Sway In and Out

Dried Flowers on Mantle | Westwind Flowers, Gordonsville, Virginia

I go in and out, don’t you?
Into flow and gratitude,
and out of it again
Into grief and hopelessness,
and out of it again.
Into routine; cooking, walks, connection
And then into bed, the bath,
my head, my tears.

These days call for the ability to sway
Sway into reality, sway into empathy,
and back again.
Dip toes into fear, anxiety, awareness
And rest in creativity, distraction, comfort.

We go in and out, like tides
Creating our own slow rhythms
Finding the pulse of survival.

—Alix Klingenberg, Waves, from Quietly Wild

Winter Bouquet | Westwind Flowers, Gordonsville, Virginia

Look for the Helpers

We venture out, driving down roads lined with walls of ice bricks on either side. The whole world looks like an ice skating rink with sheets of wet ice glistening in the sun. We try to take a walk, but quickly give up. There is no way to walk safely; the risk of injury is great, and not worth it. I settle for a few pictures. The plant in the coffee shop window. The winter bouquet he gives me just because he loves me. The bright blue garden shed, pots aligned, awaiting spring planting. The front porch of Sage Cottage bathed in the warm sun. The days hum along. We help where we can. Slide over so a couple older than us can have a seat for fresh, hot coffee. Let loved ones know they matter in this world. Act with connection and kindness and witness the same wherever we go. Looking for helpers is how we see beauty in this otherwise terrifying place.

Sixteen Degrees

Hardees On Ice, January 2026

Winter Sleep

With the help of four strong young men with ice picks and shovels, we were finally able to get our of own driveway. The roads are clear but lined with bricks of ice, unlikely to melt with current low temperatures. I love living in Virginia with its reliable rotation of seasons. Cold and beautiful just now.