Lately I've taken to making miniature scenes. I'm working on making a little NYC bodega out of clay, wood scraps, and other discarded materials. I rarely put something in the recycling these days. It all goes to my craft station. Plastic packaging could be windows, yogurt containers become chairs. It seems to be the only thing that quiets my mind these days. My mind has been ferocious.
I’m 67 now and those “low energy” times started for me a decade back. I understand its part of aging, but the stuff still has to get done, right? So my trick is to have a dozen friends or so who are all interesting conversationalists and I’ll ring one up and get an adrenaline boost listening to them. Coffee can only carry ya so far, you know.
I too am of that bicentennial lot. I think we are about the same age as Jon Rauhouse. It's so easy to fall into reflection in a nice chair and the fruits of our success, but alas, we are not done yet. It is still possible to find the secrets of life and share them with those caught up in the clamor of life.
There's a small lake a couple miles up the trail from my house, and my new favorite early morning activity is to run up there, swim, and then run home. You just can't beat the cold, exhilarated, and refreshed feeling you get after a swim. Yesterday I realized it was probably the closest that I, a mere human, could come to getting the zoomies. Now I have a general understanding of how my dog feels when he gets out of the bath 😄
Hi Neko, a bitter cold night here so I appreciate the whole summer weather vibe, I am struggling at times with retired life (wow the privilege is showing)
it feels like depression is hovering over me waiting, always ready.
This is my usual pattern of fear of fear itself stuff, I have a few go to thingies.
Writing bad poetry, walking around the local streets taking photos and just forcing myself to do something creative.
I'm afraid I'll just lay down and not get up.
I'm so glad to pounce on your article and savour the images especially the suave Chet sidling up to you.
Like you, I have lots of projects that are in various stages of completion. Being teachers of children, my ex-wife and I acknowledged this as my “stations”…work on a song…play piano…do the folding…chop the carrots..work on another song…
I find lists each day keep me grounded and focused. I have thrown them out with varying levels of satisfaction according to completion, and lately I’ve decided to keep them in a spiral notebook as some sort of diary. Like you I walk the grounds of my home. Unlike you it is maybe one acre in a first ring suburb of Minneapolis. Like you I have wild flowers and native plants and happily host insect and bird visitors. Monarchs are rare here too. I’ve noticed that I don’t see a lot of honeybees but I do see a lot other kinds of bees and insects that are full of pollen and buzzing from one thing to another. I see blue jays and cardinals and robins and sparrows and a few days ago saw a Cooper’s hawk and later on rabbit fur on the lawn. There’s a nest under the shed in the backyard. I get comfort being part of the web of life, being witness, being host. Like you I don’t kill spiders and recently there has been a huge influx of these big spiders that come around this time of summer every year…their bodies are as big as a my fingernails and their webs are like huge dinner plates.
Like you there are thousands of grasshoppers that jump like popcorn when I walk around the gardens. They are small and uniformly unremarkable in their color. But they are a multitude. A neighbor has a chicken that I am sure is in a state of pure bliss these days. Keep writing. I get a sense of peace knowing others hurt like I do, struggle like I do, ache like I do, write songs, sing, love….keep on.
Stations! Oh yes, I thought I was the only one using that phrase but evidently not! I think I first heard it in an interview with George Lucas at Skywalker ranch and he showed how he had these different writing desks with different projects on them and I thought I kind of do that and now it's like a way of life. Almost my religious observance and secular sacrament to circulate among the stations!
Bumble bees ❤️❤️❤️ I have a small balcony and I have bee friendly plants there and I get to watch bumble bees visit daily 😊 There are also a lot of swifts flying all around me (I adore them and the ”sriiiii” -sound they make )…I may build some swift-houses for my balcony next summer 🥹
When the energy levels aren't there, and I can't get anything done, a film helps me to relax and calm down. I have an old fashioned DVD player and a small tv. I have trouble with large tvs at home. I get a lot of films from my local library, and they have a huge network of libraries in the area that will deliver a film they have. I can also get films on my phone, but it's not as relaxing. Many of the DVDs have Special Features, Interviews, "The Making of" the film. It's like going to Film School for free. I like cooking and baking but it's not the easiest in my current small kitchen. Plus, the clean up! Hoping for a giant kitchen in the future! I love the photo of the bumblebee on the Phacelia. What I see in it, is a little figure, almost cat like! There's 2 droplets for eyes, and 2 skinny legs, one raised up. It's smelling the flower. Nutty but true! Also, love the rain for reasons you described, and love the images of Chet.
