wild geese calling

Why do sunny days in autumn make me want to be outside more than sunny days in summer? Poetically it could be the wild geese calling-I heard a skein of them this morning in the cold early light. Or it could be the knowledge that soon the soil will be too wet and heavy to work and I have digging chores to complete.

I resolved to work this morning on my C & G sketchbook and promised myself I would spend some time out of doors later. But first I needed to move my desk around through 90 degrees so it was under the window. The room is north facing and now the days are shortening, I want to make the most of the available light.

To move the desk-not so straightforward-needed to move the box of paints, pencils etc, the threads, the sewing machine, the piles of–you get the idea. And it needed cleaning, so I had to move baskets of fabric…and so it was about 9.30 before I got started on the sketchbook, surrounded by unsorted “stuff”.

I stuck completed sheets, sorted photographs, drew and printed until 12.00, although it seemed more like housekeeping than creation and then the calling of those wild things finally proved too strong. It’s one thing setting aside time for study, it’s another feeling inspired to do so.

It was good to spend some time working the soil, clear sky above. Preparing for winter and for the spring that follows. Feeding the worms that do the hard work for me. Harvesting produce.

When I returned to my desk, my head was clearer, although the room was not and this page in my sketchbook came together in one flow.