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Songs for a Second Winter

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love, sweet love

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let’s take it from the top

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March 25, 2020 1 Comment

Songs for a Second Winter

Late-afternoon sunlight at the lagoon. Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis

Hey world. Are you hanging in there?

Last month I was thinking about themes for upcoming playlists and I thought, “Oh, in March I’ll have a spring theme! Yay!”. But, as we’re all too aware, things have changed monumentally since then.

Blue skies and open water near the shore. Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis.

Technically, it is spring here in the northern hemisphere. The snow is gone, the ice is opening up on the lakes, the first green things are peeking out.

But, psychologically, it feels like a second winter. Another period of hardship to weather and survive.

While we hunker down through this second bleak season, the natural world will awaken, the sun will warm the soil, things will grow and bloom.

Eventually, we, too, will emerge from this darkness. We’ll walk out into the fresh air, stretching and blinking in the sun and see that we have survived.

Until then, emotions are volatile. There are moments when I feel like kicking and screaming. Others when I don’t want to get out of bed.

But then I go for a walk and feel all the delight of the first heron back on the just-open water at the lake’s edge. Or, I nestle in to a cozy evening at home, hibernating with my favorite people.

Great blue herons have returned to Minnesota.

Sometimes, many times, music helps keep me going. So, I’ve put together a mix of songs to help us keep trucking through troubled times. Songs to encourage us. Songs of strength and survival. Songs of hope.

We’re all in this together. And, ultimately, love will save the day. Sending love to you & yours, Terra

The other day our daughter, Zola, and her best friend wrote encouraging messages in sidewalk chalk in front of each neighbor’s house. #chalkthewalk

keep the light (8: March 2020)

Listen on Spotify here.

Ooh Child | Beth Orton

Back in the High Life Again | Steve Winwood

I’m Still Standing | Elton John

Killing the Blues | Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

19th Nervous Breakdown | The Rollings Stones

My Silver Lining | First Aid Kit

Hours Are the New Days |Mary Glenn

Lean on Me | Bill Withers

You Gotta Be | Des’ree

Trouble | Cat Stevens

Don’t Panic | Coldplay

Love is Gonna Bring Us Back Alive | Rickie Lee Jones

I’ll Take You There | The Staple Singers

There’s So Much Energy in Us | Cloud Cult

February 12, 2020 1 Comment

love, sweet love

(what the world needs now + new music)

Greetings from the second half of winter here in Minneapolis!

While I’ll admit to having a little cabin fever the past couple weeks, all it takes is something like yesterday’s rime frost to rekindle the winter love. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen – like walking through a magical fairyland. Every branch and cattail covered in white, even frozen mist hanging in the air until the the sunshine burst through.

You can see how dramatically the light and colored changed as golden sunlight burned through the frozen fog and brought colors back to life!

Love comes in all shapes and sizes for family, friends, strangers and self. For animals and plants and art and music, favorite foods, favorite places and all manner of other things that tug at our hearts and bring us joy.

I choose to make Valentine’s Day about the power of Love. It’s what the world needs. Now, and always.

i want to sing you a love song

Music is among the great loves of my life.

My gift to you: an eclectic collection of love songs or, more accurately, songs about love. Not just for Valentine’s Day – more like a soundtrack for a love revolution, an ode to the sweet moments of our lives, an anthem to the power of love over fear.

For friends, lovers, family, plants, animals & people we haven’t met because the whole wide world needs more love. And, of course, for you! xo, Terra

love (07: february 2020)

Something’s Got A Hold On Me | Etta James

Let Your Love Flow | The Bellamy Brothers

Love and Happiness | Al Green

(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding | Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Songbird | Fleetwood Mac

Let Love Rule | Lenny Kravitz

Make You Feel My Love | Bob Dylan

Shower the People | James Taylor

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) | George Harrison

O, I Love You | Essie Jain

Weight of Love | The Black Keys

What the World Needs Now | Cat Power

Listen here on Spotify.

January 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

let’s take it from the top

new year’s plans and good intentions

I’ve found in the past few years that, while I’m fired up to begin the new year, actually getting things rolling takes me a couple weeks.

