Dear reader, do you know how long it can be grey in Portland over winter? For weeks on end it often seems. So much so that when the sky is blue and the sun finally shines through the trees, it can feel euphoric. It’s a VIBE, and the whole city feels different. We’ve had a week of light and clear skies, and it’s genuinely been so lovely. And I even love all four of the seasons, even as they play out here in the rainy/grey PNW (though let’s be real, it’s all changing with the climate crisis…but let me not Debbie Downer my own self, as I am wont to do). Tomorrow we go back to a forecasted 10 days of grey and rain. I am okay with it. This prevents me from having to water the garden, and it makes the future blue sky even more of a divine present.
I know I am not about to reveal some revolutionary artist’s way tip here, but perhaps you need a nudge: take your journal outside. If it’s nice out, go to a park. Literally touch grass. This was such a delightful way to spend an afternoon, and I highly recommend it. Bring a few supplies and something to sit on as your particular body requires. A cold drink, a book to read, a snack, a loved one.
On this day I brought the journal/planner that I currently use for memory keeping and personal journaling (different than my commonplace book). It’s an A5 sized Common Planner from Sterling Ink. It’s sold out for 2024, but you don’t need this exact book to take to the park. Of course you don’t.
I packed up my little supplies in this little tote, a very nice thing that you also don’t need. I bought it right before the pandemmie to take journaling supplies out to coffee shops and bars…annnnnd so this was my first time taking it out of the house. How is that I bought this four years ago?!?!?
My spouse (Ames) and I went together. It was sweet. There were LARPers playing some kind of sword combat game in the park, with capes and hats. Early in the panini we came to this park, and there were larpers engaged in some kind of fencing situation. It’s clearly a LARPing park. I’m honestly so glad they found each other, and admire their commitment to doing something they love in public. You do not need a spouse, date, or partner to enjoy your journal at the park. A friend can be just as sweet. Being alone can be just as sweet.
life advice from animal familiars
the crow
I suggest we take some life advice from this crow, seen here just absolutely trashing the gutters to look for treasure. This crow would bring their journal to the park and tape in every shiny wrapper and ribbon that crossed their path, and would not be worried about “messing up” their pages.
ruth, the cat
We could all be more like Ruth, choosing to be in curious awe even about something we have seen one million times. May we all be filled with such wonder! She would 100% bring her journal to the park and record tender, embodied observations of everything in her vision. She’d write about how it feels to be writing in her journal at the park, soft and meta.
PS- that snake plant is drooping and we think it needs a bigger pot!
PPS - what is an animal familiar, you ask? I felt I had to, given the aforementioned LARPing.
on a serious note 🍉
I think about Gaza and the West Bank every day, as well as the Israeli hostages, multiple times a day. When we were at the park, I felt joy and lightness and then immediate ache that not everyone gets to experience this freedom of movement, on land that is abundant with life. I don’t have more to say about that at this time…I just wanted to be real with you. All children are our children, and we all need to act like it. Even if we don’t know how. Ceasefire now. End the apartheid.
for your practice
I don’t need anyone’s permission or approval to make marks on these pages. There is no wrong way.
At the park or any outside location with my journal, what do I notice, feel, see? What’s on my mind?
Go to a park. If you don’t have one accessible, I hope you can find some grass to lay in.
Sending you big green grass energy, erin. xo
The UK and the PNW are damp grey winter cousins and live for that yearly turning point when the sun peeks through the clouds. Thanks for the gentle nudge to actually get out in it!