Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you. — Langston Hughes
The hot, muggy weather returned which meant I was spending extra time watering the vegetable gardens so when some summer storms rolled in, it was so welcome…for the vegetables and me! Ha! And that rain brought some amazing nights of sleep… there is nothing that compares to listening to it rain at night. It is the perfect sleep track!
Thoughtful (contemplation) —
But thinking about humor like that refreshing summer rain has been more of a challenge. Although, those thoughts work well with things I need to release… perfection and control. Those two things are the bane of my existence and I fear I will never, ever be able to let go of them. But, this month I am going to try to use humor, levity, and purposeful lightness to try and release my stranglehold on them. Kym shared the most excellent (and very familiar) quote this week: “Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.” — David Foster Wallace. I wrote it in my journal and on my weekly calendar pages for the remainder of the month. I am going to force myself to remember just how hard it is to let go… but it can be done!
(so much) Good —
I saw this last night on television and it just made my heart sing! I thought you all might need a little heart song this morning as well! I will be excited to watch both Megan and Sue in the Olympics next week!
Inspirational (making) —
This week kicked off the #dawnmakealong… and I have followed the hashtag on IG and my plan is to pick a project (or two?) and *actually get it done* this summer! One would think I would pick a knitting project… but, you’d be wrong. I think I am going to start with some coasters… and hand stitch them. I like the thought of it being a slow project (but not so daunting that I won’t be able to finish it!) Once those coasters are done… I will see what inspires me from what other makers are doing! If you have been looking for some inspiration and want to work on a project from Dawn, let me know… we can cheer each other on!
(thoughtful) Finishes —
This week the idea of slow really settled in for me. I am working away on my pastel drawing… but I did not get it finished this week. And… the world did not end! I know, I was so shocked! Haha! There are only 24 hours in a day… and there is a garden that I love to spend time in, there is a test knit that I gladly committed to completing by a specific date. I finished the body knitting yesterday… up next, getting my crochet steeks in and then knitting on the button bands. Even with today’s grey day, I am confident that I will more than meet the deadline to complete the sweater. Why, I might even have found buttons by then as well! Anyway, the idea of slowing down has really taken root and it is working! I am slowing down and not feeling I need to rush to the next thing… I don’t feel like I have to hurry and finish to start the next thing… I am just loving the current thing… so very much!
That’s it for me this week! I will be back on Monday! I hope you all have a great weekend!
Happy Weekend Kat! Glad to hear you are slowing down and savoring each moment. It makes a difference. (And I, too, love that quote that Kym shared.)
Thanks so much for the reminder to keep a sense of humor! I’ve been feeling overwhelmed (and a bit crabby). My crabbiness hasn’t helped things, so I’ll be trying humor instead. I’m glad slowing down has helped you this summer, and I hope I can try some of that also. Hope you enjoy a great weekend!
I am so excited about the Olympics… I missed it last summer and have been watching all of the trials with such anticipation this year.
I’ve also welcomed all of the storms in the last couple of weeks. I’d been watering flowers every morning for a while and was most happy to share that job with Mother Nature… especially since my rain barrel had emptied and I was about to start using water from the tap. Yikes!
Your blog has been a breath of fresh air for me – thank you for staying focused on slowing down and enjoying the process of everything. It helps keep me grounded and feeling like I’m not alone. Enjoy your weekend!
The crazy rain we’ve been having lately is certainly good for the gardening. I hope you can find time to get out in your garden today without worry of getting drenched!
That’s been my theme this summer, too . . . slowing down. (Which is why I’m reading your TGIF post on a Monday morning!) It’s hard to do. . . but feels pretty good once you get the hang of things. XO
what a lovely take on TGIF … and I LOVE those making coasters. hand stitching?! sigh. yes!
Good for you for slowing down and enjoying the summer. This was just a lovely peaceful post. Thoughtful finishing is an excellent idea. I am smiling at the line, “and the world didn’t come to an end.” Every now and then I have to remind myself of that and I am amazed at how freeing it is.