A Slice of Heaven
Finding joy in the everyday
So often we look to the future for our joy. Or we hope for something big and grand to titillate our senses and ignite our passions.
But most days slips by quietly, hardly noticed and quickly forgotten.
Do you remember what you did a month ago on this day? I don’t.
Magic and wonder can be found in the everyday, if we look.
Tim and I just returned from a trip to Alaska, our first home.
On the second-to-last day, driving casually to dinner, we discovered an entire field full of Alaskan fireweed. We vowed to return after dinner and were so glad we did!
It was a slice of heaven. It took our breath away.
And to think, we could have easily just driven by it, not paying attention. Not returning. And we would have missed out on a magical moment.
We stood there, in the middle of the field, breathing in the fresh, Alaskan air, watching the sun shimmer on the field (this was 8 pm - I do so lovvvve the endless daylight in summer there), exclaiming over and over how beautiful it was.
It’s said that when the fireweed blooms all the way to the top of the stalk, that the first snow is 6 weeks away. Is this true? Not sure. But I like the notion!
I felt so connected. So inspired. The colors, the breeze, the quiet. Pure magic.
Dreams filled my heart that have been dormant for years. A peace washed over my soul that I truly needed.
Connecting with nature is one of the most healing, nurturing experiences we can weave into our days.
And of course I knew while standing in that field that I had to create a yarn color or collection for Expression Fiber Arts inspired by this gorgeous flower. So be looking for that soon.
Also, if you’re new, welcome to my Substack. You’ll be seeing a lot more behind the scenes, personal insights and other goodies I’m working on in the near future here. I have schemes and dreams up my sleeves, friends.
Have you had any magical experiences recently you’d love to share?
Spending the last days of my cats life early morning in the garden. In the Netherlands it's still crisp in the 5.30 am morning air. The sun barely starting to rise. It's a time I will look bavk on with tears and a smile but mostly a grayeful heart. Not only that I was able to do this but that I deliberately took the time.
I love flowers! In my new, mountain top home here in renovated space on what once was Camp Ritchie, Maryland, beautiful things are happening. We have a great, small business called, "Muddy Daisey". They were able to take a patch of ground and cultivate beautiful flowers. It's a self serve space, open from 8am to 8pm, where you can go into the grounds and pick your own bouquet of flowers for a very reasonable price.
I'm struggling financially right now, tho. I have been seeking a job for several months, and with each day that passes, I get deeper and deeper in debt. It's kind of hard to stay positive, especially with each rejection I receive after what I believe was an excellent interview. So, of course, I cannot afford to buy a bouquet of flowers.
But, last week, I just went there and took a walk through the rows of beauty. I took some photos to post, because I'm all about promoting others. And, I enjoyed the beauty. I also, encountered a gorgeous butterfly and got a nice picture of it. Just spending time appreciating these small things of beauty helped my outlook tremendously. I might not be "rich" by the world's standards, but I am certainly very wealthy in living here with beautiful, quiet surroundings and wonderful people. The circumstances I am in do not define me. My future is full of possibility!
Thanks for sharing your lovely story. I think it also encourages us to slow down a bit, quit rushing from activity to activity, and appreciate the beauty right in our midst.