Monday, July 06, 2009

Breathe it in

Sage u-pick
Since turning my life upside down 2 and a half years ago when I quit my fancy agency job and ventured out on my own, I've just put one foot in front of the other. Step by step.

I made my own work and went into business for myself. And then I learned how to cook from scratch. And how to can. How to sew. How to enjoy the little things in daily life and to be open to seeing them. I learned what it was like to be able to go and get pedicures in the suburbs in the middle of the day. How to walk my dog in my neighborhood every day at 2pm. I've learned how to garden for real, and to write about gardening (ssshhhh: I have a piece coming out in a national gardening publication this fall). I'm becoming a master gardener.

And through it all, I've kept working. While I don't blog about it here, I'm a professional communications consultant and graphic designer. And I just have to say, I have the best clients ever. And they keep coming back to me. And they refer me to their colleagues. And word gets out. Today my little agency has a client list that includes a major national health institution, a city, a county, a state, a national foundation and a national non-profit. And now? A waiting list. I'm at capacity. Or what feels like capacity in order to deliver excellence.

I can't complain about the workload: I'm incredibly grateful and excited about every single bit of work I'm doing. It's the best work of my career so far, the most meaningful, and the most challenging. But I'm telling you this, my dear blog readers, so that you know why there's not a lot of original content going up on this blog right now other than little daily life stuff, and my continued exploration in photography, the bounty of Oregon, and gardening. We'll see how much time I have to preserve this summer, or to cook. Well, I cook, but how many blogposts would you want to read about making salads or heating up beans?

I had a few quiet hours yesterday to myself. It took everything in me to not work. And then I put together a plan for pickling cherries. Then I looked at the work that would take. My mind wandered for a moment and I thought about the book I never finished while on vacation in Mexico last March. I hadn't even picked it up since the trip. I set up the fan, and kicked back on the couch, and with the summer breezes blowing through, carrying with it the jasmine blooms' scent, I finished the book. I didn't work, I didn't can, I didn't do laundry, I didn't answer e-mails. And you know what? It was wonderful. And just what I needed.

So while in previous summers I've had summer lists, I think I'll forego the summer list this season and just go for what feels right. It's concerts in the park, nights watching movies projected in the garden, BBQing with neighbors, and a few baseball games. Because it's going to be a busy summer with work, and I'm just breathing in deeply, taking it all in, and saying "thank you" to the universe. Sage advice, I'd say. Breathe it in.

9 comments:

Syd said...

Props to you, my friend, for having the courage to follow your dreams.

I'm so happy for your success.

I've read your blog for years, and the transformation in your interests is marked and fascinating...and appears to be completely authentic.

I respect you for this.

I wish you wild achievements, beyond your dreams.

Recovering Straight Girl said...

You are so beautiful and so are the wonderful things in your life! I'm so happy that you left your fancy job and now have time to have pedicures in the suburbs. You really should do it more often!

Heather said...

Yay!! To love what you do and to be successful at it is a wonderful thing.

Unknown said...

i think it is so awesome how everything fell into place with work for you..i'm not surprised though because your talent just oozes from your fingertips and is quite noticeable to everyone...

i love you sis....

A Lewis said...

Breath is good. Very good. And I'm glad that you're thankful for it! As for the SAGE, have you been to Pastini and had their roasted butternut squash with crispy sage and butter? DELICIOUS!

Jennifer said...

This sounds like a good plan....With my 3 day's off per week...I'm just going to relax and take in the wonderful summer, with no regrets come winter.

katherynei said...

I love this picture, and took a nearly identical one when we were at the farm picking berries. You are doing a wonderful job of embracing your goals and I love reading about it here.

Maggie said...

You're fantastic! I enjoy all of the cooking,canning, and Rockin' Rudy updates.

Whatcha got for pickled peppers?

Kari said...

LeAnn - Good for you taking time off for some well deserved R&R. Keep it up! Did you start a new book yet?