We all feel like imposters! I am so glad you decided to stay here nonetheless and push that feeling aside as much as possible. Niall Mac Coittir (Irish Trees) is also in my footnotes for my hawthorn piece (corrective notes always welcome). Braiding Sweetgrass is amazing, a favorite of mine as well. Happy to hear the plants are speaking to you and lifting your spirits at this lively time of year. xo
Hi Carmine! Yes, IS is very common, isn't it? I'm wondering if more so among women, or maybe its just that women are more able or likely to open up about such things. Anyway, its hard to shake off, for sure.
Its definitely a lively time of year, discovering new to me plants all the time... yesterday I found cuckoo flowers growing in my garden... never seen them before! I feel that the area where I live is its own little microcosm, a little pocket of natural joy in a world that is suffering so much from climate crisis. It gives me hope for the future and reminds me how fortunate and privileged I am. 💕
I loved Riverdance when it came out. Bought the DVD and watched it over and over. Thanks for the little clip!
Ali, I would be very sad if you quit writing. Seriously. That's how I found you in the first place, and asked you to be a guide of Tara for my tour. I love reading your heart-felt, knowledgeable, enriching articles. You and your writing are precious to me.
I love riverdance, too. I saw it live in the Gaiety Theatre once, it was absolutely mesmerising! That little clip makes me feel very emotional, for some reason. And proud. I don't think I could ever quit writing, Robin, that's what I realised over these last few weeks. Writing about things that matter to me makes me feel happy. And look, we met and became friends, and how wonderful is that? That's why writing in this space really matters, I have 'met' some lovely people here, and that means a lot to me. I saw your email, I have some appointments this morning but will respond today. Hugs xxx
Riverdance!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, THAT was a fresh infusion. Thank you for taking us back and I'm enjoying the EuroVision clip! Blessings on this Beltane day.
Thanks Erinn! Yeah, I couldn't believe it was 30 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday, I still feel that sense of awe and wonder I felt at the time. The singing, the drum and dance riposte between Flatley and the drummers, the harp, all just so inspiring and emotional without being the least bit cheesy or twee. Thanks for your comment and for being here!
Keep going! Your presence shines through in your writing. Not every writer can do that. And I feel you on changing directions. We are so pressured to focus on themes (I had one friend in art school say they told her she had to have a shtick if she wanted to make it), in order to make ourselves consumable, we too often stifle our vitality. We need more people to express like rivers, not straight roads!
Wow Jennifer, I love that last line there, 'express like rivers, not roads'... brilliant, and so true. You are absolutely right that there are so many gatekeepers telling us how to be, how to channel our art to be 'successful' thereby dictating what is produced and what is consumed, not in the name of art, but with the aim of maximising their own profit. I hope you are well and your own creativity is flowing, I haven't seen anything from you recently, I hope it is my own recent inattention to all things rather than pesky algorythms (ie gatekeepers)! Thanks for your wisdom!
I love your substack and I'm glad you are carrying on with it! I look forward to your stories of myth and landscape.
And I am currently reading Brading Sweetgrass! Sadly we don't have anything like that here in Cyprus, most of the grasses are already drying now and are on their way out, leaving lots of tough seeds that get caught in the hair of my dogs and cats!
I love seeing the pictures of the native plants in Ireland, I'm originally from Manchester and I do miss the green landscape and rain.
Hi Ingrid, how lovely to be in Cyprus, though... omg, the scent of fresh figs, and the cyclamen in the spring! And the olive trees, and the oranges and lemons... it defo has its own pleasures. We were in Paphos for our last two holidays, Cypriot people are so lovely. I grew up in the village of Ayios Tykhonas when it was a tiny place, do you know it? I'm originally from a bit further up north than you, Barrow in Furness. I love living in Ireland though. A bit more sunshine wouldn't go amiss! Thanks for reading! 💕
Yes Ali, there are definitely some lovely things about living here; the mulberries are in season now, the blossom on the lemons and oranges too, and our own tomatoes are prolific now and so juicy. We are in the North of Cyprus near Kyrenia; I've only ever been to Larnaca.
So you're a Northerner too coming from Barrow in Furness! We lived in Ramsbottom, North of Manchester so we had similar landscapes to you.
