I discovered your newsletter at just the right time because I’m about to travel on a plane and move to a new place. For someone who doesn’t like flying, I’m finding your perspective on it comforting. I’ve decided to start looking upon it as exciting instead of anxiety inducing because it’s allowing me to get to where I want to be 😄
Daisy, thank you so much for your wonderful comment -- I love the synchronicity between this essay series and the journey you're about to embark on, and I'm so glad to hear it's bringing you a bit of comfort during such a big transition in your life. I'm wishing you all the best as you start this next adventure! 🤍
I’m always grateful to the universe for providing such timely synchronicities 😄 Thank you for your kind words, I’m so happy to have found your wonderful newsletter! It’s so inspiring, and it’s helping me see things in a whole new light! 💛
R.A., this is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your 'recipe for living' -- it reminds me a lot of the 'equation for home' I shared in the last essay series, "Home is a Cup of Tea."
The detail about a dynamic environment feels especially spot on, and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes about travel -- "Journeys are the midwives of thought," from the great Alain de Botton (the entire quote that line comes from is also fantastic, and I've copied it in full at the end here).
Finally, I love how you used "home" as a verb, how perfect! As always, thank you for such a thoughtful and thought-provoking comment 🙏
"“Journeys are the midwives of thought. Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than a moving plane, ship or train. There is an almost quaint correlation between what is in front of our eyes and the thoughts we are able to have in our heads: large thoughts at times requiring large views, new thoughts new places. Introspective reflections which are liable to stall are helped along by the flow of the landscape. The mind may be reluctant to think properly when thinking is all it is supposed to do.
At the end of hours of train-dreaming, we may feel we have been returned to ourselves - that is, brought back into contact with emotions and ideas of importance to us. It is not necessarily at home that we best encounter our true selves. The furniture insists that we cannot change because it does not; the domestice setting keeps us tethered to the person we are in ordinary life, but who may not be who we essentially are."
- For the first time ever, I was scheduled to arrive in Khartoum, Sudan on a flight that would land at 8pm instead of the usual 2am, but a sandstorm (haboob) at Khartoum made landing impossible so the flight proceeded to Cairo. On final approach to Cairo International, I was staring out my port side window and saw a laser light show on the pyramids and the Sphinx. Didn’t make it to Khartoum until 4am, but for once I didn’t mind.
Ahh that's amazing to hear, Emily -- it's great to reconnect with you here then! I've just subscribed to your own newsletter as well, and can't wait to follow along 🤍
This is lovely Candace. I'm enjoying following along, reading your illustrated essay each week. I find that I'm able to connect well with your perspectives, and often I'm reminded of something similar from my past. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Judy! It's wonderful to hear from you here, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to say hello :) I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the stories I share here so far, and I love that they've held echoes of your own life. I hope you're doing great, and know I'm sending a big hug your way! 🤍
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Vicki! It's wonderful to connect with you, and I'm so happy you're enjoying the stories I share here so far :) 🤍
I love that phrase, too! For me, it was coming to the East Coast in my 20s. I knew it would change my life if I stayed, so I did and it did. Then again when I moved to the wooded coast in New England. Now I long for another bold and bracketed moment - another pivot(al moment), and I work for that.
Candace, another wonderful, thought-provoking installment! Such a treat!
"I knew it would change my life if I stayed, so I did and it did."
Susannah, I love that thought so much (and you also perfectly encapsulated what my time in Uruguay has been for me as well :) Your thoughtful comments are always so lovely to read, and I'll be hoping you encounter the next right pivot soon 🤍
Mmm “bold and bracketed moments”... for me, that’s the two weeks spent in the Swiss Alps at L’Abri, or the four years of undergrad in Seattle, or the yearly memories of golden days at a lake in northern Minnesota
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and say hello, Sara! I loved hearing about your own bold and bracketed moments, especially your stay at L’Abri -- I've heard wonderful things about it, and can so imagine how your time there would be such a moment for you 🤍
First, thanks not only for your creative offerings, but for you communication, conversation.
I have heard some creative people say that the "muse" is sometimes more available when a spark, or initiating energy is introduced, like movement. I remember times driving in the desert southwest of the United States, windows down to let the wind, the heat and the smell of the desert in, radio off to let my mind find it's own melodies and emotions. These days the simple act of sweeping the leaves off the walk gets my body working while my mind is free to explore with out worry or distraction.
