i remember and miss the time of day dreaming, think dreaming i called it when i was a kid, this post has made me think about it again, you know i had the ability long into adulthood, I wonder where i lost it?
Oh wait i remember now, it's not down the back of the couch or under my bed, no, it's even closer than that. It's been absorbed into the tiny black mirror that never leaves my side, and replaced by the think dreams of others, as though somehow they are more significant than mine.
Kate, I just know that your daydreams are as significant as anyone else’s.
But we have to remind ourselves constantly, don’t we, or at least give ourselves permission to daydream. To take the time to drift away on the wings of imagination. We were allowed to as children and now we know how important it is to us as adults. It’s a very cheap medication really…
Thank you so much for commenting, Kate. I appreciate it. XXXX
This took me back years, best loved stories my boys would want again and again… those times are sealed in my heart. Now they’re grown and in their mid 50s, and their children are grown too (sigh) where does the time go, and thank goodness for memories. And thank goodness for your evocative substacks Prue xx
it’s so lovely to have the memories. If I remember rightly, my son’s favourite books were the Richard Scarry books on all sorts of vehicles - so hard to read to him!
And Louise, honestly, writing the Substack each week is as much my therapy as anyone’s. It’s always a complete joy. Much love to you...
"The trees humming an arboreal melody" is so brilliant Prue and I had never heard of a "moon bridge" before - and that photo today is other worldly beautiful. So easy to run out of superlatives when I read your posts. And I agree wholeheartedly about the self-preservation bit - for me, it's all about balance (not too much news channel, not TOO much cake lol) but the scale has to be maintained somehow or we'd never get out of bed. I love that lobelia blue! Our own version of lobelia here is just opening this week and I look forward to watching its progress. Oh and our peaches are just coming into season as well so soon there will be crumbles, pies and lots of eating them - as is - over the sink! Much love to you and that wee Womble! P.S. Love Anne so much, you've inspired me to re-visit AND of course we can claim her as she's Canadian too!! xo
Then I think if you can be balanced about it, you’re doing it right.
Me? I just dig my head into the sand and think prismatic thoughts like some kind of latterday Pollyanna.
Or I put myself into complete purdah. No TV, no news, and oh look, the sun’s shining and all’s right with the world. No, Prue! It’s balance you must aim for!
Re the lobelia, Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a shirt in that blue? Almost as good as Anne’s puffed sleeves.
And I envy you LM Montgomery, Anne and PEIwhich has to be the most beautiful isalnd in the world.
PS: I know have visions of you dripping over the sink as you devour fresh, sun-kissed peaches!
PS: Typing is awful as my fingers became twisted in the dog lead as the womble took off after a possum. I almost cried - thought I’d broken at least two but I think it's just ligaments/tendons. Apologies for mis-spells. Even this apology has rather a lot of edits and back-tracking!
Beautifully written and lovely photos alongside. What a treat!
And oh, lovely Anne... thank you for linking the clip and the music. Just hearing the music took me back to what seemed like a moment in time when I felt safe in the world. Although it wasn't at all a safe time (when I watched the show for the first time) and there were loads of horrible things happening, but still, I hear that music, and my heart rate slows down and I feel peace. What an amazing story to be able to create that sense of escape and joy.
I remember visiting PEI with some friends because of Anne of GG but we booked our accommodation on the 'other side' of the Island. For a few days were baffled by the plain and uninspired geography. Then we took a drive to the other side of the Island, and House where it was written and saw what all the fuss was about. Still, we laughed and laughed about 'our PEI' and how too many potatoes and cooked white beans do not a fancy holiday make, yet we still remember it with fondness 35 years later.
Oh Sabrina! Im guessing the dour side of PEI might be the exposed windward side? It sings with LM Mongomery’s words for sure and of course, the TV series used the bestest settings. Now, when I read the books, its all the images from the series.
I can’t begin to imagine the horror of white beans when one is touring! Lordy!
Isn’t it strange how the mind and body react to something good and sweet? Thank heaven for books, film and TV from earlier, simpler times.
Yes, you are absolutely right about the (mis)location. The beans were so funny in part because we expected a bowl of green beans and instead got a flat plate with white beans dribbled across it in their (tinned) juice, with toast on a separate plate. We all stared at it for a few moments before the four of us started giggling and then like naughty schoolchildren couldn't stop laughing.
