"Whenever you are creating beauty around you,
you are restoring your own soul."
ALICE WALKER
quote found on GoodReads
I had no idea what to write for this week's post. It was Wednesday evening and my brain was muddling along with nary a clue. When suddenly a few thoughts started downloading - I couldn't jot them fast enough in my journal. Usually, as writers, we are advised not to dump everything on the reader all in one piece. But occasionally—that's where Five on Friday theme comes in handy—especially when I'm excited, I set these little thoughts down for you, all in a heap, in one post, with hopes you won't mind, that something will tickle your fancy and make you glad you stopped by.
- One -
National Poetry Month
Here in Canada, National Poetry Month has been celebrated every April since 1998. I do not consider myself a poet but I find myself once in a while dreaming up lines that, in my view, feel poetic. I do like to read poetry - I enjoy some poets very much. So I was happy to read a piece that my blogging friend Gretchen shared earlier in the week—I knew I wanted to show it to you. It's a stanza from the poem "Vacillation" by W.B. Yeats. You'll find the complete poem at englishverse.com
From "Vacillation"
My fiftieth year had come and gone,
I sat, a solitary man,
In a crowded London shop,
An open book and empty cup
On the marble table-top.
While on the shop and street I gazed
My body of a sudden blazed;
And twenty minutes more or less
It seemed, so great my happiness,
That I was blessed and could bless.
-W.B. Yeats
I myself have experienced such occasions. When out of the blue, and often not related to anything specific, sometimes I'm just sitting and looking out the window and I realize in that moment "I’m happy." And I stop to savour it. It is a most soul satisfying experience. I think it’s what we live for between times when life is utterly ordinary, sometimes even dull or horribly painful. And then this moment of reverent joy sneaks in and catches away our breath. Surprised by joy, as C.S. Lewis once coined the phrase.
- Two -
My Unread Book Shelf Goal
You may recall, early in the year, I made a plan to read more of my pile of unread books. At the time I had counted around 180 books not yet read. You may well ask how is that going, and I'm happy to report I have ten books now read from my Unread Shelf. I admit being oft beguiled by newly acquired books; in the euphoria, the old ones lose their spark and get pushed to the back. Progress is slow - not quite ten percent read but then we're only a quarter way through the year. If interested, you can check out my 2025 reading list HERE.
- Three -
April is My Birthday Month
The actual day is later in the month, but I'm thinking about ways to give myself treats every day throughout April in celebration. Although some of these treats might be something I buy for myself, many others will be 'free' gifts providentially given—smiles received from complete strangers, hearing the wind whistle in the tree tops, savouring a morning slice of hot buttered toast with eggs, watching rivulets gurgle down the street as the sun melts the snow piles. Oh, and hearing the returning Canada Geese honk overhead. I'm listing these little gifts as they come to me. 🠇
Treats so far:
April 1st
- a bundle of pink and orange tulips sitting on my dining table (top photo);
- the new edition of the Bella Grace magazine
(that's me on the front cover, er, in my dreams of course).
April 2nd
- a new journal with a whimsical floral "B" on the cover;
- I'm tickled with a library book I just took out: "Bedtime Stories for Stressed
Out Adults, Tales to Soothe Tired Souls", Introduction by Lucy Mangan.
I opened it and felt like I was eight again - slipping into bed with a fairytale book
on my lap as I anticipated a gentle read while winding down for sleep.
Titles include: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde,
The Aunt and Amabel by E. Nesbit, Kew Gardens by Virginia Woolf, Heidi (excerpt)
by Johanna Spyri, Wind in the Willows (excerpt) by Kenneth Graham, The Diary
of a Nobody (excerpt) by George and Weedon Grossmith, to name a few.
- I signed up for my niece's subscription box online designed for art and stationery lovers.
Garden Tea Party is the theme of her debut box that goes out later this month, right around
my birthday. "The heart behind this subscription is to capture the feeling of sending
or receiving a letter or parcel from a friend or family member. (It's) inspired by
art, literature, and nature and will be filled with goodies to bring joy to your door!"
She's inspired by art, literature, and nature—we must be related. My niece is a bookbinder
and is on Instagram The Bundle Bee Bindery. I can't wait to get my box in the mail!
April 3rd
- meeting a dear friend for morning coffee today;
- sharing an egg salad on a crispy croissant;
- a wee gift of two lemon-scented/shaped soaps for the kitchen;
- whimsical strawberry-themed tea towels now hanging on my oven door;
- finding a mailing address on Friends of Susan Branch Facebook inviting
followers to send Susan a birthday card for her upcoming 78th birthday.
My handwritten card and note are in the mail. The address if you're interested:
Susan Branch Studios, 7489 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422, USA.
April 4th
- eyes and ears alert for treats on this new day.
- Four -
Shopping for Note Cards
Next to shopping for books, shopping in a stationery shop is a clear favourite occupation. I love browsing for greeting cards. There are so many wonderful artists out there who create such beautiful designs - elegant, whimsical, funny, poignant - whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find.
As is my usual habit, when I brought my new stash home, I planned to squirrel them away in my card box, in readiness for when I need something down the road. Then I decided why not leave them on the dining table along with my pen, address book, and postage stamps... use the cards right away while I'm excited about them, not saving for later when they start to feel old and jaded. There were ten cards in this collection; one is already given to my coffee friend, and the other wings its way to Susan in California.
I often whisper a little prayer when I prepare to write notes, first asking, who should I send this to? Who needs a note today? And secondly, what should I say? What message will speak directly to what someone needs in the moment? Sometimes notes are just fun 'keeping in touch' messages; other times they are filling some purpose larger than we realize. I like to keep my heart attuned to heavenly thoughts... spreading joy and maybe comfort in a few words.
- Five -
Quotes I Fancy Today
"There is nothing more luxurious than eating while you read—
unless it be reading while you eat. Amabel did both:
they are not the same thing, as you will see if you think the matter over."
The Aunt and Amabel by E. Nesbit
"After all, the best part of a holiday, is perhaps not so much
to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working."
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (from chapter 1)
"Use your personal mementos as
prompts to write your stories."
AMY TAN, from MasterClass
"The barrenness of the poetic task: as if every day we
look out at a courtyard of rubble and from this
are required to make something beautiful."
THEODORE ROETHKE
❦
Sending my love and warmest wishes for a beautiful day,
Brenda
Photo credits:
Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life
My Blogging Schedule:
I post on Fridays
