Really moved by this writing, Caroline -- my oldest 2 daughters still in the UK. One in London currently homeless and moving around friends -- she has a PhD in writing, works, juggles MS, but landlords can demand houses back and the hoops for getting the next place... the other has 2 young children, her and her partner juggling work and long hours that don't add up to the expenses and every week things are less affordable, and some part of alternative living closes down (they home educate so are immediately 'suspect') and the ease with which neighbours take on fascist views... And you are right, still there is so much beauty and resilience.
Thanks so much, Jan. I'm thrilled to have you here. Sorry to hear of your daughters' struggles - I can relate! Things are tough for so many people right now, but yes, there is still so much beauty and things to hope for and work towards. Wishing you a great week ahead 💚
Caroline, this is such a beautiful read. I've recently returned from my mother's countryside cottage and loved to watch the tiny mouse darting in and out of the hedgerow to gather food. We wondered if there might be babies to feed already. I was enchanted by the abundance of birds every day, rabbits, pheasants and so on. Yes, Brambly Hedge!
You have my empathy regarding your neighbours. Even here in this city that had the first Green MP, we are noticing the force from the far right getting louder. I suppose we must keep caring for our hedgerows and beaches and each other as best we can ✨
I lived on a boat for a while, which was amazing! Easier than van but still tough and little infrastructure. Really hope you get your patch of land someday!
I've always fancied being a boater! My husband is opposed because of all the things that go wrong with boats 😂. But yes it does seem a bit easier to find moorings, how lovely to live on the water. Thanks for reading, Lucy
We live somewhere incredibly beautiful too. Wake each morning to birdsong, end each day with it too. Sheep feed in the field outside our window, hawthorn and blackthorn hedge full of birds. The three wise oaks in the field hold a rookery, and the hills of Shropshire edge our skyline.
Our children live in the city, and sometimes when I see something wonderful like a mole, or goldfinch feeding I pretend my Granddaughter is with me to see it. I am writing a collection of poetry for her. Next week she will have a new baby brother. I wish they lived nearer to us and the countryside, so they could share my wonder daily. But she is beginning (3years old) to notice the wildlife in gardens and parks. We each take our blessings where and when we can. Thank you for sharing yours.
Thank you once again Caroline for such a beautiful piece of writing. I take a long, slow breath when I read anything of yours.
You remind us that among the corruptive chaos there is light; in the form of the natural world, which ever shows us its beauty, resilience and strength.
Wow ... what a rich, tender wander through your May this was, Caroline! Thank you so much for sharing. I felt the mice, the oak, the heartbreak and the joy all held so beautifully together in your words, warmth and wisdom. 💚🙏🌳
"On the writing side, I’ve been grappling with self-doubt, vulnerability and letting go of perfection with a long creative project. I don’t like to talk about this too much because I’m superstitious about talking about things before they are fully formed, wary of dissipating their magic. This probably has something to do with deeper-rooted issues around feeling safe to use my voice, and also feeling like I am “enough” without needing external validation". - Oh Caroline I felt absolutely every single word of this writing. Thank you for articulating how I have been feeling. The elections last week set my nervous system on edge with the results and the attitudes behind them. It hurts my heart. Thank you for your incredible words 🩵
Thank you for this. Your moment of apology and prayer with the hedgerows brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your reminders of just how alive our surroundings are. This was such a relatable and meaningful read, as always. 💚
Oh, Caroline... Life is a balancing act, indeed....
"To show up consistently when I am showing up consistently and reliably in so many other areas of my life, both paid and unpaid, visible and invisible." Such a battle for any writer. That's part of why I ceased publication, myself, for 22 years.
I have enormous respect for your attitude to all this.
We also struggled to provide a home for ourselves and 5 children (blended family) when they were young. A house deposit seemed out of our reach unless we lived for many years in extremely basic accommodation. We decided instead to rent as nice a home as we could, and have a few simple holidays, so that the children would have a more pleasant childhood. Having 3 homes sold out from under us made that harder - forcing moves we did not want to make - but we managed to make each new place a home.
It was the right decision.
When they all left home, and (mostly) became independent, we could then make a plan for something smaller but more permanent for ourselves.
44 is still young! You are giving your children the love they need, in a home in a beautiful place, and your own example of how to see and worship and nurture the natural world which, in turn, nurtures us.
I know it's still not easy - even on a gorgeous Spring morning - but you are on the right pathway through the forest...
David, your kind and wise words gave me such a lift when I read them. Truly - this means more than you could know. Thank you for taking the time to share this with me. I hope you have a beautiful day down there in Australia! 💙
This is beautiful, vulnerable writing, Caroline, as fresh and green as your spring garden. I wish you and your family stability in a beautiful place that allows you to feel and write just like this.
Really moved by this writing, Caroline -- my oldest 2 daughters still in the UK. One in London currently homeless and moving around friends -- she has a PhD in writing, works, juggles MS, but landlords can demand houses back and the hoops for getting the next place... the other has 2 young children, her and her partner juggling work and long hours that don't add up to the expenses and every week things are less affordable, and some part of alternative living closes down (they home educate so are immediately 'suspect') and the ease with which neighbours take on fascist views... And you are right, still there is so much beauty and resilience.
