…which I could never imagine doing unless the book was of my own making. And this one is. I first made a “book of hours” three years ago when I wanted something more enticing than to-do lists and routines to help me to accomplish all that I want to in a usual day.
It was delightful to make and to use in that Spring of 2016 and was my week-day companion for several weeks, until the rhythms became a part of me…for awhile. Then I would tuck it away in my file for my homemade systems until I needed it again. For I always lose the thread again. It’s a part of the rhythm of my life and I’ve accepted that now…quite easily. I like variety in the midst of my quiet and mostly unvaried life.
For the last year or so, I didn’t pull out my little book at all…either happy to meander through my days or finding enough pattern without its help. But a week or so ago with certain rhythms of care and work swinging along, I felt the desire and willingness to add to that good foundation. So, out came the little book. I spent satisfying moments spreading out the ruffled pages, pulling off the typed words that were no longer pertinent, typing out the new ones that are, pondering a flow for my summer days, pasting and arranging the words and pictures into breadcrumbs to follow.
I’ve been following those breadcrumbs in a relaxed way in my mind for a few days, as I refined and assembled this summery version of the book…and in a focused way today now that its pages are all in order and beckoning the turning of them, hour (or so) by hour. And its been lovely to see how so many little ingredients of my day, and this way of shepherding them, has come together in the most helpful way yet. It feels a part of my journey this year with the idea of Integration. I’ve finally found the place that making my daily herbal infusions fits gracefully and easily…the amount of walking that feels uplifting and doable…and the patterns of working and resting that work best within the constraints of my current health and energy.
Finding so much support in my breadcrumb book also opened a door to a deeper understanding of the sorts of work and creativity that I am good at…and not so good at. And it came to me what a charming, useful kit I could make for you to create your own book…using what you have…and the seasonal pages I’ve created for plotting out your hours…and an e-book with the whole story of my own book and a tutorial for putting one together. Another way to integrate this life and work. Which is the real work of being alive, isn’t it? To weave it all together in our own way, as best we can…
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You may expect to see this kit and my first set of printables (Peaceful Kitchen) in my shop in the next week or two. If you are not on my mailing list and would like to receive word with this sort of news and occasional missives from my hedgerow, please sign up here.
