I can smell the baguettes baking and my mouth waters at the thought of French onion soup. As you are entering Spring, we are about to enter Fall here in the US. I am ready after the overwhelmingly hot days we've had recently - ready to cozy up with a cup of coffee, a blanket and a great book. Your thoughts on stepping away remind me of the struggle I have within myself. No one has "discovered" me, so who do I write for? I have to remind myself time and time again that writing and photography are things that bring me joy, whether I am "professional" or not, and that should be enough. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Oh Michelle, I know that questioning that comes from deep within, the cry of the heart. I am glad you have chosen to write and take photos for you, and to accept the joy that brings. I look forward to reading your beautiful words.
It is so nice to read something written by someone who lives where I do! Everyone I speak to is ready for winter to move on because the grey days are bringing grey moods. I know I am ready for more clear blue sky days.
And I love baking bread too but baguettes have only happened once!
Hi Reannon, I look for people from Australia too - it is lovely to connect from the POV of a shared season. Today is blue and spring-like. I have walked with wildflowers and wandered with weeds. It feels like the day is not long enough. Right now there is a honeyeater hanging upside down from the grevillea outside my window. It can make writing distracting.
Today I have made rough puff pastry, ready for dinner tonight. Have you ever made it? It's very satisfying.
And I love this - "A shift towards simplicity and connection and joy - in life and creativity - and away from constant busy-ness, social media, and what content marketers say I must do to be a writer."
Me too. And I feel so much more energised stepping away from feeling like I *have* to be on socials and just visiting when I want to or have something important to share. I've taken a huge step away from Facebook so Insta is really my only platform. And I'm treating it like my coffee shop - a place to pop into now and then, fill my cup and connect with others.
Jodi! It's lovely to hear from you! I like your way of thinking - a coffee shop to pop into now and then. I still look at Insta, for the inspiration (and giggles) but not feeling the need to post. It's a good feeling, letting go of that. I held on to it much longer than I wanted because my job involved social media, but now that I've changed jobs, I've finally been able to let go.
Hi Monique! After finishing Wildflower last night and while checking my iPhone before turning it off for the evening, I noticed you had uploaded this post — a moment of sweet serendipity.
I’m still in that heady space of having just finished a book that I’ve savoured so it’s too soon to write about, except that it was so deftly written, so real in it’s depiction of people, place and period.
The tender but intense friendship between Jane and Acacia was so beautifully crafted it was an honour to step-cycle-splash into their world.
There is much food for thought for both female and male readers. In fact, it would be an excellent school text especially at the moment with the #MeToo movement and the likes of Andrew Tate…
Oh Frances, you have made me feel so warm inside - thank you for your kindness in sharing your thoughts and feelings about Wildflower. (I would love to see it in schools too.) Some books do keep a hold on you for a while after finishing and I am glad that Wildflower was one of those books for you.
I can smell the baguettes baking and my mouth waters at the thought of French onion soup. As you are entering Spring, we are about to enter Fall here in the US. I am ready after the overwhelmingly hot days we've had recently - ready to cozy up with a cup of coffee, a blanket and a great book. Your thoughts on stepping away remind me of the struggle I have within myself. No one has "discovered" me, so who do I write for? I have to remind myself time and time again that writing and photography are things that bring me joy, whether I am "professional" or not, and that should be enough. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Oh Michelle, I know that questioning that comes from deep within, the cry of the heart. I am glad you have chosen to write and take photos for you, and to accept the joy that brings. I look forward to reading your beautiful words.
It is so nice to read something written by someone who lives where I do! Everyone I speak to is ready for winter to move on because the grey days are bringing grey moods. I know I am ready for more clear blue sky days.
And I love baking bread too but baguettes have only happened once!
Hi Reannon, I look for people from Australia too - it is lovely to connect from the POV of a shared season. Today is blue and spring-like. I have walked with wildflowers and wandered with weeds. It feels like the day is not long enough. Right now there is a honeyeater hanging upside down from the grevillea outside my window. It can make writing distracting.
Today I have made rough puff pastry, ready for dinner tonight. Have you ever made it? It's very satisfying.
Beautiful photos, Monique.
And I love this - "A shift towards simplicity and connection and joy - in life and creativity - and away from constant busy-ness, social media, and what content marketers say I must do to be a writer."
Me too. And I feel so much more energised stepping away from feeling like I *have* to be on socials and just visiting when I want to or have something important to share. I've taken a huge step away from Facebook so Insta is really my only platform. And I'm treating it like my coffee shop - a place to pop into now and then, fill my cup and connect with others.
Jodi! It's lovely to hear from you! I like your way of thinking - a coffee shop to pop into now and then. I still look at Insta, for the inspiration (and giggles) but not feeling the need to post. It's a good feeling, letting go of that. I held on to it much longer than I wanted because my job involved social media, but now that I've changed jobs, I've finally been able to let go.
Stay in touch X
Hi Monique! After finishing Wildflower last night and while checking my iPhone before turning it off for the evening, I noticed you had uploaded this post — a moment of sweet serendipity.
I’m still in that heady space of having just finished a book that I’ve savoured so it’s too soon to write about, except that it was so deftly written, so real in it’s depiction of people, place and period.
The tender but intense friendship between Jane and Acacia was so beautifully crafted it was an honour to step-cycle-splash into their world.
Thank you for your words.
On a roll now…
There is much food for thought for both female and male readers. In fact, it would be an excellent school text especially at the moment with the #MeToo movement and the likes of Andrew Tate…
Oh Frances, you have made me feel so warm inside - thank you for your kindness in sharing your thoughts and feelings about Wildflower. (I would love to see it in schools too.) Some books do keep a hold on you for a while after finishing and I am glad that Wildflower was one of those books for you.
Thank you.
I love your photos and wind video. They make something inside of me softly leap for joy. Rest and be blessed.
I love that - "something inside of me softly leap for joy". Thank you for reading, Carol.