The Simple Woman’s Daybook – March

Hello Friend,

Welcome to March! I don’t know about you, but for me there’s something so satisfying to my sensibilities when the first of the month lands on a Monday. It’s like the possibilities are endless and everything can start over fresh. All is right with the world.

There have been a few things this past month that have threatened to capsize my February peace; circumstances, discouragements, disappointments above and beyond those related to pandemic worries and restrictions. I think I spent most of February on the brink of tears, which is unusual for me. It’s all so wearying.

I’m weary. Are you?

But now, I’m taking a deep, deep breath and letting it out slowly. It’s March 1, and it’s Monday. The perfect time to start fresh.

~~~~~

Jill Wellington [Pixabay]

~~~~~

One thing The Simple Woman’s Daybook does for me is to help centre my thoughts and get me writing, especially in times when the writing hasn’t been as often as I’d like. I know I need the time and space to be quiet with my thoughts in order to put words on paper coherently. Since I haven’t had that recently, the Daybook is a welcome prompt. Many thanks to Peggy for beginning this venture years ago.

~~~~~

For Today

~~~~~

Looking out my window

It has been snowing. Judging by the pearl grey sky (and the weather app), it’s going to snow some more. My world has been clothed in fresh white. It’s as though a Great Cake Maker has taken a spatula to smooth the icing on house and vehicle roofs, windshields and driveways, but has forgotten to smooth over the pattern of divots left on the front yard by our friend, Rabbit (who may be here even now, hiding in plain view, his ears flattened against his snow-white body).

I am thinking

That we’ve come a long way since last March, and I wonder how future generations will perceive 2020. Will it be a nostalgic picture in the way that our generation looks back on the 1920’s?

I am thankful

For the sunshine this past month. No matter how cold it gets out there, if the sun is shining life is hopeful.

One of my favourite things

Reading to my grandchildren. Even before the pandemic, I read to them on video chat. They request their favourite books, and these days Little Munch barely says hello before it’s “Read the brown-bear book.” The most delightful thing of all is when I only turn the pages and they “read” it back to me.

Jill Wellington from Pixabay

~~~~~

I am creating

Some mock-ups for picture books about Jubal and his adventures. I have shared some of his shenanigans here.

I am wearing

Black pants. Blush pink boat-neck sweater with three-quarter length sleeves. Tennis bracelet. Pink lipstick, called Cindy.

I am reading

Beautiful words strung together: Wendell Berry, Robert MacFarlane, Mary Oliver, Shawna LeMay, Sarah Clarkson, John O’Donohue. I read them in books and Instagram posts. In snippets, here and there, not cover to cover. They feed my soul.

A bird the size

of a leaf fills

the whole lucid

evening with

his note, and flies.

Wendell Berry

~~~~~

I am watching …

This … and understanding that very hard times have come before now. At least my pantry is full, and I’m not hiding in a bomb shelter night after night.

I am listening to

Bluebird by Alexis Ffrench.

I am hoping

We can do an actual in-person walk-through of the wedding venue soon. A video tour just isn’t enough.

I am learning

That planning a wedding during a pandemic requires Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan E …

In my kitchen

~~~~~

In my garden

All is quiet under a blanket of snow, waiting and listening for the first signs of spring: sap running and new roots digging deep. Waiting is a posture we have all been in for what seems like forever. But it isn’t forever, and soon … someday … one day, the waiting will be over.

Shared Quote

Sometimes, especially on the longest days, I feel that I walk from tiny grace to tiny grace, my daily bread taken bite by bite and to my astonishment, for this moment, it is enough.

Sarah Clarkson

~~~~~

A moment from my day

Yesterday, with Babe, in the enchanting quest to find her wedding gown.

~~~~~

Closing Notes

Pretty lace on a beautiful gown, the sweet voice of Little Munch reading to me, vivid petals on the flower in my kitchen window, sunshine, beautiful words, and soothing music … these are the tiny graces I walk among in what could otherwise be an overwhelming world. And the only thing required of me is that I notice them; that I give them my attention and dive deep in the moment. And, I find it is enough.

Thank you for stopping in today. Bye for now, and stay safe out there. Happy March!

Joy

~~~~~

Feature Image by Maja Cvetojević from Pixabay 

11 Comments

  1. I love the idea of seeing ‘tiny graces’ throughout our day. Thank you for sharing yours! Recently I read some letters written by my great-aunt while in China during war-time (1940’s), and it sure put perspective on how we really live a charmed life even during this time of a world pandemic.

  2. What a lovely Daybook post. My grandson is just 15 months old, but already he is a book lover, like his mother and both his grandmothers! It makes my heart happy to see his face light up when he sits in my lap, directs my finger to touch the pictures, and turns the pages. Also, I love Sally Clarkson’s books. Have a happy day!

  3. Hi,
    I’m new to The Simple Woman. I love the format and the inspiration she gives. I really like your post…so much to consider. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!

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