November is horrible in Finland…the darkness sucks the life out of you (in Finnish it’s ”Marraskuu” and it literally translates to ”death moon” 😅). I wish for snow and I always stress if we don’t get it early (and I stress about the climate change and if it takes the snow away for good and we get a November that lasts until late March 😱) when the snow arrives I’m fine (I love winter!)
This year I try to think more positively about November…burn candles, read books, knit socks, burn more candles….
November 8th is a Taurus Lunar Eclipse. From what Juliana MvCarthy tells me:
"We can prepare for significant surprises and shake-ups on a day that coincides with the Midterm Elections in the United States. On a personal level, we’re stepping into entirely new versions of ourselves. But first, we can face our obstacles head-on—examining any stuckness, triggers, and unhealthy patterns of attachment. We’re ready to finally shed old skin and experience radical release and liberation."
Neko, I live in the NEK. One of farmer neighbors told me that she loved this time of year best because she could see the structure of the trees. This weekend the trees were so beautiful in contrast to the bright blue sky…this a magical time.
With apologies for having flooded you with comments as of late, I wanna say I enjoy the anticipation of this post. It took me 20 yrs to write my first book, four others languish in drawers probably never to see the light of day. But trust it will all be rewarding, especially holding that bound pile of paper in your hand some day. Are you working with an editor yet? Anyone else you're writing alongside? My little writing group is doing it every day this month as the way to get through November. I join when I can, it's a miracle to steal a moment and create in real time with others.
For my own lofty goals, I find it easier to first convince myself that half-assing it is acceptable for today-this morning. Then by the time I am knee deep in half-assery, I surprise myself at the real progress I made.
Also--though still pitch dark on this morning’s walk, the sky was clear and gorgeous. Gotta take what we can get with these shorter days.
I have pretty severe Seasonal Affective Disorder. I don't need antidepressants from March through September, but as soon as the evenings go dark in October, I wither on the vine. Every single year, while it's still bright and warm outside, I think, "This will be the year that I learn to love autumn and winter." And then as soon as it actually arrives, all my energy is drained and I wish, again, that I was allowed to hibernate. So I would love to make seasons into what I need them to be, but I still haven't figured that out. (Looking forward to your record and your book and the next time I get to see you live will help me a lot, though.)
Northeastern winters are nightmarish for most. A great time to write if you aren’t forced to persevere as a normal member of society. The potential for suffering provides all the dramatic experience one needs to create unbelievable stories. I have many as a result.
Clocks fall back an hour Sunday. This past week the sunsets and sunrises have been spectacular.
I am a horticulturalist in the Western Quebec and the looming winter has pushed me around for years. Kind of like an enemy force taking over my usefulness, my purpose. This is the time I head for paints and crayons and wood abd plaster and canvas and get list in the other. This the time when I listen harder to the dogs suggestions.
Peace.
(Check out the movie the Monster by Spalding Grey , on the other hand, maybe not.
Full support on your endeavours from Westrrn Quebec.)
I'm always in awe of those who’ve found their form of communication with the world. It seems it’s in you and pouring forth in drips and drabs and waterfalls. Go with it and thank you for sharing it all!
So much going on here in these four little paragraphs; your writing packs such a punch, Neko. Do you separate how you see your own effort in writing and working from how it is received in the world? I imagine at this point in your life and career, you can care a lot less about what people think.
I think I could benefit from being more attuned to nature and what the seasons are offering me at the time. So what do I need now? I need to feel that better things are coming and to feel more energized about what I want to be doing. Next question: what are the things I can do to do feel that way? Putting on my thinking cap!
a mountain range of memories begs for an essential framework. & perhaps arriving at lines like
the goal is blurry, the goal moves, the goal is a predator
are the reason you practice the sport.
among many others, i look forward to the package.
perhaps a book should be called a gym bag. or even better a hard shelled suitcase. in a dream it has wheels & it rolls to work. other days reality takes those wheels & it drags. i will say, in journeying - you read like a pro.
November is horrible in Finland…the darkness sucks the life out of you (in Finnish it’s ”Marraskuu” and it literally translates to ”death moon” 😅). I wish for snow and I always stress if we don’t get it early (and I stress about the climate change and if it takes the snow away for good and we get a November that lasts until late March 😱) when the snow arrives I’m fine (I love winter!)
