I’ve been sitting with Bubba (see previous post Rescue Cat Living His Dream) in front of the woodstove, a fire blazing, its door wide open. It’s COLD outside, 7°, and pretty cold inside, too, at 60. Normally it would be warmer because Kim would have been up early and he’d have come over to the house from his Airstream (see previous post A Very Mini Artist’s Colony in New Mexico) to add some logs to last night’s diminishing fire. But this morning there were only a few coals left when I got up because Kim wasn’t here to add the logs.
Kim has moved over to Hand Artes Gallery (see previous post Disparate Pieces) to start his winter job, which is living in and caretaking the place while Bill and Margaret Franke, the gallery’s owners, are in the Midwest to be with family for a couple of months.
So Kim is over there settling in, making the gallery his home. He’s getting some bread started (see previous post Adventures in the Art of Bread Making) and doing the wood chores. He’ll be by later to shut down and winterize the trailer.
And I am here writing. The house is warm by now and the animals are all in their favorite places. I’m about to have coffee and then I’ll take the dogs out for a walk.
Kim and I will weave and blend our friendship in new ways. We’ll find new rhythms. Life will go on but it will go on differently and it is in these differences that we will stretch a bit, this way and that.
Some fear change because of the unknowns. People we love may make choices that take them further and further away from us. But I believe this is how life is meant to be lived—how we are meant to love—in freedom; in not knowing what will come next—living in this moment, the snow outside my door, a fire in the wood stove, my animals alive and well, an Airstream on my land that is taking a rest for the winter and coming back to life in the spring—perhaps.
Or maybe my friend will sell a lot of paintings and hit the road, towing his Airstream behind him, realizing a much-needed dream of his. And I will win the lottery and go for a rest in Italy for a while, a much-loved dream of MINE.
This change asks that I remember what I like when I am in complete solitude—my special, small peculiarities—like sitting in front of a blazing wood heater with Bubba, the door open, warming every fiber of my being. Reading a book over coffee. Being slow about my day, letting it unfold as it decides. Writing to you in the quiet of that day. Walking on the land grant, one dog at my heel, the other racing up ahead in the track…
… trusting…
Love to you all,
Jeane
And you will go for a rest in Italy for a while, a much-loved dream of YOURS. I like this idea:) It is a lovely idea to daydream on and see what inspiration comes…XOXOXOX Yes change is always our companion, our gift we never know of until it is “opened”.
Ah, yes, Italy–I must go one day soon. It calls to me powerfully, so I know I will go at some point. And, yes, change, a life requirement I’ve come to believe–one we can always rejoice in once we have come through to the other side–and some, like THIS change, are even lovely when we’re in the midst of them.
Such a wonderful reminder of authentic love, authentic friendship and my favorite… embracing the moment. “Being slow about my day, letting it unfold as it decides.”, perfectly stated.
I’m so glad you found this post useful as a reminder, Terry. Thanks for letting me know. This change, itself, is a wonderful reminder to me. I’m also so happy you liked that particular bit. It sort of spilled out of me like truths have a way of doing. Thanks for noticing.
sounds lovely! My wish for the New Year is to experience what you describe as “Being slow about my day” and for you…that trip to Italy!
Ah, thanks Kim. Let’s make it so.
Beautiful post. Also, we are also dreaming of going to Italy, Umbria to be exact…rent a small place in the country and paint…
Ah, yes. I want to rent a small place walking distance to the markets and just LIVE.
What a glow in the last picture! I remember you speaking of trust in some of your previous posts. That is what may be needed when we step into unknown, when our life is changing – a faith that it is going to be alright if we let it unfold as it decides. Yes, and true love lets the other to be free.
It really was an amazing glow, Laura. The sun was setting directly opposite these mountains in the west and casting all that light and color on these in the east.
Yes, trust is a big issue for me in my life because I am living, on many levels, in the unknown.
And, I agree. Giving love within freedom is the only way in which we can genuinely love, I believe.
“Being
solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in
doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your own presence
rather than of the absence of others. Because solitude is an
achievement.” ~ Alice Koller….I find I like myself best in solitude…enjoy!
What a lovely quote, Jody. Thank you for sharing it with me. And I agree. I LOVE my solitude and am very grateful for it when I have it. It is full of promise and inspiration always.