I am a person who thoroughly enjoys the promise of a fresh start and, yes, I do set goals at the start of every new year. Around our house, though, we sit around the fire on New Year’s Day, recall our favorite moments of the past year, burn any regrets or things we just want to let go, and then we declare our resolutions – except we call them Hopes & Dreams.

worth 365,000 words…

One thing I have got off the ground already for 2020 is a renewed commitment to daily creativity: the 365 Project.

If you’ve read the Welcome to Wildflower post, you know that my first 365 project (and blog avantgarden365) changed my life and shaped my artistic process of seeking out beauty in everyday subject matter.

2/365: hope springs eternal (azalea buds in january…in minnesota)

The photos you see in this post are the first nine days of 2020. If you’d like to follow along daily, please follow me on Instagram @terrarathai.

There, you’ll also find more commentary on the images.

3/365: trillium by alexis rockman @ Weisman Art Museum

The practice of taking photos everyday is like a sketchbook for me. It’s a place to explore, push myself to see with fresh eyes, experiment, fail, play and commit to the rigors and revelations of any daily practice.

Some days, the last things I want to do is pick up my camera and try to discover something worth seeing in the same, ordinary, everyday surroundings of our home and neighborhood.

But, I do it anyway.

Seeing with an awakened eye, being open to beauty and discovery in the most familiar places, has become both an artistic and a spiritual way of being. It’s my brand of mindfulness – being present in the moment.

6/365: self portrait (with rocco): first run of 2020

The daily photos also become a journal, a visual record of the places we’ve been, the way we’ve grown and changed, and the things that matter to us.

And, then, sometimes, it’s purely for fun!

8/365: breakfast (green protein superfood smoothie)

There is nothing more earnest in a post about good (new year’s) intentions, than a green smoothie, is there? It’s the breakfast I turn to when I’m getting S E R I O U S about my health and fitness.

The fact that I drink it from a 20oz. beer glass tells you a little something about how I see the concept of “balance” in that part of my life…

On any given day, there are subjects I’ll turn to. Subjects that manage to be ever-changing and always new no matter how many times I’ve seen them. The sky is almost always a sure thing. The endless variety of cloud forms, light and color, mood and movement are always the stuff of wonder. And, although we see it every day, it is certainly worth looking at.

To follow along with the daily photos throughout the year, follow my person Instagram @terrarathai. And for even more everyday wonder, follow the blog @wildflowertheblog. Until next time, keep on turning.

Just in time for the Lunar New Year on Saturday (wink, wink), I’ve put together a playlist full of energy, hope, determination, dreams and rock ‘n’ roll. OK, 2020, let’s go!

begin (06: january 2020)

Start Me Up | The Rolling Stones

Setting Forth | Eddie Vedder

Changes | Langhorne Slim & The Law

Running Down A Dream | Tom Petty

What’s the World Got in Store | Wilco

Fire Starter | Honeysuckle

You’ll Be Bright – Innovacation Part 1 | Cloud Cult (*MN Band)

Awake | Freedom Fry

Don’t Stop | Fleetwood Mac

Brand New Day | Van Morrison

My Silver Lining | First Aid Kit

Let The Good Times Roll | JD McPherson

Listen on Spotify.

December 17, 2019 1 Comment

winter wonderland

(with a soundtrack for your Solstice)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” according to the familiar song. While I would argue that every season is full of its own wonders, I do find this time of year pretty magical. There are so many memories and cherished traditions, delicious treats, the joy of giving and, for those of us in the north country, the beauty of winter.

As a snow lover, a White Christmas is always on my wish list. This year, several early season snowstorms have guaranteed that we’ll have one!

insta-the-way-the-willows-glow-in-winter

The approach of the Winter Solstice has me happily nestled in. Cozy socks, white lights on the mantle, a warm, fuzzy blanket, and my favorite candle (scented with essential oils of Frankincense, Myrhh & Palo Santo; it’s called Peace). I start each day in the dark of early morning, soaking up the quiet and candlelight over a fresh, hot cup of coffee.

I’ve embraced the Danish concept of hygge to fully cultivate these simple pleasures in my life and find ways to create ease and joy in what can be a harsh and, sometimes, challenging season. (*Note: the spirit of hygge, defined as: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being, can be enjoyed year-round, although it’s particularly well-suited to a cold, dark winter).

