Saying Yes

After several days of being very grumpy about the continuing snow I started thinking about

Saying Yes

to whatever life brings me, even now, when I so wish winter would end and spring begin. Wishing cannot change the weather (at least my wishes so far have been quite unsuccessful). I may as well figure out something to be joyful and grateful for. Otherwise life becomes quite a burden.

i imagine that yes is the only living thing.
― E.E. Cummings

So this morning when big fluffy snowflakes were falling (again!) I noticed myself saying, “That is so beautiful!”  I simply stopped to appreciate the softness and gentleness of the scene. Then I picked up my camera and made some photos, because it was so beautiful. I put my camera lens on manual focus and then tried to focus just on some near snowflakes and to let the rest of the photo be soft and out of focus. I discovered that snowflakes are very hard to focus on but, still, I like the soft photo at the top of this post because it is so soft.

Book Talk

I finished reading the book, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester, yesterday. Actually I’ve read all of Lester’s books because all of them are set in Paris. For some unknown reason I’ve always had I have a thing about France and all things French. I think this my favorite of Lester’s books. Set in the years right after WWII with some “flashbacks” to scenes that occur during the war, there is some dialog in the book that I find achingly beautiful and true. And the story kept me wondering what would happen next. It was a very satisfying read.

Alix threw her arms around her friend and their embrace was both unendurable and necessary, reminding Alix of how beautiful life could be and also how agonizing it was. Because if your most cherished friends could make you weep, then what wretchedness could your enemies wreak upon you?

   — Natasha Lester, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

Anyway, if you like novels that feature strong independent women, partisan activity against the Nazis in WWII in France, and the fashion world of Paris, you might enjoy Lester’s books.

One Basic Question

I’ve written recently about finding one question extremely helpful in my discernment about what’s working and what’s not working in my life. (That question, “What are you saying yes to?” came from a book by Gabor Maté.)

I realized that I had been letting fear and inertia stop me from planning and doing things that I love. It seems that the pandemic caused me to put many things on hold and never pick them up again even after things opened up.

Love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds
― E.E. Cummings

Earlier this week, after discussions with Jon, we decided to take a short trip in wildflower season to the Driftless region of Minnesota to photograph wildflowers. I searched on Airbnb and VRBO several times for a place to stay and was about to give up and just book a motel room when I decided to search one more time. The thing about Airbnb and VRBO is that it’s a little uncertain what the place will actually be like. Motels, while far less interesting often feel safer because they are pretty easy to predict.

Remembering a trip we took to New Mexico several years ago and how charming and unique our Airbnb casita rental was, I decided that it was worth a bit of risk to find a special place with personality and charm. After quite a long search I found the perfect place (I think/I hope!). It’s located out in the country in Wisconsin (near Pepin) and sounds absolutely wonderful for our stay and for being able to simply step outside and find things to photograph. When I looked at the listing it just felt right. So I booked it and now we have a lovely short get-away planned during my favorite time of year. It’s near to several Minnesota state parks and hopefully some Wisconsin state parks as well (I still have some research to do).

Le non, on l’a déjà dans notre poche, Momo. Le oui, il nous reste à l’obtenir.”  [The no, we already have it in our pocket, Momo, we have to get the yes vote.]
― Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran

I also saw an upcoming concert advertised at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater that featured a trio of local musicians (including Ann Reed) singing Peter, Paul and Mary songs. Remembering how my daughters used to love to listen to Peter, Paul and Mary with me when they were children, I asked them if they would be interested in going to the concert with me. They said an enthusiastic “Yes,” and my granddaughter (age 14) also chimed in with a “Yes, please.” I am looking forward to a lovely afternoon of music with the my daughters and granddaughter.

More Yeses to Come

My next planning is for a trip to California to see the Redwoods. I’ve begun researching and am working on deciding where I want to visit and how to best do that. I am determined to make this happen rather than simply wish while letting fear and inertia keep me from making it happen. I’ve been putting it off for too long now.

I’ve been studying French online using Duolingo for 5 years now. I’ve surprised myself by sticking with it for so long. But I actually enjoy the lessons. Though I am not fluent in speaking French I am now confidant that I can make my needs known and even have simple conversations. I find myself often making up sentences in French in my mind to describe what is happening in my daily life.

And as I said before, I’ve always had a thing about France. So I’m also letting myself think about planning a trip to Provence region of France in 2024. If I can find one or two friends who would like to travel there, I hope to make this happen as well. Then, I will be able to honestly say, I have no more places I dream of visiting.

Do you also let fear and inertia stop you from saying yes to things that you long to do? What has helped you to overcome your fear and inertia?

In the space between yes and no, there is a lifetime. It’s the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it’s the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are; it’s the legroom for the lies you will tell yourself in the future.
― Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

May you walk in beauty.

Oregano and basil seedlings

Basil and parsley seedlings