Once again, Thank You Susanna! These last days of Persephone's time in the underworld have been noticeably lighter but the political and world news seems to have been an unremittingly bleak barrage of bad. And COVID, though more under control than a year ago, is still such a threat.
How refreshing it is to read about the loveliness of Brooklyn for a few hours during this past snowstorm. And how comforting to hear about your father's lack of complaining as he continually had to attack his "Sisyphusean shoveling" when it snowed in rural MA. I also appreciate the the hopefulness offered by the return of Persephone each year and with her the arrival of Spring. And after Spring this year, maybe but not surely, a "normalish summer".
Your advice to "keep the path clear for the next thing even if we don't know what it will be" because "that might be the practice of hope" is extremely wise, thoughtful and helpful in these still continuously uncertain times. As always, many, many thanks. xoxoxoxo Wissie
The laughing baby, the phenomenal poem and your description of your neighborhood covered in snow and memories of your dad were just what the last day of January called for! I enjoy your style of writing!
Feb 1, 2022·edited Feb 1, 2022Liked by Susanna Schrobsdorff
You say "we are in the last mile of another angsty winter" and I wonder what tropical clime you're writing from. Here in Wisconsin it's the early-middle of winter and we haven't even had the first annual -10F to -20F cold snap yet. There's no expectation of Persephone showing her head until early April. Crocuses may bloom in late March, but they're just contrarians and it's no surprise when they freeze to death.
Spring is very short around here, lasting somewhere from a few days to a few weeks before construction season kicks in. It's no surprise that upper Midwesterners are known as grumps.
Optimism in February is the ludicrous idea that we won't get another big snow dump this week.
I'm snickering behind my hand. In truth, I enjoyed the article, knowing its lunacy is helping at least one person - that would be you - maintain some semblance of sanity. I'm happy for you.
Once again, Thank You Susanna! These last days of Persephone's time in the underworld have been noticeably lighter but the political and world news seems to have been an unremittingly bleak barrage of bad. And COVID, though more under control than a year ago, is still such a threat.
How refreshing it is to read about the loveliness of Brooklyn for a few hours during this past snowstorm. And how comforting to hear about your father's lack of complaining as he continually had to attack his "Sisyphusean shoveling" when it snowed in rural MA. I also appreciate the the hopefulness offered by the return of Persephone each year and with her the arrival of Spring. And after Spring this year, maybe but not surely, a "normalish summer".
Your advice to "keep the path clear for the next thing even if we don't know what it will be" because "that might be the practice of hope" is extremely wise, thoughtful and helpful in these still continuously uncertain times. As always, many, many thanks. xoxoxoxo Wissie
! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
The laughing baby, the phenomenal poem and your description of your neighborhood covered in snow and memories of your dad were just what the last day of January called for! I enjoy your style of writing!
You say "we are in the last mile of another angsty winter" and I wonder what tropical clime you're writing from. Here in Wisconsin it's the early-middle of winter and we haven't even had the first annual -10F to -20F cold snap yet. There's no expectation of Persephone showing her head until early April. Crocuses may bloom in late March, but they're just contrarians and it's no surprise when they freeze to death.
Spring is very short around here, lasting somewhere from a few days to a few weeks before construction season kicks in. It's no surprise that upper Midwesterners are known as grumps.
Optimism in February is the ludicrous idea that we won't get another big snow dump this week.
I'm snickering behind my hand. In truth, I enjoyed the article, knowing its lunacy is helping at least one person - that would be you - maintain some semblance of sanity. I'm happy for you.
Brilliant as always. I needed that dose of hope! I had no idea Persephone Days were a thing but now that I know they just ended, I feel better.