Simply..little altars everywhere....

2/11/2018

But firstly the shed! (I know you must be fed up hearing about my shed but these will be the last photographs. Promise!)

Whew! There are a few things I hope to sell, a good neighbour carted away a sizeable load for the village hall Pound Sale including a set of metal shelves, another load awaits picking up to take to the dump and the old tools which will be made into sculptures will soon be uplifted.

As for Little Altars Everywhere (has anyone read the book of that name?) I've been reading Stephanie Bennett Vog on the subject of creating 'altars' about the house. I do it all the time in creating small still lifes of objects I love and it seems such a coincidence that I was reading about them just now in her book A Year To Clear. I read a little of it every day.

Here is today's little altar. I hadn't appreciated the possible symbolism of the one object from the shed which sparked joy being a spirit level until you pointed it out. Thank you so much for that! I also found the tiny key - no idea what it ever locked and unlocked....but it may have something to do with hearts.

Do you have 'altars' around your home?

Shall I write a bit more about altars? I find it very interesting

19 Comments

Mary B

2/11/2018 05:56:36 pm

Only just catching up on your last two posts !
Congratulations ! Think both the shed and the display of treasures are delightful and inspirational..

Freda

3/11/2018 04:59:58 pm

It turned into a lot more of a fun task by sharing it here Mary B!

Susan

3/11/2018 12:08:09 am

I'm never fed up hearing about sheds! (or seeing pictures of them). More please.
And, I'd love to hear your thoughts & discoveries about altars. I've no current conscious ones. Although things seem to 'fall into place' where I've put them down.
I was touched that some friends in Dorset (a couple from Poland & Bhutan) have a small buddhist altar in an alcove in their lounge.

Freda

3/11/2018 05:01:34 pm

It shows you another side of a people, doesn't it. Lovely.

Mary

3/11/2018 02:31:39 am

Admiring your work--both the clearing of the 'landscape' and the small altars of joy.

Freda

3/11/2018 05:02:23 pm

Thank you Mary. This boring task turned into something interesting!

Damsonlily

3/11/2018 04:50:46 am

Yes, do please write more about altars, Freda. I remember an exhibition at the Royal Academy years ago, which featured some icons and triptyches. It sparked an interest then about what people choose to revere and remember, as well as worship.
And yes, I have read Lttle Altars Everywhere (and also The Divine Secrets...) and wondered about lives so different from ones that could be lived here, I think; the humidity and the heat and the sheer languidness of life.
Meanwhile, I am still worshipping at the altar of the small god of removal boxes (possibly in the vain hope that they will magically empty themselves!)

I have enjoyed your “shed series” so please don’t stop on my account. Any nuggets of information on clearing out and downsizing are all grist to my mill at present. You have reminded me that we also have a small brass and wooden spirit level, which belonged to my father in law. I shall treat it with reverence (and polish) when it finally reveals itself.

Freda

3/11/2018 05:06:08 pm

I have always remembered the phrase 'lightness and ease' from The Divine Secrets...I thought it something to aim for. What people choose to revere is fascinating as is the fact that all societies do somthing of this nature. I hope the settling in to your new home is going well and you find that spirit level!

Julia

3/11/2018 05:29:33 am

What a wonderful shed! And now you can go in without the horrible sinking feeling. The altar is beautiful, Freda. I have one to my father and it is very simple: an inukshuk of rocks that surfaced when they dug his grave. I love it.
What comes to mind with this post is first, how often this inspiring book you are reading by stephanie vog, sychronizes so beautifully with what is happening in your life. Second...when i look at that spirit level, i can almost feel the smoothness, and the weight of it in my palm; the energy that flows out of it into the hand, and how that might be very soothing for you. I might call it a touchstone.

Freda

3/11/2018 05:07:54 pm

I had to look up 'inusshuk'. My touchstone is what I have felt is missing since Barry died...

Julia

4/11/2018 02:42:54 am

I’m hoping that picking up that spirit level and caring for it, holding it, and simply being present with it, might in some way help, freda...sending love...:-)

cath

3/11/2018 08:46:13 am

On three locations in our apartment you can find ´islands of inspiration´. (opposed to islands of unrest). The one in our living room has Shinzo Maede's beautiful photography of autumn trees on display just now. (book: A Tree, a Blade of Grass). One island is related to nature, one to the spiritual and one to art most of the time.

Do you change your 'altars' often? I usually feel it when the time is right to change them. I certainly would like to think a bit more about them, by hearing your thoughts.

Freda

3/11/2018 05:09:21 pm

Cath that sounds so lovely! I do change them with the seasons or when I find something new..

Sue

3/11/2018 09:59:22 am

I have just had a wonderful month reading your blog from the beginning to the present day.
I am in awe of your determination to move forward from February 2016 when your husband died and hope I would find the same courage if I needed to.
I've been inspired by your kondoing and am reading Spark Joy which I have borrowed from my DiL.
Some of the quotes you have shared have been really helpful especially, “The past has served its purpose” as I’m surrounded by inherited stuff from 3 generations.
However the other day's post sent me scurrying to the garage to rescue my father's spirit level which I’ll keep on the bookcase to remind me to keep my spirit level!
The group who comment on your blog regularly are a wonderfully wise and humorous group. I hardly dare post my comment but wanted you to know my gratitude to you for your willingness to share your experience and thoughts here.
Sue

Freda

3/11/2018 05:14:25 pm

Sue I am so glad you commented and I do agree about the wonderful women who make this blog a conversation which inspires and supports me so much. I am a bit astonished that you read the whole blog!! Well done you and thank you for reading!

Sue

4/11/2018 08:35:07 am

I found it no hardship Freda and gained so much from all your thoughts and ideas. I was disappointed to reach the present day!
Now I think I’ll reread it using the subject heading at the side.
My husband found my dad's spirit level and spent a couple of hours cleaning it being careful not to take away the character of age.
I will add it to a collection on our side table. ( Like Cath I find “altar” means religious to me.)

Susan

4/11/2018 01:00:38 am

Hi Susan. Freda's generous sharings (her thoughts, feelings, occurrences, wonderings, questionings, inspirations, plans, hypotheses), I find so companionable and sustaining. And, those of her contributors. There's so much to contemplate in each day's entry. I shall take up your idea of re-reading from the start.

Susan

4/11/2018 01:44:21 am

PS I meant Sue.

Sue

4/11/2018 08:39:12 am

Hello Susan. I'm now going to read through using the subject headings and paying more attention to the detail and too people's comments.

Simply..little altars everywhere....

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