2020, Kirk and I built in some routines to our day, chief among them a daily tennis match (we are blessed with a plethora of courts in SW Portland). We have a very bastardized version--I get a huge handicap that includes a double bounce and use of the doubles court, ha! But I realized that just that little bit of competition mixed with cardio lights up the happy places in my brain. Last summer we managed to start every other day with tennis, and this summer it's pretty much every day that we're home.
Last year's worry that Trump would be reelected has been replaced with a broader, more insidious fear--the focus on one person has bled into generalized anxiety regarding climate change, the death of democracy, the Delta variant and my unvaccinated grandbabies, and so on. Hence the need for proactive daily respite: walking new trails, camping, doubling down on family activities, in addition to the daily tennis match (reader: I beat Kirk 3 games to 2 today. Yes, I keep score).
So, writing? Well, it's going super slowly, if at all. I'm grateful for my editing/coaching business and clients. My need to feel productive is satisfied by immersing myself in the projects of others at the moment--but I still need to remind myself that there will be time (and desire) for my own projects again, but maybe not until 2022.
Thanks for this lovely newsletter, Laura! I hope your teacher friend recovers.
xo
Tennis! That's something I've thought about adding to our days. I used to love playing. The energy from the game--the movement, the competition, the strategy--must be so rewarding. And such a fun kind of quality time to spend with each other!
I hear you on all the worries--climate change and fire season and my unvaccinated nine-year-old and so much more. As far as the writing, you just launched an amazing book, you're helping so many writers with your coaching work, you have a newsletter, and whatever other projects will come when you're ready. My new novel edits--thanks to your sharp eye--are on hold because of still being in the edit process for my Lanternfish novel. I turned in the developmental edits and will get a response, and maybe then I'll lean into the new book, which has been so exciting to work on. Essays seem like a better fit for this in-between time for me. And a lot of quiet time. Thinking. All the things we do when we aren't writing enrich the work when it's time.
XO. FYI, those Ida B Wells courts on the back side of the school are open now ! 😉
Ooh! That's great to know! Thanks for the tip. And if you ever want to come by before or after tennis to have iced tea or coffee at my rainbow table, you're welcome!
Beautiful essay, Laura, as always. This summer has been difficult in a number of ways but we kayaked down some Class 1 and 2s, maybe one 3, on the Rogue River this past week. Nothing like trying to beat a rapid while getting splashed and tossed to wake up your mind and body, in a good way.
Kayaking down rapids! What a great way to spend some of this summer. I've been swimming in a (cold) pool and it gave me that sense of awakening and being really, really present in my body.
Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Lori! Grateful for your words.
Loved this Laura! Thanks so much for taking the time xoxo
Thank you for reading, Martha! I really need to make a plan to come visit your new shop. It makes me so happy, seeing your photos and knowing you're doing this.
Thanks Laura! Yes, please come out :) I'm open nearly every day and every Saturday rain or shine
I got to spend time, hug and love up my son and daughter in law after 21 months apart. Now I am grieving again as they go back home. The missing of them feels so raw after managing it for so long.
I got to spend time, hug and love up my son and daughter in law after 21 months apart. Now I am grieving again as they go back home. The missing of them feels so raw after managing it for so long.
Oh Val! How hard to say goodbye. It took so long to get back to each other that every goodbye must feel extra hard, like a reset back to the time where you couldn't/wouldn't be in person. Now I kind of want to explore the idea of saying goodbye in this time, how the pandemic shaped what goodbye means. HMM.
I would like the gofundme page for your friend. So very sorry.
Thank you so much, Janet. I've struggled so hard, thinking about how healthy he appeared up until the aneurysm, how good-natured and warm and funny he is. How much he helped a whole school full of kids feel good for the past school year and a half. Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jake-hueni-hospital-fund
Laura, I love reading your newsletters - there is always so much that my heart relates to, and my life. Not returning to pre-pandemic expectations! Time in the hammock! Leaving the boxes.... there are good changes from quarantine. And the waves of grief. I am so sorry to hear about your teacher friend. Much love to all of you and thank you for writing and sharing.