This year I try to think more positively about November…burn candles, read books, knit socks, burn more candles….
Can’t wait for your new record and book, wow!
November 8th is a Taurus Lunar Eclipse. From what Juliana MvCarthy tells me:
"We can prepare for significant surprises and shake-ups on a day that coincides with the Midterm Elections in the United States. On a personal level, we’re stepping into entirely new versions of ourselves. But first, we can face our obstacles head-on—examining any stuckness, triggers, and unhealthy patterns of attachment. We’re ready to finally shed old skin and experience radical release and liberation."
Sounds promising.
or did larch season change you?
what a great question
I can only quote some Emily:
There's a certain slant of light
Winter afternoons
That oppresses like the heft
Of cathedral tunes
Neko, I live in the NEK. One of farmer neighbors told me that she loved this time of year best because she could see the structure of the trees. This weekend the trees were so beautiful in contrast to the bright blue sky…this a magical time.
With apologies for having flooded you with comments as of late, I wanna say I enjoy the anticipation of this post. It took me 20 yrs to write my first book, four others languish in drawers probably never to see the light of day. But trust it will all be rewarding, especially holding that bound pile of paper in your hand some day. Are you working with an editor yet? Anyone else you're writing alongside? My little writing group is doing it every day this month as the way to get through November. I join when I can, it's a miracle to steal a moment and create in real time with others.
For my own lofty goals, I find it easier to first convince myself that half-assing it is acceptable for today-this morning. Then by the time I am knee deep in half-assery, I surprise myself at the real progress I made.
Also--though still pitch dark on this morning’s walk, the sky was clear and gorgeous. Gotta take what we can get with these shorter days.
Once said by Dave Grohl, "The musician comes first." later, "It is making something from nothing." Please continue with what you are doing.
I have pretty severe Seasonal Affective Disorder. I don't need antidepressants from March through September, but as soon as the evenings go dark in October, I wither on the vine. Every single year, while it's still bright and warm outside, I think, "This will be the year that I learn to love autumn and winter." And then as soon as it actually arrives, all my energy is drained and I wish, again, that I was allowed to hibernate. So I would love to make seasons into what I need them to be, but I still haven't figured that out. (Looking forward to your record and your book and the next time I get to see you live will help me a lot, though.)
Northeastern winters are nightmarish for most. A great time to write if you aren’t forced to persevere as a normal member of society. The potential for suffering provides all the dramatic experience one needs to create unbelievable stories. I have many as a result.
your Substack keeps my soul alive and the cobwebs of depression swept out of my heart.
by which I mean, I look forward to your book immensely.
Clocks fall back an hour Sunday. This past week the sunsets and sunrises have been spectacular.
I am a horticulturalist in the Western Quebec and the looming winter has pushed me around for years. Kind of like an enemy force taking over my usefulness, my purpose. This is the time I head for paints and crayons and wood abd plaster and canvas and get list in the other. This the time when I listen harder to the dogs suggestions.
Peace.
(Check out the movie the Monster by Spalding Grey , on the other hand, maybe not.
Full support on your endeavours from Westrrn Quebec.)
Mike the gardener
I'm always in awe of those who’ve found their form of communication with the world. It seems it’s in you and pouring forth in drips and drabs and waterfalls. Go with it and thank you for sharing it all!
Beautiful photo.
So much going on here in these four little paragraphs; your writing packs such a punch, Neko. Do you separate how you see your own effort in writing and working from how it is received in the world? I imagine at this point in your life and career, you can care a lot less about what people think.
I think I could benefit from being more attuned to nature and what the seasons are offering me at the time. So what do I need now? I need to feel that better things are coming and to feel more energized about what I want to be doing. Next question: what are the things I can do to do feel that way? Putting on my thinking cap!
I PURCHASED TICKETS TO YOUR JANUARY SHOW IN BETHLEHEM PA. I’LL BRING YOU SOME BETHLEHEM MILKWEED.
a mountain range of memories begs for an essential framework. & perhaps arriving at lines like
the goal is blurry, the goal moves, the goal is a predator
are the reason you practice the sport.
among many others, i look forward to the package.
perhaps a book should be called a gym bag. or even better a hard shelled suitcase. in a dream it has wheels & it rolls to work. other days reality takes those wheels & it drags. i will say, in journeying - you read like a pro.