Muse Letter: April 2024
April in review on books, music, special moments, and topics of interests.
Dear Reader,
At the end of each month I walk into writing this series with a sea of mixed emotions. I’m always shocked that yet another month has passed me by. I say “passed me by” because in ways that is exactly what it feels like. I mean I’m sure I was in it, but was I?? And then thoughts of disappointment and failure creep in...“Did I just waste a whole month doing nothing? Did I contribute anything of substance these past 30 days?”. What did I even do??
Obviously this is not the most uplifting feeling to put myself in each month.
But once I revert into reflection mode over my past month through pictures, calendar of events, journals, mood boards, music played, etc I’m reminded of the many blessings and joys in my life. It truly is the small things that matter and have such a valuable part in forming, sometimes re-shaping, and ultimately fulfilling my life.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
Dr. Seuss
And because sharing is caring. My hope is that this series brings you some kind of value as well. Whether it is from a book I read, a shared song that speaks to you personally, or even if it’s just a shared moment or image that you can relate to or be inspired by in some small way. Whatever the case may be, perhaps mundane, good, bad, and unsure moments can contribute to creativity, inspiration, and purpose whether we realize it or not.
Please enjoy the moments, sources, and influences that fueled my muse in April.
“Finding Your Muse” by Stuck on Expression
“At times one’s muse flows freely while at others it’s elusive and unattainable. What do you rely on to enrich your creative life and provide you with ideas? How do you access your muse? Whatever your approach,...explore ways that may inspire and enrich your creative process.”
Pinterest - Not that it ever went away in my life, but lately Pinterest and I have gotten re-acquainted like old friends that haven’t had one on one quality time like we once had back in the day. In fact, Pinterest was born and entered my life the same year my 3rd child was born in 2012. And in some ways Pinterest was my saving grace in providing me with a little “me time” before tackling the day at home with my 3 small children. Over time I eventually got caught up in the whirlwind of Facebook and Instagram so unfortunately Pinterest was placed to the side for the occasional chicken recipe and such.
Thankfully I survived the whirlwind and am now on the other side of less intentional and less satisfying platforms and reserve scrolling time for Pinterest (and Substack of course). It’s been a fun and insightful tool lately for channeling my core interests.
“My Name is Barbra” by Barbra Streisand- After 48 glorious hours of pure audio enjoyment I am proud to say I have finished this stunning, entertaining, and inspiring piece of work by the incomparable Barbra Streisand in memoir form. She is a class act, dedicated to nothing short from authenticity in both creation and delivery, and a true artist in its purist form. I am in awe of this woman and what she has accomplished and shared in her lifetime.
Highly recommend her memoir...especially the audio version! Hearing her tell her story is such a treat! 5/5 stars
Below is a fun little duo Barbra did with Melissa McCarthy for her Encore project.
“Shuggie Bain” by Douglas Stuart - I have had this book on my TBR for awhile now, but knew I would need to be in the right head space before entering. It indeed was a heavy and heartbreaking story that will stick with me for a very long time. But a story I am so glad I read non the less. The story focuses on a boy named Shuggie Bain and his upbringing with an alcoholic mother. As you may notice from the cover their bond was special, but as one can imagine it was complicated as well. I feel like the author portrayed the characters and the cause and effects of alcoholism for everyone involved in the most moving and powerful way.
Highly recommend, but enter with caution and a open heart. 5/5 stars
“Seabiscuit” by Laura Hillenbrand - As I shared in my latest Mood Board Monday installment, the 150th Kentucky Derby is this weekend. So in preparation for the occasion I wanted to read this beloved story as appose to watching the film like I usually do. In all honesty, nothing against the book, but I prefer the movie. While they were mostly in sync the movie just portrayed the heart of the characters better. However the book did shed some interesting facts on horse racing and the life of a jockey that wasn’t in the movie that I found worth the read. The Epilogue was my favorite part of the book learning where all the characters in the story ended up for the remaining of their lives.
4/5 stars
“Nobody Nowhere” by Donna Williams - In support of National Autism Awareness Month in April I chose to read a book I came across about a woman Donna Williams telling her story living in the world with autism. Our oldest son, Dominic has Down Syndrome so our family and household is very familiar with a life requiring special needs so it’s always insightful to learn other people’s experiences around such circumstances. Donna William’s book was specifically special because the reader is given an intimate glimpse (gift) into the mind, thoughts, and reasons behind her autistic behaviors. Behaviors that are often so unclear and misunderstood by the world around them. She lived a heartbreaking and troubled childhood partly due to a horrible family, but also because of her constant yearning to be liked and accepted by the world outside her own. Donna is an excellent communicator through her writing and I learned so much from her book.
4/5 stars
My April playlist that was built organically over the past month turned out to be a nice little collection of songs with a pleasant variety for easy and enjoyable listening. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
“Music is what our feelings sound like.”
Vera Farmiga
Baseball season is in full swing. It’s a very busy season, but a season that will be in our hearts and memories as parents forever. August looks so grown up out there and has really honed in on his craft out on the field. It’s so fun to watch. And his older brother Dominic is one of his biggest fans.
A photo check on part accuracy before I am allowed to follow through with braiding my daughter Tatum’s hair. ;) I have lost her assurance ever since she discovered her part was all over the place after I braided it once. I’m still not great at doing a straight part, but I’m trying.
A walk in the park with my honey to work off the big bowl of pasta we previously devoured. And because it was devoured there was no pasta photo. BUT! I did capture the pretty flowers surrounding our walk, as well as a few quick selfies that aren’t great, but it’s what I will treasure from our spontaneous pasta and walk date.
I love hosting a little gathering and especially love it when it involves a little tablescaping. So a few weeks ago I had my mom over for a little visit and lunch together. I made yet again this amazing Tomato Soup with some cheese and crackers, paired with my very first experience with an Orange Wine. Somehow I neglected to write it down in my wine journal so I don’t remember the name of it. But I believe it had a picture of a bicycle on it? I’ll have to buy it again, because we really enjoyed it.
I found Sheryl Crow’s viewpoint on an evolving reality with AI and its detrimental affects on art very interesting, quite alarming, and worrisome...
“I feel like art is our only safe haven. Art is the thing that throughout history has documented who we are at any moment in our evolution as a brain-oriented society, a spirit driven society. And yet, now we’re challenging that.”
Sheryl Crow
Helena Bonham Carter’s reading of “The Guest House” by Rumi stops me in my tracks and gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it! In fact the entire Female Poet Society account is pretty spectacular.
This woman’s art inspires me.
Floral designer Amber England of Roughage Floral shares in a recent Teahouse article that “Whatever your vessel size is, you want your arrangement to be 2-3x the size of the vessel.” I have been doing this all wrong. In fact, I have been doing the complete opposite. Now I know!
According to Sandra from Under the Jacarandas - “Rats teeth never stop growing. They have to chew all the time or their teeth will grow and grow til they penetrate their brains and kill them. They can chew through anything - walls, floors, brick, concrete, metal, tile, chicken bones, humans.”
Wow! I suppose we all have things we must maintain before they get out of hand, but this maintenance requirement seems a bit intense and stressful! I have so much sympathy for rats now.
My sister recently informed me that dishwashers have filters that need to be changed out on a regular basis. Good to know!
Thank you so much for reading.
Love,