I am finding so much synchronicity at the moment; I'm studying with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, have done a writing course with Siofra O' Donovan about the Heroine's Journey and my last book I read was Hagitude before starting Braiding Sweetgrass. I keep finding others who are on a similar path, who are drawn to the natural world, who love myths and stories of their lands. I so want to visit Ireland, maybe for Samhain.
I think that happens. I did my Reiki level 1 training a few years ago, and suddenly everytwhere I looked Reiki kept popping up, or I came into contact with other Reiki practitioners. Synchronicity indeed, I love it! I love that we have a similar background, its great to connect! How long do you have to study with OBOD? I'm guessing you can do it online if you're living in Cyprus?
Ali, this post sums up exactly what I love about your writing.. if you scrolled my camera feed at the moment, it would appear we see through the same lens! 🙏🤩
Haha! My phone is full of pictures of wild plants, Lisa, is that what yours is like too? Most people photogrsph their kids or their pets... not me! Funny, because I'm not really a gardener, so I don't know where this obsession has come from, or where it's leading... just gonna go with the flow! Thanks for commenting! 💕
Exactly! Sometimes my kids make it in the pics with the flowers or weeds or critters whatever catches my eye. I'm just enthralled with the communion.. 🥰
I once inadvertantly took a lovely picture of my dog when he photobombed a photo I was taking of my lavender! Haha! He's no longer with us, so I cherish that photo now. (I also took a lot of photos of him, too. I loved him. His ashes are still sitting in a lovely wooden box on the sideboard in my kitchen nearly three years later.)
Thank you so much for continuing with your Substack!! I felt exactly the same as you and I lost the energy to continue with my positive journaling. I haven’t started it again yet. One thing that has helped me recently is your writing. You won’t realise how much it speaks to me. Thank you.
Hi Deirdre, thank you for your kind comment and thoughtfulness. I am so happy if something you have read here has helped you in any way. I know how much other writers have helped me with their words in the past, and still inspire me today. I hope you are ok. I understand about that loss of energy. I have periods like that in my life, too... last summer was particularly dreadful. I have learned to be patient with myself. My energy returns slowly, eventually, but its a mental health thing for me, I think, rather than a bodily thing. Spending time outside walking and getting close to wild plants, or landscapes with water, or trees, or high places really helps me. Also, practicing gratitude makes me realise how fortunate I am, and that gives me a boost. But we also have to know when we need to seek help. Hugs to you, Deirdre, than ks for being here.
About that journal, not so long ago I attended a writing workshop with Kerri Ni Dochertaigh, and she said she journals every day as the start of her writing practice. She suggested having a little ritual like lighting a candle on your desk before you begin, and then look out of your window and notice what you can see. Write a comment on what is outside your window, then another about how your body is feeling, your reflections will naturally move into wider prompts and you can take it as far as it goes or as you want to. Journalling is a way into opening heart and soul, she said. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that, maybe it will help you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write that to me! I love that women reach out to each other and try and build each other up. I will try the tips and I’ll get my journal out again. Thank you ❤️💚❤️
Thank you, Lisa, I appreciate that. And thank you for making the time to read and comment here. Substack is definitely a great place for people to write, and for readers to find new material, and for all of us to connect... its very different from regular blogs and social media, and there is also a culture of support and encouragement here. Its a nice friendly place to be. I hope you will enjoy all the new writers and subjects you will discover here. Best wishes to you!
I'm not a writer and this is my first time on social media. Something about other platforms repels me. This seems more of a ideas platform. Not a "LOOK AT ME!" platform. So far, I'm enjoying it:)
I'm not a fan of social media at all, Lisa! I only have Instagram now, and have set a half hour limit for it on my phone, and then it switches off. I keep it only because I want to keep in touch with other writers there. Insta is very 'LOOK AT ME!!!!' - haha! It's not like that here.
You have chosen to believe in yourself and your little gray cells - bravo! And thanks so much for the River Dance video - it always gives me goosebumps!
Hi Noelle, lovely to see you here! That Riverdance clip makes me feel really emotional every time I watch it, which I guess is appropriate considering water is connected with emotions! I hope you are keeping well and happy.
