I’m sharing some items and reads I enjoyed this month, but I’ll be honest—it was a quiet month. Or, it was a quiet month in terms of content I took in and that felt pretty nice actually. I read a part of a book, not even a whole book. I didn’t listen much to podcasts, comparatively. But what I’ve enjoyed I’ve enjoyed.
Read
It’s thick, it’s academic, some of it goes over my head, but I’m really enjoying Caliban and the Witch. It explores the transition (if you can call it that) from feudalism to capitalism, how that reshaped relationships to body, nature and work, and how predominantly it was women who suffered most from that change. And by suffer, I mean the witch hunts in Europe. Whilst reading I’m constantly thinking: So that’s why things are the way they are today!
I’d read basically anything
writes, so I’m very glad to see she’s come to Substack with .I enjoyed these musings on chamomile—a plant very dear to me—from
on .I was excited to hear about the announcement of a new book on the seasons from
. Looks like it’s going to be a good one!
Heard
I’ve been listening through Becca Piastrelli’s Belonging podcast, which she’s taking a break from right now. I’m ok with that because it gives me time to catch up!
I’m also listening to a podcast that dissects and explains Caliban and the Witch, because I want to make sure I get.
Harmonies. Something about the human voice in harmony has really struck me this month, first with hearing a choir at a UU church I was visiting. Tears came pouring out of me—it was pretty inconvenient! I have a bit of trouble processing sound, particularly singing, so as usually happens I couldn’t easily distinguish the words being said. But voices were swirling together, and that just got me. I got a similar sort of feeling revisiting some Peter, Paul and Mary tunes.
Seen
Inspiration for a black and blue garden with a driftwood fence that I’m dreaming of. Someday. See what I’m gathering here.
Does it count as seen if I didn’t see things? This month, on a trip I stayed in a rural cabin where it was actually dark outside at night. Like, look out the window and can see nothing dark. This was so good for my body. And! I wish it wasn’t a special thing that some of us get to experience only sometimes. It’s what we’re made for!
Also seen, also on my trip, also very good for me: the coast of Maine. IYKYK.
The more than human world
Just as important as the “content” I’ve taken in this month are the ways the land, animals and plants have come into my awareness.
As I said, I spent a portion of June six hundred-ish miles north in Maine, which kind of feels like time travel. Things which had faded here are in bloom up there, so it was lovely getting a second visit with lilacs, irises and peonies. I only regret that I didn’t make or purchase a bouquet our first day there, to enjoy the whole time. There were lupines blooming too. Interestingly, comfrey was all over the little town we stayed in so I wonder what that has to share with me. I met a 100+ year old white spruce. The thing I’m having for roses (which started last winter) continued, with the salt spray roses in bloom along the coast of Maine. I even tried “rose scented” chips I found it a general store (they did not taste or smell like rose, I guess I’m sorry to say).
Barred owls too made quite an appearance this month. We heard them all around the little cabin we stayed in up in Maine, the full gamut of their calls.
There are voles that make a home around our house each year and that I love are back! Yes, I know they can be destructive. So can humans.
And finally, ocean. Where I feel most at home.
🌀What has had your interest and attention this month?
🌀What has made you feel alive, or sparked something for you, or been a companion?
Essays from this month:
There’s no going back, so I guess I’ll be hopeful
Cycles Still Matter…But How Much?
Cami and the witch sounds so interesting!!