My Sunday List
March 3, 2024
Words
The trick with anger is to let it inform us, maybe even let it warm us, if we have become too cold with indifference or apathy but not to let the fire control or consume us. —Sara Jolena Wolcott
Song
More I Am Shelby Lynne because I’m woodshedding background vocals.
A few of you have asked about the singing I referred to a few weeks ago, and it’s about a show here in Nashville that my sister will be doing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her essential I Am Shelby Lynne. I’ll be on backgrounds alongside the great Ashley Monroe, and the rest of the band, which will include Kenny Greenberg, is top-notch, of course. There will be a re-release of the album soon — and look for tickets for a big show at The Ryman on September 26 later this year. Oh, and she has a fantastic NEW record coming out around that time. Stay tuned. And here’s a ticket link for the show on March 12 — maybe there are a few seats left, I don’t know.
Speaking of shows, Hayes is about to go on tour with the wonderful Brandy Clark. Check out the dates here. That’s a must-see show.
I watched
Hayes and I went to see The Taste of Things, and we loved it. I am linking an article here that says exactly what I would say about this luscious film. A delight for the senses and highly recommended.
There were also new episodes of Masters of the Air and New Look. Both are so well done. Both on AppleTV.
Book
I’m getting near the end of Seven Thousand Ways to Listen.
I haven’t made much time for reading this week, but I got in a little. One of my favorite parts of the day is the very beginning. I get up before the sun is up most days, pour my first cup of coffee and make my way to my studio area, snug up in a blanket or wrap and read a while. I used to spend time furiously writing down my thoughts and feelings, reading daily readers, taking notes on it all — but I have stopped doing that lately, and find more peace in just sitting quietly and reading a nourishing text. I can let my day start gradually that way and letting my thoughts come alive more organically feels right these days.
The most thought-provoking page this week is at the bottom of page 163:
It’s important to recognize that avoiding conflict increases our own capacity for violence born out of frustration and impatience at a situation we’ve ignored for too long.
That seemed to go hand in hand with Richard Rohr’s/The Center for Action and Contemplation’s newsletters this week, which all dealt with anger (see the quote at the top of the page).
It makes me think about the line that exists between picky and pushover, activated and dissociated, too much and too little — it’s fine, isn’t it? Be nice but hold your boundaries. Be tolerant but not willfully blind. We get it wrong more than we get it right. That’s okay if we keep working on it.
Favorite moments
Visiting with a friend I hadn’t seen in too long.
Visiting with a new friend and scheming on future plans for our special needs children.
Trying on shirts at the Ann Mashburn pop up with my lady love and close friend Libby Callaway.
Making supper Saturday night and sitting at the table with my husband, my sister, and my son. Well, John Henry didn’t so much sit as circle, but we were together.
What I’m wearing
I’ve been wearing quite a bit of black on black. It feels simple, chic, and right for the beginning of March. It’s not reliably warm yet, so no turning over the season in my closet yet.
Speaking of my closet — I am considering doing a huge clean out. I’m feeling the psychic weight of excess. I don’t have excess in any other area of my life (well, maybe guitars and books) and I’m beginning to honestly look at why I hang on to clothing that I really don’t wear. Some things I do have a relationship with, but others, not so much. So if I’m not wearing those things, I think they should probably exit. But I have thoughts like this: I know I don’t wear those pants with the elephants on them but once a year, but sometimes I want to wear them. Does the fact that I only wear them once a year disqualify them from my closet? Because I really do love them. We’ll see how I do now that boho is everywhere again. Did I ever stop doing boho?
Okay. Now that I’ve lost you…
What I’m cooking
I spotted this recipe for Chicken Orzo bake on Goop and made it Friday night. It was tremendous. And easy to prepare. Our vegetarians could probably make it with a meat substitute, or maybe cauliflower.
Favorite Photo I Took This Week
I’m grateful for:
Progress. And it’s not always a straight line or a thing that shows itself as you’re growing. I’m also grateful for my burgeoning sense of acceptance about the fact that it is all progress. It’s about the journey and not the arrival because there is no arrival at all. There is no place to arrive to. And if there is, we’re already there.
What I made
The elephants are in the shop!
One of the benefits that comes with being a paid subscriber to The Autotelic is early access to new work like this. My paid supporters get access 24 hours before everyone else and a discount code to use as well. A little about these sweeties:
My sister, Shelby, and I keep talking about elephants. We both have tender hearts for them. I started this collection by sitting down at my table and doing a quick one for her, then I wanted to do more.
I found a documentary on AppleTV called The Elephant Queen and loved it so much I watched it twice in one sitting. It’s the story of Athena, the 50-year-old matriarch who leads her closely-knit herd across an unforgiving landscape and loses one of her babies, Mimi, on the way. There was also Wewe, Princess, the pregnant Nusu, and ultimately they find Satao, the king of them all — “a tusker of mythical proportions, a gentle giant to whom all defer.”
You’ll see that I’ve borrowed the names of those featured in the documentary for my paintings. The other names were inspired by the drawings themselves — some are of African origin, and some just came to me as I looked at the character of each one.
$25 from each piece will go to the Howenwald Elephant Sanctuary.
Something wonderful I noticed
My lilacs have beautiful buds on them.
What brought me joy
Singing with my sister in the library yesterday while John Henry sat with us and was clearly into it.
Prayer
Thank you, Great Spirit, for giving me the strength to let go of everything I cannot control, which is everything outside of myself.
Intention for the week to come
May I be present before I am concerned with being anything else.
May I breathe peace in, and breathe love out.
May I meet others with kindness and acceptance and still keep my boundaries.
May I feel confident enough in those boundaries to be flexible in my actions.
May I use my words for good.
May I be grateful.
May I trust.
May I have CLARITY.
May I be patient.
May I be open to what the Great Spirit knows is for me, and may I walk my path accordingly by remembering I can only take it one step at the time.
Something I’m thinking about
The dance of intimacy in relationship — how do I make sure I’m being attentive enough while allowing space for teenager-dom, for instance. How do I be a good sister and friend but not meddle? How do I show up for my husband without controlling? How do I eat enough coffee ice cream to satisfy my craving but not eat a whole pint of it? You know —
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Buddha
Habit
Telling myself that I can be mad tomorrow, but for today, I’m going to lead with kindness and self-awareness.
Best Word or Term
Pernoctation: the act of staying out all night or remaining somewhere all night.
Wishes
That I recognize every opportunity to feel joy, and that I take each one.
That my fellow creatures do that too.
That you all are content and well.
That you will forward this to one person you think might like it.
Have a wonderful, peaceful, joyous week. And thank you for supporting my work here at The Autotelic.
Peace. Love.
Allison
There are first edition copies of I Dream He Talks to Me and Blood in the shop. I will sign each copy that is ordered. If you would like it personalized, please send an email with your order number and the name you would like on the signature page to allisonmoorercontact@gmail.com.
Paid subscriber benefits:
Access to the chat feature on the Substack app.
Paid subscriber only Saturday posts.
A discount code to use in the shop for 24 hours when I list paintings.
Surprises from time to time — free merch, access to things in the shop before free subscribers.
All I can say is if you don’t tour with the “I am Shelby Lynne” remastered tracks, I will be angry!! Please put NYC on your list in the near future. I thought of you today because one of the pangrams in Spelling Bee was “elephant.” Must be karma…🐘
Love the elephants! I also love the “scout” series, but so appreciate that y’all do a donation to the sanctuary with this latest art.
I need to go visit it next time I’m home.
I also think a chance to hear you and Shelby together is worth a flight ;)