Hi Ali, I am always impressed with your upbeat way of looking at life.! That clip makes me want to dance - but only in my desk chair., Thanks for posting it. I am definitely a water person - grew up on the water and would spend part of every day in it or on it if I could!
Beautiful, Ali! I'm so happy you decided not to close down your Substack - what a loss that would have been. I'm really intrigued by the Irish sweetgrass you have found. Do you have a closer close-up so I know what to look out for? Bealtaine blessings x
Hi Annette, I managed to get a better picture yesterday, but unfortunately, adding photos to comments is not currently enabled here. I am going to see if I can send it to you directly, and give you what little information I have. I don't know much about grasses, but have recently started to educate myself. From what I can gather, there are three native sweetgrasses growing in Ireland, but don't quote me on that! I have to take my son to work now, and then I have an appointment, but I will get back to you about this, I promise! Best wishes, x
Thanks Again for another lovely piece. I'm a bit like yourself in saluting nature as my church. I'm so very glad you are keeping your substack because you do a great job and if it brings you great joy, you are not alone, it brings me great joy too. Your words and honesty skim very close to the actual grants and plants you describe. Now there is a compliment. We have to meet up this summer. Currently passing through mysterious Cavan on a bus. A great place to be on Bealtaine.
Hi Catherine, thank you so much for your lovely words and encouragement. I can't believe you were passing through Cavan yesterday. Its very verdant but hides its secrets very well from the passerby... all of these plants are growing on the roadsides but you cant see them from a verhicle. Hiding in plain sight. You would have been able to see Loughcrew from the N3 at the roundabout marked with the turnoff for Oldcastle. If you are around this summer, we will definitely have to meet! Thanks for reading.
We all feel like imposters! I am so glad you decided to stay here nonetheless and push that feeling aside as much as possible. Niall Mac Coittir (Irish Trees) is also in my footnotes for my hawthorn piece (corrective notes always welcome). Braiding Sweetgrass is amazing, a favorite of mine as well. Happy to hear the plants are speaking to you and lifting your spirits at this lively time of year. xo
Hi Carmine! Yes, IS is very common, isn't it? I'm wondering if more so among women, or maybe its just that women are more able or likely to open up about such things. Anyway, its hard to shake off, for sure.
Its definitely a lively time of year, discovering new to me plants all the time... yesterday I found cuckoo flowers growing in my garden... never seen them before! I feel that the area where I live is its own little microcosm, a little pocket of natural joy in a world that is suffering so much from climate crisis. It gives me hope for the future and reminds me how fortunate and privileged I am. 💕
Riverdance- still spine tingling. It's been a long winter, time to get out into that landscape Ali xx
It has indeed, Amanda! Thank you so much for stopping by... hugs to you!
I loved Riverdance when it came out. Bought the DVD and watched it over and over. Thanks for the little clip!
Ali, I would be very sad if you quit writing. Seriously. That's how I found you in the first place, and asked you to be a guide of Tara for my tour. I love reading your heart-felt, knowledgeable, enriching articles. You and your writing are precious to me.
I sent you an email.
I love riverdance, too. I saw it live in the Gaiety Theatre once, it was absolutely mesmerising! That little clip makes me feel very emotional, for some reason. And proud. I don't think I could ever quit writing, Robin, that's what I realised over these last few weeks. Writing about things that matter to me makes me feel happy. And look, we met and became friends, and how wonderful is that? That's why writing in this space really matters, I have 'met' some lovely people here, and that means a lot to me. I saw your email, I have some appointments this morning but will respond today. Hugs xxx
Riverdance!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, THAT was a fresh infusion. Thank you for taking us back and I'm enjoying the EuroVision clip! Blessings on this Beltane day.
Thanks Erinn! Yeah, I couldn't believe it was 30 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday, I still feel that sense of awe and wonder I felt at the time. The singing, the drum and dance riposte between Flatley and the drummers, the harp, all just so inspiring and emotional without being the least bit cheesy or twee. Thanks for your comment and for being here!
Keep going! Your presence shines through in your writing. Not every writer can do that. And I feel you on changing directions. We are so pressured to focus on themes (I had one friend in art school say they told her she had to have a shtick if she wanted to make it), in order to make ourselves consumable, we too often stifle our vitality. We need more people to express like rivers, not straight roads!
