I no longer wish others a happy holiday or happy new year. We all know that this new year will be very difficult for anyone looking at human existence for what it is.
Instead, if I were into wishes—which is an expression of hope to help mute reality—I would wish everyone the endurance and strength to experience life for what it is without poisoning one’s own consciousness with resentment, hate, righteousness. None of us are RIGHT. None of us are WRONG.
May you not wage a war against your old self in a crusade of plenary indulgence seeking a new self with New Year’s resolutions that may defeat a metaphorical Jerusalem at the expense of a genocide against your old self.
Thanks, Jim! I'm learning to be much kinder to and more gentle with myself (and others), perhaps especially in times of transition, like the new year. I think we're all going to need it. Wishing you the same.
I always enjoy reading your "mundane magic" of the month, thank you for allowing us to peek through the proverbial window into your life. So many of the things you found magical sound so sweet (yes, the joey!!). Happy birthday to you and Sybil (the day she was born, yes, and also the day you birthed her...a big deal, too).
Thank you! My mom and my aunt have always wished each other a happy labour day on their kids' birthdays because their mother did it for them, and I've always loved that. 🧡
Happy birthday Sybil! Mine was last week as well - such a strange time to have a birthday. I'm pretty sure we have that same rainbow tulle skirt (or something similar) from the thrift store and it gets worn to Pride every year.
Also, Corinne read all of Lumberjanes this past summer and recently went through the novelizations as well. I haven't read it myself but it seems great!
My birthday is in the middle of the summer so instead of having to fight for space between winter holidays, I celebrated quietly with my family and then some close friends as I got older. I try to make her birthday special apart from Christmas - her party will be in January to (hopefully) ensure that more of her friends can make it.
The third volume of Lumberjanes just came in through my Libby hold, so I'll be going through that today or tomorrow as well. I'm a huge fan of middle-grade fiction in general, and the comics and graphic novels I've been reading this year have just reinforced that. I feel like there's usually a really great sense of adventure but it's a little bit lower stakes, and I find them comforting.
I no longer wish others a happy holiday or happy new year. We all know that this new year will be very difficult for anyone looking at human existence for what it is.
Instead, if I were into wishes—which is an expression of hope to help mute reality—I would wish everyone the endurance and strength to experience life for what it is without poisoning one’s own consciousness with resentment, hate, righteousness. None of us are RIGHT. None of us are WRONG.
May you not wage a war against your old self in a crusade of plenary indulgence seeking a new self with New Year’s resolutions that may defeat a metaphorical Jerusalem at the expense of a genocide against your old self.
Thanks, Jim! I'm learning to be much kinder to and more gentle with myself (and others), perhaps especially in times of transition, like the new year. I think we're all going to need it. Wishing you the same.
I always enjoy reading your "mundane magic" of the month, thank you for allowing us to peek through the proverbial window into your life. So many of the things you found magical sound so sweet (yes, the joey!!). Happy birthday to you and Sybil (the day she was born, yes, and also the day you birthed her...a big deal, too).
Thank you! My mom and my aunt have always wished each other a happy labour day on their kids' birthdays because their mother did it for them, and I've always loved that. 🧡
Happy birthday Sybil! Mine was last week as well - such a strange time to have a birthday. I'm pretty sure we have that same rainbow tulle skirt (or something similar) from the thrift store and it gets worn to Pride every year.
Also, Corinne read all of Lumberjanes this past summer and recently went through the novelizations as well. I haven't read it myself but it seems great!
My birthday is in the middle of the summer so instead of having to fight for space between winter holidays, I celebrated quietly with my family and then some close friends as I got older. I try to make her birthday special apart from Christmas - her party will be in January to (hopefully) ensure that more of her friends can make it.
The third volume of Lumberjanes just came in through my Libby hold, so I'll be going through that today or tomorrow as well. I'm a huge fan of middle-grade fiction in general, and the comics and graphic novels I've been reading this year have just reinforced that. I feel like there's usually a really great sense of adventure but it's a little bit lower stakes, and I find them comforting.
I love pileated woodpeckers and that's a lovely photo.
Thank you! I don't think it really did them justice, but I couldn't help trying.
Great writing, A.! Happy New Year and much light and love to you, family, beloveds and community!
Same to you and yours, Larry 🧡
And I reflect your good wishes back upon you.