Are you in a new season? In our lives we are well into the season of children growing up and moving into their lives on their own. We have a folks we love, and those near and far that have been grafted into our hearts and family. New friends and old make our lives richer for the experiences. We’re in a season of change, and can sense God has been pruning our lives to make room for growth. Folks say that “God is pruning” like its not a painful thing, or hard thing, but the truth is that it is both…yet there is value in pinching out of our lives that which does not bring peace, that doesn’t bring new growth…even if it means removing the familiar.
The garden outside reminds me how important pinching down and pruning is in our lives. My tomato seedlings shooting up too tall, too fast, collapse without us pinching off the excessive shoots, blooms, and the harvest is poor if we ignore the way the plant gets too far away from its roots. I am the same way. What you believe is your choice, but I find that when I am in relationship with my Creator, my life produces more harvest.
September arrived last week and six days in, I’m a fan. Cooler mornings, it’s dark until 7 now. (I’m an early riser most days, so I love the quiet of the early writing hours) I get up quietly to let sleeping dogs lie, and go to my office to write, to paint, to create, or draw…I’m doing so now as I write. I love these early morning hours of solitude, of quiet work to begin the day.
Yesterday our okra plants brought delight to my heart for my personal favorite is about to arrive in the garden. We have okra Houston! I love okra. Not the slimy gumbos but the roasted, grilled, or fried recipes.I love hanging them by stringing them too.
My work as a strategist means that September through about April is then busy season. I am a high energy person naturally, but after a season I am exhausted each spring. We have 14 books launching this season (September through May). My world ranges from ghostwriting with clients to marketing team strategist to publicist/representative for author events. It’s a wild ride these weeks, book tours, online and off events and engaging over and over again with folks who love these books as much as their writers do. It’s such a delight to work in this field. Books are such an adventure.
Today is kick off for a forty-five year old book, “Will It Be Okay?” which was written by Crescent Dragonwagon and this edition is newly illustrated by Jessica Love. Jessica brings stories to life and Crescent’s characters and descriptives gives each reader the sense that they are in the story, and their own emotions and questions are important. Crescent’s later mother, Charlotte Zolotow, also wrote children’s books, she was. very well known editor in New York…and I love how both of them believe children’s questions and minds matter and should be treated with honesty and taken seriously.
We are delighted the book has already received awards in this newest version. I am humbled to be leading the presence of this book to new audiences. I love the stories of generations sharing this forty-five year old story!
Driving in and out of Happy Cottage Farm is an ushering of lush landscapes to hurry me home. I love the overhanging trees, the scenes that just make me want to stop and gaze, and the skies that open up and invite you to believe in your dreams. How folks do not believe there is a Creator is beyond me…every where I glance on these drives, you see some sort of canvas that says there’s an artist who created it.
We’ve danced with doctors lately with Feller, service overseas, time where PFOA and PFOS as well as burn pits has released its toxicity in his body. He’s doing this new dance well, but it’s not the season we had expected. Move to Oklahoma, check, downsize homes, check, do more exploring of travel and time together check, but cancer? Wasn’t on the list. Yet,..we are learning to not put off, to not ignore the present, to not take it for granted, but to do. to be. to love. to create on the days we can and they are numerous.
I’ll be driving to Springfield, Missouri this week’s end. Book tours, signings and events. These luscious views will help me remember that after the events home is beautiful and waiting for me to return. I love that I am haunted by the dirt roads near our cottage…haunted in the way they call to me as their hardwoods drop their leaves in a whirling frenzy of magical colors raining as I drive them. Every season is beautiful in the Ozarks and yet fall is one of the most enticing. I love autumn colors, foods and happenings and so my favorite autumn to spring season begins!
The birds are singing for their breakfast, and so I leave you today and hope that you will take time to breathe where you are and know that this is the day we have. I hope that you will find something that brings you joy too! (now off with me, for the little winged folks are getting louder as the sunflower seeds supply has been consumed…time to get my job done, they are indeed right, I didn’t put it out yet.) Bitty is staring me down as I type.
One thing’s for sure in this cottage life….no one is missing a meal…they all show up daily to be fed. That’s my plan too, to keep showing up…and gathering folks at the table as we go.
Selah.
Your voice soothes and comforts this morning. If only that tempo could reside instead of the frenzy of life catching us all off guard at times, friend. Can’t wait til our feet are gathered under a table again. You feed all of us well in so many ways.
I love that the chaos ends when I step outside at the cottage…its such a refreshing time of year as leaves fall and remind you to let go.. xo Sweetie!
“The Happy Cottage Farm “is Lovely . One reading and I’m already a fan. Prayers for your Feller and you. ❤️
I surely wish I were near so we could go and enjoy seeing you ride! How is riding going?
I wish you were too! Yes, I’m still riding and loving every minute. Winston Churchill was absolutely correct when he said,”no hour spent in the saddle is ever wasted.” The world looks different from the back of a horse ; clearer, fresher, you get a different perspective and that can be a good thing.
Absolutely. I’ll have an event in the area in November so can’t wait to gather! ~ Sweetie!
Love reading your writings, and feeling like I’m right there alongside. Praying for your Feller and for you as y’all navigate the road of doctors and disease.
Thank you, I’m in your neck of the woods soon, I’ll let you know so maybe we can share a moment after all these years!
Sweetie, I felt like the timing of your post, your story, was written for only me!
Seasons of change equal seasons of growth, and yes, growing pains do exist.
I’m always listening and watching, learning as I go.
Thank you for an inspiring read, for sharing your morning , your life and your heart..🍂
I love that we travel this journey as friends….can’t wait to hug your neck. ~ Sweetie!
I love your beautiful writing, Sweetie!! God is expanding his work through you! Praying for your Feller! Much love to you!!
Oh my dear, you are the writer, and I love how God uses your teaching to ease us into renewed depths of being. I cannot wait to gather again and maybe even have our own retreat in Alabama!
Love you, praying with you,
Sweetie!