hello, Winter!
Comfort's on deck this FED season
As the southern hemisphere kicks into summer, the light begins its return to the northern hemisphere, and here in Downeast Maine, the solstice brought a lovely snow to the pasture outside my window. It will be cold and dark for months to come, but I will celebrate those extra minutes of light shining our way each day till our own summer kicks in again and brings lupine bloom to the pasture.
Winter is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it hasn’t always been mine, but it’s really growing on me thanks to a shift in how I think about it and approach it. I do less. A lot less. I take care of myself better, and I make a ritual of it. You can, too, and I highly recommend it…
I sleep with the dark—last night, that meant I was in bed by 7:30, which in this latitude was about four hours after the sun went down. I only cringe slightly with the bit of extra weight that I can’t seem to avoid and am grateful it will help keep me warm. I dress in layers and prioritize function over fashion. I spend a lot of time in quiet contemplation and introspection. I snuggle and cuddle under piles of blankets and indulge my instincts for cozy and comfort. And every day, no matter the weather, I make time to walk in the woods with Saku, to notice where the sun and the moon are, and what the birds have to say about it all.
Since I stopped fighting winter’s pull, I have found peace here. I hope you will, too.
This season on FED, we’ll do our best to support you with nourishing bits as you journey through the season. In addition to setting the vibe with a minimalist winter tableau—our official graphic for the issue—Darcy Reenis aka D:RC will throw down his special mix of liquid funk. Preeta Samarasan returns for the fourth installment of the Object Permanence series. Sculptor Rebecca Welz joins us from NYC to share her work. And, some tasty goodies that have been simmering on the back burner, will make their way to you, too, just as soon as they get good and cooked.
When FED launched in the spring, my vision was to include twelve contributors—spread across genres and globe—each season. It’s the kind of aspiration and inspiration that’s quintessentially spring, and we did it. Summer fueled that vision, per its go-go vibe. I found with fall, however, that it wasn’t quite do-able, and it didn’t feel quite right. When I got over thinking that it was a personal failing, I began to realize that it was, instead, a driving seasonal rhythm. Fall became a time to gather bounty, slow down, and open things up to whatever, FED-Friendsgiving style. It was a time to prepare for winter.
With winter, I’m finally realizing that the seasons have things to tell us. Now especially, it’s time to listen more than it’s time to do. Spring and summer and all the go-go will return, as it does every year, but for now, the FED vibe is rest and comfort. With that vibe comes the beauty of surprising discovery and quiet peace. Beyond having a few key anchors on deck for the season, I’m not sure what FED will bring this winter, but I look forward to listening to the season with you and to sharing what it proffers. In this space and spirit, may we all find comfort.
Big love, Ashley
FED is a participant-supported publication and community. Free subscriptions are a gift to all from other readers, contributors, and the editor. Paying subscribers both get a gift and give a gift by first, receiving their free subscription from the community and then, passing the gift on to others, via upgrade, in one great circle of giving and receiving.
All are welcome at the table, and together, we co-create and sustain community.
For more goodies…
Be sure to check out all the wonderful contributions added to the FED table since our launch last spring. Our global collection of musicians, artists, writers, growers, gleaners, cooks, and craftspeople cook up a smorgasbord of aesthetic and literal nourishment for your body and soul. Yum!
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