Fun fact: ‘Hold Fast’ is the motto of the McLeod clan and my family have all manner of things with these words on - brooches, whiskey glasses... the essentials ☺️🏴
In addition to appreciating your reflections, they remind me of why a thesaurus is a favourite book. I love perusing a list of words and waiting for the feeling of recognising just the one I was looking for; like trying on a series of garments for just the right fit. Thank you
Thank you Beverley. Oh yes, there is something for me that is very comforting about a thesaurus. Perhaps because it gives so much nuance by definition, but without any judgement. There is an objectivity to it somehow that one can feel both expanded by and at peace within.
I read aloud to a friend who doesn't sleep and so has her own private 'audiobooks'.
We are just finishing The Dictionary of Lost Words' by Pip Williams - a fictional retelling of the story of the original OED from the pov of women, and the 'Womens Words' which were omitted...
Thank you...as someone who reads too quickly generally, it holds an added bonus for me - reading aloud, slowly, brings an added dimension of appreciation for the words, the rhythms and cadences, the structure of a well-written piece...
Ah yes. This is very relatable. I wrote a post oh what I learnt from narrating my audiobook and it was exactly that...hearing the proper cadence and rhythm in my own work, and how a practice of doing that enriches your writing!
I usually read a book aloud that I have just read, or a familiar one from my shelves - this one I started to read aloud when only half way through. And then realised it contained one word which I have NEVER uttered...and subsequently had to read aloud several times! 😧
Wonderful - do give her my love...we lost touch when I left Cambridge over a decade ago now! And I have a lovely pic from one of her day workshops in the woodland ❤️
Brilliant. I love how you found this poetic utterance of life. We are surrounded by such a wise story. Everything we need to know seems to be already shown to us.
Beautiful piece, Ruth, thank you! I'm training in grief tending with Francis Weller at the moment -- the holdfast is one of the foundational metaphors of our training. Erin, one of our teachers, writes about it here, thought you might like!
Thank you for sharing Emily. I love this question - 'When times are distressing in the world – what do we cling to?' 🙏🏻- & funny, I was just watching an interview with Francis Weller this morning 🌀
Love this. And I keep reading and re-reading the 45 words. reminded the power of words to help us see things in the world more clearly, or understand our relationship to them in a different way. thank you!
Enthralled by this Ruth. Such a fascinating curiosity thread to follow. Thank you for taking us with you.
And also, I’m currently reading Black Car Burning by Helen Mort and it’s been interesting to experience the way the characters - as climbers - relate to rock. And it to them. Have you read it?
I have. I love Helen Mort. And love hearing climbers talk about rock rather than just the achievement side of climbing. Did you read Time on Rock by Anna Fleming?
Fun fact: ‘Hold Fast’ is the motto of the McLeod clan and my family have all manner of things with these words on - brooches, whiskey glasses... the essentials ☺️🏴
Oh, that is a fun fact! Wow. I LOVE this! I want to see all (or at least some) of this paraphernalia!
Hi Stella! What a clan motto, so beautiful! See my comment above re: Francis Weller and holdfasts -- the McLeod's might appreciate :-)
In addition to appreciating your reflections, they remind me of why a thesaurus is a favourite book. I love perusing a list of words and waiting for the feeling of recognising just the one I was looking for; like trying on a series of garments for just the right fit. Thank you
Thank you Beverley. Oh yes, there is something for me that is very comforting about a thesaurus. Perhaps because it gives so much nuance by definition, but without any judgement. There is an objectivity to it somehow that one can feel both expanded by and at peace within.
I read aloud to a friend who doesn't sleep and so has her own private 'audiobooks'.
We are just finishing The Dictionary of Lost Words' by Pip Williams - a fictional retelling of the story of the original OED from the pov of women, and the 'Womens Words' which were omitted...
What a beautiful idea. And a generous gift :)
Thank you...as someone who reads too quickly generally, it holds an added bonus for me - reading aloud, slowly, brings an added dimension of appreciation for the words, the rhythms and cadences, the structure of a well-written piece...
Ah yes. This is very relatable. I wrote a post oh what I learnt from narrating my audiobook and it was exactly that...hearing the proper cadence and rhythm in my own work, and how a practice of doing that enriches your writing!
Sounds so interesting, thank you for the pointer to this book, Janey
I usually read a book aloud that I have just read, or a familiar one from my shelves - this one I started to read aloud when only half way through. And then realised it contained one word which I have NEVER uttered...and subsequently had to read aloud several times! 😧
Do you know Felipa Perara-Stubbs? I used to dance with her barefoot dance group!
Oh yes, I know Felipe ❤️ and attended some of the woodland workshops she hosted near Cambridge.
Wonderful - do give her my love...we lost touch when I left Cambridge over a decade ago now! And I have a lovely pic from one of her day workshops in the woodland ❤️
Will do 🙏
Brilliant. I love how you found this poetic utterance of life. We are surrounded by such a wise story. Everything we need to know seems to be already shown to us.
Oh, I completely agree. What a beautiful way of putting it, thank you Rob :)
Beautiful piece, Ruth, thank you! I'm training in grief tending with Francis Weller at the moment -- the holdfast is one of the foundational metaphors of our training. Erin, one of our teachers, writes about it here, thought you might like!
https://embodimentmatters.com/whats-your-holdfast/
Oh that's so interesting! I know Francis Weller's work well, but I didn't clock this. Thank you. X
Thank you for sharing Emily. I love this question - 'When times are distressing in the world – what do we cling to?' 🙏🏻- & funny, I was just watching an interview with Francis Weller this morning 🌀
Love this. And I keep reading and re-reading the 45 words. reminded the power of words to help us see things in the world more clearly, or understand our relationship to them in a different way. thank you!
Thank you Chloe. Yes, exactly this. Writing the list brought me into a contemplation about their relationships to each other and the nuance :) xx
Oh I love this! Wasn't 'hold fast' also an old maritime tattoo often seen spelt over a deck-hands 8 fingers?
Oh was it? Excellent. I mean, that would make some sort of sense. *runs off to google*
Enthralled by this Ruth. Such a fascinating curiosity thread to follow. Thank you for taking us with you.
And also, I’m currently reading Black Car Burning by Helen Mort and it’s been interesting to experience the way the characters - as climbers - relate to rock. And it to them. Have you read it?
Thank you Christina :)
I have. I love Helen Mort. And love hearing climbers talk about rock rather than just the achievement side of climbing. Did you read Time on Rock by Anna Fleming?
Love these words. Especially cleave. And I love where you went with that thought. How to develop our substrate indeed...xx
I was quite taken with cleave too. It is satisfying in the mouth somehow I think? X
One of those fascinating words with two distinct meanings too...
"We must find our storm ports and dock." This is some beautiful and affirming writing today Doc! Thank yooooooou! ✨
Aww thank you Joel! Hehe. Yoooooou're welcome! X