It’s been my favorite early spring weather. Cool enough for a hoodie, but warm enough to spend lots of time outside. I donned my overalls for the first time this year, and Jeff and I worked together in the backyard on Tuesday. We pulled weeds, mowed the small patch of grass, pruned the hydrangeas, trimmed back the liriope, and cleaned up the leaves. I remembered looking out the window last week and feeling overwhelmed at all of the tasks that needed to be done to get the garden beds and patio ready for spring, but it only took a couple of hours, and it looks noticeably better. There are a few more things to do, but it’s looking great already.
I know that small amounts of work, one or two hours, devoted regularly to something can make a big difference, but I’m glad when I’m still delighted and surprised at the results of those efforts.
Here are my four things for this week – A fresh Persephone/Hades take, the creative habit, and same.
what I’m reading & watching
These two go hand in hand this week, since I watched the series and read the book over the past couple of weeks. I’m pretty much game for any period drama series or movie, so I immediately clicked on the Seeking Persephone miniseries when I saw it on Amazon Prime. It wasn’t a part of the subscription, so I did have to purchase it, but I decided to give it a chance and hope it was good. It’s a loose retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth, set in Regency England.
Let me start with the series. It isn’t a big-budget series, but I think they did a nice job overall. Of course, the scenes filmed on location are stunning. You can tell, though, that some of the rooms are sets and the props and furnishings, while trying to look era-appropriate, are clearly modern. (Since it’s an independent series, I’m sure it’s due to budget constraints.) I always study the sets, costumes, and props, though, so I’m probably pickier than most! I mean, I look at the details like the doorknobs. I found any shortcomings completely forgivable since I enjoyed the story and characters so much. It’s sweet, family-friendly, and champions good things. The score is also beautiful.
I then decided to read the book, since the book is always better! The series was very faithful to the book, so reading it just added a little bit more narrative and depth to some of the characters and storylines. It’s a quick and easy read (I read it in just a couple of hours).
The way I know I really enjoyed a book, movie, or series is when I find myself wanting to revisit that world again after it’s over. I tell Jeff it’s like wanting to spend more time with friends you’ve gotten to know. When the book is over, you want to hang out with them more! I felt that way about this miniseries and book.
You can watch the series trailer HERE.
what I’m loving
“The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightning bolt of inspiration. Maybe even more.” – Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit.
This definitely applies to my current season of creative work.
what I’m working on
When Jeff asks me what’s on my schedule each day, the typical answer has become, “Same.” While I’m in an exciting season, I’m also in one where I do pretty much the same thing each workday. Write and paint. And between writing and painting, I ship out finished pieces, answer emails, and handle other administrative tasks associated with being a writer and an artist. When furniture, antiques, and home projects were the main focus of my creative attention and business, every day was different. I’d bounce from working on upholstery to sanding down newly acquired pieces to hanging wallpaper to painting a dresser to sourcing new pieces. I still do my fair share of bouncing around, but my days are much more predictable.
Same sounds like it might be tiresome or dull, but that hasn’t been my experience. There is just enough variation in the same to hold my interest.
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?
12 Responses
While our grass looks beautiful this year, I need to get at it as far as pulling weeds from the flower beds, but the pollen is so bad right now and having allergies makes it hard to get outside even with a mask on. I saw on one of your Facebook reels about your Forte fridge going bad. That is really unfortunate especially since it’s only a few years old, but when you mentioned your Forte dishwasher broke after only a year that was really a red flag that there are some quality issues with their products. You can always get a lemon now and then with any manufacturer but to have two appliances break within such a short life span is troubling and no doubt to why they might have gone out of business. I believe you mentioned only the dishwasher was given through a sponsored post and Forte replaced it (not sure if it was still under warranty) but I feel sorry for anyone who has one of their appliances and no recourse since the warranty support is no longer available as well. While I realize most bloggers write a disclaimer clause before the review, it’s not until something like this happens do we find out about quality problems with the product.
I’m a little jealous of your nice weather — and being able to get outside and work in your yard! It is so windy here this week — and that makes the air feel cooler. I’m so looking forward to warmer days, but until then, I’m going to finish up inside projects!
A movie I think you may like on Prime is “Brooklyn”. I liked the movie so much I read the book. In this rare case I found the movie much better than the book! I’ve greatly enjoyed your progress as an artist, I love that you are selling and teaching. Such wonderful work!
Carolyn, You just inspired me to watch this movie. I watched the trailer and teared up. We named our youngest Brooklyn, so that always catches my attention. I’m also of Irish heritage, married to an Anthony, who happens to work for an Italian company. A perfect movie suggestion for a Friday night at home. I agree with your comment about Marion’s artwork too. I’ve completely enjoyed following and appreciate the inspiration!~
The eyes of the last piece of artwork featured on this post are so soulful! It makes me in love with this puppy dog without even knowing him or her. It is very well done!
I agree. The way Marion captured his/ her look is so realistic, so soulful.
Have you seen Project Hail Mary in the theatre yet? I *highly* recommend this incredibly good film. And see it in THEATRES – don’t wait till it streams because you will lose some of the magic. It is family appropriate and will NOT disappoint. One of the best things we’ve seen in years.
Hello Marion. Like you I love this time of year. Give me a cool, clear, sunny day and I am a happy camper. I know for allergy sufferers it is not a great time. I can commiserate with you as the fall offers allergy symptoms for me. Your dog portraits speak to my heart. The way you capture their expressions, one can imagine what they are thinking. You are blessed with such amazing talent. Thank you for sharing these images with us. Enjoy the rest of your week. Happy belated birthday.
I have been spending 2 – 3 hours a day, weather permitting here in the PNW, doing spring clean up of gardens. I still have a ways to go, but the difference is starting to show!
It’s so satisfying to spend a couple of hours, and it looks worlds better! I love that kind of work.
The miniseries looks interesting, if I think of it as a Jane Austen type thing. The actual Persephone myth is so much darker with basically family child abuse, that it didn’t sound like the sort of thing you would watch!
If you like the classics though, the podcast of Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics is brilliant. She’s a historian and comedian and each myth is described so well. She really gets into the proper original myths that have suffered from male translators that tend to minimise the suffering of women. I listened to the Persephone one recently.
Yes, it’s definitely a loose retelling of the Persephone myth, also influenced by Beauty & the Beast and Pride & Prejudice. Lots of literary references.