Author: Laura Langston

Bird by Bird . . . Bit by Bit

   Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about time.

I used to keep on top of things by writing to-do lists, prioritizing and scheduling my time. It wasn’t always easy, especially during spring and fall (the busiest times for publishing and gardening) but I used to feel quite good about my productivity.

Not so much this year. In spite of my best efforts, this year I’ve fallen way behind on a variety of fronts.  In fairness, a few unexpected issues arose that were out of my control and they required my time and attention. But the distractions seemed to snowball. And the more I fell behind, the less productive I became. I began to feel overwhelmed. Then guilty. And then frustrated.

I know time is precious. It’s not a renewable resource. Once it’s gone, we have no way of reclaiming it. I believe that how we spend our minutes is, to a large extent, how we spend our days.  I know it’s important to fill the ‘time jar’ of life with the important things first and let the smaller things trickle in around them. But I was floundering.

So, a few weeks ago, I sat down to figure out why. I took one of my daily to-do lists and added up the time it would take me to do everything I’d written down. I had more than eight hours’ worth of tasks listed in a single day. My scheduling was unrealistic.  I’d gone in with too-high expectations and then beaten myself up when I didn’t meet them. I’d also neglected to allow time for all those things we routinely do every day, like making and eating meals for example. I hadn’t factored in the time I spent caring for the veggie seedlings I’d started in March either (and they probably got 30 – 60 minutes of my time every day there for a few weeks). I neglected to include the time I spent on weekly phone calls to my aunt and cousin, or writing emails to friends. Those human connections matter, and it may not be a lot of time in the big picture, but ten minutes here and there add up.

I don’t want my life to become one long to-do list. That’s not the way I want to live. But because I have so many things I want to do, productivity matters to me. So, I need to be more aware, more realistic and smarter with my planning, especially with respect to my writing and gardening goals. I need to get back to author Anne Lamott’s bird by bird technique.

When Lamott was a child on vacation with her family, her ten-year-old brother had to write a report on birds. He’d had three months to write it, it was due the next day, but he hadn’t started it yet.  He was panicked. “Bird by bird, Buddy,” his father said. “Just take it bird by bird.”

Bird by bird, bit by bit. Something Anne Lamott remembered and utilized when she became a writer. The idea isn’t a new one. Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad once said, “You can do a lot in ten minutes time. And ten minutes, once gone, are gone for good.”

It’s a good thing to remember. Small amounts of time here and there add up. So, rather than being overwhelmed with all I have on my plate, I’m going to utilize a more granular approach and break big tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.  I’m also going to make sure I account for the time I spend on routine activities.

Wish me luck.

My March Reads

We’ve been getting a fair bit of rain lately. When I was out for my walk this morning, several municipal workers were checking the storm drains and catch basins to ensure they can direct or absorb what’s predicted to be even more rain falling over the next week.

I’ve learned to appreciate these wet days. Summers here are getting drier and bring the threat of forest fires. Spring rains fill our reservoirs, hydrate the earth and encourage plants to grow. The rain also allows me to put off outdoor chores without guilt, and concentrate instead on sowing seeds, working on my writing and my mosaic project, and it also gives me time to curl up with a book. Here’s what I’m reading this month.

The Genius of Trees by Harriet Rix

Wayward Girls by Susan Wiggs

At the Stroke of Eternity by Amber Cavanagh

Books read to date in 2026: 14

Filling the Well

 In her masterful book The Artist’s Way author Julia Cameron writes about the importance of the artist date. She believes the weekly date is a necessary part of nurturing your creative consciousness, what she calls your creative child. Her instructions are clear – set aside two hours a week to do something different or take yourself off on an excursion, and do it alone. This will, she says, invite insight, inspiration and guidance. It helps fill our creative wells.

She has many suggestions and these are only a few: visiting a great junk or stationary store, a solo trip to the beach, going to an aquarium or an art gallery, wandering through a new-to-you neighborhood, taking a bike ride in the countryside, watching a movie, or trying a craft you’ve never attempted before.

I used to schedule a weekly artist’s date all the time, but at some point I fell out of the routine. Well, now I’ve started doing them again and the practice has reminded me of just how wonderful a solo artist date can be.

A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture by writer and artist Briony Penn. If you’re unfamiliar with Penn’s work, check out her website:  https://www.brionypenn.com/  and be sure to visit her books page.

