Monday, February 22, 2010

Querying the Mundane Mosaic

Daylight arrives a little earlier now, and sometimes there is already a blush of dawn showing on the horizon when I shake myself loose from the old quilt and trot (or lurch) out to the kitchen to make coffee, wrapping myself in an old shawl first to hold the early morning chill at bay.

Today, I was in no danger of awakening too late to welcome the sun - it was snowing, but there was an ecstatic flock of crows in the old corner maple, flapping their wings, dancing about and making a splendid racket to welcome the high still light of morning. Then a single cardinal in the hedgerow added its liquid song to the orchestration, and it seemed as though a whole blissed out choir was singing a doxology in the garden.

As winter wanes and images of springtime arrive in my dreams like so many flocks of praising birds, I am asking my restless yearning self the same question I ask myself every year around this time.

It's a quiet life this - way beyond quiet in fact. I arise early and make coffee, standing near the kitchen window a few minutes later with a Wade Irish mug (the one with the granny in her rocking chair, the fireplace, the cauldron, the cat and the spinning wheel) full of lovely dark fragrant caffeine. I watch the sun come up over the trees, then turn my thoughts to other things: early morning walks past, present and (hopefully) future, photographing the small elements (or leitmotifs) of the world around me, the morning blog entry, the chores of the day, the stacks of books awaiting me on the old library table, my woefully inadequate efforts in art and calligraphy, work on a new quilt design.

I feed the birds and the deer in winter, potter about peering into trees and hedgerows, tend the garden in season, do the things which should be done and watch patiently as life ebbs and flows around me. There is little or no art or drama in this small northern life — there are few great events and no profound thoughts whatsoever on this quiet journey of mine.

Am I boring you? I hope not, but I thought I should ask...

18 comments:

the wild magnolia said...

The doddering assistant's life is not boring. :)

A visit here is always filled with visual beauty. Words of wisdom and descriptive sharing allow us to tag along the magical wonder journey of your life.

Wishing for you many more years of wandering, pottering, sipping the morning cafe', feeding the wee birdies in winter, gathering the beauty of words and visual arts that enrich your life and ours, and heal us bit by precious bit.

May the Old Wild Mother twirl her healing through out your body and warm you with the comfort of hope.

Lindsay said...

I read your blog every day. It is refreshing and beautiful. Never dull -- dull are the bloggers crazy with busy-ness.

Valerie said...

You are never boring. I look forward to your posts and send wellness wishes your way when they are late.

Thanks for inviting us on your journey.

Deborah Carr said...

a contemplative journey...why do we always feel we have to be doing? I'd rather be wandering...wondering...

Anonymous said...

Ah Cate, there are many of us who never get bored with your words. I too read your blog everyday and feel I've missed out if I don't You just keep on keeping on and we'll follow!
Jane in Ottawa

Anonymous said...

To find joy and beauty in the ordinary, everyday stuff of life, and inspire others to do the same - how can that possibly be boring?

Shelly said...

It is no small thing to celebrate a simple life.

Your words are cherished by many, myself included.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

Rowan said...

It sounds like the perfect life to me, your days are filled with beauty which you record with your camera and your words for all of us to share. A quiet peaceful life filled with books, walking and quilting along with the everyday tasks of home - richly fulfilling but never boring.

Sky said...

such a lovely image - the literal one and the one you paint with your words. hearing from you is always a welcomed treat. looking forward to spring - ours and yours.

Anonymous said...

Yours is the first blog I read every day. I anticipate it. Bored--not even in the vocabulary I use to describe it. Sarah

Angie said...

I anticipate reading your blog posts first thing every day, and feel like my day isn't complete if I've been unable, for whatever reason, to make my way to the computer on any given day. I fall into your posts and am transported to such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your day/world with all of us.

Anonymous said...

I also read your blog first every morning. I'm here in the southwest desert and LOVE seeing your life there. Your thoughts and wanderings touch me deeply. Thank you for wanting to share yourself and your life so beautifully.
Eileen

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Cate, you have such a way with words. How can you say "boring".
Never never, never - you live the life I am dreaming of. Headed there but seems to be taking me a long time. But then you are much wiser. Blessings and love sent over the miles!!

Anonymous said...

I envy your peaceful life as I waste 40 hours a week in an office.

Heather said...

Certainly not boring. Your blog is probably my favourite of all of the blogs that I read, and I always save your post to read last so that I can savour the words as I go out into the world. Thank you so much for all of your beautiful words and photos. They have enriched my life, given me much to think about, and encouraged me to look more closely at my own environment. I am sure many others could say the same. I hope you continue to post here in the years to come.

marigold said...

I can only add my heartfelt agreement to the above comments. You remind me daily of what is meaningful in our everyday (and glorious...) lives, be they ever so mundane on the surface. Wishing you many more fields to explore, and report back on...

Anonymous said...

Far from it!

I read your blog every day. It has such natural and spritual beauty.

Since I discovered it only a few months ago, I have gone back to read your older entries.

I would love to see a book of your photography and poetry.

Anonymous said...

Far from it!

I read your blog every day. It has such natural and spritual beauty.

Since I discovered it only a few months ago, I have gone back to read your older entries.

I would love to see a book of your photography and poetry.