Dear Lizzie (9 Nov 25)

Dear Lizzie

“Quality is the flip side of the coin to care”. I heard this quote on a podcast this week, the artist Aryad Harma Matheson. It made me think about the time you have spent with your Mum, approached with love, care, patience and creativity rather than duty, sadness and frustration. I’m sure there has been those things too. I was so glad you called me from the car. I loved what you said about play in your letter, a very good way to be in life I agree. 

I’m currently waiting for the mower to re charge so I’ve mopped the floors and done a row of my Pierre shawl but then thought, I want to write back to you. I’ve been spending a lot more time at the farm since we don’t have the restrictions of school anymore. It’s lovely here but as quiet as home has been since T moved out and I’ve been grasping desperately at my art practice to anchor me to something but that’s totally the wrong approach. So, tomorrow I will go in to my little studio and light my oil and do a bit of knitting and pick up a pencil and take things gently, with care. I think it’s important to approach our art like we do everything else.  I hate my phone right now, refreshing catalogues is so not helpful is it. More self care too.

I identified 11 species of birds last weekend up here, after the rain, I wrote them on the side of my knitting pattern, Sean would be impressed. Nature really is such a comfort isn’t it, noticing, how can it not sooth whatever is bothering us. The mower awaits, probably just as well because I could keep talking. Oh, and yes, thinking of my younger self a lot this week, but more as a younger mother, something I can’t revisit, time to let myself fall into this new stage and fully embrace it. Gosh, that thought just came to me as I was typing, so grateful for our letters Lizzie..and our knit along, I’ll get some wool this week. 

Love

Stace