not-quite Journaling, 27
2022
slithers in
under
a bleak cape of clouds
it
ripped out
of
2021’s rotting grip.
Souls
start suffering
the
loss (2021 took so much),
then
they look beyond the fear,
(Behind 2022’s
darkest cloak)
and
they see
a
spark… perhaps
the
sun.
1/4/2022: My
Piano Man, the not-so-Little Princess and I had a nice New Year’s Eve—we
cooked, we ate, we watched the first episode of The Book of Boba Fett,
and we stuffed our faces with grapes (for luck!) as the as the Times Square ball dropped. It was a
good night. So, that is the spark I choose to see, since 2022 decided to arrive
sunless.
In
2022, Enkindle!
1/4/2022: I seldom do the word of the year thing; but last month,
when Dictionary.com shared the word “Enkindle
(v): to kindle into flame, ardor, activity.” I knew it was my word for this
year. Enkindle has been in my mind ever since. This word
feels right, warm, a good focus word for any year (and particularly
apt for this one).
On
fresh snow
an oak
leaf conjures
autumn
dreams,
under
naked limbs
decked
in winter lace.
1/7/2022: NYC is being blanketed by the first real snow of the season—cold
and lovely (from inside the house). Things didn’t
feel half as lovely while I froze at the bus stop. 🥶
winter’s
bones
can
spring the brightest
shoots
of hope
1/10/2022: Laurie A. Conley describes her
art as “gently spooky”; and that’s true. But there’s so much
more to her cute ghost, lively skeletons, and anthropomorphic trees. Her
creations brew smiles out of me. They leave me feeling a bit
more hopeful. This piece is a new favorite of mine. Doesn’t it make smile… and
hope?
After
the
storm,
a
sweet William
dares
to spring through
winter.
1/13/2022: This beauty blooms in a ginormous
pot outside my VA hospital. I love seeing
flowers there… and this sweet William feels extra special (snow is covering
the ground, the temperatures have been soul-freezing cold, and this
little flower springs defiantly through the bones of her winter-slayed kin).
What heart can’t keep from being moved by that gift?
'Enkindle' is a lovely word! And you certainly possess the secret of spotting the bright and beautiful amidst apparent gloom.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite taken by the word "Enkindle"...
Delete...and I think that we can always find bright and beautiful (when we look).
DeleteEnkindle is a sturdy word... a great selection to guide 2022.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat little skeleton is super cute! She and your words go so well together. I sometimes do a word of the year thing. LOL, I played around with a random generator and got "conquer" and that feels all out of proportion to where I am now, but "enkindle" that feels better. Here's hoping that there will be beautiful sparks to tend to in the upcoming year.
ReplyDeleteOh, come on! You should find yourself a sword (okay, a pen) and get to conquering!
DeleteAnd kind is in enkindle. I'm always looking for that spark. Our first snow at The New Year was the magic I needed here. I love to see your creative workings put together.
ReplyDeleteI love that KIND lives in enkindle.
DeleteI am in agreement with the word enkindle. Also the skeleton, very cute. Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteI hope your day is even better.
DeleteMagaly, I love reading your 'diary form' entries. I also like your word of the year find. We've enkindled our lust for cruising, have booked a transatlantic cruise to Southampton, U.K, this spring. So far it hasn't cancelled. It won't be our first. The most fun was front NYC to U.K. with three stops in Iceland and some more stops before and after.
ReplyDeleteI will try to use your word, rekindle other ideas. Like cleaning up the messes in my 'office' which has become as junk room with paths. Mind you, not 'resolutions'.
..
I hope the cruise is safe. So many nightmarish stories these days...
DeleteExcellent series - you've captured the times...these dark times.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Delete"Enkindle" -- what a great word!
ReplyDeleteGracias!
DeleteI believe The oh-so-sweet William has a message of all mankind ... if only we listen. Already, I have fallen in love with enkindle. The drawing is pure adorableness. (is that a word?)
ReplyDeleteIf adorableness wasn't a word, it is now--but I'm nearly sure that it is.
DeleteThanks for introducing us to Laurie Conley and her "gentle spirit", and for passing along the word enkindle. It sparks my fancy too. In fact, I borrowed it already. Hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI am sooo happy you borrowed it and made it shine!
Delete2022 is slithering in alright but hopefully at some point, a ray of sunshine behind the clouds. I am so sick of isolating and know so many people right now who are sick - some mild, others really ill. Sigh - hopefully the end will be sometime this year.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't alone in your frustration. I miss going places, spending half a day in secondhand bookshops, just doing things with friends... sigh.
Deletevery inspiring post magaly, really enjoy your journaling here, love all those images. i had foot surgery this last month and i can't go out and play this winter, i'm going to miss an entire season of ice fishing. stuck inside i miss nature so much, so i really appreciate all your words and images. be well, hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI hope your foot is healing nicely. The healing process of injuries/surgeries involving hands and feet are always so exhausting. Here is to some soothing spring walks...
DeleteEnkindle is a lovely word a prayerful word
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Much love...
A magic word, indeed.
Deleteyou have a knack for spotting courageous blooms. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso enjoyed the rest of the journaling.
I think it has to do with the fact that I'm always looking, lol!
DeleteIt's so good to hear you ushered the New Year in a simple yet loving style surrounded by your loved ones. And grapes for luck...great tip, I need lots of them. :D
ReplyDeleteI like your word, Enkindle. It's unique; feels both gentle and fierce. May the spark you choose to see, regardless, grow to light out your world in 2022!
I love your description of enkindle. Gentle and fierce, indeed!
DeleteI always love getting steeped in your world...those wintery pictures fill me with such enchantment..they feel like snowy fairytale tree beings. Ekindle is new to me..what an epic word..it just fuels the spirit with creative magic and motivation..so perfect. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my sweetest Victoria. I hope this year is wonderful for you too.
DeleteThank you for capturing the single leaf on fresh snow and the defiant flower of nature. I often see a leaf, a feather or a small trail breaking the whiteness and it hits the right space.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing "enkindle"
That's a fantastic way to put it: "it his the right space."
DeleteEnkindle? I like it. If you can see or even imagine a spark
ReplyDeleteof radiance beyond all this illness, you are ahead of the game.
I love that flower!
Thank you so much, Sara.
DeleteI love the word enkindle! That's brilliant. And the art... such hopefulness, in death, there is still life. And the persistence of a flower.
ReplyDelete"in death, there is still life." I love that. I love that so much.
DeleteYou definitely enkindle hope with your bright spark!
ReplyDelete