54 Comments
author

Ha - I’ve just realised it’s not ‘the last day of the season’

Today IS September!!!

Shows you where my head was really! In the clouds.

It’s autumn - better change the record, pronto!

Expand full comment

This was an incredible read - I truly find you to be the most talented poet on this platform, and yes, I noticed and missed you in your absence. I am sorry to hear of your current struggles and wish you a healing and respite soon from these worries. Your words and voice always resonate with me. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🫶🏼

Expand full comment
author

That means a lot to me. I’ve had some bleak days recently and sometimes I really do feel rubbish at everything. X

Expand full comment

It never is, far from it. If it is possible to send good vibes and healing (and I believe it is), sending much of them you way. 🤗🥰🙏🏼✨✨

Expand full comment

I love your Spider poem. I see myself in it. Weaving tangles. And your description of the seasons. I always come to September with regrets. I didn't go to the beach as often as I'd like to have done. I didn't spend as much time in the garden as I needed to. We didn't hike. We didn't camp. So I mourn summer's passing. I'm sorry it's such a difficult season for you. Your writing is lovely.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for your kind words.

I can find some joy in every season. They all have their pros and cons. Suppose for me, I prefer early summer; June.

We must make what we can of them, hey? And of course weather plays a big part on what we end up doing.

Expand full comment

Dear Julie, I am so grateful you are here. The gift of expression, writing boldly and beautifully, is a saving grace. I have several dear friends with special needs children and I felt every word you wrote for you and for them. Though your summer seemed full of wonder, art, antique or kitschy shops, cool cities, I did think of you and the energy you put into keeping your son (and you!) going. It might seem lovely (and it is) on the outside, but I know what your insides cope with. A reality that constantly pulls. I think I told you my bestie has a grown son with special needs. She's a widow.

Like you, I watch as she walks forward reaching for her life, and his, doing her best for a young man, who is presently convinced he can't hear. It will eventually switch to something else. For 22 years I have watched as she's coped with him and many other agonizing challenges. It just is..is her attitude. Up and down. Then going forward on the path to living. She will explore places, go to a meetup group, etc. We have long humorous chats and I go see her a few times a year in Boise, ID. I see the inner struggle and the exhaustion of remaining a whole and unique person. I see beauty, love, grace, forgiveness, hope and promise. I see sustained will and "belief" when there is none. God is at a long distance, yet I see every attribute of Creation in you and my friend. I want you to know, like I tell her, how much you are loved and admired. I see you and I love you. Glad you're back and I too am on a big catchup here! Thank you for popping over to my stack. I will be writing back soon. ox

Expand full comment
author

Thank you for this comment.❤️

Yes we tried another day out today (last day before return to school) but it had a few challenges, the dreadful weather being one of them. That’s Britain for ya and you definitely have it better there in that respect.

Balance counts for a lot, I think. When we have some balance in our life and are able to recuperate a little, nourish ourselves we do better.

First few weeks of the holidays I gave a a lot but then I guess it caught up with me a little. Was lovely to hear your voice on the podcast yesterday when I tuned back in xx

Expand full comment

That’s the thing - you keep going. I know it’s tiring and it will and does catchup with you. I see it with my bestie. Those are the times you can’t beat yourself up. Downtime right? The weather could help! geeze. I’ve always thought that balance is hard to attain, yet we try to see it anyways, as an end goal, and if we get a little? well that’s a good thing. ox

Expand full comment

This was quite heart wrenching to me. Quite beautiful and hit close to home. Thank you for making my day! 💕

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. Yes I’ve been writing a little more that way at the moment.

Expand full comment

It's interesting how our moods affects our writings. I've always seemed to write under adversity, or utter joy. I appreciate and gravitate towards those who write from the heart. 🩷

Expand full comment

Love Stalemate Sky ☁️🌫️

Expand full comment
author

Thank you :)

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing. I am also a single parent with a (most likely ND) son who has consistently challenged me throughout the holidays. I have been in a very dark place subsumed by grief and despair much of the time. Clinging on to survival. The spider poem really spoke to me. I often wonder what Web I wove when I gave birth. Sending love x

Expand full comment
author

Bless you. Yes ‘one day at a time’ feels more apt every day, doesn’t it?

Glad the poem resonated. Keep going, mama xx

Expand full comment

I was wondering where you were. Now I know. Beautiful writing, Julie. Thank goodness for poetry and music and the things we can wrap ourselves in for comfort as the ebb does it’s thing….sending you love, sister! ❤️

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. Yes I’m just trying to get my head back together again - back in the game!

Indeed creative outlet is everything isn’t it? Self expression is a tune gift, hope you’ve been making the most of yours x

Expand full comment

P.S. I met my friend in photography school 24 yrs ago. we partnered on many jobs for a few years. I can say you have a wonderful eye and I read your heart in your images. ox

Expand full comment

I collect good sentences and Summer is a hammer just joined their ranks

Expand full comment
author

Thanks. Yes, I was just thinking I felt beat and it came to me ‘summer is a hammer’.

Expand full comment

Autumn’s around the corner! 🍁🍃🍂🌻😀

I love the imagery of a spider carrying her egg sac as a metaphor for the consequence of one's responsibilities and choicee. Sometimes we create complexities for ourselves.. Beautiful Julie, and so much to unpack. 🤗✨💖

Expand full comment
author

I was in moany old goat mode. I pick myself up and crack on, as we all must. X

Expand full comment

I could relate to the hammer part as every radio frequency device in our house has been breaking; wifi, landlines, cell phones and my brain has been hurting trying to figure it out. Just stopping and allowing broken things has been August's message. (I love connection and lately it's been, no!)

I'm sorry for the hard places you've been walking. Your pictures and words really take us to those places. I know your reflections must give that calm place to travel alongside.

Thanks for sharing your streams, Julie.

Expand full comment
author

I really appreciate your comment and empathy. Hopefully tomorrow when he returns to school I can take a bit of time back for myself and things will look brighter for both of us.

Expand full comment

I enjoyed reading your poems. They are very emotional to me. I hope all will be back to the way it was soon, school for your son and all.

I want to read more as you write them please post them! Thanks!

Expand full comment
author

Bless you. I appreciate that.

Expand full comment

Heartfelt, heartbreaking, and beautiful. I loved reading about how you came to write each poem too. I hope as we head into cooler weather and more routine and stability with school starting again, things will get easier for you and your son. Hugs.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you. Yes I started adding those to give a little insight, but placing them at the end incase the reader chose to retain some mystery.

Expand full comment

Prayers coming your way!

I missed your posts and I'm glad I did!!

I'm glad your son's school is working out!!Beautiful!! Thank you!!

🌸🌸🫶

Expand full comment
author

Bless you lovely xx

Expand full comment

XX

Expand full comment

These are beautiful poems, Julie. The spider - just wow. So glad you're back on here! You were missed.✨

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, lovely.

I appreciate having you here. Xx

Expand full comment