On "home" as a verb- I really like the song by Massive Attack, "Teardrop", do you know it
Sometimes when you on your way home, you can’t get there from there!
While living in Malawi (in southeast Africa), I needed to attend a training in Ghana (in West Africa). I booked my ticket over the phone, but was surprised at how thick the thing was. Following, I swear, is my actual itinerary:
Departure: Blantyre, Malawi to Lilongwe, Malawi
Departure: Lilongwe, Malawi to Nairobi, Kenya
Departure: Nairobi, Kenya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Departure: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Kigale, Rwanda
Departure: Kigale, Rwanda to Bujumbura, Burundi
Departure: Bujumbura, Burundi to Kinshasa, Zaire (as it was then called)
Departure: Kinshasa, Zaire to Brazzaville, Congo
Departure: Brazzaville, Congo to Lome, Togo
Departure: Lome, Togo to Lagos, Nigeria
Departure: Lagos, Nigeria to Accra, Ghana
(When we touched down in Accra, we probably dropped from the sky the last ten feet, which caused all the oxygen masks to fall.)
Now I’m trying to remember why it was I went to Ghana, but least I had a window seat the entire trip. I am pretty certain I also returned to Malawi, but can’t remember the details. A some point, one starts to suffer from inZombia.
I discovered your newsletter at just the right time because I’m about to travel on a plane and move to a new place. For someone who doesn’t like flying, I’m finding your perspective on it comforting. I’ve decided to start looking upon it as exciting instead of anxiety inducing because it’s allowing me to get to where I want to be 😄
Daisy, thank you so much for your wonderful comment -- I love the synchronicity between this essay series and the journey you're about to embark on, and I'm so glad to hear it's bringing you a bit of comfort during such a big transition in your life. I'm wishing you all the best as you start this next adventure! 🤍
I’m always grateful to the universe for providing such timely synchronicities 😄 Thank you for your kind words, I’m so happy to have found your wonderful newsletter! It’s so inspiring, and it’s helping me see things in a whole new light! 💛
a recipe for "Living"
1cup.-Dreams, aspirations, hopes
1 1/2tbl sp.-stories read, myths, rumors
1cup -dynamic environment (bus, train, plane, new path...)
1 dash-youthful abandon, (terrified but brave willingness can be substituted)
add to taste and availability- friends, partners, co-conspiritors
Mix all ingredients til frothy, but not stiff and serve with any local cuisine that is new to you.
Viola!
I think one must understand what it is to wander, before one can truly appreciate what it is to "home"
Peace.
R.A., this is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing your 'recipe for living' -- it reminds me a lot of the 'equation for home' I shared in the last essay series, "Home is a Cup of Tea."
The detail about a dynamic environment feels especially spot on, and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes about travel -- "Journeys are the midwives of thought," from the great Alain de Botton (the entire quote that line comes from is also fantastic, and I've copied it in full at the end here).
Finally, I love how you used "home" as a verb, how perfect! As always, thank you for such a thoughtful and thought-provoking comment 🙏
"“Journeys are the midwives of thought. Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than a moving plane, ship or train. There is an almost quaint correlation between what is in front of our eyes and the thoughts we are able to have in our heads: large thoughts at times requiring large views, new thoughts new places. Introspective reflections which are liable to stall are helped along by the flow of the landscape. The mind may be reluctant to think properly when thinking is all it is supposed to do.
At the end of hours of train-dreaming, we may feel we have been returned to ourselves - that is, brought back into contact with emotions and ideas of importance to us. It is not necessarily at home that we best encounter our true selves. The furniture insists that we cannot change because it does not; the domestice setting keeps us tethered to the person we are in ordinary life, but who may not be who we essentially are."
Bold and bracketed moments in time:
- For the first time ever, I was scheduled to arrive in Khartoum, Sudan on a flight that would land at 8pm instead of the usual 2am, but a sandstorm (haboob) at Khartoum made landing impossible so the flight proceeded to Cairo. On final approach to Cairo International, I was staring out my port side window and saw a laser light show on the pyramids and the Sphinx. Didn’t make it to Khartoum until 4am, but for once I didn’t mind.
What a moment that must've been -- and it reminds me of something I heard about recently, when the Northern Lights could be seen at much lower latitudes than usual and many people could see them from planes: https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/photos-woman-captures-northern-lights-from-plane-over-bc-6619615
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for encouraging me to explore again! I want that new arrival experience again.
