recipe for air supply…..


Recipe
to refurbish air supply:

While still thoroughly stunned,  slowly sprinke with granules of gratitude.
Watch closely, now……look through the blur for brightness.
Notice.  It’s there.
Find and dry rub into numb places.

Feel free to mix it up;  the combinations are endless.
This time I used….

~Laundry.  Do lots.   Hunt for coins and buy the loveliest dryer sheets.
Don’t hold back….wash garden gloves,  husband’s dirty work  hats (reshape and don’t tell), curtains,
  the afghan that lives on the ottoman.
  Fill  neighborhood with the fragrance. 

~Long brisk walks  (suggest add liberally)

~Thick chunks of warm pumpkin bread

~Grace Potter and the Nocturnals crooning through headphones and loudly

~Twinkle lights. ….add more.

~Unrushed soaking in bookstore ….. take in covers that brush up against your sweet spots.
 Just let them.

~Love like crazy…..place artwork and notecards loaded down with love and hope in library books, 
on grocery store shelves,
  in random places.
  Really slather this on.

~Pull weeds. …add generous portion of weed pulling.

~Gilmore Girls reruns….just a  dash

~Once you can sing past the lump in your throat,  do.  Make it loud.  And not sweet,  either.  Use your throat.

~Swing your arms.  Alot.

~Rehydrate.  Drink plenty of water. 
And in your tea,  try mixing  fresh lemon,  ginger and a little orange juice.

~cut crisp photos from magazines and stamp or doodle on them….stuff that tugs at the light in your heart.
   Tuck those  into the love you leave around. 
Or into someone’s hand.
  Or into your everydayness.

~Tater tot casserole bubbling in the oven  (yes,  the one from the 70’s)

~Avoid excessive alcohol (too maudlin)
…..instead, vigorously tumble art supplies onto table
for a wild ride into come-what-may.
Paint it out…..or write or draw or collage or photoshop or sew or scissor or snip or scribble or sculpt.
  Just let your hands pray from your heart.
  It drains off the pain and heals stuff.

Finally,  don’t resent  the scar.  Just let it be. 
It’s beautiful.  Really.

“I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly.
  That is what the scar makers want us to think.   But you and I,  we must agree to defy them.
   We must see all scars as beauty,  okay?    Because take it from me,  a scar does not form on the dying.
A scar means,  I survived.” 
  -from Chris Cleave’s “Little Bee”

 

29 Comments

  1. Mary on September 23, 2011 at 11:28 am

    oh Jen, how i needed this…this manna for the soul…
    thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    tater tot casserole…the one with hamburger, mushroom soup and cheese?? oh yes, gonna make it!!
    and for dessert…pumpkin bread!!

    love to you my friend!!

  2. Mary on September 23, 2011 at 11:28 am

    oh, may i copy this to keep???

  3. Barbara on September 23, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Just beautiful – a wonderful recipe. I know several people who need it right now. Thank you! And sending another hug!

  4. Julia Of Petals and Wool on September 23, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    Jennifer, I like how your wisdom takes over and sooth your pains and scars. You are a balm to me. I borrowed this word from you because it’s a healing word. I like the sound of it. I love your art and how you get lost in the everyday mundane chores while always paying attention to wisdom.. Hugs. JB

  5. missing moments on September 23, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    Always fun to stop here … your words are so inspirational and upbeat! Just love it!

  6. Lady Fi on September 23, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    This is so beautiful – and inspirational!

  7. rachel awes on September 23, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    have you found lovely dryer sheets?! (as i hear the washer tumbling now!)
    & i’d love to get my hands on library books you’ve soaked with your goodness!
    your tea mix sounds fabulous (i’ve never considered oj in there!)
    & all the ingredients of jennifer are magical twinkle lights…
    XOX

  8. Connie Smiley on September 23, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Exquisite, Jennifer, and you are so right about scars. God doesn’t let anything go to waste. By the way, I’d love to shop at your grocery store. What lucky people who come upon your surprises.

  9. Anyes - Far Away in the Sunshine on September 23, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    This in my opinion deserves to be part of the best tool kit for heart-repairs. Mine is a bit bruised at the moment and it just got better reading your awesome recipes! Hugs and lots of love sent your way, Jennifer 🙂

  10. Kel on September 23, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    what a wondrous recipe you have created
    may it nourish your own soul as it has ours

  11. S. Etole on September 23, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    Tater tot hot dish is a major comfort food!!! And a bit of chocolate needs to be added to the mix … {not the hot dish}. Tons of gratitude and praise work well.

