Checking In

Joy, time, a little peace and it's almost spring.

Joy is not made to be a crumb.- Mary Oliver

Hi,

I have been thinking of you. I have been in Tenakee for most of March, shoveling snow!

So much snow, every day, and working on and on off on a couple of projects, a how-to write an obituary book, a collection of essays, and a novel.( Or at least I think it may be a novel, someday.)

But mostly I have been working on my soul and general well-being. Taking time daily to pray and meditate, journal, walk and exercise– and connect with people. Listening, calling, texting, visiting. Playing connect four and tick tack toe. Reading out loud. Grandchildren joined me for part of the Tenakee time, and Chip too.

I have spent a year-plus meeting regularly with a counselor to deal with a lot of stuff, that as she says, used to serve me, but doesn’t anymore. I’ve changed, in a good way. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Also, all that shoveling, wood-splitting and walking has me limping with an IT band issue. Sigh. I’m on the mend and will be in the ice-free sunshine soon with a big outdoor pool to swim laps in.

We are heading off to Florida for Easter with Grandma Joanne and Chip’s sister. A couple of grandkids are coming too, with their mom JJ. Then we go to Boston where Chip and JJ will run the marathon, and back home at the end of the month. I love our dog sitter, so all is in fine hands here.

I probably won’t be checking in again until May, when I will be back with regular columns, postcards, and Sunday’s Thoughts, both here and at Substack. At some point I may migrate the whole thing over there, but, I have some issues with the social media, click and sell aspect of it.

In the mean time, you could book a spot to hang out with me and other writers at the North Words Writers Symposium in Skagway at the end of May . (Google it.)

I have a poem about Mountain Goats in a beautiful brand new book. It is full of illustrations and poems and essays by Alaskan artists. If you love Alaska, you will love the Alaska Literary Field Guide. Please support your independent bookstore if you buy a copy.

Also on the good news front, the Haines Glacier Bear boys were second at State, two local teams won divisions at Gold Medal in Juneau, and there was a No Kings rally in Tenakee ( we were there) and one in Haines, and I keep calling my senators and representative. Have faith. Do what good you can, where you are, be nice to people and all sentient beings, and don’t miss the joy right in front of you as spring arrives- ( well, soon, I hope?)

This poem from Mary Oliver has been shared with me by a bunch people lately, so you may know it, but still, keep it handy. She’s right.

Don’t Hesitate

BY MARY OLIVER

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this

is its way of fighting back, that sometimes

something happens better than all the riches

or power in the world. It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant

when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.

Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid

of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.