The beauty that surrounds me and fills me with optimism comes from nature's constant cycles. Like you, I find inspiration in noticing the changing seasons, subtle shifts in light, and the small wonders of everyday life. Living in Texas and California, I don’t experience the dramatic seasonal changes you see in picture books. Here in Texas, we’re currently in "Hotumn." Last night, the temperature dropped just a wee bit in the evening, which was so exciting—almost like Texas is resisting the Earth's tilt! Haha.
The description of autumn in Scotland, with its misty mornings and the anticipation of winter, reminds me of those classic picture book scenes. It’s a comforting reminder that, just as the Earth moves through its seasonal rhythms, so do we. The steady, predictable cycles give me hope, knowing that after every winter, spring always comes with new beginnings and possibilities. I continue to embrace my "flip-flop life" and appreciate the everyday wonders I uncover. Yesterday, your letter felt like a cool breeze in my inbox. Much love to all.
Oh dear Amy - how lovely to have warm loving winds coming over the water to me here in Scotland. Yes I lover the consistency of Mother Earth and her cycles and rhythms is a deeply reassuring theme in our lives. The phrase, this too will pass' sometimes helps me to not get too impacted by challenging times. To lean in, to trust and to celebrate our community that too remains steadfast in our appreciation of each other. Yet! Much love to you and the family xxxx
Hello, dear Ann! Thank you for this wonderful sharing from your new home (and the astronomy lesson). When I hear of all of the "accidents" that had to happen to make life on Earth possible, I feel lucky indeed. As Chris noted below, Fall is finally here in Minnesota and our neighboring Wisconsin after an extra month of summer weather. The leaves are busy turning and the birds and small creatures are harvesting all they can before the ground hardens. They're so delightful to watch! I am missing you and PD so much and have been meaning to schedule a catch up call. I'll send a separate email for that. Meanwhile, I know that you're delighting in this season in Scotland as much as we are here, and somehow this makes you feel closer. Much love always!
Dearest Alison, Ahh here we are again, honouring and celebrating the beauty of Earth and her bounty. I have a beautiful image of your lovely indigenous garden maturing and coming into its fullness ready for the Fall. Yes, the 'accidents' - love the wry humour of this as we touch into the Divine Blueprint the manifests all around us. Got you email and looking forward to catching up soon. Will have some phots ready for then. We are settled and thriving here. Thank you so much for our friendship xxxxx
Dearest Ann, I love your missive today. Fall has arrived late in the midwest, and this has been one of the first weeks where we feel the chill in the air in the evening. The glorious big trees are touched with orange, yellow, and red at the tips. Only amplified by the light which seems to turn more and more orange. It is my favorite time of year. The last artists in our Retreat left last Saturday and for the first time since May, Bill and I are alone on the farm. I relish this quiet time to truly slow down, reflect and celebrate on this wonderful summer, and savor the beauty of the season.
Of course, I love the science behind all of this. (As well as the mythology!) What a great word—obliquity. Not only is the earth tilted on an axis, scientists know there is a wobble. Also, our magnetic poles, north and south, wobble too. When sailing, "true north" refers to the fixed geographic North Pole, which is a constant point on the Earth's axis, while "magnetic north" is the direction a compass needle points to, which is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field and constantly shifts. Sailors need to account for the difference between the two, called "variation," when navigating using a compass (changing north) and charts (fixed north).
My, isn't the Universe and exquisite place! Thank you for bringing some color and wonder to my day. Sending love to Scotland. - C.
Ahhhhh, Good morning, dear friend. I love the imagery you bring of the farm in all its glory and the spaciousness you now have to enjoy with with Bill. Obliquity and Wobble as a celestial dance is so evocative - I smile as I touch into the Mystery of it All!. My father-on-law was sailor and his sailing stories about navigation always fascinated me, as I felt they were a wonderful mixture of skilfulness and trust in the Majesty of Life. Thank you for being here with me, makes my heart sing. xxxx
The beauty that surrounds me and fills me with optimism comes from nature's constant cycles. Like you, I find inspiration in noticing the changing seasons, subtle shifts in light, and the small wonders of everyday life. Living in Texas and California, I don’t experience the dramatic seasonal changes you see in picture books. Here in Texas, we’re currently in "Hotumn." Last night, the temperature dropped just a wee bit in the evening, which was so exciting—almost like Texas is resisting the Earth's tilt! Haha.