Conversely we were rewarded with an all-you-can-eat lobster and PEI mussels community fundraising dinner one night in the funny little village near where we were staying. We sat at long trestle tables covered in newspaper, and we ate as much potato salad (!!!), lobster and mussels as we could eat. There was a lot of that community spirit we felt was very Anne!
Such a lovely and soothing read, Prue. Thank you so much for sharing your world and thoughts and insights … and your beautiful embroidery !! And a moon bridge. And your flowers. And your beach. What a magical place you live in. I love seeing glimpses ….
Prue ! So much of your writing this week resonated in my very soul. The first three Anne of Green Gables books were dog-eared by the time I graduated high school they were so perceptive and pertinent as I was 'homely' and unique...I didn't realize there were other in the series? Haven't considered them in years and will, now. Thank you.
Of course your proximity to the sea is a delight for me, I treasure the moon bridges and the moods as do you, I think. It's so hot here hard to even imagine being chilled, frankly, although it would be welcome.
thanks, Janice. To be truthful, much as I love the sea and boating (albeit on a very small scale), I’m not looking forward to summer. I suspect the hot days will be unbearable and the cooler days wet/humid/thundery. I might save the rest of the Anne books for those days.
I experienced your fine island in January, although not as I had expected to, and did not realize it got that hot down in Tassy-- I recall the humid and the stormy. I have lived in a variety and come to the conclusion that there is no 'perfect' place, only those that you love, those that comfort you. ~J
Prue, this is one of the loveliest pieces of writing I have read in a long while. I also relish the Anne books, and re-read them all every few years. The two books about Anne’s children, Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside, are treasures as well. In 2012 my sister and I travelled to Canada and a non-negotiable part of our trip was to visit PEI, flying and training from Vancouver. I bought a straw hat with red (!) plaits attached, then foolishly gave it to a grandchild when I returned home to WA. I should have kept it. Thanks for the reminder to hold onto my younger self.
SO much to love in this piece Prue - thank you!! Your description of reading a favorite book is perfectly on point….and Rosamunde Pilcher is also one of my favorites! I keep my well worn copies of several of her books in my studio, and find it reassuring just to see them there on the bookcase, knowing I can pick them up and reread them at any time. Along with the Ann of GG book set of course! 💜
Tender. That's how this week's post feels, Prue. Like your gifts to yourself are also a gift to us. I'm listening to the music as I write this and feeling deliciously connected to you, despite us being on opposite sides of the planet. I hope you kept reading all the books in the series. I am thrilled to be benefitting from your wisdom in doing so. Thank you.
I, too, walked in the rain yesterday, though in my case it was just a hard drizzle and a welcome relief from the intense heat that has returned with such vengeance this week ("feels like 100"). The radar had called for dry skies. I set out in a mist and by the time I was ready to return it was steady and heavier. Rather delightful, actually!
I'm 100% smitten with your chicken! And your line: "My head is a glorious vacuum" sounds just like something Anne might've said.
"You know when a piece of music slides down your spine and gives you goosebumps? It was just like that." --> You might appreciate this if you've not seen it already. Clips from a variety of films all strung together. So much swirl and beauty! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOK8Jb76ibc
Elizabeth, you really use the most delectable words! Tender… it’s just lovely.
And thank you for the music link. I immediately shared it with my teacher and the ballet girls. Don’t you just love that I call them girls when we’re aged between mid 60’s and late 70’s?
I’m grateful to you for always saying the nicest things. XXXX
This lovely “Anne”-themed post…I loved every word! Cozy and comforting in every sense 😊 It reminded me to get out my own copy of Anne of Green Gables and reread it…but more than that, reminded me to not get so caught up in daily life and daydream again.
Your “moonbridge” photo is a wonder…thank you for sharing.
And speaking of thank yous—I so appreciate you recommending “Jenny’s Folly” Substack! She is a treasure!
i remember and miss the time of day dreaming, think dreaming i called it when i was a kid, this post has made me think about it again, you know i had the ability long into adulthood, I wonder where i lost it?
Oh wait i remember now, it's not down the back of the couch or under my bed, no, it's even closer than that. It's been absorbed into the tiny black mirror that never leaves my side, and replaced by the think dreams of others, as though somehow they are more significant than mine.
Thank you Prue for this reminder
Kate, I just know that your daydreams are as significant as anyone else’s.
But we have to remind ourselves constantly, don’t we, or at least give ourselves permission to daydream. To take the time to drift away on the wings of imagination. We were allowed to as children and now we know how important it is to us as adults. It’s a very cheap medication really…
Thank you so much for commenting, Kate. I appreciate it. XXXX
‘or at least give ourselves permission to daydream’. And there it is, in a nutshell.
