SUMMER BOOK

One morning in July, just passed, I found a “summer book” which became
a practice. It didn’t start out to BE a practice, it moved in. It’s a hard back,
almost 8 ” x 9-3/4″, called True Nature by Barbara Bash.

Here is part of today’s practice:

“Morning walk. I head down the hill
and into the open fields. Sitting in the
sun, I draw the great rolls of hay —
heavy and weighed down. I am
weighed down, too, and so is my
drawing.
I consider tearing it out of my sketch
book. I am utterly worn out and
I feel I can’t produce anything good.
What to do but accept this as well?
I am wearing something down,
wearing something out —
the expectation of who I think
I should be.

I paint the rolls of hay again,
feeling their massive forms
with my brush.”
…………………………….BARBARA BASH

I REALLY GOT THAT.

One does not have to be an artist to experience this ennui of effort.
So, she picked up her brush and moved into the next moment.
I can do that.

Can I expect the same result of sudden simple accomplishment?
I can.

— ‘wearing something down, wearing something out — the
expectation of who I think I should be’ —

My summer practice book is jettisoning my unnecessary clothing,
leaving a sleeveless top to feel the summer breezes. Could be
a metaphor for the way to go.

with love …
Mom/Mimi/Toni/Antoinette