This morning, wandering in thought, I found myself watching the trees outside my studio window. I was reminded of something I wrote about last summer, which I am republishing below: how I am always, while in my second-floor writing perch, staring at the breathing middle of things. This can disorient — or invite us to playful surrender. Today, this week, this month I’m trying to reach for the latter. (One of my favorite creative mantras: if it comes, let it; if it goes, let it.) Have a loose and limber week, Magpies —
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My writing studio is on the second floor of our home, and its windows look out into a thicket of trees. From this perch, I see neither trunk nor top crown. Instead, I stare at the full and breathing middle of things. The canopy, the roots are out of sight. I witness a mayhem of limb and leaf, and a lot of birds and raindrops and maybe a rat snake, too. From this seat, I carry the half-formed thought that the trees might go on and on, and endlessly, disappearing into the sky. Which is to say, I succumb to the fallacy of perspective, the notion that whatever is in the viewfinder is the full or the forever.
Listen, we never have the full picture. We are always looking at the middle of something.
So accept these full and forgiving branches. Come see what they have to tell you about bending in the wind, and drawing light from the far off places, and accommodating change in the seasons, and sheltering other beloved life forms from the fitfulness of the weather. There is a lot to love in this heavy-branched center.
Post-Scripts.
+Related: if it feels hard, it is hard — welcome to the murky middle of things.
+Something to repeat to yourself if you’re in search of more gratitude or positivity.
+What does good advice look like?
Shopping Break.
+Um! This cocoon bed blanket arrived and I’m in love. It’s the softest cloud — a friend of mine described it as “swaddle material for adults.” It is divinely soft, almost like gauze material. Love love love.
+This dress in the navy! OMG! Doen vibes for under $100.
+Swooning over Lizzie Fortunato’s spring arrivals. I have a couple of her statement necklaces and I reach for them season after season. They are just so artful and unique, and they make them in such small batches! This one is guaranteed to sell through but the colors and size make it the perfect adornment to any spring dress. I always think they look especially perfect with Julia Amory’s dupioni pieces (like this!). Also love this.
+Reminder: big spring restock of our favorite taffeta statement pants. Those gingham options!
+Love everything about this new Tuckernuck style.
+Wore these jelly flats all (warm!) weekend. Love the way they look with a midi skirt/dress.
+Absolutely adore these dining chairs in the blue.
+Can’t get over this Hill House pattern. So good!
+Just ordered this active skort set for my daughter in two colors — she’s taken up golf and this is exactly what I’ve been looking for! The cutest patterns too.
+Pretty cashmere bandana scarf colorway.
+A few left in this popular striped Staud dress. The silhouette is a 10/10.
+Gorgeous hot pink caftan.
+These glasses in the tomato/olive option! So cute!
+Morris & Co motif in rug format! So chic!
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Beautiful meditation on trees! It brings to mind The Overstory by Richard Powers and North Woods by Daniel Mason. Have you read either? They are two of my favorite books and explore humanity’s relationship to nature and, as you say, the fallacy of perspective.
Maggie! I’ve had “The Overstory” on my bedside table for three months now. I really want to read it this summer — thanks for the upvote! And for the kind words, as always!! I haven’t read the Daniel Mason book yet either, but added to my TBR. Thank you!
xx
Echoing the North Woods reference – such an amazing novel!
Thank you for the upvote! xx
I love the idea of a gauze blanket, but then I remember how easily my gauze shirts snag, and I can’t pull the trigger. Does the blanket seem more sturdy than gauze clothing?
Hi Molly! Will report back but it does seem a little more…multi-ply? than most gauze articles of clothing. Like it really feels like a baby swaddle, which I don’t recall snagging easily?
xx
Generally they are! I had one from West Elm that held up for over a decade. In Europe “Mousseline” gauze bedding is pretty common and you can buy 4-ply or 6-ply. I have it on my kids’ beds so it takes a beating.