Best of any song
Wendell Berry, A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems, 1979-1997
is bird song
in the quiet
but first you must have the quiet.
It’s been an especially busy last few months, heightened the socially restricted way of life demanded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interactions with family, friends, and my expressive writing workshops have all been relegated to the disembodied realm of ZOOM.
Happily, we have begun the gradual opening up of a more normal life as vaccinations have progressed. ZOOM will remain a vehicle for my writing workshops, allowing much greater reach for those living with cardiac conditions and with cancer, but I am welcoming a summer’s respite from the virtual setting, a chance to be outdoors and re-acquainting myself with family and friends: in person.
“What are you going to do now that you have no workshops for awhile,” my husband asked last week.
“Be quiet,” I said. “And putter.” I have since decided that there is much to be said for the value of puttering about our apartment: rearranging bookshelves, drawers and closets, changing artwork hung on the walls, tending to the potted plants on the balcony, settling into a book without any concern for a schedule of “must be done by” tasks, and not imposing any deadlines on my days. Being quiet and puttering about are my ways of re-fueling and revitalizing. Given the almost surreal existence of the past year or so, we all need that kind of time, whatever form it takes.
I am taking a brief hiatus from my blogs (www.writingtheheart.ca and www.writingthroughcancer.ca) for a few weeks — but if you’re looking for a little writing “inspiration,” the archives of each are chock-a-block full of old posts and writing suggestions. In the meantime, enjoy the summer, the re-entry into a more normal daily life, and if you’re inclined, as I am, to putter about a bit—have at it!
Thanks to those of you who either follow one of these blogs or occasionally dip into the content. Happy Summer—May you all have the time and space to replenish your spirits. I’ll return to these blog posts later in August.
Sharon
When Life Hurts, Writing Can Help 
Well I thought I’d dig a little deeper ‘cuz I didn’t hear back from you which is unusual. I usually receive email from you at info@kathy-elliott.com. It’s also possible that you have mail@kathy-elliott.com & that works very well also. And no, there’s nothing in either junk mail box. So let’s try again 🙂 I so enjoy hearing from you! … Kathy
Hi Dear Sharon. Big Smile from me. I’m glad to hear of your puttering plans. Although I shall miss you! Apologies for missing your birthday. It’s on the 12th, isn’t it? We are of the same month. I was 77yo yesterday. Sounds so funny to say that out loud. Some of my very favorite teachers are not far from you. You. Then Dominic Scaffidi nearby. Oh man, one of the best coaches a person could hope for! That’s a great start — you & Dominic. You’d be fast friends. Funny story. I’ve ended up living in an old folks’ home in GoodYear, AZ! I had to move a month or so ago & there is simply “no housing” in CA or AZ for that matter & NM not far behind. So series of miracles & happenstance I ended up in a little room in a big institution & I’m grateful. Don’t have to cook or shop, e.g. Giving me time to totally turn around content for my business. 115 degree heat not my thing, however, Good Internet here & it’s quiet. Did you ever see the old French film ‘The King of Hearts’? Kinda like that :-). … When income stream starts gushing back in, I’ll move to priv apt again. But this has to be the experience of my lifetime! I’ll have to begin journaling daily again as Y & I always did. I’m really fortunate — I’ve collected The Best Coaches & spiritual teachers on the globe and I can’t go wrong 🙂 Nice talking with you, so to speak. I always leave a big ad for you on CUP & UK cancer research comments sections for those folks to connect with you because unfortunately nothing has changed for them. Breaks my heart. … Love to you and to your husband even though we’ve not met, Kathy
I replied, but hope it was sent to you… let me know if you don’t receive it. So lovely to hear from you. S.