Halcyon Days
Finding the calm in times of turmoil
“All passion becomes strength when it has an outlet.”
- George Elliot
Hello Creative Souls 🤍
Welcome to my July newsletter. I’m going to be frank with you from the start, this hasn’t been an easy one to write. I keep putting it off and by the time I post this, it will be the last few days of July. Please don’t leave at this early stage, I promise this isn’t going to be a maudlin post, I just wanted to be authentic with you and yes, that does make me feel vulnerable, because like many, I worry about what others think, although that is becoming less of a problem as I get older. This month has been a month of trials and tribulations, which I’m not going to dwell upon here, but I just wanted to acknowledge that life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. Sometimes we get ill, sometimes we get tired, sometimes it feels like an up hill battle, like we are wading through mud, sometimes plans have to be cancelled or put on hold, but that’s ok. A world of duality where we experience the positive and the negative in life.
This month I don’t want to share with you the negative aspects of life, I want to share with you my small wins and hope that in the process of doing so it will encourage you to celebrate your small wins. So please stick around dear reader, to find out how I have managed to move forward and find peace during times of distress and the unexpected joy that came my way.
It is never too late, no matter how old you get because anytime or any point in your life you can always have a chance to make a difference. You can always make a change for the better no matter what background you derived from. You can always do your best and be all that you can be because you will always be uniquely you. It is why it is always wise to listen to your eternal heart, your eternal instincts, and what it had always strove for and/or to do because really anybody can make a difference not only in their own lives but in the lives of others. It is never too late to shine; never.
- George Elliot
Why all the George Eliot Quotes?
This month I read a wonderful book that has left me pondering long after I’ve finished the story. The novel is called ‘The Book of Beginnings’ by Sally Page. The book has stirred something inside of me and left me pondering my own life at 50 something years old. I’ll share with you this brief synopsis:
Jo Sorsby is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her poorly uncle's beloved stationery shop, where she has fond memories from her childhood. She glimpses into the lives of her customers, from behind the shop counter, as they scribble little notes and browse colourful notebooks, which provides her with a distraction from her own bruised heart and distressing past.
When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian still finding himself, she suddenly realises she isn't alone.
This lovely book contained some quotes from George Eliot and without giving too much away, the story weaves together little stories of other people’s lives, their trials and tribulations, how friendships are formed and how through these friendships we are given all the tools we need to heal ourselves and help heal others.
The other fabulous thing in this book is that Jo Sorsby loves stationery and as the reader, we get a glimpse into the positive influence that her uncle and his shop had on Jo as a child and returning as an adult reignites her passion. She makes her mind up that no one writes with a fountain pen anymore. Actually, I do. I write most mornings in my journal using my Faber-Castell fountain pen, I love the feel of the wooden pen with the shiny silver coloured end and lid. Thanks to this book I made a special journey into town to browse the local stationers, inside I found an array of fountain pens and I made a purchase of some gorgeous purple ink, which is my first small win for July.
A Cornwall Escape..
I am fortunate enough to be able to visit Cornwall often and last week I had a week free to be able to do just that. I packed up the car with all my art supplies and books. A whole week with Audrey, with plans to walk, paint, read and write. However, I quickly realised the universe had other ideas and my plans were promptly scuppered. I did spend a lovely week in Cornwall, but felt a little below parr on arrival, so needless to say, this post didn’t get written, books were not read and minimal painting occurred. However, the trip to Cornwall led me to experience small win number 2 and 3.
My husband joined us for the weekend and so on the Saturday morning we decided to take Audrey out for a walk along the south west coastal path. We weren’t planning on being out for long, just a brisk walk to get some sea air. I didn’t bother taking a bag, I wasn’t in the mood to sketch, it was just us and Audrey. Having parked the car, we wandered along the field, the sky turned blue as the cloud started to clear and Audrey was on a mission and leading the way. We found ourselves on a secluded beach which not many people know about - there’s quite a steep climb and many steps are involved.
