The Fruits of Flow
An essay, a milestone, commissions, oh my!
Wowee. My goal for writing for the year was to focus on flow—to let go of expectations and be open to the unexpected. And, oh man, has this posture led to some unexpected projects and accomplishments! I feel a bit weird sending out essentially a brag post, but if I can’t share my writing wins here with my own readers who have signed up to support my words, then I suppose I’ve underestimated you. Thank you so much for reading, encouraging, and celebrating with me. Here it goes!
New Essay Published!
What do the tooth fairy, learning to watercolor, and kindergartners giving away cold hard cash have in common? You can find out in my latest essay published in Coffee & Crumbs’ beautiful Summer Collection. I share my thoughts on what I’ve learned from my plunge / paint / poem challenge about stewarding and savoring our creative gifts. I’ve included an excerpt below and please click on through to read the rest of the piece. I’d love to hear what you think! Be sure to check out the full collection of relatable and inspiring essays and poems on motherhood.
In our house, the tooth fairy delivers two gifts: one for the recently de-toothed child and one for the other sibling. Before you roll your eyes and assume I—ahem, I mean the tooth fairy—can’t deal with the big emotions of a left-out child, hear me out.
The tooth fairy used to bring one blue raspberry ring pop for one smooth-gummed individual, but the other child, of course, would get sad and mopey. This is no surprise. What did surprise me, however, is that the lucky toothless child would, without fail, give up her ring pop to the stubborn-toothed child, or at the very least share most of it.
The tooth fairy was saddened by this. While she advocates sharing and was warmed by the children’s generosity, she wanted the ring pop recipient to enjoy her gift, all to herself.
In the end, the tooth fairy decided to reward both children for their giving spirits and now delivers both a blue raspberry and a berry blast ring pop.
Okay, okay, so maybe I—I mean, the tooth fairy—actually can’t deal and am guilty of a teensy bit of overcorrection.
Read the rest of Children at Play here. See the full Coffee and Crumbs Summer Collection here.
100 days of Plunge / Paint / Poem
I did it! I hit 100 days of plunging (though the temps are no longer arctic), painting, and writing poetry.
I considered stopping the challenge for the summer. A little voice was telling me it would be the responsible thing to do, to pause my own creative endeavors to focus more of my time on my kids who will be home from school. I lasted one day and started to feel stir crazy, missing the cool water, silence, and grounding effect of focusing on one scene, one small poem. We're coming up on a year in Coeur d'Alene and in a way I feel more untethered than ever. Plunge, paint, poem is my way to connect to my new city and myself and I don't want to give it up, even if it means dragging my kids with me to the lake (I don't feel sorry for them) or ignoring them to paint (or painting together!). Nature, creativity, and community are the three things that have the biggest boost on my mood. If I'm high on these things, I will be a better mom. I know this. Yet, EVEN IF plunging, painting, and writing poetry didn't make me a better mom, I would still do it because investing in my own joy and creative wellbeing is never wasted. It is worth it even if it's just for me. Amber Groomes wrote an incredible piece on this topic, stating, “I wish that we could encourage mothers to do what is best for themselves simply because that is what they need or want, without always needing to justify these choices as what is best for the entire family.”
A few recent Plunge / paint / poems:
Call for Commissions—can I paint your favorite nature photo?
Even though I just wrote an essay espousing the need to create for our own enjoyment, I have to admit my favorite part of creating is sharing what I create. In that vein, I am introducing painting commissions.
Do you have a favorite nature photo that you would like painted?
If yes, message me or reply to this email with a picture of nature that you love along with a short explanation of why this place is so meaningful to you. Try to have your photo be just nature--not too many people or buildings, but I can attempt some silhouettes or tiny people in the distance that I don't need to be too detailed with :) This could also make a great gift for someone. I’m thinking for now I will just charge $5 for materials and shipping.
You've seen all the photo/painting comparisons in PPP. Below is a beach photo I painted for my friend whose father passed away. This was his favorite pier and place to surf.
If I get a lot of interest and I enjoy it, I may open up an ETSY store, but I figure I'd try out one-offs for now since the personal connection is my favorite part. Also, I have been painting the same stretch of beach for 100 days, so it would be fun to paint something new!
Writing Contest News
I was shocked and honored to win 1st place in my local library writing contest. I will share the piece, Making A List, that honors the memory of my grandmother when I’m able, and my story will get to live in a book at the library.
Literary Journal Available for Pre-order
My essay, Living in Wonder, was accepted to the literary journal, Calla Press. You can pre-order a copy here.
Thanks again for reading, sharing, and supporting my words and now other creative endeavors! I’ve about used up my hour of kids’ screen time, so that’s my cue to get back out into the real world.
I’d love to hear about creative wins or milestones lately—big or small—let’s celebrate together! 🎉
Congrats on all these exciting things!! 🎉🎉🎉
So inspired by you! I love that you’re continuing to plunge despite the change in weather and it no longer feels like cold plunging. I have stopped plunging, but I had a little community that I connected with for a few minutes a week and I’m missing that. But now that the weather is warmer invite your kids to plunge too! Mine did in the ocean at salt creek! One day we’ll plunge together I hope! 🤞 (Also) I can’t wait to read your words on the latest coffee & crumbs collection. So happy for all your creative wins Aly!