All posts filed under: Strange Thoughts

Cozy Cabin Mood Board and Inspiration

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Before 2020, I had never rented an AirBnB. Then my husband and I’s ten year anniversary landed in the fall of 2020, the first year of the pandemic. We wound up spending our anniversary in the Smoky Mountains, in an adorable cabin set in the woods outside of Boone, North Carolina. This introduced us to a whole new type vacation the cabin weekend getaway. Since then we have traveled we have stayed in we have stayed in five other cabins in the national Smoky Mountain park. What makes these trips so great is there is no need for a complicated itinerary. We just show up with food, maybe look up a local trail to hike, and just enjoy the relaxing cabin atmosphere. During the pandemic, Taylor Swift was able to capitalize on the rising popularity of remote trips and cozy cabin aesthetic. Writer Jim Harrison may have passed away four years before the start of the pandemic but he was a master of capturing the wonder and loneliness of a remote, solitary lifestyle in the …

Four Quiet Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

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Traditionally, pagans celebrated the winter solstice, or Yule to pay homage to the Sun King’s journey to restore light to the world after the longest night of the year. It both marks the start of the dark winter months, and celebrates that every day forward will be a little brighter. Since this year’s solstice is next Wednesday, the 21st, here are a few quiet, relaxing ways to celebrate next week. Make Dried Oranges I shared instructions for drying orange slices last year, and you can use them to decorate in several ways. One way is to thread them with a little string or spare ornament hook and hang them on your Christmas tree as ornaments. The lights will make them glow gorgeous sunset hues. Another way to use them is by decorating a solstice wreath. I ultimately bought a fake wreath to attach mine too (I’ll redecorate it every year!) but you could follow the instructions here for making one with live greenery and a wire hanger. Eat by Candlelight Yule is all about celebrating …

Winter Mood Board and Inspiration

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The Dark days and long nights of December have me thinking about the importance of light in during winter. From sunsets to starlight, light in all it’s forms holds extra significance this time of year. Candlelight is a part of many religious holidays with winter dates, and a general form of comfort. Zubair Ahsan’s poem The Moth and Its Beloved definitely captures my love of candlelight in winter. The music video for Apocalyptic’s Nothing Else Matters showcases a gorgeous winter sunset. The Moth and Its Beloved Zubair Ahsan, Of Endeavours Blue Ask the moth the beauty of the candle And it will burn without a confessionThere is a secret to its longing For it feels no fear or hesitation The moth is too much in love with the flame Yet it does not appear under the sunFor the moon’s light is far too feeble, and It gave up on its pursuit of the sun Just a sight of a candle is enough To remind it of its real belovedSo it settles for that candle in reach, Revels in …

6 Ways to Celebrate Krampusnacht

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The first time I watched the 2015 film Krampus, I had a feeling the legend referenced in the film was not dreamed up by a Hollywood screenwriter. It just seemed too old world to be the product of a modern imagination. It turns out, Krampus, and the holiday dedicated to him, Krampusnatch, are part of holiday celebrations that orginate in alpine regions of Austria and Germany. Krampus is the hairy, horned companion of Saint Nicholas. Krampus is tasked with punishing misbehaving children with coal and bundles of sticks, while St. Nick rewards the well behaved ones with presents. Originally part of pagan traditions, Krampus was folded into Christian holidays and Krampusnatch is celebrated the night of December 5th, before the feast of Saint Nicholas. The characteristics of Krampus varies, but he is usually described as being hairy, with the cloven hooves and horns of a goat. He typically wears chains and bells, with a long, pointed tongue lolling out and bared fangs. For a period of time Krampusnatch celebrations were banned by fascist governments and …

Five Cozy Late Fall ASMRs to Write or Meditate to

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If you’re like me, and not willing to think about winter until December, below are some ASMRs to enjoy this last full month of Fall. They are the perfect backdrop to write, meditate, and fall asleep to. Enjoy one while you read a fall poem, like the one below by Emily Brontë. ‘Fall, leaves, fall’ by Emily Bronte Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;Lengthen night and shorten day;Every leaf speaks bliss to meFluttering from the autumn tree. I shall smile when wreaths of snowBlossom where the rose should grow;I shall sing when night’s decayUshers in a drearier day.

Summer Mood Board and Writing Prompts

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The inspiration for these prompts and mood board can be credited to last week’s recording breaking heat here in the US. The 110 degree heat index definitely had me wishing I was 20,000 leagues under the sea, in a cool and dark submarine. Summer Writing Prompts: Dark watersInto the living infiniteFluorescenceNature’s creative powerOf sharks and menUntold depthsAll walls should be bannedThis unnatural lifeEverything has an end