I remember how after Katrina the lack of birds and bird song was one of many unsettling things. I’m glad yours are back! I love your photos and your art - so uplifting & inspiring. Enjoyed this post very much!
I’ll forever sing “swamp” in place of hills. This is a beautiful piece. Every bit of it. And your pictures are glorious. We write, garden, do art, all kinds of ways to connect with the people here and the ones who’ve gone on. Lovely.
Beautiful post! My Dad's birthday is today, it's only been three and a half years since he passed, but I feel you. The grief never really goes away, and I always think of something I wish I had asked him before he left.
This is really beautiful, as everyone here agrees! I'm glad I plucked this out of the growing pile of emails that is threatening to topple me. Indeed, where did April go? Because here in the Pacific Northwest we've had abundant sunshine and little rain (this is worrying) I have spent so much time outdoors instead of huddled in like I did all winter. Your plants and gardens are luscious, and I take heart in your painting. I have a tiny voice in my head that maybe I should be drawing or painting, though I never have. I'm about to turn 70, so maybe that will be my goal moving forward. Thanks for all of this!
Becki, I love all of this! The photos of your beautiful farm, the paintings (I need to get into my watercolors, your lovely writing, book recommendations, and your devotion to family, land, nature, and legacies. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
This is beautiful Jeanne. I love your paintings and the idea for your grandson. I’m also really enjoying Janisse’s class and it has prompted me to finally start a garden journal which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. ♥️
Thank you for reading, Mary. Journaling the garden makes me pay so much more close attention. I loved Rachel’s presentation on Sunday. Black-eyed Susan’s are my FAVORITE. Eagerly awaiting their raucous show in May. I let them go wild in my garden. I never thought I could draw them but last night I did!
Agreed. It’s bringing me so much joy. I apologize for getting your name wrong above. I think Jeanne shares your post and I got confused. Happy sketching and painting!
Becki, this whole thing is so sweet! The pic of grandson's art on the mantle, the pic of you and your Daddy (Yes! a painting for sure!), your noticing how nature is healing from Helene. What an enjoyable read this was. Thank you!
So much to like about this writing. Your version of drowning in creativity is delightful. The connection to your grands and your father - there's a thread there.
Becki, I love your idea of honoring the memory of your dad with a watercolor of the two of you. Kudos to all your painting these days. It's remarkable.
What life-affirming words and photos! I walked into the swamp with you to hear the singing and feel the greenness. And yay to rich gardens, family roots, and life. Thank you for sharing.
I remember how after Katrina the lack of birds and bird song was one of many unsettling things. I’m glad yours are back! I love your photos and your art - so uplifting & inspiring. Enjoyed this post very much!
Thank you, Charlotte. 💜
I really enjoyed listening to this on the Substack app in my car and then looking at it again to see the pictures. Thank you for linking to my post!
I’ll forever sing “swamp” in place of hills. This is a beautiful piece. Every bit of it. And your pictures are glorious. We write, garden, do art, all kinds of ways to connect with the people here and the ones who’ve gone on. Lovely.
Thank you, Mary!
beautiful! loving the photos and watercolors. "freezer camp" i spit out my coffee! i had to google tree spinach also!
Thank you! I love being on your mailing list & getting surprise postcards in the mail. You inspire me. 💜
Beautiful post! My Dad's birthday is today, it's only been three and a half years since he passed, but I feel you. The grief never really goes away, and I always think of something I wish I had asked him before he left.
Yes, Stephanie, the grief never ends. It seems to ebb and flow. Thank you for reading and resonating. 💜
This is really beautiful, as everyone here agrees! I'm glad I plucked this out of the growing pile of emails that is threatening to topple me. Indeed, where did April go? Because here in the Pacific Northwest we've had abundant sunshine and little rain (this is worrying) I have spent so much time outdoors instead of huddled in like I did all winter. Your plants and gardens are luscious, and I take heart in your painting. I have a tiny voice in my head that maybe I should be drawing or painting, though I never have. I'm about to turn 70, so maybe that will be my goal moving forward. Thanks for all of this!
So beautiful in so many ways...touched my heart.
Thank you Shellie!
Becki, I love all of this! The photos of your beautiful farm, the paintings (I need to get into my watercolors, your lovely writing, book recommendations, and your devotion to family, land, nature, and legacies. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Thank you Cathy!
This is beautiful Jeanne. I love your paintings and the idea for your grandson. I’m also really enjoying Janisse’s class and it has prompted me to finally start a garden journal which is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. ♥️
Thank you for reading, Mary. Journaling the garden makes me pay so much more close attention. I loved Rachel’s presentation on Sunday. Black-eyed Susan’s are my FAVORITE. Eagerly awaiting their raucous show in May. I let them go wild in my garden. I never thought I could draw them but last night I did!
Agreed. It’s bringing me so much joy. I apologize for getting your name wrong above. I think Jeanne shares your post and I got confused. Happy sketching and painting!
Wow! So much beauty in this post. Thanks for sharing your April <3
Thank you, Brandy. April is starting to become my favorite month again.
Becki, this whole thing is so sweet! The pic of grandson's art on the mantle, the pic of you and your Daddy (Yes! a painting for sure!), your noticing how nature is healing from Helene. What an enjoyable read this was. Thank you!
Thank you, Jeanne.
So much to like about this writing. Your version of drowning in creativity is delightful. The connection to your grands and your father - there's a thread there.
Thank you, Sue.
Becki, I love your idea of honoring the memory of your dad with a watercolor of the two of you. Kudos to all your painting these days. It's remarkable.
What life-affirming words and photos! I walked into the swamp with you to hear the singing and feel the greenness. And yay to rich gardens, family roots, and life. Thank you for sharing.