Monday 16 February, 2026
Am I a good witch or a bad witch?
Why does the random opening of a book so often feel like the channeling or constellating of conversation and/or thoughts already coursing wildy through?
I am in New Mexico visiting Deborah J. Stein in her cozy old rambling house filled with books and colour and art and art supplies and so many words between us that the windows and doors last night were bulging which was fine because it let in the cool desert air which I so desperately needed for my lungs,
We tried to watch Bright Star but the abundance of words had us pause and rewind and pause so we drew what was on the screen (every pause miraculous) and chattered on too late into the night.
Dear universe,
may this week’s time extend unnaturally…
PS: the sorting of films on Criterion fed us a yearning section which lead us to the hilarious portmanteau yearnal, I mean, do these exist? Perhaps I’ll bind a yearnal for myself this week.
Thursday 19 February, 2026
Perhaps a bit of both, but this morning I am feeling a bit bad-witchy.
Already now, I am on the other side of this short trip — there is never enough time, no matter the slowing — which is possible, even with the thread I found.
Yesterday I wandered along the desert’s trails for not long enough. I listened to the too-lilting voices of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Bella Freud, then switched to music which is what I need more, but it was too late. I held on tightly, and the thread snapped, and I fell. When I looked up I saw the faded pastel palette of the desert cemetery and ran to it only to discover I’d been walking in circles, my feet tangled in broken bits of threads. Trying to catch them all, I caught none as the wind swept them away.
Last night a little snow fell and I awoke, startled at having nearly just murdered someone. I held her in my arms and applied pressure to the unintended wound, her heart still pumping when I awoke.
My oldest son lives in Yucca Valley, CA. I understand how the desert begins to creep into your soul. I would love to learn the process of making brushes and pens from a yucca.
So very different to Eastern scenery, pretty in a different way ~ such an amazing variety of landscapes we have here in the US of A! I'd be interested in your review of a Yucca paintbrush ~ I have one that came with our home... that I've never appreciated.. maybe it will turn my opinion around if it could be used as an art supply! :)