{"id":7544,"date":"2021-02-13T12:47:42","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T17:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sixburnersue.com\/cooking-fresh-eating-green\/?p=7544"},"modified":"2021-02-13T12:47:42","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T17:47:42","slug":"be-the-light-rebooting-the-sixburnersue-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sixburnersue.com\/cooking-fresh-eating-green\/2021\/02\/be-the-light-rebooting-the-sixburnersue-blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Be the Light! Rebooting the Sixburnersue Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You may be wondering why I picked now to reboot a blog that\u2019s been dormant for a few years, and why there are no vegetable recipes or garden reports in your inbox.  The truth is, inaugural poet Amanda Gorman lit a fire under me with her poem, The Hill We Climb<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was already headed toward reconnecting with you, what with this little pandemic and all. Since it began, I\u2019ve found that writing is one of the best ways to quiet all the noise in my head. But I wanted to share more than recipes and garden tips with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then I heard Amanda say these lines (many times, since I played the recording<\/a> over and over again after the actual inauguration).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For there is always light, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

if we\u2019re brave enough to see it, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

brave enough to be it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be the light! I love that idea, and I began to think about what it really meant to do that. To be kind, generous, supportive, positive, unselfish, enthusiastic, accepting, exemplary, visionary, honest, fair, passionate. A dozen people might come at it a dozen different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for me, I\u2019ve been thinking it might mean sharing a little bit about how I find peace and serenity through creating \u2014 the cooking, the gardening, the flower arranging, the photographing, the meandering through the woods and over dunes. You see, I\u2019ve been sober now for 14 years, long enough to be humbled by an impressive roster of missteps \u2014 and long enough to be honest with myself about what I need to get through the day (other than chocolate): Beauty, color, flavor, comfort, focus, activity, air, touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also well-practiced at looking for light in the darkness. Believe me, Amanda is right; it takes courage. But looking for the light, then finding it, and finally, letting it radiate through you \u2014 that\u2019s truth. And by truth I mean something possessed of much more energy than you might realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, reading a little book of essays called A Season for the Spirit<\/em> by one Martin Smith, I learned that the original Greek word for truth is aletheia<\/em>, which literally means \u201cun-hiddenness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cTruth is not a thing, it is rather an event. Truth happens to us when the coverings of illusion are stripped away and what is real emerges into the open,\u201d Martin wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about that! Truth is the act of revealing ourselves \u2014 of actually being our real selves \u2014 and in turn becoming that bright light in the darkness. It\u2019s hard \u2014 getting there, I mean. Annie Dillard wrote, \u201cYou do not have to sit outside in the dark. If however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But remember this, too: Darkness is a great place to visit, but don\u2019t pack a suitcase \u2013 overnight stays are not advised. (That\u2019s me channeling my favorite sober funny person-writer, Anne Lamott, who would totally say that.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come along with me into the light. I promise nerdy quotes, real-life stories (triumphs and debacles both), pretty photos (a LOT of flowers), book recs, music, kitchen wisdom, garden wisdom, and wisdom-wisdom. (That’s the stuff gathered from the universe of wise people \u2014 not me. I should come with a warning label.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d rather sit this one out, I totally understand and will not stick pins in a voodoo doll if I see your name fall off the subscriber list. (Though just thinking about that might keep you on.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And by all means, to get your recipe fix, you should visit cookthevineyard.com<\/a> and sign up for the free weekly newsletter<\/a>. (Something I do as part of my day job.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s my reading suggestion for the week<\/strong>, an oldie but goodie: Ann Lamott\u2019s Traveling Mercies<\/a><\/em>.
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Yes, the cosmos are from last summer, but they’re cheery, don’t you think? And pink. I plan to grow a couple dozen varieties this year, because, well, overdoing things is how I roll.<\/sub>


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And here’s some feel-good music<\/strong>, just because I love these guys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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