January 3, 2025

Good morning!

It’s Friday. All the pretty snow from Christmas has melted. It’s uncanny how quickly that can happen, and how immediate the change is.

We took a long walk on New Year’s Day, down that long dirt road now devoid of snow or ice, and then through the woods to the ocean.

That long dirt road just happens to run past our neighbor’s burn pile. Look who I found in the midst of it all! Our old friend mullein, who, as you may recall, is also amenable to the names Shepherd’s Club, Hag Taper, Old Man’s Flannel, and Beggar’s Blanket. Sitting right there as if it owned the place.

“A good half of the art of living is resilience.”

—Alain de Botton

And since “resilience” happens to be my word for this year, I’ll take it as a good omen.

Respiteers, won’t you join me in our imaginary pavilion this afternoon? As always, check your inbox right before 2pm EST.

Onwards we go,

Clara