When nights are long and dark and days are short and cold, what better way to thrive and enjoy daily life than to cultivate connection, simplicity and warmth – not only in one’s home, but also in our hearts? I don’t need to be “doing” anything to fully enjoy being with the people I love. Ideally? With all four of us (plus Rocco) snuggled up in front of the fire like a pile of puppies in a nest of fleece and wool.

Despite this ode to all things cozy, you’ll notice that the photographs in this post have nothing to do with hibernating indoors. That’s because my other favorite thing about the season is a good winter walk with my camera in tow! A fresh blanket of white snow creates the perfect blank canvas, casting each leaf and stem into a starring role in its own work of art. And the subtle color palette – an infinite spectrum of gray, brown and white – is richly soothing in the thin winter light. Truly a winter wonderland.

I hope that you find wonder in this and every season. My gift to you: a playlist that celebrates the many moods of winter. From my north-country home in Minneapolis to yours, wherever you may be.

CHILL (05: December 2019)

A Hazy Shade of Winter| Simon & Garfunkel

Northern Lights | Communist Daughter (*Mpls Band)

Winter | Tori Amos

White Winter Hymnal | Fleet Foxes

River | Joni Mitchell

December Song | Birdtalker/Joy Williams

The Fox in the Snow | Belle & Sebastian

Wintertime Love | The Doors

Flowers In December | Mazzy Star

Shelter from the Storm | Bob Dylan

Like the Weather | 10,000 Maniacs

Cold Weather Blues | Muddy Waters

Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Snow (Hey Oh) | Red Hot Chili Peppers

Play on SPOTIFY here.

Select images available for purchase online @ terrarathai.com

November 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

Season of Thanks & Giving

I haven’t had a chance to post lately, despite having all kinds of photos and stories to share from our road trips this fall and the glorious change of seasons.

This is the busiest time of year for me between holiday art fairs every weekend and hosting the annual Thanksgiving celebration. I usually throw in some home improvement projects, too, just to keep things interesting! Ha!

In the midst of this whirlwind of activity, I do want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for being here! I’m happy to have my little Wildflower blog out in the world and I’m excited to see how it grows.

You read a lot these days about the benefits of gratitude, counting your blessings, and recognizing all the good things in your life. I think it requires intention – not lip service. The art I make has a lot to do with this kind of gratitude, being present to the wonder and beauty in my ordinary, daily world.

Mary Oliver said, Attention is devotion. It’s a form of love – the opposite of neglect or taking things for granted. What better way to show love than giving something or someone your time and attention?

Before I turn my time and attention to preparing a Thanksgiving feast to share with our extended family tomorrow, I want to wish you a day full of good things: friends & family, a hearty feast, thoughtful conversations, belly laughs, a walk in the fresh air and plenty to be thankful for.

November Playlist: THANKS

Songs of gratitude & gathering together. With a little rock ‘n’ roll for dessert. Something to sing with while you work in the kitchen, perhaps…

Blessed, Brett Dennen

Thank You (Falettinme…) / Sly & The Family Stone

Give Thanks & Praises / Bob Marley & The Wailers

I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For / Bing Crosby

Thank you Friends / Big Star

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) / James Taylor

Thank You / Bonnie Raitt

Home / Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

Thank You / Dido

Gratitude / Earth, Wind & Fire

Home / Caribou

I Want to Thank You / Otis Redding

My Sweet Potato / Booker T. & the M.G.’s

I Thank You / Sam & Dave

Apple Pie / Rafferty

PLAY on Spotify here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

October 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Meander & Muse

The Importance of Doing Nothing

A couple weeks ago I gave myself the rare gift of taking a slow walk alone. I had no agenda, no destination, and no time limit. It was HEAVEN.

I’ve read many times how important it is to give yourself down time, particularly as an artist, in order to allow your brain to rest and recharge. In fact, it’s often in those times of “doing nothing” that the ideas really start to flow because the brain is relaxed. (Article links below)

It’s amazing how difficult it is to allow oneself this time and freedom. I had to remind myself to slow down, be in the moment, loosen up and PLAY.

