Gentle Asides
It’s been a hard winter and to cope, I’ve been napping in the afternoon. A good nap reboots my spirit and gives me the will to go on. Post nap, I have energy to make dinner nice (as opposed to lazy) and continue to sort through my mother’s belongings or organize a bookshelf of two. But I also blame my napping on the strange winter weather we are having and the strain from pandemic issues and now a terrible and sad war. I’ve never napped so much and I make no apologies for it.
There have been other gentle asides in my life right now, too. I enjoy making comforting soups and a few special treats, for me and to share. I’ve been watching YouTube videos on how to paint small pieces of furniture, starting a backyard compost, knitting better, new ways of applying concealer, how to create hot mocha drinks, and a few old TV shows. I’m taking life slow these days and not judging myself.
Another gentle aside was the day my sister and I took a meandering drive to a small village across the bay. We went to a lovely new cafe and sampled the delicious coffee. On the way back, I watched white farmhouses pop up in my view regularly. Soon, I was able to deduce that the landscape was once a pastoral farming community with its old houses, dilapidated barns and ancient grange buildings, all filling in spaces between contemporary housing developments. This drive led me down a rabbit hole on the internet searching for information about a beautiful lost country town which no longer exits. When I emerged an hour or two later, I felt refreshed having been free from thoughts and concerns for a while. Gentle asides do not have to be sleeping episodes to do the trick…
I found the image above in a gifted vintage knitting and crochet brochure I’ve had for a while. It doesn’t surprise me that there has been a strong resurgence in crafting these last two years, especially crocheting. I like to imagine that women all over the world are finding their gentle asides in learning to crochet and making special things for their homes and families. Needlecraft has a wonderful reputation for soothing the souls of women. Truth.
Despite the plexiglass separations, I’m finding the library to be a place of quiet congeniality – more gentle asides this winter. I love the peaceful feeling I get browsing the book racks with like-minded strangers in such a hushed place. Being there, it’s almost as though my hearing has been reduced an octave or two. I also get a smug sense of economy when my library receipt tells me how much money I have just saved by borrowing a book or two.
The escapism of reading a good novel is always a nice gentle aside. I’m only selecting tender-hearted ones and only from trusted online recommendations. I’m finding docile stories about home, domesticity, and perhaps a bonus congenial love story. My heart can’t take anymore than that right now and my library attends me very well.
What are your gentle asides?
17 Comments
Jodi LaFleur
Your essay couldn’t have come at a better time.
I am currently working through Moorea Seal’s 52 Lists for Calm (a journal) and the exercise I was on was one in which we were to reach out to someone who we find soothing (someone we don’t know in real life, such as a celebrity or author) in order to gather data on what brings them peace and calm.
You are this, for me.
How serendipitous!
Thank you for this post, my blood pressure lowered as I read it. (I so enjoy your writing)
Jodi
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Jodi!! Hugs…
A Lovely Inconsequence
Jodi Thank you so very much!!!
Karen
Thank you for your soothing validation of gentle asides. I have been doing some of the same things … reading gentle novels, watching YouTube “slow living” channels and browsing thrift stores. I’m working hard on going easy on myself – a very paradoxical statement. I fear falling into the deep end of the lazy pool and never coming out, but I’m choosing to believe that energy will rise as will the spring flowers. Sigh! As another gentle aside, I’m wearing my small collection of pastel winter sweaters, imitating the lovely Karen’s habit. I’m liking it! 😄 May all of our souls be soothed by our own best self-care and by leaning on each other.
xo The Other Karen
A Lovely Inconsequence
How beautifully put as always Karen! Love the idea of thrift stores…there’s one right up my street. Thank you!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Yes, Other Karen…thrift shops. There’s one right up the street. Beautifully put.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much!
Ann
Yes….to naps, slowing down, and the library! Love my library…always come home with more books than I can read! Libraries are such a bargain, and many people do not realize the treasures they are to us!
A Lovely Inconsequence
I’m rediscovering my library and enjoying it. Thank you Ann.
Tracy H
Donna, going through your Mother’s life via the things she left behind is a rewarding yet emotionally exhausting journey. It is so hard to cull and keep. My thoughts are with you.
I enjoy wandering around thrift stores now. It is all interesting to me: scarves,
pretty cups and plates, handbags, etc. People give such beautiful things away. The book section is haphazardly arranged and takes time to peruse.
I don’t need to buy very much, sometimes nothing at all, but marvel at the quality put in to the things of the past as compared to items in the stores today.
When warmer weather returns, nature walks will commence, making the dogs happy too.
Always looking forward to your next post, Would you mind sharing your gentle books? They sound perfect right now.
Tracy
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you Tracy. I will write about the books I’m reading!
Amy
I was just about to ask the same question! Thank. you!
A Lovely Inconsequence
I hope you saw my list Tracy in my latest post.
Robyn S
A beautiful post! Thank you! I recently discovered this blog, and I greatly resonate with your writings!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Robyn! I’m so happy you like my writing.
A Lovely Inconsequence
Thank you so much Robyn!
Karen
Oh, isn’t this soothing and restful? Since I am one of those ladies that is crocheting this winter, I so appreciate both the charming image of the snoozy young woman and the reference to that particular vintage magazine. I love the idea of the lost village you discovered, and the idea of browsing in the peaceful quiet of the library. This was a totally charming post, Donna , and I will be reading it again and again. As soon as I get up from my nap.