The description of autumn in Scotland, with its misty mornings and the anticipation of winter, reminds me of those classic picture book scenes. It’s a comforting reminder that, just as the Earth moves through its seasonal rhythms, so do we. The steady, predictable cycles give me hope, knowing that after every winter, spring always comes with new beginnings and possibilities. I continue to embrace my "flip-flop life" and appreciate the everyday wonders I uncover. Yesterday, your letter felt like a cool breeze in my inbox. Much love to all.
Oh dear Amy - how lovely to have warm loving winds coming over the water to me here in Scotland. Yes I lover the consistency of Mother Earth and her cycles and rhythms is a deeply reassuring theme in our lives. The phrase, this too will pass' sometimes helps me to not get too impacted by challenging times. To lean in, to trust and to celebrate our community that too remains steadfast in our appreciation of each other. Yet! Much love to you and the family xxxx
Hello, dear Ann! Thank you for this wonderful sharing from your new home (and the astronomy lesson). When I hear of all of the "accidents" that had to happen to make life on Earth possible, I feel lucky indeed. As Chris noted below, Fall is finally here in Minnesota and our neighboring Wisconsin after an extra month of summer weather. The leaves are busy turning and the birds and small creatures are harvesting all they can before the ground hardens. They're so delightful to watch! I am missing you and PD so much and have been meaning to schedule a catch up call. I'll send a separate email for that. Meanwhile, I know that you're delighting in this season in Scotland as much as we are here, and somehow this makes you feel closer. Much love always!
Dearest Alison, Ahh here we are again, honouring and celebrating the beauty of Earth and her bounty. I have a beautiful image of your lovely indigenous garden maturing and coming into its fullness ready for the Fall. Yes, the 'accidents' - love the wry humour of this as we touch into the Divine Blueprint the manifests all around us. Got you email and looking forward to catching up soon. Will have some phots ready for then. We are settled and thriving here. Thank you so much for our friendship xxxxx
Dearest Ann, I love your missive today. Fall has arrived late in the midwest, and this has been one of the first weeks where we feel the chill in the air in the evening. The glorious big trees are touched with orange, yellow, and red at the tips. Only amplified by the light which seems to turn more and more orange. It is my favorite time of year. The last artists in our Retreat left last Saturday and for the first time since May, Bill and I are alone on the farm. I relish this quiet time to truly slow down, reflect and celebrate on this wonderful summer, and savor the beauty of the season.
Of course, I love the science behind all of this. (As well as the mythology!) What a great word—obliquity. Not only is the earth tilted on an axis, scientists know there is a wobble. Also, our magnetic poles, north and south, wobble too. When sailing, "true north" refers to the fixed geographic North Pole, which is a constant point on the Earth's axis, while "magnetic north" is the direction a compass needle points to, which is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field and constantly shifts. Sailors need to account for the difference between the two, called "variation," when navigating using a compass (changing north) and charts (fixed north).
My, isn't the Universe and exquisite place! Thank you for bringing some color and wonder to my day. Sending love to Scotland. - C.
Ahhhhh, Good morning, dear friend. I love the imagery you bring of the farm in all its glory and the spaciousness you now have to enjoy with with Bill. Obliquity and Wobble as a celestial dance is so evocative - I smile as I touch into the Mystery of it All!. My father-on-law was sailor and his sailing stories about navigation always fascinated me, as I felt they were a wonderful mixture of skilfulness and trust in the Majesty of Life. Thank you for being here with me, makes my heart sing. xxxx