Thank you for your kind response Prue. Also forgot to mention how much I loved the moon bridge photo.
My pleasure, Kate. Take care and see you next week.
This took me back years, best loved stories my boys would want again and again… those times are sealed in my heart. Now they’re grown and in their mid 50s, and their children are grown too (sigh) where does the time go, and thank goodness for memories. And thank goodness for your evocative substacks Prue xx
Indeed. Where does the time go.
it’s so lovely to have the memories. If I remember rightly, my son’s favourite books were the Richard Scarry books on all sorts of vehicles - so hard to read to him!
And Louise, honestly, writing the Substack each week is as much my therapy as anyone’s. It’s always a complete joy. Much love to you...
My daughters loved the Richard Scarry books too…and I agree, the books *are* hard to read, so many, many images on each page!
Nightmare!
"The trees humming an arboreal melody" is so brilliant Prue and I had never heard of a "moon bridge" before - and that photo today is other worldly beautiful. So easy to run out of superlatives when I read your posts. And I agree wholeheartedly about the self-preservation bit - for me, it's all about balance (not too much news channel, not TOO much cake lol) but the scale has to be maintained somehow or we'd never get out of bed. I love that lobelia blue! Our own version of lobelia here is just opening this week and I look forward to watching its progress. Oh and our peaches are just coming into season as well so soon there will be crumbles, pies and lots of eating them - as is - over the sink! Much love to you and that wee Womble! P.S. Love Anne so much, you've inspired me to re-visit AND of course we can claim her as she's Canadian too!! xo
Then I think if you can be balanced about it, you’re doing it right.
Me? I just dig my head into the sand and think prismatic thoughts like some kind of latterday Pollyanna.
Or I put myself into complete purdah. No TV, no news, and oh look, the sun’s shining and all’s right with the world. No, Prue! It’s balance you must aim for!
Re the lobelia, Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a shirt in that blue? Almost as good as Anne’s puffed sleeves.
And I envy you LM Montgomery, Anne and PEIwhich has to be the most beautiful isalnd in the world.
PS: I know have visions of you dripping over the sink as you devour fresh, sun-kissed peaches!
XXXX
PS: Typing is awful as my fingers became twisted in the dog lead as the womble took off after a possum. I almost cried - thought I’d broken at least two but I think it's just ligaments/tendons. Apologies for mis-spells. Even this apology has rather a lot of edits and back-tracking!
Oh my goodness! That Womble! Wishing you healing for your poor hands.
Still can’t fit rings on.
I’m a huge fan of putting one’s head in the sand! If you’d been watching the news that night, you might have missed the moonbridge.
True.
Stunning embroidery!! And that moon over the sea! And the beach walk. And all the rest. A beautiful read. Thanks so much. 🤗🤗💕💕
My pleasure, Beth and thank you for the compliments.
Beautifully written and lovely photos alongside. What a treat!
And oh, lovely Anne... thank you for linking the clip and the music. Just hearing the music took me back to what seemed like a moment in time when I felt safe in the world. Although it wasn't at all a safe time (when I watched the show for the first time) and there were loads of horrible things happening, but still, I hear that music, and my heart rate slows down and I feel peace. What an amazing story to be able to create that sense of escape and joy.
I remember visiting PEI with some friends because of Anne of GG but we booked our accommodation on the 'other side' of the Island. For a few days were baffled by the plain and uninspired geography. Then we took a drive to the other side of the Island, and House where it was written and saw what all the fuss was about. Still, we laughed and laughed about 'our PEI' and how too many potatoes and cooked white beans do not a fancy holiday make, yet we still remember it with fondness 35 years later.
Take good care of your fingers!
Oh Sabrina! Im guessing the dour side of PEI might be the exposed windward side? It sings with LM Mongomery’s words for sure and of course, the TV series used the bestest settings. Now, when I read the books, its all the images from the series.
I can’t begin to imagine the horror of white beans when one is touring! Lordy!
Isn’t it strange how the mind and body react to something good and sweet? Thank heaven for books, film and TV from earlier, simpler times.
Yes, you are absolutely right about the (mis)location. The beans were so funny in part because we expected a bowl of green beans and instead got a flat plate with white beans dribbled across it in their (tinned) juice, with toast on a separate plate. We all stared at it for a few moments before the four of us started giggling and then like naughty schoolchildren couldn't stop laughing.
