22 Comments

I swam under that slivered-moon this morning and I, too, meditate in the predawn stillness. It's a great time for prayer for me. I love the "crunch of dry leaves" - ah, so many autumnal memories! Great post, Julie.

Expand full comment

Hi Mary B, swimming under the slivered moon...sounds fantastic. I'm happy you are experiencing the stillness as well. Thank you for being here.

Expand full comment

It was fantastic, the stars and planets above, Orion’s belt a standout in the predawn sky. I see them when I breathe over my left shoulder. It’s so very cool. BTW, your parcel is on its way. :-)

Expand full comment

so cool!! Thank you so much Mary B! We are so excited. :)

Expand full comment

I recently came across:

What if you are a process, not a product?

I find the question so freeing!

Grateful to be part of your journey Julie. ❤️

Expand full comment

Hi Gail, What a great question. I'm embracing the process. :) Thank you for being here and sharing this.

Expand full comment

Jules your poem paints

Like the Artist you've become

Monet would be moved

I love this poem. Your word choices are strung together like beautiful pearls hanging on a necklace. Just lovely....

Expand full comment

Clark, Thank you for your kind words this morning. It sure is a process and grateful to be here with you and all in Run to Write! You all are amazing.

Expand full comment

You sure have come a long way!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Expand full comment

Thank you Claudette for being here with me! :) Happy Monday to you.

Expand full comment

Here’s what I see and hear:

Race distances are growing-50 miles!

Words in you essays are flowing-not surprised!

Spiritual life is strengthening-Ball Buster shows that!

Wishing you all the best in this day of your life.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Gary. I appreciate this so much. Will keep on learning and growing on this adventure. :) Keeps us young, right?

How are you all? Are you safe? I've been thinking of you. My sister and her family are near Asheville, NC and we just heard from them yesterday. Thank the Lord! They are safe but it looks like a long road ahead to get the area back up and running. It's devastating.

Expand full comment

We’re fine. We evacuated to Beth’s dad’s house farther west and felt none of what was happening eastward. Stressful and tiring just the same. I have a Substack writer friend who lives in Asheville with her husband. Mercifully her husband had scheduled cataract surgery in Spartanburg, SC, and his first follow up the following day. Reports of the torrential rain and flooding began the day of the surgery. They’re safe but know so little about both the town and their home. So many have lost so much more, including lives. Another hurricane may visit us this week end. Being present is right where I need to be. Thanks for your reaching out Julie.

Expand full comment

I'm so happy to hear you are safe and sound and your friends too. I'm praying the next hurricane is not like this one.

Expand full comment

Oh Julie - You Have Come SO FAR!! It's pure joy to watch you in motion my friend!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Kym.

It's great to learn and grow from you. :) This process is so much better with others.

Expand full comment

Oh my, Julie! Thank you for opening your post with that image and quote from Weather Report. 💗 And your poem is beautiful - I love the images, vivid and specific, and how you lead us to that final line. Powerful.👌x

Expand full comment

Thank you so much Margaret. I love the images and quotes throughout your journal. I'm curious your process in choosing them? It's been a fun surprise for me to read them and reflect.

Thank you.

Expand full comment

I’m glad to know it’s a fun surprise each time Julie. What’s surprising to me is their uncanny relevance on a particular day when I turn the page to write - and I’m the one who chose them!! My process at the time, such as it was, was simply to go with those that meant a lot to me at the time. Generally ones I had written into various notebooks. The quote you’ve highlighted here is from the book, ‘The Mouse and his Child’, a book I love. ❤️

Expand full comment

That's so wonderful! Thank you for sharing where the quote came from as well. I appreciate this and now want to read the book. :)

Expand full comment

How do you decide your own pace? What's your mantra here?

Expand full comment