May Newsletter

NO. 22 | May 2023

Writing is a very unusual medium. Here is how it works for me:

There is a little creature that lives inside my body. I am not sure what she looks like. She might be a tiny version of me, completely the same in appearance. She might be a mouse.

And most of the time, she is asleep. She is a very tired creature, and when she is asleep, I am on my own. I don’t know when she will wake up.

When she does wake up, she is in charge. I might be sitting down to do something important, like make plans to go to the DMV. I might be taking a shower or driving my car. But, actually, when she is awake, I am not doing those things. I am writing.

If my laptop is nearby, she will move my hands to the keyboard. She will direct my brain to the story. She will snap in front of my face if those other tasks try to maintain their importance. If I am not near a keyboard, I am writing in my head. I am begging her to help me remember that writing until I am near a keyboard.

There are ways of waking her up: routine, cafes, procrastination, luck, healthy creative habits. And I can write without her, lord help me.

But she is talented, and she knows what she’s doing. When she’s willing to help out, it makes a big difference. Think of her for me, will you?

Make: Illustration Update

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering: “Hey, does Madison still paint and draw?” Here’s your answer. A peek at some of the illustration work I’ve done in the past two months.

This month was my one-year-sewiversary! I started making my own clothes last April and haven’t looked back. This month I sewed up a second batch of all cotton briefs and also made a tutorial for my process. My seedlings are also chugging along, waiting for the end of winter weather so I can give them all a little more space. Hoping for another summer of deck flowers!

This month I am spotlighting Floret Flower, because I think we can all use this kind of spring beauty right now! It’s a large family owned farm in Washington state that specializes in unique and heirloom flowers. They also have an extensive Plant Library that I have found super inspiring, interesting, and useful as I plan my future home farm dreams. They’re also education and research focused—I am just loving everything I read about their organization!

☆ Speaking of flowers, California is experiencing a super bloom.
☆ This spring I learned that daffodils, tulips, narcissus —all those gorgeous flowers that welcome us out of winter—are called ephemerals (thanks Sarah!). Isn’t that the perfect name? Gorgeous, once-a-year blooming, wilted, sticky, and falling apart after a few rains. 
☆ I’m just going to go full flower themed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
☆ I want to experience such excess
☆ One of my fave farm accounts. She grows stunning pink flowers and also just had a precious and adorable baby.