Eat a Peach

Becoming a container for joy...

my friend Lynn’s flower business, perfectly titled!

We’re hearing the word “joy” a lot lately, in the political sphere and elsewhere, and I’d always thought of it as a state of being to which most everyone aspires. But some folks are mocking the entire idea, and seem to find some strange satisfaction in…dis-satisfaction. They insist that the world is a totally dark and desperate place, and that those who don’t resemble them are dangerous interlopers. As for me, I wouldn’t ever want to live in such a dystopian world, and I try to consciously choose joy. Not only is there still so much joy and happiness to be found, but we ourselves can be vessels, caretakers of joy, and thus bring more joy into existence.

Choosing joy, hope and love is a perfect way to pass our (after all) very limited time on this planet…and our modeling this choice can inspire the next generation to also be hopeful, loving and joyful—what a legacy!

MUSIC: ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND: “AIN’T WASTIN’ TIME NO MORE”

The Allman Brothers Band’s fourth album, Eat a Peach, came out when I moved to Atlanta in 1972 as a high school junior. The band, co-creators of the Southern Rock sound, was then based in Macon, GA, just down the road a ways. Of the many great tracks, this one really speaks to me…especially poignant knowing founding band member Duane Allman had been killed in a motorcycle crash while the album was in production. A reminder that we none of us have time to waste in this amazing but unpredictable life…

ART: MOTHER AND DAUGHTER EXHIBIT THE ALCHEMY OF BLOOD AT ART YARD

I’ve mentioned Suleika Jaouad before in E-Musings, including a couple of her quotes (I’m a big fan). In addition to her powerful writing, she’s a talented visual artist (as is her mother, Anne Francey). My dear friends Holly and Mary Ellen joined me a couple of weeks ago, driving to ArtYard in Frenchtown, NJ for a wonderful mother-daughter exhibit created by Suleika and her mom. Many of Anne’s works had been painted decades ago, during her pregnancy with Suleika; other works were painted by Suleika during her ongoing battle with cancer. Suleika’s canvases are almost hallucinatory, reflecting her state of mind during her treatments.

Anne’s more recent works include some colorful shields, symbolizing her desire to protect her beloved daughter. My favorite shield was woven, using hospital bracelets. These gifted and brave ladies show how to create beauty from life’s struggles…

POEM: FROM BLOSSOMS BY LI-YOUNG LEE

On our way home, down the beautiful, winding River Road that hugs the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Mary Ellen spotted a farm stand with last of the season peaches. We stopped so she could buy some. I haven’t asked her how they tasted—maybe I don’t want to know if they weren’t delicious. I found this poem, that perfectly captures consuming the joy of a precious late summer day, bringing it deep inside of us to store against a harsher time ahead…thanks to the great Quaker writer Parker Palmer for sharing it.

VIDEO: 7 LBS 8 OZ

Baby on the brain around here (our newest grandson is due next week, not that we’re excited or anything!) but even if you don’t have a tiny one around, I think you’ll still enjoy this sweet short stop-motion film about meeting neighbors and being a community…

E-MUSINGS FEATURED AUTHORS UPDATE—JEFF BENDER AND ROCHELLE MELANDER

I like to update you all on the latest news from my featured authors as time goes by!

Humor writer Jeff Bender is teaching a very cool online class with Blue Stoop this Fall for all those McSweeney’s contributor wannabes (I took one of Jeff’s classes and it was GREAT).

Also…

Prolific writer and SUPER writing coach Rochelle Melander shares the following for you or any writer-types you know:

“I’ve got a brand new starter kit for anyone looking for some extra help with their writing: https://writenowcoach.com/starter-kit-page/
And I’ve got three new writing groups starting at the end of the month. https://writenowcoach.com/coaching-groups/”

BLOG PREVIEW: MENOPOST

Whew! Made it to post-menopause! No more hot flashes, mood swings and brain fog! Time to…relax? No way! Me and my zesty fellow older women must now harness our superpowers and be more productive than ever!!! Join me over at Working Title (but hurry! I have lots more stuff to accomplish!!)

Yeah, no

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Albert Schweitzer had it so right. Being consistently kind to others can thaw the hardest of hearts, and, like joy, just make the world a better place. Here’s to a joyful and kind week, friends!