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number 26
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weeks in. wordless.

WE ARE HERE on this mountain, counting the days, by which I mean we are literally counting the days. (Are you doing this? Is everyone?) We have been here 36 days, this being the start of Week Six, and that adds up to a long time alone in a house together with your beloved, even when your beloved is someone you actually like. Winter lingers, and temperatures are cold, and the winds whip so wild day and night it rattles the house as if intent on working pieces loose—windows, corner joists, bits of the roof–as if this time, after all these years, it is not backing down.

The rule of the day, most days, is rain, thick fog and drear.
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Still I do know this: Spring is coming.

I know if I hang on one more day, ONE MORE DAY is all it will take and the sun will shine and the air will warm and the wildflowers will burst with bloom and the sweetness of all these gifts—these many gifts of living high, here, in the Blue Ridge—these gifts will bring a whooshing return to joy, a joy that will be richer and sweeter and will feel all the more exuberant because we held on and made it through.

ONE MORE DAY.

THANK HEAVENS FOR ALL THE GOOD.

There is so much good.
BINGE LOVE
DO YOU LOVE MOIRA ROSE LIKE I LOVE MOIRA ROSE?
Here's a good, filling portion. (Thanks for sharing, Joanne!)
INSTA LOVE
Rolling Stone says, "It's an intoxicating pick-me-up." Yessir, I say. Walton Goggins makes a hump day cocktail every week on Instagram. (There's some language, so be warned.) But heavens he's charming, in a slightly-less-threatening Boyd Crowder sort of way.
Speaking of, if you like that sort of thing (and I do), get your binge on with Justified.
BOOK LOVE
My heart goes out to every author launching a book during this crazy time of no public appearances, but the upside for readers is many of these book discussions are now taking place online and with no travel and little planning you can just log in! I've done that many, many times over these past six weeks, and none brought me more joy than seeing my idol Lee Smith in her "from home" Malaprops appearance. It was so good, and I can't wait to read her new novella. Just take a look at this book trailer for Lee Smith's Blue Marlin and you'll see exactly why.
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Order Blue Marlin from Bookshop and support your local bookstore!
LINK LOVE
This new site, curated by Girls Night In, offers options for COMFORT, HELPING OTHERS, ENTERTAINING KIDS, PAMPERING, and more. It's a great little click if you want a pick-me-up. (Clearly pick-me-up is the word of the day.)
MUSIC LOVE
Hey! I've made us a SHELTER IN PLACE playlist! Filled with gentle songs (mostly) that remind me to be gentle with myself and gentle with others. Oh, and also. TO HANG ON. Give it a listen on Spotify.
LATEST POST FROM THE DAILY GRACE
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Be well.

The other morning we woke up to a remarkable scene, and it set me to thinking about the ways the Coronavirus has taken up residence—in bodies, on surfaces, and in our every thought and consideration. (read more)

Stay home.

Extend grace.

Take good care.

until next time, cathy
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well maybe not exactly wordless. :)
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