I have mixed feelings about the end of summer. Part of me wanted it to last a little longer so that I could enjoy my new hammock a little more and feel good warmth, shorts and vest tops. Then there's that part of me that loves being at home, cosy, blankets, and my pets. I think there's joy in every season.
It is such a paradox, joy on one side, suffering on the other, just as witnessed by the swifts. It comes with its bushel of guilt. Yet, in a way, joy is a form of rebellion. We must carry the lantern when others cannot. And allow ourselves to feel all of it, in the shadows and the light. Enjoy your writing this September Beth. I too will be donning my writing cardi to finish up my BP. Enjoy!
We have just returned home from a lovely holiday in Devon where we stayed in an old cottage with granite walls and watched the swifts swooping over the moors. It's fascinating to learn that they travel so far! The immersion in nature; fields, narrow lanes, fragrance of hay, being woken up by the sound of cows and horses, (instead of an intrusive alarm clock) was soothing to the soul. Our long walks over Dartmoor reminded me of childhood summer holidays, meadows full of butterflies, and playing out until dusk. It reconnected me to the calming joy of nature - so beautiful, and our medicine.
This is beautiful Beth! We are preparing to move south before the first snow arrives in September. Renovating is so much fun, but also very tedious and exhausting. Good luck to you and your family!
Love that you are sketching at the beach, Beth! I have similar feelings about sharing my paintings and life stories right now but deeply know the importance of sharing our light spirit, especially right now. I have been sketching with ballpoint pen and find it wonderfully freeing in between long walks and seeing my husband’s band play music this summer ❤️
The Summer warmth has been very welcome, along with longer summer evenings where I can plop myself into the garden, surrounded by nature and enjoying the occasional visit from a Robin.
All of which forms a gentle doorway to the approaching Autumn, a time I love and where my writing will go from bits n bobs to a more fluid and consistent stream, fuelled by fresh black coffee and maybe a biscuit or three.
Hi Beth, I loved this idea of the swifts on their way down south (to my home).
Over Christmas and New Year, swallows built two nests under our eaves and during this winter, rosy-faced lovebirds did a bit of their own renovation with fluffy seeds, dry grass and Guinea fowl feathers. I wonder what the original builders will make of that!?
Spring is almost here and warmer days are just around the corner. It’ll be another month or two before the swifts and swallows twitter and swoop around our skies. I love the anticipation of watching the seasons unfold.
It's the sound of the Golden Orioles that are my summer bird connection - I don't see them often - just the occasional flash of yellow but their call is so distinctive. They'll be gone soon on a winter trek to Africa and I'll be waiting for September. I don't mourn the end of summer here - 38°C and no rain for weeks is difficult but I know that by the end of the first week in September, there'll be no more temperatures above 30 and rain becomes a possibility and I'll be able to stand outside in the garden for more than a few minutes. Then, before I've really got my head around autumn....it'll be snowing and temperatures in the minus. I do love having 4 distinct seasons but it's hard work sometimes.
So beautiful Beth. It's been winter here in New Zealand, so I've been indoors a lot, hibernating, writing, and reading by the fire. Spring is started to show its face in little pops of colour though, gently enticing me back out of my nest 😊
This post prompted me to go back to a draft I had written from the Salt + Sea scavenger hunt invitation. It will post this afternoon (8/15/25) on my Substack Someday Is Now. Thank you for prompting me to "look again."
I loved this so much. Have you seen the documentary, "Winged Migration?" It's fascinating. I too feel somewhat guilty enjoying my own life while the world burns. I also know, that if I give into despair, I can do nothing to bring any balance at all. I love the thought of knowing more about your renovation.
I don’t want to mourn summers passing while it’s still full summer here in Wales. Warm enough to swim, cool enough to walk. Still swifts here. Autumn will bring travel and change but for now I’m filled with joy in my log cabin.
I love reading your notes, and realising that even though we are from opposite sides of the world, we share many things in common. It feels comforting!
I spent June and July renovating my new 'very old' home in France, where the swallows make mud nests under the eaves. I loved watching them swoop for bugs in the evening as I closed the shutters to keep the dusk light out so I could sleep.
Now, I am in Kyoto, reading through notes captured during my travels and transforming them into the first draft of a book.
Here, I walk along the river every day, watching the herons standing tall looking for lunch, and sometimes, an old eagle will be with the one that hangs out near the bridge beside the cafe that serves the most refreshing lemonade and sweet cranberry muffins.
I have mixed feelings about the end of summer. Part of me wanted it to last a little longer so that I could enjoy my new hammock a little more and feel good warmth, shorts and vest tops. Then there's that part of me that loves being at home, cosy, blankets, and my pets. I think there's joy in every season.