Nice nod to our native bees. I recently participated in Xerces' 2025 California Bumblebee survey and they are fresh on my mind. I also found some on tall ragwort on a recent hike at some 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. They are imperiled, like so many other species. Plant for the native pollinators! Loved "sitting with your observations" as always.
Thanks, I saw that and was going to tell you! I forget what day it is often and have to check my phone calendar haha. I really appreciate your post. I got a ticket and looking forward to it. The Science Museum always lifts my spirits!
I do needlework as well! Clinical trials have shown its calming effect. Really! I so agree about the rain relieving the compulsion for chores, especially using precious water to keep my tomatoes, cucumbers and beans thriving. I'm in a race with my golden retriever to see who gets to eat the cucumbers first. I let my dill overgrow to attract the caterpillars of the Eastern black swallowtail but I only saw 2 caterpillars this year.
Regarding being stuck... I started taking pottery classes and have phases where I can't make an f'ing thing to save my life after I'd just made some lovely things!! My manfriend is an artist/educator (I'm an artist too) and he said to me as I sulked, c'mon lady that's when you're about to level up! He has to say that crap he's my manfriend. He was so freaking right though.
For what it's worth, I hear that you are resting, communing with your home and the wildness that lives there and deservedly avoiding chores! Maybe this space is weaving in all the embodied and un-embodied creativity of the past and you'll level up and it will be an even more complex and gorgeous blossoming! Wonderful AND freaking exhausting!!
Lately I've taken to making miniature scenes. I'm working on making a little NYC bodega out of clay, wood scraps, and other discarded materials. I rarely put something in the recycling these days. It all goes to my craft station. Plastic packaging could be windows, yogurt containers become chairs. It seems to be the only thing that quiets my mind these days. My mind has been ferocious.
A little clay NYC bodega sounds like heaven!
Sounds wonderful
I’m 67 now and those “low energy” times started for me a decade back. I understand its part of aging, but the stuff still has to get done, right? So my trick is to have a dozen friends or so who are all interesting conversationalists and I’ll ring one up and get an adrenaline boost listening to them. Coffee can only carry ya so far, you know.
I too am of that bicentennial lot. I think we are about the same age as Jon Rauhouse. It's so easy to fall into reflection in a nice chair and the fruits of our success, but alas, we are not done yet. It is still possible to find the secrets of life and share them with those caught up in the clamor of life.
There's a small lake a couple miles up the trail from my house, and my new favorite early morning activity is to run up there, swim, and then run home. You just can't beat the cold, exhilarated, and refreshed feeling you get after a swim. Yesterday I realized it was probably the closest that I, a mere human, could come to getting the zoomies. Now I have a general understanding of how my dog feels when he gets out of the bath 😄
Hahaha! Love it!
Hi Neko, a bitter cold night here so I appreciate the whole summer weather vibe, I am struggling at times with retired life (wow the privilege is showing)
it feels like depression is hovering over me waiting, always ready.
This is my usual pattern of fear of fear itself stuff, I have a few go to thingies.
Writing bad poetry, walking around the local streets taking photos and just forcing myself to do something creative.
I'm afraid I'll just lay down and not get up.
I'm so glad to pounce on your article and savour the images especially the suave Chet sidling up to you.
Enjoy the petrichor.
Chris
Good comment! Yes indeed retirement is not for the faint of heart but we are sure lucky to have it! Well my entitlement is showing!
Yes, acknowledging it is important, I am grateful.
Good luck
Did you say four hour zoom?? I thought artists were exempt from that sort of entrapment.
My soul is completely empty.
Oh how I wish! It’s so crowded in here.
Like you, I have lots of projects that are in various stages of completion. Being teachers of children, my ex-wife and I acknowledged this as my “stations”…work on a song…play piano…do the folding…chop the carrots..work on another song…
I find lists each day keep me grounded and focused. I have thrown them out with varying levels of satisfaction according to completion, and lately I’ve decided to keep them in a spiral notebook as some sort of diary. Like you I walk the grounds of my home. Unlike you it is maybe one acre in a first ring suburb of Minneapolis. Like you I have wild flowers and native plants and happily host insect and bird visitors. Monarchs are rare here too. I’ve noticed that I don’t see a lot of honeybees but I do see a lot other kinds of bees and insects that are full of pollen and buzzing from one thing to another. I see blue jays and cardinals and robins and sparrows and a few days ago saw a Cooper’s hawk and later on rabbit fur on the lawn. There’s a nest under the shed in the backyard. I get comfort being part of the web of life, being witness, being host. Like you I don’t kill spiders and recently there has been a huge influx of these big spiders that come around this time of summer every year…their bodies are as big as a my fingernails and their webs are like huge dinner plates.
