Half-past Summer
A poem, reading as meditation, piano music, photographs, and more.
It’s been about three weeks since my last newsletter. Here’s the overview: I’ve been reading, writing, making music, and taking photos. I went camping. I’ve been happy and bored and sad and frustrated. I usually experience life even-keeled, but lately my emotions have been more dynamic and swingy. I already feel the door of summer closing, and I’ve started having more teacher dreams (maybe as a result). Time is fast and full.
Reading as Meditation (Open Letter #2)
Last newsletter, I included an open letter to
. He was generous enough to reply. I’ve written him once again. Writing these open letters has been good. My writing is directed, and my learning is stickier—more so than when I write for myself.The letter format lends authenticity and impetus.
I’m entertaining the idea of writing open letters to more people on Substack (so much so that I’ve created a new section dedicated to open letters). If any of you readers/writers are interested in an open internet correspondence, tell me in the comments. Or hey, just write me a letter and tag me in it. I’ll respond.
To learn more about the open letter idea, click here.
Here’s my second open letter to Robin:
Freedom
The little fireball rumbles up the vertebrae ridges coinciding as a guiro before the explosion. All because your tail caught the tongue of the flame which fizzled into your stomach without much pain helping you spit up all that powder they pressed into you, their thumbprints a scar. This time, on the way out, it shimmers: a fire flower showered into the eyes of someone young and awake.
Piano Music I’m Working On
The piano (both playing and listening to it) tends to be something that draws my emotions out from invisibility/imperceptibility. It’s a boon for my soul.
June
July
Writing Helps Me Settle
Here’s a little excerpt from my notebook, 23 June:
“Trying to freshen my mind. It’s been pushed around a bit today and feels like it’s running on sugar and noise. It mostly is. This is like turning the knob toward slower motions—writing, that is. Writing is what turns the knob. In two hours I’ll be spending time with ___. Hopefully. Before that, what? I should eat better food. I should harmonize with the Spirit through studying the scriptures…”
I then spent time writing thoughts down about my motives in writing, music, photography, etc. I felt my soul slow down and clarify.
Writing in my notebook pulls myself into focus. The pace of it allows the dust I kick up during the day to settle out of the way. It’s restorative.
Photography
Camping: Fishing; Spiderweb on Boat; Basecamp; Swinging in a Hammock
Canada Day: Volleyball; Strangers Returning; Biker
Goodies
Man Like You ☞ This is one of my favorite songs, and Tom Misch’s cover of it is great.
Two Articles ☞ The first is a vibe check of our information landscape. The second discusses happiness and meaning: specifically how Cormac McCarthy’s work reveals their elusive nature.
Design Resources ☞ Are you making a logo? Want help following the best design processes?
Directory of AI Tools ☞ There are a lot of tools out there. Find the one for you.
A Journey on Wheels ☞ ‘Twas very entertaining to watch.
The Importance of Documenting Your Life ☞ Soothing and heartwarming.
Cheers!
P.S. I’m leaving for London and Paris next week! Any tips/destination suggestions?
As always, I Adore your piano compositions! The choreography of the notes and the breaths between them paint such a clear emotional picture of things that I could Never put into words, but the beauty of the pieces and their Meaning make me feel like a tuning fork. Thank you for creating and sharing. ☺️
I hope you have a lovely time in Europe!