Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Words of Wisdom (Not Mine!)

Spending odd moments lately, trying to go through and clean out, sort and organize my desk, I came across a slip of paper smooshed at the back of one drawer.  On it I had copied down the following wise words.  My sincere apologies for not listing the author as I failed to note the same on the scrap of paper.  Perhaps they were listed as anonymous.  I know not, but at any rate, they struck a chord within me, and I wanted to share them with you.

Strive to live more slowly.

Keep watch for the first snowdrops,
walk outside in the rain,
and listen for the return of the swallows.

Share stories and seasonal feasts around campfires.

Scribble ideas and illustrations
on an adventure in the woods,
on a mountain hike, 
or on an early morning
stroll around your garden.

Choose local, handmade and sustainable.

Try your hand at 
weaving, whittling, foraging
and bottling.

And every day, venture out and
CELEBRATE THE SEASONS! 

22 comments:

Goatldi said...

Mama Pea you are one smart cookie! I don't know who penned it either but it strikes a cord somewhere in my brain as familiar . I think homesteading tends to present all those possibilities to us at one time or the other. Thank you for sharing!

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - Oh yes, homesteading on even a small scale with only few animals necessitates (!) experiencing many of these thoughts! When visiting folks who live in a town-ish (or city-ish!) setting, I'm always taken back with how seemingly out of touch with the outside environment they are. (Not saying it's wrong, but just so different.)

The second to the last one made me think of you 'cause you're so hands-on that way!

Unknown said...

Oh yes. I try to learn something new, make something new, etc. each year.

Mama Pea said...

Unknown - It's been said that's what keeps our life force glowing and going: Our interest(s) in new things, desire to keep learning, our creating of something we've never tried whether that be mental or physical.

wisps of words said...

Ohhhhhh, what wonderful words!!!!!

Especially the live more slowly part. In today's world of go-go-go, and do-do-do, it is hard to stick to a slower frame of mind. But worth the effort. Our ancestors didn't live, as today's world says we must. But since we are here, they must have "done it right." :-)

And all the other ideas.... To pay attention to nature. Stop, look, listen, notice.

And the advice to CELEBRATE THE SEASONS every day!!!! My kind of words. :-))))))

Thank you for sharing!

✨🍁🎃🍁✨👻✨🍁🎃🍁✨

Goatldi said...

Thank you Mama Pea.

And you are correct there are many ways to get to the same destination. I think that you speak of people who are so out of touch with where the things needed such as food and clothing come from Kohl’s, Walmart,Costco well you get it. Or why knit those socks when you can get them at Target (special added attraction made not in the USA ) for $1.99 a pair.

Yes I have become that opinionated old lady who often throws hand over mouth and thinks “did I say that out loud?”

Mama Pea said...

wisps of words - You're so very welcome. I had a strong feeling you'd read these particular thoughts and relate to them!

Goatldi - You're welcome, too, you opinionated old lady! ;o) I think when we reach a certain age (ahem) and see the way our world is going, if we allow our true feelings to be spoken, we do a lot of thinking, "Oh my gosh! I DID just say that out loud!"

Lynne said...

Great words to live by! The younger generation don't know how to survive If there's no running water or no heat. It's really sad. I taught all my children how to survive, thank goodness! I feel our generation was the best and we really appreciated every thing. Nothing was take for granted. OK I've ranted enough.

Mama Pea said...

Lynne - Yep, so many common sense things have been passed by and forgotten. When we first moved up here to Minnesota, we lived for 15 years without power or running water or an indoor bathroom. I know that sounds gross to the younger generation, but most casual visitors to our place didn't know we didn't have those amenities. We were always clean, well fed and comfortable. Plus, most importantly, we (including our daughter) know how to function very well, thank you, without the modern conveniences. How many people can say that?

You were a wise woman, indeed, to instill the basics for survival in your children.

Goatldi said...

Well I think we are in some fine company! ;-)

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - Agreed! ;o}

The Wykeham Observer said...

Certainly good words to strive to live by. "'Tis a gift to be simple..."

Mama Pea said...

Phil - "'Tis a gift to be simple . . . " Kinda hard to achieve these days, isn't it! I still think there are many benefits to trying to go in that direction though. :o}

Lynne said...

We use to have baths in the living room near the wood stove. My mother would heat the water on the Kerosene cook stove in the kitchen for our bath. There was just a hand pump for cold water. I still have that old water pump.

Susan said...

What good advice! It's so easy to keep your nose in your to-do list and not look up to enjoy each season.

Mama Pea said...

Lynne - Yep, we have memories of bathing in the galvanized wash tub snugged up to the kitchen wood stove. There was a large pot always on the back of the wood stove with warm/hot water in it for doing dishes or washing. Never had a hand pump on the sink but rather two pails of water to the left with a big dipper in it. We pumped our water from the well outside and brought it in. Oh yes, what memories!

Susan - And 'tis such a lovely season we are in right now! Autumn is the best of the best. (When it's not raining.) We had a 50 degree day today with sunshine. (I won't talk about the fact that it's supposed to dip down to 29 tonight and only get into the 30s tomorrow.)

Leigh said...

What a refreshing post! Exactly the thing to do. It's all to easy to forget to appreciate what we have around us.

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - Studies (can you believe all of them?) have been done that supposedly prove that being in the moment and actively appreciative can raise your level of happiness. Sounds good to me!!

Rain said...

I love this Mama Pea...wise words! This is how I live my life!!! :) All you need to add to that is "Make your home a cozy, Hygge sanctuary!" :))

Mama Pea said...

Rain - Yes, yes, yes! After all, the hygge season is just beginning! Kind of like the other holidays . . . we celebrate various ones all through the year, but the biggest (for most folks) one(s) involving home, hearth and family come in the winter, just like the hygge tradition!

Pam said...

Love that. I love a nice walk in the rain if not cold. A nice summer rain is great! I am not much on getting out in the woods to walk but when in the car when I have a thought I keep a spiral notebook with me to write that thought down. HAHA....I would like to say that I do it for inspiration but I basically do it so I will remember to do something or to look up later! haha....

Mama Pea said...

Pam Jackson - One could say that even when you're out and about in the car, you're experiencing nature. I mean you are more aware of the elements, you see a lot of different things such as plantings, flowers, trees. Your jotting down of things to remember or do are inspiration in their own way. Plus, I find I sometimes do my best thinking and making of decisions while driving!