The Christmas rush has finally settled, and Charlie and I have found solace in the sofa with warm fleece blankets, a cup of tea, and a guilty pleasure rom com on Netflix. I needed this day of rest.
I did spend some time catching up on Cybils reading and doing laundry. There’s always laundry. But for the most part, I’ve taken it easy.
Thinking ahead to the new year coming, I love the idea that there is space for seeds to grow. On the Smack Dab in the Middle blogspot, Deb Calhoun wrote:
“Two days past winter solstice, when the days inch longer and the nights shorter, this is the time when imagination reignites. All that has been hidden, sleeping and growing in the dark Underland, begins to emerge. Tendrils of light shoot up like tiny seedlings poking their heads from the dark. They find light and see what the wind says.”
Deb Calhoun
Deb suggests we pay attention to the budding of imagination and creativity. Whenever I have the time to relax, I feel the energy of creativity. I wish I could cultivate it every day, but when lessons have to be made and the house has to be ready, I get weary and unimaginative.
Today I am off to visit my parents in Mississippi, but before this winter school break ends, I hope I find another day to rest and wait for new ideas to germinate.
Reflections on the Teche 
Happy New Year! Your creativity in all things inspires me. What a beautiful idea…finding the space.
Lovely. Here’s to that space. I’ll meet you there. Cheers! — Christie
What does the wind say? I’m looking for the light and watching for those seeded dreams. Enjoy your time with your parents!
Your poem draws my thoughts to the drying out milkweed pods in my backyard readying themselves to emerge again in spring. Perhaps we need this winter space to,
“find a space
open to our thoughts to inspire,”
Thanks for your inspiring circular poem Margaret, and your spark-filled image! Hope you find another day for yourself and writing–Happy New Year!
I, too, have fallen off the creativity train. It feels so good to exchange the push-push-push to get school things done with the push-push-push to fill hours with things that can’t be done on school time.
After a flurry of preparations and traveling, I’m also hoping for space, sparks, and seedlings. May we all find them in the new year!
What a beautiful opening to your blog post, Margaret. I went directly to Deb Calhoun’s post and was taken in by the call to let our imaginations grow, “All the creative potential inside us starts to grow. Be gentle with the shoots of your imagination.” Then, I read your poem and see that your one word grace was showcased. Lovely! Here’s to finding a space to let our dreams and creativity grow! Happy New Year to you.
Thank you so much for Deb Calhoun’s wonderful words and your beautiful poem. I’ve been thinking a lot about the regenerative powers of winter. So often as a teacher, we look to summer for rejuvenation, but winter allows the slower pace for those seeds and sparks to grow. Wishing you a wonderful New Year and looking forward to seeing what ideas germinate for you in 2020!
Love “dreams seeded in winter with grace”…we all have gone off our routines, but there’s new stirring made possible by rest. May we get enough!
Such lovely words to welcome a new year. Thank you, Margaret.