Like you there are thousands of grasshoppers that jump like popcorn when I walk around the gardens. They are small and uniformly unremarkable in their color. But they are a multitude. A neighbor has a chicken that I am sure is in a state of pure bliss these days. Keep writing. I get a sense of peace knowing others hurt like I do, struggle like I do, ache like I do, write songs, sing, love….keep on.
Stations! Oh yes, I thought I was the only one using that phrase but evidently not! I think I first heard it in an interview with George Lucas at Skywalker ranch and he showed how he had these different writing desks with different projects on them and I thought I kind of do that and now it's like a way of life. Almost my religious observance and secular sacrament to circulate among the stations!
Stroking my puppy’s belly or singing along (badly!) to your music while reading the lyrics (that part is very important) works every time.
Bumble bees ❤️❤️❤️ I have a small balcony and I have bee friendly plants there and I get to watch bumble bees visit daily 😊 There are also a lot of swifts flying all around me (I adore them and the ”sriiiii” -sound they make )…I may build some swift-houses for my balcony next summer 🥹
When the energy levels aren't there, and I can't get anything done, a film helps me to relax and calm down. I have an old fashioned DVD player and a small tv. I have trouble with large tvs at home. I get a lot of films from my local library, and they have a huge network of libraries in the area that will deliver a film they have. I can also get films on my phone, but it's not as relaxing. Many of the DVDs have Special Features, Interviews, "The Making of" the film. It's like going to Film School for free. I like cooking and baking but it's not the easiest in my current small kitchen. Plus, the clean up! Hoping for a giant kitchen in the future! I love the photo of the bumblebee on the Phacelia. What I see in it, is a little figure, almost cat like! There's 2 droplets for eyes, and 2 skinny legs, one raised up. It's smelling the flower. Nutty but true! Also, love the rain for reasons you described, and love the images of Chet.
Recent favorite film I watched (a few times..) is "Being There" . I first saw it in 1981.
Just rewatched it after literally decades. Definitely did not disappoint.
I agree! So many great things in this film. Seeing 1979-1980 DC was really interesting to me.
Nature. It never disappoints. I counted seven bees on my small patch of wild bergamot/bee balm yesterday.
Nice nod to our native bees. I recently participated in Xerces' 2025 California Bumblebee survey and they are fresh on my mind. I also found some on tall ragwort on a recent hike at some 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. They are imperiled, like so many other species. Plant for the native pollinators! Loved "sitting with your observations" as always.
Looking forward to seeing you, Neko, this evening at the "Sing for Science" event at the Museum of Science in Boston!
PS There are a few tickets remaining if other readers of this Substack are interested.
Thank you! Had no idea. Will try to get a ticket.
PS I made an error in my message... "Sing for Science" is tomorrow (Thursday). It seems that I let my excitement get the best of me. :-)
Thanks, I saw that and was going to tell you! I forget what day it is often and have to check my phone calendar haha. I really appreciate your post. I got a ticket and looking forward to it. The Science Museum always lifts my spirits!
I do needlework as well! Clinical trials have shown its calming effect. Really! I so agree about the rain relieving the compulsion for chores, especially using precious water to keep my tomatoes, cucumbers and beans thriving. I'm in a race with my golden retriever to see who gets to eat the cucumbers first. I let my dill overgrow to attract the caterpillars of the Eastern black swallowtail but I only saw 2 caterpillars this year.
Folding laundry is my escape. Sounds weird but something about the sorting and stacking is very satisfying to my frazzled brain.
Ooooooh! I love to do laundry!
Thank heavens so does my husband!
Maybe I need to try this. Hmmmm.
It's not as bad as it sounds! I guess it depends on how your brain works, but it soothes mine.
You have inspired me to plant more plants to attract not only butterflies and hummingbirds but now bumblebees. 🐝 I could watch them for hours.
Regarding being stuck... I started taking pottery classes and have phases where I can't make an f'ing thing to save my life after I'd just made some lovely things!! My manfriend is an artist/educator (I'm an artist too) and he said to me as I sulked, c'mon lady that's when you're about to level up! He has to say that crap he's my manfriend. He was so freaking right though.
For what it's worth, I hear that you are resting, communing with your home and the wildness that lives there and deservedly avoiding chores! Maybe this space is weaving in all the embodied and un-embodied creativity of the past and you'll level up and it will be an even more complex and gorgeous blossoming! Wonderful AND freaking exhausting!!
P.S. Also you're in VT and VT is magic!
P.P.S. please post photo of embroidery!!!