Wow Jennifer, I love that last line there, 'express like rivers, not roads'... brilliant, and so true. You are absolutely right that there are so many gatekeepers telling us how to be, how to channel our art to be 'successful' thereby dictating what is produced and what is consumed, not in the name of art, but with the aim of maximising their own profit. I hope you are well and your own creativity is flowing, I haven't seen anything from you recently, I hope it is my own recent inattention to all things rather than pesky algorythms (ie gatekeepers)! Thanks for your wisdom!
I love your substack and I'm glad you are carrying on with it! I look forward to your stories of myth and landscape.
And I am currently reading Brading Sweetgrass! Sadly we don't have anything like that here in Cyprus, most of the grasses are already drying now and are on their way out, leaving lots of tough seeds that get caught in the hair of my dogs and cats!
I love seeing the pictures of the native plants in Ireland, I'm originally from Manchester and I do miss the green landscape and rain.
Hi Ingrid, how lovely to be in Cyprus, though... omg, the scent of fresh figs, and the cyclamen in the spring! And the olive trees, and the oranges and lemons... it defo has its own pleasures. We were in Paphos for our last two holidays, Cypriot people are so lovely. I grew up in the village of Ayios Tykhonas when it was a tiny place, do you know it? I'm originally from a bit further up north than you, Barrow in Furness. I love living in Ireland though. A bit more sunshine wouldn't go amiss! Thanks for reading! 💕
Yes Ali, there are definitely some lovely things about living here; the mulberries are in season now, the blossom on the lemons and oranges too, and our own tomatoes are prolific now and so juicy. We are in the North of Cyprus near Kyrenia; I've only ever been to Larnaca.
So you're a Northerner too coming from Barrow in Furness! We lived in Ramsbottom, North of Manchester so we had similar landscapes to you.
I am finding so much synchronicity at the moment; I'm studying with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, have done a writing course with Siofra O' Donovan about the Heroine's Journey and my last book I read was Hagitude before starting Braiding Sweetgrass. I keep finding others who are on a similar path, who are drawn to the natural world, who love myths and stories of their lands. I so want to visit Ireland, maybe for Samhain.
It's lovely to have found you!
I think that happens. I did my Reiki level 1 training a few years ago, and suddenly everytwhere I looked Reiki kept popping up, or I came into contact with other Reiki practitioners. Synchronicity indeed, I love it! I love that we have a similar background, its great to connect! How long do you have to study with OBOD? I'm guessing you can do it online if you're living in Cyprus?
Ali, this post sums up exactly what I love about your writing.. if you scrolled my camera feed at the moment, it would appear we see through the same lens! 🙏🤩
Haha! My phone is full of pictures of wild plants, Lisa, is that what yours is like too? Most people photogrsph their kids or their pets... not me! Funny, because I'm not really a gardener, so I don't know where this obsession has come from, or where it's leading... just gonna go with the flow! Thanks for commenting! 💕
Exactly! Sometimes my kids make it in the pics with the flowers or weeds or critters whatever catches my eye. I'm just enthralled with the communion.. 🥰
I once inadvertantly took a lovely picture of my dog when he photobombed a photo I was taking of my lavender! Haha! He's no longer with us, so I cherish that photo now. (I also took a lot of photos of him, too. I loved him. His ashes are still sitting in a lovely wooden box on the sideboard in my kitchen nearly three years later.)
How blessed to have a friend like that, Ali.. 🙏💕
He was the most lovely natured being. He accompanied my children through their early years into adulthood. It was so hard letting him go.
I imagine you must feel him there with you still.. 🙏💚
Thank you so much for continuing with your Substack!! I felt exactly the same as you and I lost the energy to continue with my positive journaling. I haven’t started it again yet. One thing that has helped me recently is your writing. You won’t realise how much it speaks to me. Thank you.
Hi Deirdre, thank you for your kind comment and thoughtfulness. I am so happy if something you have read here has helped you in any way. I know how much other writers have helped me with their words in the past, and still inspire me today. I hope you are ok. I understand about that loss of energy. I have periods like that in my life, too... last summer was particularly dreadful. I have learned to be patient with myself. My energy returns slowly, eventually, but its a mental health thing for me, I think, rather than a bodily thing. Spending time outside walking and getting close to wild plants, or landscapes with water, or trees, or high places really helps me. Also, practicing gratitude makes me realise how fortunate I am, and that gives me a boost. But we also have to know when we need to seek help. Hugs to you, Deirdre, than ks for being here.
