It's feeling so Spring-like
here in Washington,
but I know that the East Coast
is still buried under snow!

Whatever your weather,
do you need something
subtly ferocious
and utterly captivating
to read during these in-between days?

Then check out
Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels
(I, II, and III;
the final book in the quartet
will be coming out
in September).

And after you do,
please come back
and discuss them with me,
because I cannot get them out of my head.

Instrumental Mix IV!
See I, II, and III.
I love making these mixes,
and listen to them all the time.
I hope you enjoy this new one.


Mulberry, Mauve, & Gold - February 2015

+Lover's Desire - Anaïs Mitchell
+Silo Song (Instrumental) - Laura Veirs
+Jump Up Jon - Black Prairie
+Tokka - Agnes Obel
+Skylark Herald's Dawn - James Blackshaw
+Breton An Dro - Maggie Sansone
+Cincinnati Traveler - Hem
+Kensington Blues - Jack Rose
+Sexfaldur - Amiina
+Tuireadh nan Hiortach - Alasdair Roberts & Robin Robertson
+Guitar 13 - Clogs
+Tip Toes - Essie Jain
+Alone In Kyoto - Air
+Sun Will Set - Zoë Keating
+Masollan - Balmorhea
+Bunkhouse Theme - Bob Dylan

As we move through
our first Winter in this house
it has felt like
our backyard has given us
a suprise
every week.

In the frenzy of the Fall,
I had no idea
that this spindly-looking tree
was actually
a steadfast Witch-hazel
until it began to unfurl
it's wirey red clusters
in early January.

I put my head back
and marvelled
and laughed out loud at the discovery.

The camellia buds out back are swelling,
and who knows what color they will be
when they finally burst forth?

I really fell in love with holly this Winter.

I love that this place
is now part of our neighborhood
again.

Small scenes
of wintry tangles
at the slough.

On a day
that felt as warm as May
we took a walk through reeds
bleached shining white,
gleaming almost too brightly
in the sun
to look at straight on.

Waterways carved paths
based on directions and criteria
unknown to us.

----

First Aid Kit - Stay Gold

I have been exploring our new neighborhood
on foot,
which is my favorite way
to come to know
a place.

Roaming up the hill and down,
I have found new pathways,
new rambles.
One route in particular,
has already become
my "everyday" walk.
It is the perfect length and rhythm
for that time
in the afternoon
when I simply must
go outside.

I am almost overcome with excitement
to watch how this walk changes
with the seasons.
It is like getting to know
a new friend,
who has only had the chance,
so far,
to show you part of herself.

Wild & overgrown,
spare & elegant:
two new blooming letters
that I painted recently.