I haven't blogged in some time because I've been hunkered down and hiding out. My mate Poppy from next door has the right idea. She secludes herself amongst the foliage and the bush, only peeping out when she cares to, or can bear to.
I don't think I'm alone in this coping strategy as we continue to deal with waves of COVID, war in Europe, Chinese encroachment into our Pacific patch, gas well over $3 a litre, not to mention the cost of food which sees five essential items in my trolley (and I don't mean beer) generate a bill of $130+.
Not that I've become a hermit or anything, it's more that I've 'retired' for a bit, taken myself out of the mainstream as I, like so many others, try to get my head around all of this. Call it breathing room, or making head space, or whatever you like, but call it unusual because it isn't often I feel anxious in this way.
What a world we are seeing. Oh yes I forgot climate change which might see my one-block-away-from-the-beach property become launch-my-kayak-from-the-end-of-the-driveway place in a few years. I haven't felt like writing, to be honest with you, because in spite of being a writer, words are failing me these days. I simply don't know how to put these feelings into words. So it just seems far easier to read books or watch TV.
When the world becomes too tough to endure, we can turn to introspection and the inner world of the imagination, and it is rich there. Here is territory we know but yet is there to be explored, discovered anew, and mined for the jewels that make our stories.
These troubled times are encouraging so many people to write: so far this year I've completed mentoring projects with four writers (all now promoting their published books), have another who is nearing publication and one who is working in the draft stage. I can find words to say how very proud I am of these talented writers. They have worked incredibly hard with discipline and determination and I wish them every success with their published works.
I know I will write more about these challenging days, of course I will.
All in good time.