I'm so happy to hear this resonated with you, Helen, and I'll be hoping the next right journey presents itself to you soon! ✈️
Oh I'm really glad to see you here! Used to read your old blog...
Ahh that's amazing to hear, Emily -- it's great to reconnect with you here then! I've just subscribed to your own newsletter as well, and can't wait to follow along 🤍
These are so ❤️.
Thank you, my friend! 🙏🙏
I've always wanted to go to the British Isles, especially London. I'm really looking forward to reading your story further.
Thank you so much, Mel! And I hope you'll have a chance to visit London soon -- it still holds a big place in my heart.
This is lovely Candace. I'm enjoying following along, reading your illustrated essay each week. I find that I'm able to connect well with your perspectives, and often I'm reminded of something similar from my past. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Judy! It's wonderful to hear from you here, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to say hello :) I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the stories I share here so far, and I love that they've held echoes of your own life. I hope you're doing great, and know I'm sending a big hug your way! 🤍
Oh I love this so much! Just discovered your page recently, your writing is so beautiful and this one gave me a huge pang of nostalgia for London!
Thank you so much for your lovely words, Vicki! It's wonderful to connect with you, and I'm so happy you're enjoying the stories I share here so far :) 🤍
The illustration of the 2 faces focused out the window is especially wonderful --- thanks, enjoying your newsletter.
Thank you so much, Ellen! I was really pleasantly surprised with how that illustration turned out, so I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it too 🤍
I love that phrase, too! For me, it was coming to the East Coast in my 20s. I knew it would change my life if I stayed, so I did and it did. Then again when I moved to the wooded coast in New England. Now I long for another bold and bracketed moment - another pivot(al moment), and I work for that.
Candace, another wonderful, thought-provoking installment! Such a treat!
"I knew it would change my life if I stayed, so I did and it did."
Susannah, I love that thought so much (and you also perfectly encapsulated what my time in Uruguay has been for me as well :) Your thoughtful comments are always so lovely to read, and I'll be hoping you encounter the next right pivot soon 🤍
Mmm “bold and bracketed moments”... for me, that’s the two weeks spent in the Swiss Alps at L’Abri, or the four years of undergrad in Seattle, or the yearly memories of golden days at a lake in northern Minnesota
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and say hello, Sara! I loved hearing about your own bold and bracketed moments, especially your stay at L’Abri -- I've heard wonderful things about it, and can so imagine how your time there would be such a moment for you 🤍
Love your stories and art!
Thank you so much, Ann! I'm so happy to hear that 🤍
This is so beautiful ❤️🩹
First, thanks not only for your creative offerings, but for you communication, conversation.
I have heard some creative people say that the "muse" is sometimes more available when a spark, or initiating energy is introduced, like movement. I remember times driving in the desert southwest of the United States, windows down to let the wind, the heat and the smell of the desert in, radio off to let my mind find it's own melodies and emotions. These days the simple act of sweeping the leaves off the walk gets my body working while my mind is free to explore with out worry or distraction.
On "home" as a verb- I really like the song by Massive Attack, "Teardrop", do you know it
I think that If you want,
Love,love
Art, art
Shelter, shelter
Reason, reason....
Peace
Sometimes when you on your way home, you can’t get there from there!
While living in Malawi (in southeast Africa), I needed to attend a training in Ghana (in West Africa). I booked my ticket over the phone, but was surprised at how thick the thing was. Following, I swear, is my actual itinerary:
Departure: Blantyre, Malawi to Lilongwe, Malawi
Departure: Lilongwe, Malawi to Nairobi, Kenya
Departure: Nairobi, Kenya to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Departure: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Kigale, Rwanda
Departure: Kigale, Rwanda to Bujumbura, Burundi
Departure: Bujumbura, Burundi to Kinshasa, Zaire (as it was then called)
Departure: Kinshasa, Zaire to Brazzaville, Congo
Departure: Brazzaville, Congo to Lome, Togo
Departure: Lome, Togo to Lagos, Nigeria
Departure: Lagos, Nigeria to Accra, Ghana
(When we touched down in Accra, we probably dropped from the sky the last ten feet, which caused all the oxygen masks to fall.)
Now I’m trying to remember why it was I went to Ghana, but least I had a window seat the entire trip. I am pretty certain I also returned to Malawi, but can’t remember the details. A some point, one starts to suffer from inZombia.