This past weekend, I visited Cathedral Grove (pictured above) where the forest never ceases to inspire me.  Cathedral Grove is about 30 minutes by car from my home. I’m lucky to live surrounded by the rain forest and within walking distance of the ocean too.  I’m literally spoiled for choice when it comes to nearby natural wonders and I try to never take them for granted.

But if there’s any downside to living in a small community surrounded by nature, it’s the sometimes lack of cultural activities. Then the other day someone reminded me that I can tour some of the world’s best museums and art galleries virtually. I remember hearing about the option during Covid but I never really pursued it. Now I’m motivated! 

Here are just a few museums to consider. These links will take you directly to the museums in question, though some don’t always land on the link to virtual tours, so you may have to do a little additional clicking to get to the right area. But I’m told the effort is worthwhile.

The Louvre, Paris:  https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours

The British Museum, London: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo: https://masp.org.br/en

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, South Korea: https://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/

The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en

The Met, New York: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/met-360-project

Vatican Museums, Vatican City: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html

Happy wandering!

Year of the Fire Horse

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today, February 17th, is the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. Across Asia and around the world, millions of people are welcoming in the Lunar New Year, a celebration marking not only the new calendar year but a time of renewal, reunion and hope.

Fire Horse years are associated with bold action, impulsivity and breakthroughs, and it favors those who are courageous, independent and take decisive action.

Horses have symbolized strength, endurance and freedom for centuries. Chinese legends tell stories of ‘thousand-mile horses’ used by emperors and believed to be so powerful they could travel vast distances in a single day. In books and movies, mythical horses sometimes possess the ability to speak or to travel down to the underworld or up to heaven, and mounting a horse is often seen as the starting point for adventure.

There are many novels and non-fiction books featuring horses. So many, in fact, that it’s hard to pick and choose when it comes to assembling a list. But for those who are looking, here are a few books – both classic and contemporary tales – to consider:

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

National Velvet by Enid Bagnold

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand

Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards

The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans

                   Living Large

“There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

It was on this date in 1990 that Nelson Mandela was released from a South African prison after serving 27 years for anti-apartheid activism. Mandela dedicated his life to dismantling racism, going from being the world’s most famous political prisoner to becoming South Africa’s first Black president. He also convened the world’s first Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

His struggle not only changed the course of South Africa but it set an example for millions of people around the world. The most obvious lesson we can take from him is about the importance of standing up for equality and human rights, a lesson that feels particularly relevant these days. But there are other lessons Mandela talked about after he was released from prison and had more time to reflect.

In The Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela shared his belief that discipline and patience are everything. “Running taught me valuable lessons,” he wrote. “In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I applied this in everything I did. Even as a student, I saw many young men who had great natural ability, but who did not have the self-discipline and patience to build on their endowment.”

In the same book, Mandela talked about the importance of commitment and never giving up. “Failure is only found in giving up,” he wrote. “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Mistakes, he said, were part of that process. “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

And, finally, Mandela stressed the importance of being optimistic even in the face of challenges. “I am fundamentally an optimist,” he said. “Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

Some wise life lessons for all of us whether we’re out in the world fighting for justice and racial equality or sitting alone in a quiet studio creating art.

My January Reads

One of the nice things about winter is that the birds are easier to spot. Without the camouflage of leaves on the deciduous trees, they really stand out. It’s been restful watching them go about their day – hunting worms and insects, eating winter berries, and then drinking from the pond before they flutter off to perch in a nearby tree. Since I kicked off the new year with a bad respiratory flu, I had a lot of time to stare out the window. In fact, for most of a week my concentration was so poor that I didn’t even feel like reading. Thank goodness that didn’t last long.

I read 53 books in 2025, about a book a week, which is roughly what I read in 2024 too. I’m not sure if this is a new normal for me or a bit of an aberration because it used to be that I’d easily read two books a week. I’ll be tracking my reading again this year and aiming to nudge that annual number back up a bit. Meanwhile, here’s what I’m reading this month.

Letters From Japan by Marie Kondo

Shadows in the Moonlight by Santa Montefiore

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters

Books read to date in 2026: 5

My August Reads

                                      


I think of August like this picture – sunny days at the beach with few commitments, morning beach strolls and afternoons spent lounging on the sand with a book in hand. When our kids were young, that picture was fairly accurate, at least for the few weeks we camped at the beach. These days I’m lucky enough to live within walking distance of the shoreline, but while I get down there for walks (and picnic dinners!) fairly often, I rarely take my book with me. I’m hoping to change that later this week when the weather improves. It’s been rainy and cooler the last few days, a relief with the nearby forest fires. But sunshine is in the forecast and a beach day is on my calendar. Here’s what I’m reading this month.