Of course, I wasn’t actually doing nothing. I was walking, thinking, looking, and (obviously) taking pictures. But it was something about the meandering nature of the whole excursion that made it special.

What does it mean to meander?

It’s all about intention and direction. Whether it’s a winding or indirect course, like a meandering stream, or an just an aimless wander, a good meander is unstructured, organic, and unhurried. It’s about setting the mind free to ramble as well as letting the route form with each spontaneous step.

It’s a chance to daydream. Ponder. Space-out. Imagine. Muse.

To muse is to think silently, to meditate. About something in particular or nothing at all. The archaic definition includes the act of gazing in a meditative or wondering way. What do you know? That’s just what I do!

Then, of course, there is The Muse – artistic inspiration in goddess form. I think of the muse as anything that inspires awe, reverence, and expression.

Meandering summons The Muse.

My muse is nature. There’s no better way to conjure up fresh ideas, discover a different perspective, think outside the box or form new connections than downtime in the great outdoors.

The place I return to again and again is this lake. Just blocks from my house, Lake Nokomis is my haven in the city. It is never the same place twice.

I could spend hours just gazing at the water! Then there’s the flora and fauna, including all manner of trees, bugs, birds and butterflies, an occasional muskrat and native plant gardens along the shore.

I’m blessed to have this place that is so familiar, yet always new. It’s a perfect meandering spot. Like being with people you love most, the ones who know you best, a favorite place allows you to relax your mind and just be.

Music is another great companion for musing! The October playlist evokes migration, movement, fall colors and the feel of chill autumn days.

FLY (03: October 2019)

The Littlest Birds / Jolie Holland

Free Fallin’ / Tom Petty

Autumn Town Leaves / Iron & Wine

Come In From the Cold / Joni Mitchell

Autumn Leaves / Caamp

She’s a Rainbow / The Rolling Stones

Water Under the Bridge / Tow’rs

Rolling Stone / Wild Rivers

Further to Fly / Paul Simon

Wild Is The Wind / David Bowie

Meet Me Where You’re Going / Cloud Cult

Don’t Let It Get You Down / Johnnyswim

Listen on Spotify here.

RESOURCES on the benefits of Downtime

Simon Gottschalk. In Praise of Doing Nothing, The Conversation, May 31, 2018.

Manfred Kets De Vries. The Importance of Doing Nothing, Forbes, July 1, 2014.

Ferris Jabr. Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime, Scientific American, October 15, 2013.

October 01, 2019 Leave a Comment

New Work: Into the Woods

Work in Progress from Frontenac

After our sailing trip a few weeks ago, we camped overnight at Frontenac State Park (sweetly, the first place Brad & I ever camped together more than twenty years ago). The best part, aside from just being together, was heading out for a couple of hikes.

The hiking trail near the campground ran through dense forest along the top edge of a steep bluff. It created a dramatic contrast between the bright sunlight breaking through the canopy and the deep shade of the forest floor. It’s a challenging photography situation, too; the light is constantly shifting between extremes of dark and light and from cool to warm tones.

Not every photo is meant to become a finished work of art. I think of my daily photos like a sketchbook. So many of them are disposable and quite awful! Thank goodness for digital photography! It give me the freedom to experiment and discard at will while I explore new ideas or play around with different techniques. And, sometimes I’m just gathering information.

From the photos I shot that day, I’ve started working on a series of forest pictures. They reflect both dreamy and dazzling, dappled light, the many layers of leaves revealed through highlight and shadow, and the striking forms of tree trunks cast in silhouette.

Here are a few of the images from the new ‘Forest Light’ series:

Select images from Wildflower (including the new Forest Light series) will be available for purchase online. See more of my finished work: terrarathai.com.

I’ve had my head in the trees all week and I can’t think of a better place to be! So until next week, I’ll leave you with a little tree inspiration.

Plus, I’ve got The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben on my reading list. Have you read it? It’s all about how trees are social beings that share resources, communicate and maintain family ties. Fascinating stuff!

