I sometimes think the worst thing a young person can feel is when you can find no answer to the question of what you are supposed to do with this life youāve been given. At moments youāre aware of it balanced on your tongue, but not what comes next. Something like that. I can now say that another version of that happens in old age, when it occurs to you that since youāve lived this long you must have learned something, so you open your eyes before dawn and think: What is it that Iāve learned, what is it I want to say?
ā¦let your compassion come to us quickly, for we have become very weak.
Excerpt from Psalm 79:8, CSB
Sunday evening bonfiresā¦
I love finding random journaling prompts on Pinterest and really enjoy looking back at lists Iāve made!
Currently: š
Readingā¦
My main focus this month is dipping into my massive stack of Victorian literature (one Victorian inspired in that stack!)for an online event called Victober! Community reading of literature published in the UK during Queen Victoriaās reign {1837-1901}. I set aside many other things to be apart of this lovely reading focus. Itās honestly become a highlight of my year for the last few years! Iām reading poetry from Tennyson, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, and George MacDonald. Iāve dipped into Queen Victoriaās childhood diaries a teeny bit, too. Iām slowly rereading Our Mutual Friend. My favorites have been the drama in Charlotte Mary Yongeās The Three Brides (Kindle) about three newlywed SILās thrown together under their new invalid widowed MIL, Shirley by Charlotte Bronte, and Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy with the audiobook read by Alan Rickman.
Iām supposed to be reading Niall Williamsā This Is Happiness with my IRL friends, but got distracted by the Victorians! š¤£
Iām also dipping into various things for study and to keep up the homeschooling co op classes Iām facilitating, momās group, a writing commitment and our own homeschool. The opening chapter of The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis was fascinating and so lovely.
A little book haul from a HUGE, fabulous used bookstore that I had only 30 minutes to peruse. š
Watchingā¦
Iām on a bit of a social media purge so missing my Booktube watching, š¤£ but I did watchāHarry Potter and The Sorcererās Stoneā with two of my older kids. Itās the only one of the movies I truly love.
Iām ātryingā to find balance?! with all our outside activities, homeschooling, cultivation of relationships, and taking care of myself. Itās not working well š š„², but one has to have something to keep aiming for even if they miss continually. š
Nature walk to examine a āshaggy barkā hickory tree. ā„ļø
Looking forward toā¦
Continuing Victober and hopefully watching the BBC miniseries of āOur Mutual Friendā this month?! and next probably. Itās long!
Dreadingā¦
Hmmm, deadlines are necessary evils, but they can be stressful for me. Leadership is stretching for me. Unfinished household projects. The great clothing change-out. The usual. š
Obsessing Overā¦
All things Victorian! I made these recently! It was difficult, but so fun! Iāve loved noticing one of my favorite autumn thingsā¦glancing in the rear view mirror and seeing the leaves swirl up, dance, come āaliveā!
Learningā¦
So much through facilitating our co op highschoolers through The Divine Comedy and realizing that worry can be pride, Iām saying I know more than God. š¬š«£š šš»
Drinkingā¦
Iāve been making half pumpkin spice flavored coffee with regular dark blend and itās so great! I drink it black and itās just a hint of pumpkin flavor. I donāt loooove flavored coffees, but this is gooood. š
Lovingā¦
My hubby and I took a 4 day trip north in celebration of our 23rd anniversary which was in September. We enjoyed history and nature together!
Hating (or rather Broken Up About)ā¦
All the relational tensions, loved ones going through illnesses, marital pain, financial stress and just the general feeling of the absence of love š permeating the air. ššš»ā„ļøOh, Lord, come!
I love Hawk Weed?! š§”š§”š§”
Startingā¦
Revamping my prayer time again! Needed something fresh! Journaling and alternating spots Iām reading in the Bible. Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms. Currently added a Proverbs of the Day! Love finding the one that matches the day of the month! ā¤ļøšš»
Thinkingā¦
About our lifeās work?! and about the resurrection of my poetry scribblings and collage art, what I need to sacrifice to make it happen. Thinking about the movie ā Dead Poets Societyā, which I watched for the first time a couple months ago. š„²
Feelingā¦
Not sure. š¤ Overwhelmed a bit šµāš«šš¬š , but also inspired by the gorgeous autumn weather and all the lovely knowledge and life ripe for the picking. Itās right here for the taking.āŗļøā„ļø
Praying forā¦
My heart to be knit closer than ever to my Jesus and a listening heart to be wide open for others and for all the beauty here and now in this moment. For all the suffering near to me and far from me. šā„ļøšš»
How about you? Whatās currently beating in your heart? Let me know your answers to these! ā„ļøšHappiest October! š š¦ š·ļø šøļø š
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 