It;s a curious thing this social isolation. It limits some things, but for the most part my working life continues as usual. There are plusses for me, as meetings happen online and I hope will continue to do so afterwards, cutting down travelling time, meaning I spend more time in my studio. And other things grow, new ideas, ways of working.
My days are still spent in walking the dogs ( and cats) and painting, thinking, writing. John and I are working towards the planning of a 'virtual booklaunch'. I will ask him today if the book has gone to press. There was another moment of deep jepardy as we were so busy looking at the images in the book neither of us had noticed a shift in the words during printing, and parts of teh design were thrown out of line.
This is why we have proofs. All should be well now.
It is good to be home, feet on the earth, eyes to the skies, heart moving between heavy and soaring by turns, looking at the land, longing to touch the sea.
Time has taken a curious turn. Publishers are asking authors to read books, do things to help those home-schooling etc, but I have been doing this for years, making books, and wish to do more. I've an amzing friend called June who is reading the books to camera for me, and hope to get some of these films online soon.
The book world is closing down. Shop doors are closed, so you can't have that wonderful time of browsing BUT many of teh shops are still open online, still delivering and you can ask booksellers for help. For those who want signed books Solva Woollen Mill has a good stock of most of my books and while the warehouses remain open and supplying through couriers they will continue to do so. Lots of hand sanitizing happening before handling, and Tom and Anna working in social isolation to deliver.
My daughter is in Columbia, sailing. She set off early January. The world, for humans, has changed since then. In a world of conectivity sometimes she is out of touch wehn sailing. HAlf a world away she has just sent me a message:
"Leaving in a few hours. Will let you know when we get there. Expect 12-14 days sailing. The watch rota is made.....log book ready...beanie has been donned...there's only one thing for it. To Narnia and the north"
She's a fierce creature, Mother of Fishheads. 2000 miles at sea, then what? If life is an adventure she is certainly making the most of it. She's writing a book, though not much writing will be done during the passage. Asked to write a synopsis in more detail before travelling she said that she couldn't really as you never know what the sea may bring to you. But she never envisaged a global pandemic.
Steady the heart, steady the head, listen to the wind pass over the earth, and hope.
I think The Unwinding has gone to press. Talking with John later about something we are hoping to do, to add, to enrich, to evolve the Unwinding, so hopefully more news soon.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
If you want to follow in the footsteps of Elmo and the White cat then follow my blog.
If you want to hear how Sam Sweeney's latest music was crafted watch this, from Hudson Records.
Folk on Foot came walking with us once. Listen to the White Cat and the Bookshop Band here. All of their podcasts are brilliant, hours of beautiful listening.
There are new epiosdes of the Backlisted podcast up online. I will be listening to The Soul of Kindness later. If you've podcasts you listen to, things you watch and love, books you've read and loved leave a comment and let uus all know. We've a small and quiet community growing here on The Unwinding. Together we will get through this.