A UK love hangover

everyone jump on the Peace Train

Hello again my friends. I’m back home again and have shaken most of the jet lag symptoms off. It took a little while to feel “here” again. I have just listened to my body and stayed patient while I assimilated myself back into sleepy rural life again . It made me consider all of the complex feelings we experience when we are in a foreign land and away from all of our normal routines. Attending my only daughter’s wedding was joyous and heartwarming and I am just starting to process all of the layers of sensations and feelings relating to that event.

I fretted a little about my own staying power and ability to keep my energy up for what was important -yet the multiple encounters with friends of my daughter and my now wonderful son in law were refreshing and affirming of the love that encompasses both of them. It seems that the energy required for feeling love and joy are far more infinite than the usual day to day preoccupations in life!

I think sometimes I can get stuck in that mindset of what a 67 year old should be -Even writing this seems bizarre as for every year leading up to this current one I have merely accepted myself for what I can accomplish and who I am to the world. I have never embraced what I should be at a particular age. Looking at photos of myself post wedding give me a ripple of shock as the me inside does not connect with the photo capture of me as I may seem to others! Yet as I was relating to, speaking with so many friends/family of all ages at the wedding I felt ageless. It was a heartwarming feeling to feel legitimate, accepted and perhaps even interesting to others. I was basking in the reflections of others ; feeling proud and special as the mother and mother in law.. Considering my history as this woman who was once a girl myself.. these passages we experience..sigh

Upon returning home we were cheered to know all of our fur and feather family were well cared for and hardly missing us!

I am prepping for my upcoming “Clothes/lines” exhibit (with artists Susan Lindsay and Dyan Jones curator/artist ..) at the Durham Art Gallery ,Durham Ontario, Canada .

Today I also hung some sheets and towels on the line to ground myself ..and with the knowledge they would smell heavenly fresh when dry !

We have also been busy collecting ladybugs from our windows ..One at a time and rehoming them outside. It feels like an exercise in futility as soon as we clear one window ..Several crawl out of (?) !.. It’s an easier task as they are so bright and cheerful and a little bit cute. Yet I will call it like it is..An invasion !

I cannot be myself or feel totally immersed in my art -while the world is a mess, when leaders can’t be trusted, when children, women and men are dying suffering,losing limbs , families and homes for no reason and when no one seems to be able to stop the horror. Fortunately there are so many brilliant minds and voices here on Substack to remind me (and us) that there is a movement of bright lights who feel the same way. They cut through all of the propaganda,smoke screens and noise and reveal truths that beg to be heard. Here are are just a few of the journalist /writers to follow if you also are feeling a void between the newspeak and media that is spinning tall tales of distraction and avoidance =-and harbour a yearning for truth tellers.

Sarah Kendzior

take a look at here recent post .."There's a sniper on the roof"

Caitlin Johnstone

….”it is everyone's responsibility..”

George Hazim

"Rafah's citizens ..

Jonathan Cook

…

Laura K

for a dose of cynicism and humour with your truths "US police capture Hamas leader.."

And lastly. Another excuse to bring back Yusuf/Cat Stephens -I had heard the song Peace Train last week on the radio. Timely. Thinking about all of those students protesting .swelling in numbers, speaking out.. Purposely doing something! It offered me a little hope for our world if our Youth can mobilize themselves for a greater cause ..

I’d like to end with this song. Peace train

That’s all for now ..Thanks for reading Ageless Artist

Heather