The beach was quiet, the tide was heading out, exposing some little rock pools and lagoons which Audrey loves. Whilst Audrey was exploring I slipped off my sandals and rolled up my trouser legs, the water was clear and felt cool on my bare legs. It was so calm and peaceful, standing quietly, watching Audrey, listening to the seagulls and seeing the tourist boats in the far distance. The water was inviting me in and so it would have been rude to decline. I don’t know what came over me, my inhibitions had been left back in the car. I stripped down to my underwear, I felt the fear and I did it anyway. I went swimming in the beautifully clear, salty sea and it felt so good. I felt alive, free and exhilarated. Audrey absolutely loved having me in there with her and there I was, swimming in my big girl pants.
Book Finds
On the Sunday we decided to go out exploring. We ended up in a place called Edgcumbe which is opposite Plymouth, where there is a passenger ferry that goes back and forth, ferrying people from one side to the other, both sides were appealing and more exploring will take place in the future. Mount Edgcumbe House is the former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. Set in Cornish gardens within 865 acres of country parkland on the Rame Peninsula, South East Cornwall. Lots of history to read about on the way round and a couple of nice cafes to grab something to eat. We ordered a traditional cream tea (jam first, in case you were wondering) and sat outside of the stunning orangery. In my next YouTube video I will share with you some footage of Edgcumbe and our trip out.
I was delighted to find a second hand book shop and whilst browsing the well organised shelves I came across a lovely book.
The Painted Seasons, A Year in the Life of the British Countryside by Dick Twinney
The artwork and nature illustrations are so lovely and inspirational that I just had to have it, the book was there waiting for me to go and pick it from the shelf. For the sum of £2.60 I now have a book that I will treasure and refer to for nature information and art inspiration. Excitingly, when I opened the book it had been signed by the artist, dated November 1990. A message from the past that brings me so much joy in the present.
Out of the Blue
Whilst feeling a little blue myself I was approached and asked whether I would provide a painting for a village project. I am one of six artists who have provided a painting that represents our village. Having spotted a kingfisher a couple of times whilst out walking along the river path, I decided that my painting really had to be that of a kingfisher. On my return from Cornwall I set to work finding a suitable photograph, producing a drawing and then painting the kingfisher. It took me 7.5 hours over 3 days to produce my piece, using Winsor & Newton watercolours. The process of painting the kingfisher provided me mentally with an escape route from the real world. I was happy to listen to a podcast and potter away in my own world where I was content and not thinking about anything else but the task at hand.
From halcyon, from Latin Alcyone, from Ancient Greek (Alkuónē), daughter of Aeolus and wife of Ceyx. When her husband died in a shipwreck, Alcyone threw herself into the sea, where upon the gods transformed them both into halcyon birds, known today as ‘kingfishers’. When Alcyone made her nest on the beach, waves threatened to destroy it. Aeolus restrained his winds and kept them calm during seven days in each year, so she could lay her eggs. These became known as the "halcyon days," when storms do not occur. Today, the term is used to denote a past period that is being remembered for being happy and/or successful.1
Committing to the project and working within a tight timescale really helped me to focus on getting the painting completed. I felt delighted to have been asked and a little bit pressured if I’m honest, but that combination forced me to produce a painting that I am really happy with and I am proud of my achievement. The painting will be blown up to A1 size and displayed at the local train station, where I hope it will bring many people some joy on their daily travels.
Celebrating small wins during a time when we feel a bit down or low is so important for our mental health. July has been challenging for many reasons, but when I reflect back it makes me feel satisfied with my accomplishments, despite the set backs. The small wins must be counted in the everyday, whether it’s the motivating quote that pops up on your social media or texted to you from a loved one, the uplifting book you read and share with a friend, the walk out in nature, the sun on your face, writing in your journal, or enjoying a nice cup of tea and a sneaky chocolate biscuit or two!
Acknowledging your small wins not only helps you, but also those around you. When others see you celebrate your wins, it invites them to celebrate their own too. For me, I like to write mine down in my journal using my new purple ink and sometimes, when you least expect it, amazing opportunities come from out of the blue.
Please share your small wins in the comments below.
Until next time dear reader, stay naturally curious…
Clare 🧚✨
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/halcyon_days
Beautiful post, Clare. I've been feeling down myself, but I'm finding so much joy in my garden and spent time working on a fun painting. Here's to celebrating small wins!
I love how you just went with how you were feeling and gained so much from it. We can all learn to do that more often than we do!