"But I Have Promises to Keep
And miles to go before I sleep"
Energy is Everything… But so is timing
Happy Halloween, Dear Readers!
The photos above were taken in Rockport, MA on this date in 2017. It had been a glorious day of regional travel for my late husband, Joe, and myself. I referred to the outing in the previous email and promised to prepare a photo essay of the magnificent shots Joe took that day for Halloween 2024. These, although sweet and apropos of Halloween, are not two of them.
In truth, I’m breaking my promise… well, let’s say postponing the delivery date. It’s not that I don’t want to honor my commitment. But, as my headline suggests, Energy is Everything, …but so is timing.
Paying tribute to Joe’s talent by releasing his work in a photo essay on a commemorative day seven years later seemed a brilliant idea on the day I suggested it. I looked forward to putting it together once I returned home to Asheville and had access to the images.
What I didn’t anticipate, however, was how destabalized I’d get by coming back to a much-changed landscape. Things here are upside down in so many ways, and it’s taking me some time to absorb and process the scope of changes that need to be made in everyday life in order to feel safe again.
So, in truth, trying to reconstruct the joy of October 31, 2017 and create text to acccompany Joe’s exquisite artwork was too challenging when my energy and time is consumed with readjusting to very different circumstances.
But even that is not forever and I’m already working on shifting the direction of this newsletter and my work to support my community as well as reach a more targeted audience. More on that shortly. Maybe even next week, but I’m going to be more cautious with my promises.
And while we’re on the topic of promises…
Robert Frost and the Spirit of New England
The title and subtitle of today’s email are of course from Robert Frost’s popular poem, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
Aside from the lines popping into my head as I contemplated my promise and timing, using Frost’s poetry seemed the perfect accompaniment to the photos above based on location as well.
Frost lived in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and much of his work reflects the spirit and landscape of New England. I think the photos from Rockport deliver that feeling as well.
Yet for me, the two photos together tell the story of present-day Asheville. From a bit of a distance, the sun still shines and October has brought its usual dramatic and stunning display of color.
But a closer look, as shown in the second photo, reveals how many people here feel at this time: like the tops of their heads have been cup open, insides scooped out, and with dazed eyes and crooked smiles, contemplate the future.
Still, the spirit of place survives, and the people of Appalachia are strong. May the spirits be kind to us all on this day.
Shelley, I feel this very much. I am blessed. I did not have to evacuate with Hurricane Helene. I had my electricity restored in 4 days. A friend with a generator let me put food in her freezer so I could save some of it. Cell service was iffy for about 2 weeks. I got a new internet air service and had internet back again in 2 weeks. I have a well, so water happened with the electricity, and it's potable. Yet. My heart hurts every time I see the devastation around me. I know people who lost their loved ones. As luck would have it, the bodies have been found and identified, so that at least they have found closure. This is not true for many. So many people are just missing. I know people who lost their homes. They either flooded to the rooftop and were crashed by debris/trees and destroyed, or they floated down the river and were broken to pieces. I feel the losses personally. I do what I can to help those I know personally. I also don't tell anyone what I have done. That feels like bragging to me. I just wish that I were rich and could do more.
That said, "And miles to go before I sleep". There is much to be done. Life to be lived. I am not dead yet, so I put on my big girl panties and get to it. Please do what and when it feels right. Like my survivor guilt, it is useless to waste energy feeling badly about it. I love your writings. Just keep them coming, as feels good for you.
Sending love to you always.
Pam