The Soft Way

Azaleas circling the tree, Spring 2026, Port Royal, Virginia

I would share every single poem that James Crews writes and shares in The Weekly Pause, but it seems more straightforward to send you directly to the source. These poems arrive in free weekly emails (scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe). This week, James shares his poem The Soft Way and offers these thoughts.

“It seemed the secret to all of life, even when we are caught or stuck—to let our soft selves be moved by whatever forces must pass through us, without the usual resistance and hesitation. “Don’t hesitate,” Mary Oliver once famously said. “Joy is not made to be a crumb.” But we must be willing to soften into our wonders and joys in order to more fully receive them.”
— James Crews, The Weekly Pause

GeeGee's Garden

The rural roads of Virginia are dotted with small farm stands where eggs are still $3.00/dozen. Most of them operate with an honor system for payment. The produce varies from season to season. The stands are makeshift; this one is made from an old door (I can still see the hinges attached). Many are named after family and reflect the commitment family farmers have to feeding their neighbors.

Farm Fresh, Eggs for Sale, Caroline County, Spring 2026

Stepping off the Treadmill

I love trying new things, keeping my options open, and staying curious. But too many new things can be overwhelming, too many options feels like a recipe for unhappiness, and curiosity overdone seems like a never-ending quest for answers. Sometimes I just want to stop worrying about missing out and experience the freedom of loving what I already have.

When have I found joy in stepping off the “upgrade treadmill”?

  • loving my husband for 45 years, and doing all the work to keep the relationship healthy

  • taking pictures with the used camera I bought in 2017 and loving the way it feels in my hands

  • driving a 2010 model car with over 200,000 miles on it and treating her like she’s my best friend

  • living in the same house for 41 years and making it a place of light and laughter and comfort

  • holding onto a smart phone that is not new but paid off

  • smiling at my own reflection, gray hair and wrinkles, knowing full well that upgrades happen from within

  • feeling satisfied with home-cooked meals, an analog watch, and visits to the library all of which help to keep spending in check, one way or another

  • avoiding wellness programs and plans that always seem to be trying to sell me some better version of myself and letting go of the fear that I might die; because, well, I will.

Flower Power — Bouquet #5

I am enjoying a relaxing approach to photography these days. Most days I take a little photo walk. See the antique orange car, partially covered by the blue tarp? The picture is from today’s photo walk. I stopped by the thrift shop and picked up the gorgeous Spode plate. I’ve been on a kick of serving our very ordinary meals on very special vintage plates. The flowers from Westwind floral bouquet #5 are still serving me well as photographic subjects. It’s easier to make these kinds of still life pictures when I just leave the backdrop (an old painting tarp) up in my makeshift studio (the garage with the door partially up). I have a little assortment of vases and flower frogs and a few simple props. I’ve been using my new tripod and really love that it is lightweight and simple to use. I love being able to swap lenses (35mm, 50mm, 85mm) and move whatever table I am using back and forth to influence the look of the picture. I’m kinda hesitant to edit the photos too far from true, but what I love is that soft, grainy, romantic look. I’m not there yet, but I’ll keep practicing.

These are the works in progress that will make up my florilegium project. I can’t decide if this will be a book or maybe a stack of fine art prints arranged in an artful box (maybe a cigar box or a box covered with marble paper?).

This is fun. Challenging in just the right amount.