It is such a paradox, joy on one side, suffering on the other, just as witnessed by the swifts. It comes with its bushel of guilt. Yet, in a way, joy is a form of rebellion. We must carry the lantern when others cannot. And allow ourselves to feel all of it, in the shadows and the light. Enjoy your writing this September Beth. I too will be donning my writing cardi to finish up my BP. Enjoy!
We have just returned home from a lovely holiday in Devon where we stayed in an old cottage with granite walls and watched the swifts swooping over the moors. It's fascinating to learn that they travel so far! The immersion in nature; fields, narrow lanes, fragrance of hay, being woken up by the sound of cows and horses, (instead of an intrusive alarm clock) was soothing to the soul. Our long walks over Dartmoor reminded me of childhood summer holidays, meadows full of butterflies, and playing out until dusk. It reconnected me to the calming joy of nature - so beautiful, and our medicine.
Growing agapanthus in pots to remind me of holidays in Portugal, slower days and hassle free mornings!
This brought to mind such beautiful, delicate visions of swifts!
This is beautiful Beth! We are preparing to move south before the first snow arrives in September. Renovating is so much fun, but also very tedious and exhausting. Good luck to you and your family!
Love that you are sketching at the beach, Beth! I have similar feelings about sharing my paintings and life stories right now but deeply know the importance of sharing our light spirit, especially right now. I have been sketching with ballpoint pen and find it wonderfully freeing in between long walks and seeing my husband’s band play music this summer ❤️
The Summer warmth has been very welcome, along with longer summer evenings where I can plop myself into the garden, surrounded by nature and enjoying the occasional visit from a Robin.
All of which forms a gentle doorway to the approaching Autumn, a time I love and where my writing will go from bits n bobs to a more fluid and consistent stream, fuelled by fresh black coffee and maybe a biscuit or three.
Hi Beth, I loved this idea of the swifts on their way down south (to my home).
Over Christmas and New Year, swallows built two nests under our eaves and during this winter, rosy-faced lovebirds did a bit of their own renovation with fluffy seeds, dry grass and Guinea fowl feathers. I wonder what the original builders will make of that!?
Spring is almost here and warmer days are just around the corner. It’ll be another month or two before the swifts and swallows twitter and swoop around our skies. I love the anticipation of watching the seasons unfold.
It's the sound of the Golden Orioles that are my summer bird connection - I don't see them often - just the occasional flash of yellow but their call is so distinctive. They'll be gone soon on a winter trek to Africa and I'll be waiting for September. I don't mourn the end of summer here - 38°C and no rain for weeks is difficult but I know that by the end of the first week in September, there'll be no more temperatures above 30 and rain becomes a possibility and I'll be able to stand outside in the garden for more than a few minutes. Then, before I've really got my head around autumn....it'll be snowing and temperatures in the minus. I do love having 4 distinct seasons but it's hard work sometimes.
I'm in Bulgaria by the way🦋
So beautiful Beth. It's been winter here in New Zealand, so I've been indoors a lot, hibernating, writing, and reading by the fire. Spring is started to show its face in little pops of colour though, gently enticing me back out of my nest 😊
This post prompted me to go back to a draft I had written from the Salt + Sea scavenger hunt invitation. It will post this afternoon (8/15/25) on my Substack Someday Is Now. Thank you for prompting me to "look again."
I loved this so much. Have you seen the documentary, "Winged Migration?" It's fascinating. I too feel somewhat guilty enjoying my own life while the world burns. I also know, that if I give into despair, I can do nothing to bring any balance at all. I love the thought of knowing more about your renovation.
No I have not! Thank you for the recommendation. Sounds amazing 🙏
How to keep living, laughing even eating while those in Gaza 🇵🇸and other places are being deliberately starved is tough.
To be holding all these truths in this glorious summer is courageous.
To show up as a counter to the dying of the old cult of Colonialism with joy and love is revolution.
Thank you for gently exploring this Beth. 💖
❤️❤️❤️
I don’t want to mourn summers passing while it’s still full summer here in Wales. Warm enough to swim, cool enough to walk. Still swifts here. Autumn will bring travel and change but for now I’m filled with joy in my log cabin.
I love reading your notes, and realising that even though we are from opposite sides of the world, we share many things in common. It feels comforting!
I spent June and July renovating my new 'very old' home in France, where the swallows make mud nests under the eaves. I loved watching them swoop for bugs in the evening as I closed the shutters to keep the dusk light out so I could sleep.
Now, I am in Kyoto, reading through notes captured during my travels and transforming them into the first draft of a book.
Here, I walk along the river every day, watching the herons standing tall looking for lunch, and sometimes, an old eagle will be with the one that hangs out near the bridge beside the cafe that serves the most refreshing lemonade and sweet cranberry muffins.
What a dreamy summer for you Joy. I can sense the delight in your words Xx