Bei Komorebi

Late.

Dark.

Quiet.

A dog barking far away.

The evening spent with my family, chatting, carding wool and spinning at the fireside.  Our Alice mentioned to her friend who works at the wholefood co-op that she was in need of some fleece, and the friend has a friend who works at the animal sanctuary where they had some Jacob sheep in need of shearing.  In due course, when we were in buying our oats and nettle tea and olive oil, the co-op friend reported that the sheep had been sheared and fleece was on its way.  So three big bags of lovely chocolate and cream fleece is in slow process of carding and spinning.  It feels surprisingly harsh and prickly after my cousin’s alpaca, but it’s good stuff!

The woodstove throws out plenty of heat, and where I thought it would feel unpleasantly cold to make my way home to Komorebi at the end of the evening, in fact the January night felt refreshing – welcome.  My kerosene lantern does duty as a room heater too.

Today – Plough Monday – is the beginning of the agricultural year.  The days are lengthening and lightening steadily and England is turning toward the light.

In the garden Christmas roses are blooming, and the lemon stars of the winter jasmine.  We are still waiting for the deep cold, and no doubt it’s bound to come, but just at the moment heavy rainfall alternates with sunshine days that feel like early spring.

Today I blacked the stove (important because it’s made of pressed steel not cast iron, so will quickly rust if left uncared for), and sent for apron and pinafore dress patterns from the King’s Daughters. 

This morning was our All Sisters meeting of the Servants With Jesus – such loving women, prayerful and strong.

My thoughts turn again and again just now to a dear friend making her first steps on the journey to becoming a nun – may her way be blessed, may she never lack the assurance and encouragement she needs from day to day.  May her heart be sure in making choices, and may God in his kindness give her the opportunities for joy and the provision for happiness.  May she be a blessing to her sisters in community, knowing herself content and secure.  May she blossom.  May she be at peace.

And you, reading?  May God answer the need your heart knows.  May you find the time and space for what you came here to be and do.  May you not miss the beauty of the journey.  May life bring you wholeness and laughter and may you be loved on this Earth.  xxx