    Keeping you in prayer.

  12. kathryn on September 23, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    love your words…as always…lovely recipe!!

  13. JBR on September 24, 2011 at 4:21 am

    I am always mesmorized by the deep color of these photos. Jen, this was a powerful and timely message. Thank you. Blessings.

  14. Bren on September 24, 2011 at 6:51 am

    Your words always leave me at a loss for words. There’s something in the way you write Jen you manage to convey the desperation and the moments of relief you find. “Let your hands pray from your heart.” beautifully said and I guess that is just what you’ve done here.
    Love that first photo, extraordinary and your art work at the end, rich.
    For the book.

  15. jeanie on September 24, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I’ve read a lot of recipes. This may be my favorite of all time — I am breathless, need a bit of air supply, and now I know exactly how to get it! Thanks again for a lovely visit.

  16. Marion on September 24, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    What a wonderful list, so full of lushness and goodness. i need to print it and keep it near me, bringing at least one of these juicy bits into my day..think I’ll start with

    “Unrushed soaking in bookstore…

    Ah, bliss.

    Hope you are savoring all the goodness that’s on this list! Thank you for bring it to us!

  17. Liz on September 24, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    you are an angel sent right from the bountiful heart of God, my friend……

    Grateful for the always abundance you bring,
    your friend,
    Liz

  18. T.O. Geezer on September 24, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Excellent Recipe! 🙂

    Have a nice day…. and by the way, thanks for your recent comment on my Bounty Hunters post.

    ~Ron

  19. Cheri Wollenberg on September 24, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Okay…..this post has had me basking and breathing in the warm sun, smelling yellow and bright……..eating delicious word pictures of warm things mentally and spiritually and then I flew…..no I flitted over and made art with my life under your direction….It is always fun coming over to your blog home…..Thanks Jen for the recipe. Cheri.

  20. Briana on September 25, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    What a fantastic poem and set of images. Thank you for all of these important reminders.
    Love and hugs,
    Briana

  21. Marcie on September 25, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Beautiful!! A just right and perfect mix of happy!! And – yes – let’s celebrate our scars..a wonderful reminder that we’re alive!

  22. Anita on September 25, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    It makes me happy that you’ve mentioned so many of my favorite things! Spreading random love, Gilmore Girls, walks, pumpkin bread, twinkle lights, and book stores! Exploring our feelings by creating instead of numbing them with excessive alcohol is so healthy! Take a deep breath, just breathe.
    Thanks so much for your wonderful words!
    xoxo

  23. Relyn on September 27, 2011 at 10:44 am

    When I read your title, here’s what I thought.

    add 4ish mediocre singers
    several cheesy lyrics
    some bad guitar

    and somehow you have a hit single

  24. peggy on September 27, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    stunning photographs and then your art just finished it off like a beautiful tasty cheery on top!! Your recipe was right on. I took exception to the weed pulling, a little maybe, not lots- but everything else sounded like a hearty heart healing to me. I would add read “ripplespeak” at least once a week.

  25. Lee Ann G. on September 27, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    Beautiful! This entire post is stunning and had all my senses bursting with joy! I love autumn too, just need more sun here in Indiana to go along with it. I LOVE that quote at the bottom about scars! Beautiful and so RIGHT. Have you read the Max LuCado children’s book called :YOU ARE SPECIAL? It reminds me so much of this quote and the little character struggles with not fitting in with those who think he is ugly because he isn’t just like them. You must look the book up Jen. You would love it.

    Your photographs are so beautiful and so is your art from your heart Jen. Everything just flows together so well with who you are. And Y♥U are an amazing soul.

    ♥Lee Ann

  26. beth on September 29, 2011 at 8:22 am

    “love like crazy”…….i love that !!

    and oh my gosh, i haven’t made tater tot casserole in forever. guess what’s going on my grocery list 🙂

  27. LindyLouMac in Italy on September 29, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    As always you have a wonderful way with words.

  28. elk on September 30, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    fantastic recipe my friend ..smiled and shook my head YESS YESS at almost each one of the special life altering ingredients..you calm my soul and FILL my heart~ Be well!!

  29. Liz on September 30, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    hey my dear!

    Stumbled on this blog tonight (via Sharon Lovejoy’s blog) and thought you’d love it too….a kindred spirit here I think….

    http://www.privetandholly.com/2011/09/its-all-clear.html

    warmest,
    Liz

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