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the art of life…

…is to show your hand.

~E.V. Lucas

I am not marching today, tho’ I have in the past and will again. But my fingers are marching across the keyboard, and scrolling through my photos looking for those with hands. There are many. You may know why this is my theme today.

The quote at the top of this post goes on…

“There is no diplomacy like candor. You may lose by it now and then, but it will be a loss well gained if you do. Nothing is so boring as having to keep up a deception.”

I wouldn’t say I’ve been deceptive all of these years online, sharing thoughts and pictures, my mind and my heart. But I’ve not been entirely open…I’ve not brought up politics…I’ve not felt free to express all that I might, if I did not make my living through my online businesses. It’s tricky. Especially, perhaps, when my work is meant to create and share peace and beauty…

…but also truth. My truth. And my truth is that my heart is sore and aching. The solid ground my feet have felt and known beneath me for most of my life, is trembling. I feel so much grief over what is being lost, what is being done.

And tho’ I am finding so much to read and learn and keep up with…I’m not finding what I am most seeking now, what those of us who are safe, home, living our everyday lives, are really feeling about it all? The cruelty…the damage…the suffering. This is not normal. And yet, most of the dear woman I’ve long visited in my online hedgerow are not speaking of it. And nor have I, until now…

I’ve been wondering what to do, what will be my response? And I’ve done a bit of this and that, but especially looked within to find the truest answer. I haven’t been able to grasp it fully, but this post is a start and in the weeks to come, I hope to breath some life into this website of mine and make it a place to find, in addition to peace & beauty for all, new resources.

It feels time to refocus on Make Do & Mend the Earth, both as a response to what is unfolding and because the earth, more than ever, needs our caring. I will make a blog list with kindred places to visit when you need company. And more sharing about how I’ve disentangled myself from the too-large-and-powerful companies we encounter in our daily lives. I won’t be strident, or focusing on politics, just on what feels right and helpful. I’d like this spot to be the sort I am looking for now…not focusing on current events…not ignoring them, but sharing about my everydays, including the feelings and questions that are coming up and coloring my days.

I will be passionate and gentle, as I authentically am…just more free than I’ve felt in the past. Wisteria & Sunshine will remain a politics-free zone, tho’ always a place where we may trust that our emotions and well-being will be held lovingly. My hope is that those of my customers and members who view the current situation in our country (and the world) differently than I, will not find it unwelcome to let me be more truly me in my own public spaces. And now I’m taking a deep breath and clicking publish.

xo

Lesley

It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.

~Nelson Mandela

a word, a star, a lantern…

Hello dear you,

On this day, fourteen years ago, I opened the doors to Wisteria & Sunshine, a membership site that grew from all that I was discovering and cherishing, in the midst of my quiet life. And it has remained a peaceful, nourishing place over all these years, I’m grateful to say. This month is always our Gentle January there, where we slowly and gently : ) give small attentions to our lives, so that we feel more more clear and ready to step into the year, come month’s end.

Most years I post about the word I have chosen as a touchstone…lantern…or north star…to guide me along my way. Yesterday, the post that I stitched together seemed especially bright and heartening, and I had the impulse to share it with you today. It’s been a long time since I left anything here for you to find. And in this time of such complexity online, and after spending too long this morning trying to find out why so many on my newsletter list aren’t receiving the letters I send, I’m keeping it simple and leaving it here, in case you happen by.

If you are on my mailing list and didn’t receive this, please get in touch and I will gladly sort it for you. That link will also serve as a comment box, if you like, because I am closing commenting now after too many years of dealing with an enormous amount of spam. Always seeking more peace in this online realm, tho’ missing the old days, just so you know…

This year, it is a lantern I am picturing, with the choice of my word, to both shine a light on my path through the months, but also, to glow from within me.

My word this year came from within. I thought it would be peaceful again…it is still the feeling I am most wanting for my life and my days, and I don’t feel finished with it. But, then this other word started to come to my notice when I read or heard it, and the ears of my soul pricked up.

And I soon saw that this new word is necessary to create and fully bring into being all that I discerned last year brings peace to me…with my healing…my home and garden…my relationships.

Last year, tho’ it brought more clarity and understanding of what I want and need, I didn’t manage to bring much of what I learned into visible difference or progress. My new word acknowledges this and gives me and my dreamy, Piscean soul some heartening encouragement.

trust

I need to trust that with continued learning and attention, I will heal my chronic symptoms. I want to trust that I will find the energy and devotion to truly make my home and garden peaceful to me. And I desire that trust will overcome old patterns and habits that I am so ready to let go of, yet find still vex me.

As I discovered these paintings this morning, I found myself arranging them from the quiet, solitary, intentional lighting of a candle and placing it in a chosen lantern…to doing so in small company…to gathering with our lanterns lit and walking through our worlds with them.

Whether you are lighting your path in solitude or company, with words or simply your own hopes and desires, I wish you well with your journey. And may your January days be gentle.

xo

Lesley

P.S. I meant to mention, today I am opening up a new room at Wisteria & Sunshine. It is a private, lovely space where those of us on a healing path can share and find supportive company as we discover mind/body approaches to chronic pain and symptoms. I’ve been on this path for a few months now and am greatly encouraged. 💕It feels as tho’ I’ve found a door into a new world…that’s been there all along.