August rest……
Each month I start a new folder on my laptop
for photos I’ll take and save that month.
Humming with messy hope, I type in the title
like mixing a color
or naming a poem
and no over-thinking allowed
…just plunk it down,
whatever is rolling around in my belly.
I love looking back a the images from that month
and seeing the serendipity
…”there is only love”
“a river runs through it”,
“the days were golden”
….each month with it’s own story to tell.
This month out popped “August rest”,
pulled playful from August Rush
(which I’d begun to type)
and I sat grinning at the irony,
with the engines of our busy season are already rumbling,
the acceleration making my floorboards quake.
Yes, yes indeed to rest.
Yes to resting from stuff that steals away my time,
from spending on anything I don’t have to buy,
from trying to please,
trying to know,
trying to foresee.
Rest from scolding myself
to be quick and try harder,
from wondering if I should do more,
offer more,
be more,
write more,
right more.
Simply inside myself, rest.
A firm “no” to rush; a gentle “yes” to rest.
August. Rest.
I’ll still be coming around to share my rest with you!
One way I’ve been resting my mind is with these outdoor paintings!
I love letting them find their way into the garden and onto the trees.
The weather-proofing is working!
(palms clasped)
The music of it all is sweetness to my soul.
I love the “just be” butterfly. Your art is bold but restful. Love that combination!
So glad the paintings are holding up well in the big out doors, now it’s time to let them go to some new homes, I know you’ve had offers 🙂
Rest in whatever pockets of time you can my friend, praying you get through the busy season with your mind and body in tact!
And your grow flowers everywhere.
And you plant love here and there.
I also create a new folder each month for my photos. Enjoy your seasons of rest.
Blessings,
Joan
What a treat!!! Lovely, creative, and BRIGHT, which is what counts most for me. If only I were artistically creative, I’d be even happier. You done so good!!!
Blessings.
I just love your monthly folder idea. Even in organizing, you are creative! Beautiful photos, too, and glad that your weather proofing is aworking! Rest, be, breathe, enjoy!
What a happy place this must be to chance upon. Enjoy your rest!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your artwork! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
What fun!! Love these outdoor little paintings. And rest is always good!!!
i love your garden in the trees, friend.
a kiss to your rest xox
Enjoy your rest with plenty of relaxation.
I love your writing and your words and your creative paintings. I have felt like I want time out to rest after a few frenetic weeks. I need time to ‘just be’ as you suggest! x
I enjoyed the resting ideas. Good to go with the flow when you can.
I love your outdoor paintings and your words!
A firm “no” to rush; a gentle “yes” to rest.
Enjoy your rest and thank you for your continued inspiration!
Hugs!
you’ve inspired me to make August a rest month…from over analyzing and thinking…i LOVE the idea of it! Just experience life and enjoy!!
I LOVE your happy flower paintings!!!! They are gorgeous and really make me smile. So much my own style! Whimsical!! Did you do these on wood, canvas or what Jen? I love the different sizes.
I needed to read your post today about not scolding myself about so many things talking in my head. Feeling bad that I haven’t posted for so long on my own blog and hearing those other should have, or should do now etc. voices. Thank you for the reminder, that it is okay to rest. I needed to hear your peaceful words.
Keep bringing on smiles with creating those awesome flower art paintings.
Love and Hugs,
Lee Ann
Love this post – I have had to decree shorter work hours for myself at my shop for the month of August (it’s the slowest month and I need the rest, being the only employee there) – and the artwork is just scrumptious!
Good Morning Beautiful! I had this post up for a few days now. Had to absorb and re-absorb the calm, freeing feeling it gives me! Loving. Thank you.
Oh Jen, always *always* such serendipity in the timing of my visits to your space here……How I *needed* this word tonight……I had just finished a troubled prose sprinkled with the phrase, “no rest”…..and how I do it to myself…..how I disallow rest….
“yes yes” to what you wrote here…….thanks always, my dear friend…..
liz~*
Hi Jennifer! I came to visit your blog after you left me such a sweet note on mine. I love your bright and beautiful paintings and you poetic writing style. So glad to make your acquaintance.
i squealed as soon as i saw these paintings! sure did and i am not ashamed to admit it.
your art wold make any home smile.
xo
I love this about you. Knowing these kinds of things make us feel like in-person friend, don’t you think?