A few more photos from our time at Frontenac:

Pictured clockwise from upper left: Pale Touch-Me-Nots (impatiens pallida); Shelf fungus & lichens on crooked branch; my family patiently waiting for me to catch up on the trail; our awesome REI Kingdom 6 tent; Great Northern or Modest Aster (canadanthus modestus); shelf fungus and yellow mushroom on mossy log.

Frontenac State Park

29223 County 28 Boulevard
Frontenac, MN 55026

September 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Going With the Flow

Life Lessons from the Mighty Mississippi

Thoughts on Flow

This month I’ve been thinking about FLOW. Our family enjoyed a sailing trip and time along the Mississippi River early this month. Plus, it’s National Yoga Month! This idea of flow – graceful movement, harmony with wind & water, body & breath, a way of staying in balance – is a frequent intention for me.

As someone who likes calendars, plans, to do lists and goals, life’s ever-changing current can be challenging. I’d like to float but sometimes my instinct is to fight. Go with the flow is a spiritual challenge but it sure feels good when I can let go and enjoy the ride!

Come Sail Away

Our sailing trip started at the Lake City Marina and Yacht Club on a pleasantly cloudy, blue sky day with just the right amount of wind. We sailed Lake Pepin, the largest lake in the Mississippi River and the birthplace of water-skiing! On this September day, though, it was all sailboats and seagulls!

I was a little “nervous-cited” (a term our daughter Zola uses to describe that particular combination of fear and anticipation that causes butterflies-in-the-stomach); I’d never really been sailing before…

There were white caps on the lake. Maybe it was a little too windy? And, why do the sailboats always appear to be on the verge of tipping over?

I had no need to worry. Captain Harry was calm, confident and charming with thirty years of experience sailing Lake Pepin. When I asked him about the dramatic lean of the boat (heeling), he coolly informed me that I didn’t need to be concerned until the sails were actually touching the water.

He also explained what I couldn’t see beneath the water – a deep keel that counter-balances the force of the wind on the sails. Ahhh…

Even Keel

“Our Lady”, a 32′ ketch, sailed smoothly along through constantly shifting winds and changing conditions. Under the calm guidance of Captain Harry, and with small adjustments to sail positions, the boat stayed the course, moving steadily and without upset or drama (much to my relief).

It reminded me of the concept of Equanimity in yoga. It’s a type of balance and resilience that is a primary goal of yoga practice, an ability to maintain inner calm and peace in the face of life’s difficulties. In other words, no matter what life throws at you, yoga is meant to help you stay even keel:

Whatever chaos might be swirling around us, equanimity allows us to stand in the middle with a steadiness of mind and a compassionate heart, holding joy and sorrow in perfect balance.
– Judy Bierma, Living Yoga: 6 Steps for Equanimity in Your Yoga Practice (link below)

Like a River

The river itself is a perfect metaphor for the ever-changing flow of life. It, too, works best when in balance. The banks hold a certain amount of water. Too much and the river floods. Too little and there’s not enough movement. The current carries some things along and leaves others behind. Too much holding on causes blockage and stops the flow.

I like Lake Pepin, the lake within the river. The lake is really a natural reservoir, a holding place. Except that this is not stagnant water – it keeps passing through, following the Mississippi current to the Gulf of Mexico.

It goes with the flow.

I loved sailing. The thing that struck me first, after we’d entered the lake, raised the sails and turned off the motor was the quiet. I felt immediately relaxed by the subtle sounds of the wind in the sails and the lapping waves. No motors to interrupt the reverie. Not even the splash of paddles!

Sailing had a different feeling than any other boat ride I’ve been on. It was a feeling of harmony, least effort and working with the wind and water instead of striving against these natural forces. It felt like breath and movement, opening to the sky and letting life happen in the moment.

The sailing trip was a Christmas gift from Brad’s sister (Thanks, Michelle!). We are all for sharing new adventures and this was a perfect experience for the four of us to anticipate and enjoy together. So much better than “stuff”. If you’re looking for experience gifts, she used a great company called Cloud 9 Living that provides services in cities all over the U.S. (link below).

Flow Playlist: Songs for September

Rock on with your bad self! You’ll need a free Spotify account to listen.

Resources:

Gem Sailing

Cloud 9 Living

Judy Bierma. “Living Yoga: 6 Steps for Equanimity In Your Yoga Practice“.