From my lofty vantage out the third floor window, I see broken twigs and browned leaves, nature’s debris, being blown across my yard. All the while sheets of rain soak and puddle about, making the remaining patches of crusty old snow disappear once and for all. If I don’t turn in immediate despair over this continually gray sky, I might glimpse the green tops of daffodil shoots pushing through along the back border or peering into the garden beds I can spy a dash of white crocus blossoms (yes, this is the far north!). All about us nature is ready to burst anew, while the heavens provide an unwavering cleanse of all that winter left behind. As I face the window panes pelted by this windy April rain shower, I realize this horrid weather is the perfect metaphor for what our bodies need too. Cleansing out the body’s toxins and stresses of the past dark months leads to improved mood and energy levels as well as aiding your digestion and strengthening your resistance. A detox diet is easy to do if you follow sage advice (Warning: avoid over-the-counter detox fad diets that actually do more harm than good!).
Be the Spring
While the 5 1/2 months of snow drift finally melts from the yard, the faintest green of crocus is breaking through the brown of our garden beds. With this hint of spring I am drawn to search into the back of my closet to undo the restraints of my utilitarian winter garb. I take inspiration from the 1920’s mavericks who yearned for freedom, striped off their Victorian corsets along with the limitations set upon women of their day: they marched for their voice–for the vote–for all we have today in terms of female liberty and their unconfined dress screamed autonomy. As I await the buds and color just around the corner, I break out a bit myself, choosing a flowing vintage silk shift to wear while wandering about the awakening trees in the morning light.
Threads and the Interconnection of All
In the spirit of spring cleaning, good for the soul, good for the mind, a way to get all those mental cobwebs cleaned out, this is a blog about the connections we are all encountering, pretty much all the time, yet just don’t pause and feel gratitude over, you know? We are united by the thread of family ties or interests or vocations or passions. In my life I have been fortunate enough to connect with people, at times in the oddest ways, and it is those seemingly random encounters that teach me to be more grateful.
Nine Cent Girl 