Don’t Let the Tomatoes Hit You on the Way Out

I’m sitting at my computer (there’s a shock, right?) about to write a post in an online workshop I’m taking.  Part of the point of the workshop is to build a habit to show up every day and post something.  Whatever we want.  Writing, video, audio, artwork. Anything.

(c) Photo by Alice Dietrich on Unsplash

I’ve already posted my first day.  And now I notice something I didn’t notice before.

Singing Through My Tears

I’m on the plane, getting ready to take off from Los Angeles.  I’m exhausted.  Wrung out.  Normally when I come here I’m energized.  On top of the world.  I could almost float home.  But not this time.  This time I sink into my seat, just kind of wishing I was already home.

(c) ThinkStock Photo

I’m feeling like I failed myself.

Will You Help Me With a New Project?

It’s summer, and I’m holed up in a Sunday School room at the Essex Congregational Church.  This room has a piano, and the church has graciously allowed me to hang out in there to write songs.  It gives me a place to go so I don’t disturb my family so much.  (Remember the time before electronic instruments and headphones?)  And changing my location tells me that it’s time to get down to work.

(c) Kathleen Thompson

And write I do.  All kinds of songs.  I still have a folder with the hand-written lyric sheets.

What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?

I had my hair cut the other day, and asked my stylist if he has a favorite Christmas tradition.  Jay said, “Oh yes.  Every year my family gives each other gorgeous cards.  And then we use them to make ornaments.  Some are mostly cut around the card design.  Others are cut so they are hardly recognizable, and a really creative ornament made out of them.  We have a special tree to hang these ornaments on, and keep saving them from year to year.  Every year this tree grows more beautiful with new ones being added.”

(c) Photo by Kristine Tanne on Unsplash

I can just picture it, can’t you?

Reclaiming the Garden Part 12 – What Now?

The back garden’s at a stopping point.  It’s cleared of the big stuff, weeds have grown back over most of the bare soil, it’s been raining a lot here in Connecticut, and it’s getting colder out.  And, because I’m not sure what I want to do with it, I’m going to let it sit over the winter while I mull over my options for next year.

Reclaiming the Garden Part 3 – The Salad Bowl

I’m back in the garden again.  Cleaning out for the third day.  Thought I’ve lugged at least 4 wheelbarrows full of weeds (piled so high they keep falling off on the way to the dumping pile), it looks like I’ve scarcely made a dent.  Though there is that big empty space, in which I found  buried treasure yesterday.  A peppermint stick day lily, hydrangea, and Shasta daisies.  All standing tall once I uncovered them……for one whole day.