Observables #34

on Annie Dillard, Canadian fashion, and signs of spring

Annie Dillard’s The Writing life. She’s a funny one: “Why not shoot yourself, actually, rather than finish one more excellent manuscript on which to gag the world?” It’s strangely liberating to have it presented that way. You have to want it. You have to show up for it with your little bit of belief because no one’s going to make you write that thing. LOL, Annie.

And for anyone out there who is not satisfied with their at home work set up, there’s this: “Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark.”

My own voice in conversation with my mini me.

“Ta da. My new sweatshirt. What do you think?”

Violet tilts her head to the side.

“I feel youthful!” I say.

Her head tilts the other way. Then.

“Actually, can I have it when you’re done?”

“You like it?” I’m excited now. Pleasing my daughters is a priority.

“I’m not gonna wear it.” Duh, Mommy.

Then it dawns on me.

“You want to cut it up?”

She runs away with a twinkle in her eye. That’s an affirmative.

My sweatshirt would make a great additional texture to one of her creations.

Signs of spring, sunshine on a dog’s fur, the length of my shadow at 2 p.m., 50 starlings tucked into a bush, an old friend who I recognize more from her posture than her face--hidden under a mask, this sign on a poll:

This week on Sister On! Nat and I do a speedy reframe of toxic positivity.

You can find our transcripts (posted on Fridays) and more information for all our episodes here. If our conversations support you in your own reframing practice, please consider a donation on our Patreon. Subscribe to the Sister On! Newsletter. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok too.