Hi friends,

I’ve had this newsletter basically finished for about a week now, save this section here. I kept thinking something would come to me to write about, but so far it hasn’t. Which is strange; usually this is the section I save for last because it flows the easiest. I do all of the other work, pulling together and editing images, selecting what I want to share, writing (and rewriting) out each section, finding and adding links… and then when all the hard work is done I sit down and write a letter to friends. It’s really my favorite part. Sometimes though there’s just less to say I suppose, or everything is already said below.

I will share this though: This morning as I walked my pup I had the most peaceful feeling. We’ve finally been getting some much needed rain, and the cicadas decided at last to show up in enough of a choir to make them noticeable. It was surprisingly nice out, with just enough of a breeze to keep the heat from feeling oppressive. After many weeks of miserable weather, a busy schedule of houseguests and travel, and all of the chaos of the world to boot, this morning just felt like a wonderful summer morning.

And that’s what I would like to wish for all of you - that peaceful feeling of a few perfect summer days, however you can come by them. Below are lots of peaceful pictures. I write about my strategy for saving a morning, and share a favorite poem I recently (re)discovered. If you’ve been feeling a bit harried by the state of things, be it the world or your own life, I highly recommend giving it a glimpse.

As always thanks to you each for being here. Take care of yourselves. And you know I love to hear from you, so write me back.

much love -

kg

RECENT POSTS

MORNING REVERIE (13 images)

reverie (noun): a state of dreaming while awake; a vivid mental image

On mornings when I’m feeling particularly unproductive, or mad with the world, or (most often) both, I go outside and sit on my porch with my coffee, and usually my youngest, and we just are. And I watch and listen to all the things around us just be.

I notice the choir of bees and robber flies and dragonflies and how collectively, they are quite loud.

I notice the accidental coneflowers that seeded themselves when last year’s faded blooms dove headlong from the planter on the porch into the bed below, and how the bees seem to love them most.

I feel the breeze, a cool sweet breath cutting through the humid air, and watch as tiny white crepe myrtle petals loose from the tree and drift to the ground like tiny white snowflakes. The wind chime hums a soft meditation.

Together we count the hummingbirds that visit, their vibrations announcing their arrival before our eyes can find them, and we listen for their playful squeaks.

I watch the quizzical expression on my dog’s face as the frog perched above me on the high window ledge sings, which sounds like a small dog barking.

And I watch my youngest take it all in, noticing every small thing around him.

I am amazed at just how much life can fit into such a small space - a constant thrumming, an unceasing swirl of movement, nearly invisible to the eye, imperceptible to the ear.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

- Wendell Berry

RECENTLY

LISTENING TO

It was fun using receiptify last month to make a playlist of my ten most listened to tracks and y’all seemed to dig it, so I figured why not do it again for July. It was interesting (though not surprising) to see a couple of repeats on, but of course some new songs too. But it’s even more interesting to see how accurately the music seems to summarize my current headspace.

I’ve also (quite literally) dusted off my M. Ward album Think of Spring and have been enjoying it again during late night writing and editing stints in my studio.

READING IN

…White Poverty by Reverend Dr. William J Barber. I could say a lot about this book, and how important I think it is, in this moment especially. But I believe actions speak louder than words, so instead this: I’ve purchased a few extra copies of it to give away. If you’d like one simply reply to this email and I’ll mail out copies until I run out. My only ask is that when you finish you pass it along to someone else, and ask them to do the same.

CRUSHING ON

Last year I shared the work of Virginia artist Dolly Whitley alongside a self-portrait I’d made inspired by hers. Using her self-portrait as a jumping off point she has painted a series of stunningly beautiful images that will make up her first solo art show titled In Her Nature, opening Friday, August 2nd, at LibertyTown Arts Workshop. You can catch a glimpse of some of the pieces on her Instagram page, and if you live nearby you should definitely go and check it out. I’ll be making the drive all the way from Georgia, and I can’t wait to see them in person!

THINKING ABOUT

…Something my friend Donna told me about a woman who was asked where her favorite place was, and she responded, “I think it’s somewhere inside myself.” Isn’t that just the most beautiful thing? We should all be our own favorite place.

That’s all for this month. Thanks for being here!