Welcome back to the . . . Sanctuary . . . where once a week – on Fridays – I aim to preserve my sanity. And maybe yours, too. If you missed my inaugural Sanctuary post (the one where I explained all this), you can find it here.

So. What have I got for you this week?
Three things again. Something that provides a twist when you might be (oh, say . . . ) thinking ill of someone, something lovely to remind us to notice what really matters, and something delightful and relaxing to watch on TV.

Ready?

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The something that provides a twist . . .

My daughter, Erin, is a kind soul. She doesn’t like to think ill of (most) people, and will (mostly) try to find ways of . . . giving them the benefit of the doubt rather than just, y’know . . . writing them off entirely. When she was in college, Erin developed a strategy of ALMOST (but not quite) wishing ill on the annoying folks she encountered in life. She silently “cursed” them instead, by bestowing upon them what she called . . . Bevies of Misfortune. And because Erin is a skilled writer, her “bevies” were always creative and humorous, biting and . . . wonderful. (In the way back times, I wrote a blog post about her “bevies,” but I’ll be danged if I can find it now. . . )

Things like (these are my own “bevies, by the way;” Erin’s were always much more inspired) . . .

  • May the crotch of your favorite pants regularly, yet intermittently, pinch in a most irritating way.
  • May you frequently, yet unknowingly, step in dog poo and wonder where that smell is coming from.
  • May your coffee always be at room temperature.
  • May you never be able to find a match for your sock – and may people around you notice and comment.
  • May you never be aware of that smudged and gooey “bit” right at the corner of your mouth.
  • May you frequently be stuck behind slow-moving panel trucks, unable to see if you can safely pass.
  • May you always have a tiny piece of gravel (that you can never find) in the bottom of your favorite shoe.

Next time you encounter someone doing something annoying or frustrating or maddening, try “cursing” them with a Bevy of Misfortune. It’s surprisingly . . . liberating.

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The something lovely . . .

I know I have mentioned before that I subscribe to the poet James Crews’ weekly newsletter (you can find the subscription information here if you’re interested). It’s free. It comes out on Friday mornings. It always includes a poem that James has recently written, a bit of an essay, and a journaling prompt. Some weeks, it all resonates with me, and some weeks . . . not so much. Lately, James has been writing about the things that are saving him in these challenging times. These words from his most recent essay resonated with me, and I thought they might with you, too. They are a lovely reminder to get outside, to enjoy the unfolding spring, and to look for the “scraps of beauty” all around us.

Immersion in nature doesn’t fix all that’s wrong right now, and we must still stand up for what is right, push against all that is wrong. Yet we need reminders of what we are fighting for in the first place, and we desperately crave time outside of clock-time, so that our spirits don’t become so weighed down that we end up burning out. The “scraps of beauty,” when taken one by one, might seem insufficient against all that we are forced to witness and endure at this fraught moment. Yet taken collectively, they become a tapestry that can weave through our days, keeping us focused on the promise that waits beneath these clouds.

— James Crews in his newsletter, The Weekly Pause

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The something delightful and relaxing to watch on TV . . .

I know that a lot of you enjoy watching The Great British Baking Show . . . even if you aren’t all that into baking. That’s because it’s a show that is much more than just about baking, and although we’re usually cheering for our favorite contestants, it’s also much more than a competition. It’s a show about . . . slowing down, trying something new, celebrating creativity . . . and all in that wonderful spirit of community inside “the tent.”

Well. I like to tune into another British television show with a similar vibe. Gardeners World has been airing on BBC since 1968 — although not with the same host! Each show runs for 60 minutes and features gardening tips and tricks BUT ALSO visits to different gardens all around the UK. It’s such a treat to visit vicariously all kinds of beautiful and inspiring gardens. There is no competition going on — just that lovely . . .  slowing down, trying something new, and celebrating creativity. Oh. And there are dogs!

I find Gardeners World to be a great show to watch when I just need to relax – and when I just want to escape to some pretty gardens in faraway places. (It’s a perfect companion show for my knitting, too.)

If you happen to have a subscription to BritBox, you can find the current season (and several others) there. But if you don’t have access to BritBox, you can find past episodes on YouTube. Next time you’re looking for something soothing and lovely to settle down with, try Gardeners World. It’s a treat even if you’re not interested in gardening (just like you don’t have to be interested in baking to enjoy The Great British Baking Show).

Here’s the trailer for the show (this is for the 2018 season) . . .

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And that’s it for this week. I hope you found some sanctuary here today.
At least for a few minutes.

Enjoy the weekend!
Find some joy. Protect your peace.