Thank you so much 🥺💚 Keep on writing 💚💚💚
About that journal, not so long ago I attended a writing workshop with Kerri Ni Dochertaigh, and she said she journals every day as the start of her writing practice. She suggested having a little ritual like lighting a candle on your desk before you begin, and then look out of your window and notice what you can see. Write a comment on what is outside your window, then another about how your body is feeling, your reflections will naturally move into wider prompts and you can take it as far as it goes or as you want to. Journalling is a way into opening heart and soul, she said. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that, maybe it will help you.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write that to me! I love that women reach out to each other and try and build each other up. I will try the tips and I’ll get my journal out again. Thank you ❤️💚❤️
Take your time and be kind to yourself Deirdre... I tell myself this regularly, too! 💕
Ali, I'm happy to know that you have chosen joy.
I think Substack is a great way to get a glimpse into someplace that I'm not familiar with.
I enjoy your Substack and look forward to your offerings.
Thank you, Lisa, I appreciate that. And thank you for making the time to read and comment here. Substack is definitely a great place for people to write, and for readers to find new material, and for all of us to connect... its very different from regular blogs and social media, and there is also a culture of support and encouragement here. Its a nice friendly place to be. I hope you will enjoy all the new writers and subjects you will discover here. Best wishes to you!
Thanks Ali:)
I'm not a writer and this is my first time on social media. Something about other platforms repels me. This seems more of a ideas platform. Not a "LOOK AT ME!" platform. So far, I'm enjoying it:)
I'm not a fan of social media at all, Lisa! I only have Instagram now, and have set a half hour limit for it on my phone, and then it switches off. I keep it only because I want to keep in touch with other writers there. Insta is very 'LOOK AT ME!!!!' - haha! It's not like that here.
It is not:) that is delightful!
You have chosen to believe in yourself and your little gray cells - bravo! And thanks so much for the River Dance video - it always gives me goosebumps!
Hi Noelle, lovely to see you here! That Riverdance clip makes me feel really emotional every time I watch it, which I guess is appropriate considering water is connected with emotions! I hope you are keeping well and happy.
Hi Ali, I am always impressed with your upbeat way of looking at life.! That clip makes me want to dance - but only in my desk chair., Thanks for posting it. I am definitely a water person - grew up on the water and would spend part of every day in it or on it if I could!
Beautiful, Ali! I'm so happy you decided not to close down your Substack - what a loss that would have been. I'm really intrigued by the Irish sweetgrass you have found. Do you have a closer close-up so I know what to look out for? Bealtaine blessings x
Hi Annette, I managed to get a better picture yesterday, but unfortunately, adding photos to comments is not currently enabled here. I am going to see if I can send it to you directly, and give you what little information I have. I don't know much about grasses, but have recently started to educate myself. From what I can gather, there are three native sweetgrasses growing in Ireland, but don't quote me on that! I have to take my son to work now, and then I have an appointment, but I will get back to you about this, I promise! Best wishes, x
Thanks Again for another lovely piece. I'm a bit like yourself in saluting nature as my church. I'm so very glad you are keeping your substack because you do a great job and if it brings you great joy, you are not alone, it brings me great joy too. Your words and honesty skim very close to the actual grants and plants you describe. Now there is a compliment. We have to meet up this summer. Currently passing through mysterious Cavan on a bus. A great place to be on Bealtaine.
My condolences on the death in your family.
Catherine
Hi Catherine, thank you so much for your lovely words and encouragement. I can't believe you were passing through Cavan yesterday. Its very verdant but hides its secrets very well from the passerby... all of these plants are growing on the roadsides but you cant see them from a verhicle. Hiding in plain sight. You would have been able to see Loughcrew from the N3 at the roundabout marked with the turnoff for Oldcastle. If you are around this summer, we will definitely have to meet! Thanks for reading.
Ali I'm now back in Slgo, was really just passing through. I'm back for longer in the summer and hope to catch you then.
That would be great. Enjoy Sligo!