january

Thursday 1.28.24

Went to Ace Hardware and bought new rake I wanted, to finish previous leaf pile project (“TIME + SPACE” spelled out in big letters on the lawn… although I stalled out and it still just says “TIME SP”...an apt metaphor.)

Also bought adult rain suit (yellow). It’s been raining pretty heavily this week, after previously dropping into 15-20 degree temps for a few days. I think they called it an “arctic chill.”

My hands are cold (even indoors), but I have gloves I could wear. I barely go outside right now, except to take out the dog, the baby (when she demands it, by bringing us her socks/shoes/hat/coat/etc.), or the trash, and then only for a few minutes.

I bought the rain suit because I figure, like the toddlers here in the PNW who wear rainsuits to play in the mud, rain, and all weather, that if I have the right outerwear I might not be so afraid of interacting with the outdoors. Which is good, because I’ve promised myself I will do this project, no matter what the weather! (In spite of, or because of, the need to interact with the natural world on its own terms.)

Friday 1.26.24

Posted on Nextdoor that I’m looking for wooden pallets for my sculpture project (although I’m not 100% sure what I’m doing with them yet). Got several replies, then realized I’m going to be out of town next week! Woops. Will follow up when I get back, I told them.

I was out walking the dog when I noticed a neighbor across the street pulling into her driveway. There is a wooden pallet leaned up against their fence. I hesitated (I don’t like striking up conversations with strangers, it makes me uncomfortable) but decided to go for it. I asked if that was their wood pallet, and if perhaps they could part with it for an art project? It turns out they actually use it to keep their gate closed – but also, they have a kiddo the same age as mine (only a month younger)! So we exchanged phone numbers and have a plan to go for a walk soon.

Sunday 1.28.24

I got an email from one of the pastors at my church, bcc’d with others who had expressed interest at one time or another in perhaps delivering what they call a “Reverb” during the service. I’ve always said no before, because I hate public speaking and was too scared. But for some reason, this time I said yes. The topic listed is the transfiguration – a biblical event that sounds vaguely familiar but I know nothing about. The email said it has to do with mystery, trying to experiences that we can’t quite understand in the moment, and honoring the temporal and ephemeral - this reminds me of my project, and I’m too busy to think about it too much, so I just say yes and hope for the best.