Things of Beauty #6
Cucumbers, baby hawks, and little pockets of quiet
When the calendar flips into August, I start to feel the pace pick up. I always wonder if this is true for most people, or more unique to those of us who work in eduction? My guess is that it’s pretty universal with summer (the ubiquitous season of vacation) drawing to a close, back-to-school ads everywhere, and pumpkin spice everything starting to pop up (yes, already) rushing in the new season.
I don’t know about you, but I’m finding myself seeking to hold on to pockets of quiet, even as I see my calendar get more and more crowded over the course of the month. I’m trying to lean into the excitement of it all without allowing a certain frenzy to sink in. I don’t have all the answers about how to to this, just yet, but I figure the intention is a good place to start.
Here are just a few things of beauty to enjoy in those pockets of quiet :
🐦 This video from one of the bird cams at Cornell University in which a curious young red-tailed hawk comes over to investigate the mounted camera and we get the sweetest close-ups! It’s 3.5 minutes of pure adorable.
🎵 Brandi Carlile is always good for taking a quiet moment to just sit and listen and Letter to the Past is pure, quiet power.
📓 Permission to Tinker— this article explains why giving ourselves space to ask “what if” and dream up different solutions can be so important to our creativity. (Thanks to reader, Shannon for the share!)
🥒 This Tzatziki sauce has been a hit for me this summer. It’s delicious and an awesome way to use cucumbers, if you’re finding yourself with lots of them this time of year! I use garlic powder, instead of fresh, and am super happy with the results, however I think the fresh dill and lemon juice are key.
🎧 In keeping with the theme of finding pockets of quiet and seeking to feel less in the frenzy, this podcast episode from Jason & Caroline Zook at Wandering Aimfully really resonated. Maybe it doesn’t have to be about changing the world— perhaps taking the best care of your corner of it is enough.
How’s August for you? Are you seeking pockets of quiet? Have you found them? Would love to hear about this and also please send bird videos, cucumber recipes, and beautiful music.
PS- We did a fun little introduction thread last week! Stop by and say hello!