#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Making art, by its nature, involves what seems to be a lot of wasted time—you go down a lot of cul-de-sacs, you wander in wastes where no inspiration comes—but then that apparent waste yields.

~ Jorie Graham, from an interview in the New Yorker with Katie Waldman, Jan. 1, 2023

I woke into the new of a new year. A sunny and bright day. A warm day. A happy day. A holiday. Charlie and I walked and so enjoyed the wetlands in the quiet new morning and all the melting and change of the ice. There was a wind stirring the surface of the river. The snow white clouds made a spectacle of reflection on the water. I felt a great sense of peace and gratitude and welcome to January and 2023. I returned home to cook for guests in the afternoon, and I was looking forward to this. I made Chile and a butternut squash soup in my new kitchen and it was fun. And my daughter’s boyfriend who lives here came into the kitchen and thanked me for cooking so much for our afternoon guests: his parents. And when they arrived, we all went for a happy hike in the woods. My son joined us too. Frank carried the special one. It was such a pleasant walk; and by the time we returned we were all ready for the lunch, and the lunch was all ready for us! Easily served and much enjoyed. Followed by coffee and Italian cookies Frank and I purchased at Bova’s bakery in the North End yesterday afternoon. Then my daughter’s boyfriend helped me do the dishes, which is actually a pleasant chore in the new kitchen with the new appliances. I changed my attitude about something today. I was feeling a resentment about something, and I suddenly realized instead of waiting for this person to change and stop doing what was bothering me, I could instead change my attitude. And I didn’t need to fake it or talk myself into it. I just realized my attitude changed. And I wasn’t resentful anymore. And I think this is a great start for the new year; a very hopeful start. Happy new year to you, dear reader.