I have been in Glenelg twice, not where you stayed, and I know that it is a place that does not leave you, and that you don't leave. I remember a family of otters, young ones and parents, and my then-young ones all alight, and how our hearts sang.
I have written "be mad and sing" on a post it note to guide me. Perfect perfect, thank you. Glenelg really has got under our skin. Do you remember Terry Nutkins? While doing some research this morning, F discovered he lived and died in Glenelg!
Thank you, Josie, for your thoughtful, inspiring, beautiful piece.
‘No, I didn’t pray, but I did sit with a different kind of expectation: that the world would tell me what I needed to do next, if I listened and looked and waited. It would help, not cure, not fix. And it did, of course. It always does.’ …… Yes - this is the best kind of prayer.
Thank you Michelle. I am always struck by that urge in myself to beg for rescue when things are hard, and yet the older, wiser me knows now that 'help' doesn't come in one big swoop but in these little nudges that equip me to rescue my own life.
I like to think of this life of learning as a spiral. yes, here's to endless learning. sometimes I say, "I remember, I forget, I remember...and so on). thank you josie, for hitting a mark i can relate to- again!
Ah the spiral, yes. I can get so frustrated with myself at the remembering/forgetting/remembering cycle, but I think this IS how we learn, like water soaking into dry ground. Thank you so much for reading and responding.
Dear, sweet Josie. So grateful that you've caught the updraft! And that you are sharing it with us! I love the Mad Poet's words, they are like magical potions that you share generously. Stay mad, dear one, stay mad.
Thank you so much for writing this.just the idea of an updraft has lightened my day. Maybe I will be able to walk without a cane.or maybe I will just make it out of the wheelchair. Your writing lightens my difficulties.
I so look forward to hearing from the mad poet within you. Your gentle observations, the harsh blare of car horns, the letting go of the urgency to be wise… I embrace all of this Josie. Thank you
water soaking into the ground, my body softened just reading the words. softer ways to be, i think. was just on my patio taking my first sip of spiced coffee. the neglected garden to the right; dew crowning the spent yarrow blossoms, an overgrown mangle of weeds and herbs. off now to see what the day holds. see you here again soon. thank you for your presence.
I so appreciate that Wendy, thank you. I'm fighting a lot of 'writing about myself is self-indulgent' thoughts just now. Aren't they hard ones to work through?! x
Dear Josie beautiful and true,
Thank you for this writing.
I have been in Glenelg twice, not where you stayed, and I know that it is a place that does not leave you, and that you don't leave. I remember a family of otters, young ones and parents, and my then-young ones all alight, and how our hearts sang.
Be mad, and sing ❤️
I have written "be mad and sing" on a post it note to guide me. Perfect perfect, thank you. Glenelg really has got under our skin. Do you remember Terry Nutkins? While doing some research this morning, F discovered he lived and died in Glenelg!
I do remember Terry Nutkins! Have you read Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell? I am sure that Terry appears in this book.
I have come across Terry Nutkins' daughter in another setting fairly recently.
He was a student of Gavin's yes! F's read Ring of Bright Water, but not me. Definitely one for the winter hibernation list.
Thank you, Josie, for your thoughtful, inspiring, beautiful piece.
‘No, I didn’t pray, but I did sit with a different kind of expectation: that the world would tell me what I needed to do next, if I listened and looked and waited. It would help, not cure, not fix. And it did, of course. It always does.’ …… Yes - this is the best kind of prayer.
Thank you Michelle. I am always struck by that urge in myself to beg for rescue when things are hard, and yet the older, wiser me knows now that 'help' doesn't come in one big swoop but in these little nudges that equip me to rescue my own life.
I like to think of this life of learning as a spiral. yes, here's to endless learning. sometimes I say, "I remember, I forget, I remember...and so on). thank you josie, for hitting a mark i can relate to- again!
Ah the spiral, yes. I can get so frustrated with myself at the remembering/forgetting/remembering cycle, but I think this IS how we learn, like water soaking into dry ground. Thank you so much for reading and responding.
Powerful, Josie… I’m so grateful
♥️ Thank you for being here, Margaret.
Josie your words always slow my racing thoughts down and ground me . Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to read! It means so much to me.
Dear, wonderful Josie, I soak up your words and say very quietly “yes, oh yes, I hear you Josie” . Thank you my fellow mad poet, thank you xx
♥️ I love this. Thank you.
Dear, sweet Josie. So grateful that you've caught the updraft! And that you are sharing it with us! I love the Mad Poet's words, they are like magical potions that you share generously. Stay mad, dear one, stay mad.
I am so much much happier when I'm in touch with that self. Long may she reign! Thank you for all your beautiful encouragement.
You, Josie, encourage me at every read. Thank you.
Wow . You’re brave . In every way . I loved this piece . You’re honest , courageous and warm . Lovely lovely writing dear Josie .
Thank you so much Jenny ♥️
Just the words I needed to hear today and can’t wait too see what the mad poet sends into the world next!
Me toooo! Thank you!
Loved every word. Thank you for writing this, Josie 💚
Thank you Caroline. You do my heart a lot of good!
With you in this.
I feel it! xx
Thank you so much for writing this.just the idea of an updraft has lightened my day. Maybe I will be able to walk without a cane.or maybe I will just make it out of the wheelchair. Your writing lightens my difficulties.
Sending you love, Nancy. Seeing the day as a great, fun experiment is a wonderful way to live.
I so look forward to hearing from the mad poet within you. Your gentle observations, the harsh blare of car horns, the letting go of the urgency to be wise… I embrace all of this Josie. Thank you
I read the comments here back when I'm in the middle of creating and trying to stay true to the path. It helps so much. Thank you Teyani x
water soaking into the ground, my body softened just reading the words. softer ways to be, i think. was just on my patio taking my first sip of spiced coffee. the neglected garden to the right; dew crowning the spent yarrow blossoms, an overgrown mangle of weeds and herbs. off now to see what the day holds. see you here again soon. thank you for your presence.
Sending love to all three of you. Please do let me know what I can do to keep you aloft xxx
Thank you dear Mel. I've felt like such a shadow for a while! And you DO help keep me aloft, you always do. xx
Thank you Josie. I value these postcards from your interior life xxx
I so appreciate that Wendy, thank you. I'm fighting a lot of 'writing about myself is self-indulgent' thoughts just now. Aren't they hard ones to work through?! x