We are having a wonderful time here at Stiniel. It’s the
first gathering of the family to include Sebastian and we are all delighting in
his constant (well pretty constant) smiles and giggles.
It is so interesting to watch a baby observing things we can’t
see. Both indoors and out in the garden, he follows the movement of things that
are completely invisible to our grown-up eyes. We choose to believe that he is
looking at faeries. Hopefully when he is old enough to talk he will still be
young enough to see them and will be able to tell us about what he sees. Toby
certainly did when he was that age (old enough to talk, that is).
We have been having the most beautiful summer in years
-long, long, hot, sunny days that stretch into clear evenings with starry
skies. Pure magic!
The flowers are doing their best to all come out at the same
time so there are combinations in the garden that we’ve never seen before. A
friend of ours is creating magic in the garden by weeding and shaping and
coaxing it into something that looks graceful (and grateful!) and cared for and
flourishing. It is easy to feel that the nature spirits of this place are
extremely happy to see lilies being released from the stranglehold of bindweed
and roses and other flowers being given the space to stretch and breathe again.
Nurturing is just as important as planting in the first place and Brian and I
are truly grateful to see it happening here. Maybe the faeries will reciprocate
and plant new ideas in our heads for the book. Now, that would be a good
exchange!
Toby’s kickstarter is just doing wonderfully well. If you’ve
been following it, you know he reached his goal and is now asking for a stretch
goal so he can add another character. Brian and Toby have been spending late
nights at the dinner table (always the very best place for ideas!) with wine
and cheese, developing a character and scene to be used if Toby can afford it.
I love listening to the two of them talking things out and exchanging ideas. It’s
not that Sarah and I don’t contribute -
it’s just hard to get a word in sometimes when Brian and Toby get started!
It’s a very sweet and satisfying thing to know that Toby grew
up sitting at that table, listening to the exchange of ideas between the two of
us and the many friends who have come to join us there. He has always taken
part (even before he could speak) but now of course he brings a whole new
vision with him. Sarah and I have both sat and watched Sebastian following
their voices as they talk and I believe that we both know that Sebastian too
will some day sit there and bring his own ideas into the mix of discussions. I can’t wait to find out how he views things.
It’s time to venture back out into the sunshine and the
grateful garden.