Thanks so much, Jan. I'm thrilled to have you here. Sorry to hear of your daughters' struggles - I can relate! Things are tough for so many people right now, but yes, there is still so much beauty and things to hope for and work towards. Wishing you a great week ahead 💚
Caroline, this is such a beautiful read. I've recently returned from my mother's countryside cottage and loved to watch the tiny mouse darting in and out of the hedgerow to gather food. We wondered if there might be babies to feed already. I was enchanted by the abundance of birds every day, rabbits, pheasants and so on. Yes, Brambly Hedge!
You have my empathy regarding your neighbours. Even here in this city that had the first Green MP, we are noticing the force from the far right getting louder. I suppose we must keep caring for our hedgerows and beaches and each other as best we can ✨
Thank you so much for the read and comment. I miss the more tolerant people and vibes of Brighton for sure. Enjoy the sunshine by the sea 💙
I lived on a boat for a while, which was amazing! Easier than van but still tough and little infrastructure. Really hope you get your patch of land someday!
I've always fancied being a boater! My husband is opposed because of all the things that go wrong with boats 😂. But yes it does seem a bit easier to find moorings, how lovely to live on the water. Thanks for reading, Lucy
We live somewhere incredibly beautiful too. Wake each morning to birdsong, end each day with it too. Sheep feed in the field outside our window, hawthorn and blackthorn hedge full of birds. The three wise oaks in the field hold a rookery, and the hills of Shropshire edge our skyline.
Our children live in the city, and sometimes when I see something wonderful like a mole, or goldfinch feeding I pretend my Granddaughter is with me to see it. I am writing a collection of poetry for her. Next week she will have a new baby brother. I wish they lived nearer to us and the countryside, so they could share my wonder daily. But she is beginning (3years old) to notice the wildlife in gardens and parks. We each take our blessings where and when we can. Thank you for sharing yours.
Thanks so much for reading, and for this thoughtful comment 💙
Thank you once again Caroline for such a beautiful piece of writing. I take a long, slow breath when I read anything of yours.
You remind us that among the corruptive chaos there is light; in the form of the natural world, which ever shows us its beauty, resilience and strength.
🙏🏼❤️
Thank you, Keely. I really appreciate the kind words 💙
Agree with having a novel and work of non-fiction on the go at the same time :-)
Thanks for reading, Randi!
Wow ... what a rich, tender wander through your May this was, Caroline! Thank you so much for sharing. I felt the mice, the oak, the heartbreak and the joy all held so beautifully together in your words, warmth and wisdom. 💚🙏🌳
Thank you lovely 💗
"On the writing side, I’ve been grappling with self-doubt, vulnerability and letting go of perfection with a long creative project. I don’t like to talk about this too much because I’m superstitious about talking about things before they are fully formed, wary of dissipating their magic. This probably has something to do with deeper-rooted issues around feeling safe to use my voice, and also feeling like I am “enough” without needing external validation". - Oh Caroline I felt absolutely every single word of this writing. Thank you for articulating how I have been feeling. The elections last week set my nervous system on edge with the results and the attitudes behind them. It hurts my heart. Thank you for your incredible words 🩵
Ah, thanks so much Georg. Your comment means a lot to me. Have a beautiful day. 💙
Thank you for this. Your moment of apology and prayer with the hedgerows brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your reminders of just how alive our surroundings are. This was such a relatable and meaningful read, as always. 💚
Bless you, Jodi. Thank you 💙💙💙
Oh, Caroline... Life is a balancing act, indeed....
"To show up consistently when I am showing up consistently and reliably in so many other areas of my life, both paid and unpaid, visible and invisible." Such a battle for any writer. That's part of why I ceased publication, myself, for 22 years.
I have enormous respect for your attitude to all this.
We also struggled to provide a home for ourselves and 5 children (blended family) when they were young. A house deposit seemed out of our reach unless we lived for many years in extremely basic accommodation. We decided instead to rent as nice a home as we could, and have a few simple holidays, so that the children would have a more pleasant childhood. Having 3 homes sold out from under us made that harder - forcing moves we did not want to make - but we managed to make each new place a home.
It was the right decision.
When they all left home, and (mostly) became independent, we could then make a plan for something smaller but more permanent for ourselves.
44 is still young! You are giving your children the love they need, in a home in a beautiful place, and your own example of how to see and worship and nurture the natural world which, in turn, nurtures us.
I know it's still not easy - even on a gorgeous Spring morning - but you are on the right pathway through the forest...
Best Wishes from Australia.
Dave :)
David, your kind and wise words gave me such a lift when I read them. Truly - this means more than you could know. Thank you for taking the time to share this with me. I hope you have a beautiful day down there in Australia! 💙
Feeling all the feels along with you on this one
Thank you for being here and taking the time 🙏💚
This is beautiful, vulnerable writing, Caroline, as fresh and green as your spring garden. I wish you and your family stability in a beautiful place that allows you to feel and write just like this.
PS. Thank you for making "mouse" a verb here.