Conversely we were rewarded with an all-you-can-eat lobster and PEI mussels community fundraising dinner one night in the funny little village near where we were staying. We sat at long trestle tables covered in newspaper, and we ate as much potato salad (!!!), lobster and mussels as we could eat. There was a lot of that community spirit we felt was very Anne!
What a wonderful (and funny) trip you had.
Such a lovely and soothing read, Prue. Thank you so much for sharing your world and thoughts and insights … and your beautiful embroidery !! And a moon bridge. And your flowers. And your beach. What a magical place you live in. I love seeing glimpses ….
Thank you, Karen. It soothed me as much as the readers I was writing it for.
Yes, I do live in a lovely place. It’s the perfect escape...
Prue ! So much of your writing this week resonated in my very soul. The first three Anne of Green Gables books were dog-eared by the time I graduated high school they were so perceptive and pertinent as I was 'homely' and unique...I didn't realize there were other in the series? Haven't considered them in years and will, now. Thank you.
Of course your proximity to the sea is a delight for me, I treasure the moon bridges and the moods as do you, I think. It's so hot here hard to even imagine being chilled, frankly, although it would be welcome.
A fulfilling and comforting read, truly. J
thanks, Janice. To be truthful, much as I love the sea and boating (albeit on a very small scale), I’m not looking forward to summer. I suspect the hot days will be unbearable and the cooler days wet/humid/thundery. I might save the rest of the Anne books for those days.
I experienced your fine island in January, although not as I had expected to, and did not realize it got that hot down in Tassy-- I recall the humid and the stormy. I have lived in a variety and come to the conclusion that there is no 'perfect' place, only those that you love, those that comfort you. ~J
Prue, this is one of the loveliest pieces of writing I have read in a long while. I also relish the Anne books, and re-read them all every few years. The two books about Anne’s children, Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside, are treasures as well. In 2012 my sister and I travelled to Canada and a non-negotiable part of our trip was to visit PEI, flying and training from Vancouver. I bought a straw hat with red (!) plaits attached, then foolishly gave it to a grandchild when I returned home to WA. I should have kept it. Thanks for the reminder to hold onto my younger self.
We must all hold on to our younger selves - when we had less responsibility and life was there for the taking.
SO much to love in this piece Prue - thank you!! Your description of reading a favorite book is perfectly on point….and Rosamunde Pilcher is also one of my favorites! I keep my well worn copies of several of her books in my studio, and find it reassuring just to see them there on the bookcase, knowing I can pick them up and reread them at any time. Along with the Ann of GG book set of course! 💜
I may read Winter Solstice for the umpteenth time, Martha. It never fails to warm me.
Tender. That's how this week's post feels, Prue. Like your gifts to yourself are also a gift to us. I'm listening to the music as I write this and feeling deliciously connected to you, despite us being on opposite sides of the planet. I hope you kept reading all the books in the series. I am thrilled to be benefitting from your wisdom in doing so. Thank you.
I, too, walked in the rain yesterday, though in my case it was just a hard drizzle and a welcome relief from the intense heat that has returned with such vengeance this week ("feels like 100"). The radar had called for dry skies. I set out in a mist and by the time I was ready to return it was steady and heavier. Rather delightful, actually!
I'm 100% smitten with your chicken! And your line: "My head is a glorious vacuum" sounds just like something Anne might've said.
"You know when a piece of music slides down your spine and gives you goosebumps? It was just like that." --> You might appreciate this if you've not seen it already. Clips from a variety of films all strung together. So much swirl and beauty! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOK8Jb76ibc
Elizabeth, you really use the most delectable words! Tender… it’s just lovely.
And thank you for the music link. I immediately shared it with my teacher and the ballet girls. Don’t you just love that I call them girls when we’re aged between mid 60’s and late 70’s?
I’m grateful to you for always saying the nicest things. XXXX
I also try to be truthful. :)
This lovely “Anne”-themed post…I loved every word! Cozy and comforting in every sense 😊 It reminded me to get out my own copy of Anne of Green Gables and reread it…but more than that, reminded me to not get so caught up in daily life and daydream again.
Your “moonbridge” photo is a wonder…thank you for sharing.
And speaking of thank yous—I so appreciate you recommending “Jenny’s Folly” Substack! She is a treasure!
So glad you like Jennifer’s substack. It’s one of my faves from the year.