july report

new beginnings, reading veraciously and living in a nightgown

Dear Reader,

I haven’t written in a long time. I tried to write a massive update here, but there’s simply too much to share. I’m breaking up my long update into two shorter emails that I hope makes it easier to read.

This summer has been a lot of not being home and feeling tossed around. My Grandma had a sudden diagnosis in May and has been rapidly declining. I’ve been spending as much time as possible with her in hospice on the other side of the state, which leaves me to get my work done in short 3-day bursts before returning to be with her. It’s been very healing to have the opportunity to soak up as much time with her as possible. It honestly feels unfathomable that she will eventually leave us. I have been trying to be in the present moment as much as possible and just enjoy the time that we do have.

The theme of this season of my life has been “letting go”. I didn’t realize how tightly I have been grasping for so long. Grasping to my small business looking a certain way, to being where I “should be” at this point in my life. I have gotten to the point where I am making peace with what is. You can only try to fight something for so long before you learn that things have to change. I am not sure what that change looks like for me yet, but part of it will be getting some sort of job. I know that change does not equal failure and that everything is always changing, but try telling that to this stubborn earth sign. My job right now is to be ok with that, and to get quiet and listen to what my heart is telling me is next. It’s sad to wrap up this version of Rosemarine Textiles in a way, but I know that by winding it down I am allowing something that can be even more fruitful and fulfilling to flourish.

What I really want right now is to take an extended social media break and lean into The Artist’s Way in my free moments. There are so many things to do in the summer that cost little to no money - reading a book outside, going to the beach, working in the garden, walking outside. These are the activities most nourishing to my soul right now. I inherited several summer nightgowns from The Vermont Country Store via my Grandma and I have been living in them! It’s been 85+ degrees in my home (no AC) and I also just love the delicate detailing.

Listening

These are some albums I have been listening to nonstop lately. I am hoping to get tickets to see Jessica Pratt in Detroit next month. I made this playlist of songs that feel like a watery serene vibe that I’m enjoying this summer.

Reading

I recently discovered the writing of Barbara Kingsolver thanks several people at my knitting circle who were singing her praises. I went for her book Animal Dreams, set in the desert and followed a lost 32 year old woman who returned to her hometown for the first time in years to help care for her ailing father and work as a high school biology teacher. I didn’t see until I read the biography inside the back cover that Barbara Kingsolver has studied biology and ecology and that really comes through in her writing. The setting and the natural world really take front and center of the story as a character itself in a way that pulls you in. While on a walk I grabbed another Barbara Kingsolver book called Prodigal Summer from a little library and I am enjoying that one as well. In between these two books I blew through Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk. It’s the story of two women, one vampire, one human, who’s lives in Buenos Aires intertwine across time. I could not put this one down and finished it in two days. I loved learning about the history of the city of Buenos Aires as well.

I went to the library yesterday and grabbed The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, Worry by Alexandra Tanner and The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. I am on a reading spree and am hoping to keep up this momentum. I love the feeling of reading outside in the summer, particularly if I can be next to a body of water as well.

Regarding The Artist’s Way, I have read all of the introductory material as well as the first chapter. I have since been actively writing morning pages but have not completed any writing prompts or artist dates. I need to re-commit. It’s been a struggle to not have much of a routine these last few months.

Watching

I watched the movie Masquerade twice in one month. It’s a film from 1988 starring Robe Lowe and Meg Tilly and there’s even a bit of Kim Catrell in there as well. The ambiance, the setting, the style are all fantastic. It’s a little bit murder mystery and a little bit romance. It also made me want a headband. Watch it for free on Tubi (pro tip if you have an ad blocker to skip the commercials).

I recently got back into watching YouTube vlogs thanks to Lauren Louise aka Big Book Lady. I love seeing her book recommendations, her style and interior decorating. I have watched nearly all of her videos and really recommend this channel. It inspires me to make time to lie on a blanket in the park with a book and wear pendant necklaces.

Stay tuned for part two where I share what I have been cooking, sewing and knitting so far this summer :)

Talk soon!

xo Meg