March 31, 2011

the tether

"... it never occurred to her that she was looking for a tether.  she thought she was the one that sped things along, the one that sent things on their way, but there she was for the first time delivered."

excerpt from the postmistress by sarah blake

i read that passage thought about tethers and things that anchor us to our lives.  how somes we seek them and sometimes we seek to make ourselves loose of them.  and in searching for exactly the right balance to it all, we can feel adrift and without connection. 

there are times i feel adrift - floating along like this lone little dogwood.  and when i do, i go back to the touchstones of my life - my family, my friends, my job.  it is good to feel connected.  and in some ways, i think that blogging also provides a tether to the world.  we gather around this mutual campfire - warming our hands and our souls.  we circle the wagons up - keeping out the wolves, coyotes and other predators that seek to tear us down.  we pioneers and adventurers.

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today on my ipod:  time (hootie & the blowfish), long day (matchbox twenty), all over you (live), turpentine (brandi carlile), romeo and juliet (dire straits), doctor my eyes (jackson browne), i'm yours (jason mraz), surrounded (chantal kreviazuk), kitchen song (edwin mccain), running to stand still (u2), wantin' her again (ben kweller)

obsessions:  top chef, perfect mashed potatoes, reading

quote:  "a boo is louder than a cheer" - lance armstrong
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23 comments:

  1. christinaMarch 31, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    it's good to have that sweet foundation to go to, when these times arrive.
    im the same way. i call these comforts in my life, my shore. ; ) i swim back to my shore, and i feel so much better.
    xoxo

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  2. SherryMarch 31, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    I like your thinking here Char, about being tethered and being un-tethered and trying to find the balance. It happens to me often, usually when I'm ready to move forward once again after statnating for awhile. And yes, the blogging world is a great tether for so many of us, keeping us connected to one another and the outside world.

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  3. stephanieMarch 31, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Yeah, I really feel like I need to "re-tether" myself to something. I feel so adrift lately with the feeling getting stronger some days and less on others. It's a very odd sensation, but I know that it will get better.

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  4. karen - Simply InspiredMarch 31, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    love that, char: "gathered around this mutual campfire - warming our hands and souls..." sweet photo, too. thank you. -xok.

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  5. TraciMarch 31, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    What a gorgeous image, Char. Funny, I always thought of a tether as something keeping me from being totally free, never thought about it as something to keep me anchored. You always get me thinking - thank you!

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  6. Mandy_FishMarch 31, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    That's lovely. Is the book any good?

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  7. kate iMarch 31, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    I love this photo...just beautiful. Tethers can be links of love or ropes of limitation. Maybe it's all about our perspective. Interesting thoughts Charlane.

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  8. nicoleMarch 31, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    it's funny i always thought of tethers negatively and anchors positively but now i can alter my tether outlook. great quote.

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  9. bethMarch 31, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    oh sweetie...i really do love sharing a fire with you....warming our souls...sharing our thoughts.....leaning on the shoulders of each other....

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  10. AmyApril 1, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    That photo is the perfect start to a new month! And I'm with Beth ... so glad I got the opportunity to share a campfire with you ...

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  11. paulaApril 1, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    this is beautiful char.

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  12. [Megan]April 1, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    thanks for letting me warm my heart at your fire...

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  13. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    The photo and your thoughts ~ perfection.

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  14. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Yes, I hear you. So easy to feel like we're floating along like a lone little dogwood, so perfectly describing how I've felt a few times this week. And the tethers are such a good way to feel ok again. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

    xo Mary Jo

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  15. tinaApril 1, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    mutual campfire...I like that.
    loved this past season of top chefs masters! hope they do something like that again. wonder why tom isn't going to do the next top chef season though.

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  16. JoanneApril 1, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    It's amazing how blogs do tether us, in a good way. A post goes up, and everyone gathers round ... Happy Friday to you ...

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  17. MaryApril 1, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    yes, let's all gather at the campfire... I'll bring the marshmallows. :) lovely image!

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  18. steviewrenApril 2, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Love this thoughtful post! And the lone dogwood blossom. And your obsession with mashed potatoes. They've always been my favorite comfort food, celebration food, supper food, anytime food.

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  19. A New England LifeApril 3, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    Your words and thoughts are deep, Char, and somehow I always manage to find a connection, an understanding to how you feel. Maybe as women we all feel that way.

    Sweet image. We're a long way from Dogwood here in NH.

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  20. A Box of ChocolatesApril 3, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    quite the thought provoker aren't you i love this post and the photo

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  21. YolandaApril 8, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    I love the dogwood picture. Miss them so much . I see your obcessions are mine. Are you watching Top Chef Masters?

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  22. spread your wingsApril 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    i like how you put it - we gather around the mutual campfire. that's so great. it's true - warming our hands and soul. so perfect.

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  23. JaimeMay 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    What a gorgeous lyrical quote...and that image goes so beautifully.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.

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