Undo It by Dean Ornish

Spain: A Lonely Planet Guide

Advika and the Hollywood Wives by Kirthana Ramisetti

Books read to date in 2025: 40

My July Reads

Summer is in full swing and that means less time at my desk and more time for fun. We’ve been doing day trips out of town, meeting friends for picnic dinners on the beach, and harvesting masses of raspberries and vegetables from the garden. At the end of the day, once watering is complete and the slugs have been beaten back, we sit on the patio and stargaze. We’re lucky enough to be surrounded by greenspace and on a clear night, if we turn out the patio lights, the stars are particularly vivid. Stargazing doesn’t always leave me much time for reading, but I am dipping into a few books now and then. Here’s what I’m reading this month.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci

Books read to date in 2025: 36

Plot Twist

 As I started weeding the blueberry bed in May, I was only vaguely aware of the sounds around me, including a rather noisy bird warbling from the nearby honeysuckle arbor. I’d set aside an hour to tackle a job that had been put off far too long and, intent on the task at hand, I didn’t pay much attention.

The blueberries share their bed with mint. We didn’t plant it; it was here when we bought this place. Knowing how invasive it can be, Mr. Petrol Head wanted to rip it all out. But I love mint and use a lot of it during the summer, so I convinced him to leave it. In return, I agreed to weed the blueberry bed VERY early every spring while reducing the mint runners and making sure the roots of the blueberry shrubs had the space they deserved.

Early spring came and went. By the time May rolled around and I was on my hands and knees aggressively pulling the weeds, I was powered by guilt.  That’s probably why it didn’t register that the sound from the honeysuckle arbor had gone from a gentle warbling to something closer to the sound of a screeching cat. It was only after viciously yanking on a particularly noxious clump of weeds that I finally clued in. Because on the ground in front of me, literally inches away, was a small nest with four tiny white eggs. The screeching I now couldn’t avoid hearing came from a Spotted Towhee warning me away from her nest.

I hadn’t expected to encounter a nest while weeding. I didn’t even know Spotted Towhees nested on the ground but they do, and clearly our weedy blueberry bed provided just the right amount of shelter for mama bird. Needless to say, that particular part of the garden wasn’t weeded or watered for weeks while we waited for the eggs to hatch and the babies to fledge.

Though I was initially charmed by the sight of the nest, within minutes I began mentally chastising myself for not getting to the task sooner. Now the weeds had more time to establish themselves. The blueberry harvest might be diminished due to lack of water. And the bed, which looked messy and neglected, was also highly visible to the visitors who were arriving to stay in just a few days. It wasn’t the outcome I’d expected.

It was a plot twist in the garden.

When it comes to books, who doesn’t love a well-executed plot twist? One that takes you by surprise and turns a story on its head. One you didn’t see coming but in retrospect, seems inevitable. Plot twists, in fiction and in life, aren’t always positive or happy events. The unexpected can bring joy or despair. However, it’s often plot twists that make life (and stories) more interesting and memorable.

 That certainly was the case in our garden. The nest was unexpected. Waiting for the babies to appear brought us a lot of joy. And once they did materialize, it was interesting to watch them hop about before they learned to fly.

 We may not harvest as many blueberries this year. The garden was definitely messier than I would have liked in spring too. But as plot twists go, this one was happy and life-affirming. It made for a memorable start to our gardening season. It was also a good reminder for me to start weeding the blueberry bed little earlier next year. And to save a spot somewhere else in the garden for unexpected plot twists!

My June Reads

Summer officially arrives this Friday, though we’ve been in summer mode around here for weeks. We had one round of house guests at the beginning of June and we’re expecting two more groups at the end of the month.  It’s busy! Thankfully, the weather has warmed so we can have dinners on the patio and enjoy the sight (and scent!) of the climbing roses. In spite of the holiday vibes, I am getting some writing done, but my attention to the business side of things, including this blog, will probably be a little sporadic over the next few months. And that’s okay. We all need time to kick back, just like we all need time to read a good book.  Here’s what I’m reading this month.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

How We Learn to be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde

Watch Out for Her by Samantha Bailey

Books read to date in 2025: 32