Tired... and Inspired

I am back! 

Wow, five days with no computer, no cel phone service, and so many new friends, new thoughts, new connections, new revelations! My heart feels blown open, truly. It's a little surreal to be sitting here looking into this screen, typing it all out. Luckily it is one of the most perfect days in all of creation, and I plan to get out into the woods, if I do my work quickly this morning!

I thought of you sweet blog readers while I sat around the campfire at the Herbal Symposium, watching the young women morph into forest nymphs as they undulated to the beat of the drums, the mothers bouncing their babies to sleep, the grandmothers teaching old songs to the new generation. As I was giggling with my new friends with dreams in their eyes and flowers in their hair, mesmerized by the sparks drifting up into the canopy of ancient oaks surrounding the teepee circle, I realized how lucky I am to get to go to such a place-- and how many of you would love to be there too, if money/time/life permitted it. 

On my way to the coast, I was mulling over things to the sounds of Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and The Dead Weather, and wondered if doing a blog was really important in my life. After all, person-to-person communication is the best. The blogosphere is an experiment for all of us, I think, and sometimes I wonder if it is "working". As you know if you have been reading for a while, sometimes I feel like I don't and won't ever fit into the blog community, since I am not any kind of fashion expert. The very idea that I know anything beyond "I like this, I don't like that" (and a few facts about Gunne Sax dresses) is ridiculous. 

But, thinking of you all while having this very special experience at the Symposium, I realized that I am actually free to blog how I want to-- and if that means a more informal, personal tone, that's okay. After all, nothing I seem to do (or not do) here really affects sales in my shop (which, being my bread and butter, I need to consider). Some of you do buy things from me (THANK YOU!), but many of you are, well, just in this for the blog! Which is really cool, and very freeing. 

One of the main themes this weekend for me was "wow, we are all so much alike". We all share the same fears, hopes, and desires, but so often think we are the only ones who have them. When we get to REALLY hang out, and talk woman to woman, we realize that we have been living an illusion of separateness. 

For example, I played a song at the talent show that was a total hit, thanks to my friend Linda accompanying me and making the whole thing fun and collaborative (I was too nervous to even play it til she convinced me to do it, and backed me up- there are so many insanely talented women sharing things at the Symposium, it makes me feel intimidated as hell), and then afterwards I was talking to many of the other musicians, who were telling me that they felt nervous, they criticized themselves harshly, and they were afraid to play, too. WHAT?!?!?!? 

I know this goes on with the way we judge our lives, our accomplishments, and our looks.... and it is a tragedy. If I am going to give a new energy to my blog, let it be honesty, a real look at how it feels to be me. I want to create, I want to share, but I don't want to be on anyone's pedestal. We are all in this together!

(Of course I WILL have lots of pictures to post from my adventure soon... but give me a minute, since I just rolled in last night!)

Meanwhile, my friend Amber at Violet Folklore has just put up what may be the most amazing and inspiring blog post of all time (at least, for those of us who love bohemian art and fashion), about the history of Portland's original boho boutique, The Cuckoo's Nest. I want you all to go over and read it right now..... you are going to be so blown away. Here is just a tiny taste:

 

Happy June, June, the month of the barefoot moon! May your feet get to touch the earth this season, and may you get to romp under the trees and the wild sky.... whatever the heck you are wearing. Remember, "the truth loves to go naked". Hee hee!

Comments

[*winter]

Glad your back. Sounds like you had a blast and The cuckoo's nest is simply amazing.I'll be sure to put my feet in some mud!!

[heather]

oh sasha, it sounds so amazing and i love your feelings about blogging, communication, and the truth loving to be naked. as everything does! here's to breaking every "rule" and rounding every corner and freeing expression and the abundant joys of REAL LIFE. i love everything about your blog and its wonderful variety and i will admit, i can't wait to see pictures of your adventures! also i agree, everyone needs to read amber's blog about the cuckoo's nest. EVERYONE.

[Cynthia]

Wow...thanks so much for those words, it really inspires me and it definitely hit a note with me.Often times I feel like I'm driving myself nuts with all sorts of crazy questions and insecurities, but if feels liberating to hear other people talk about it so openly. I hope to some day attend this fantastic symposium!
Much Love,
cynthia

[runic rhyme]

This is my favorite post from you. That division you speak of is truly an illusion - the pedestal is an illusion, the soapbox, the knees. I'm glad you got to experience what you did this weekend. Reminders like that are needed, more frequently if you ask me! Atleast an epiphany per weeks for me please :]

Thanks again

[mlle. ghoul]

This is exactly why I love stopping by your blog - the warmth, the friendliness and the sort of "hey, we're all friends here, lovely ladies!" vibe that you infuse the place with. It's always a pleasure.

[Mousevox Vintage]

June is my birth month, so does this quote mean I should sport my birthday suit more often? Ha!

[Evelyn Fassett]

Hi Sasha,
I have heard from a few others how much I missed by not being with the empowered ladies of the symposium.. So I decided I HAVE to go next year. I enjoyed Amber's blog also and I love to sew.. If you get inspired to make something and want another sewing machine humming with yours, let me know! Thank you for sharing and I'm looking forward to part 2 with the photos. :-)

[Violet Folklore]

I was just thinking about this Sash, about how my most "popular" blogs are always the super personal ones, the ones that make folks realize that we all have the same fears, the same experiences, the same human existence. I very much look forward to more personal posts from you.

And oh my goodness, Chia's house! Soooo magical!

Oh and thanks for the shout out, I got well over twice as many hits on that post as any I have ever done :-)

[andrea gutierrez]

:) :) :)