Honestly, that’s good to know! It was a first for me. Since you’ve survived it in the past, do you have any tips if it happens again? Do you just ride it out and wait for your taste to return?
Oh gosh. It’s the most frustrating thing and honestly I think different things work every time! But one common theme: sometimes it helps to remember the difficult thing about writing is using words to get to a place beyond words. I have to find a way to shut off my editor brain and get back into my body. So, blasting music and reacquainting myself with rhythm. Cooking something to distract my hands and let my mind work in the background. And, forcing myself to read read read. Eventually I’ll find something to inspire me or at least I’ll remember how to write a sentence.
That’s interesting; thanks for sharing. I’ve definitely been trying to “put my hands on the work,” to just literally do stuff like make and sell pastries and help build a foodservice operation, as a way of working through this.
Yes! Sometimes I think our best writing happens while we’re just out in the world... living. I personally call BS on the “write every day” advice. It’s all fodder.
You know, it was nothing special really, just a story on Substack, but instead of responding to it with “so what?”, as I had been doing for a while, I got engaged: “What a nice turn of phrase,” and “Why did she make that choice?” (I’d have to go back and find the exact story, and I’m afraid if I do that and read it again it won’t stir me, so I think I’ll leave it unnamed, even to myself.) And then I stumbled onto an old John McPhee story in the New Yorker (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1979/02/19/brigade-de-cuisine) and that really sealed the deal.
I've always loved your attitude in retirement. You're keeping busy, but on the things you're interested in pursuing. It's possible the reading only holds value if it's complimented by your experiences. Sort of a theory/practice thing. Glad to hear you're well. The red vest suits you. 👍
Ha ha, the red vest! It cracks me up. I remember thinking I was such a big cheese when I took the title “Chief Learning Officer.” The red vest reminds me I’m not!
Real nice, Tom! The pics remind me of the ground fog in southwest Louisiana, and the Tule fog we get here, the SF Bay Area and central valley, in winter. Beautiful, and still. Here, the fog usually rolls in and out on the wind, rarely setting on the ground. Thanks for posting these pictures!
I’ve had just a few glancing experiences with California fog but I bet I’d love it. But Southwest Louisiana ... I wouldn’t have imagined the temps would go low enough. What time of year?
Usually late fall, and winter, into spring. Temps get down into the low 40s and 30s regularly. I remember 20s and a couple of upper teens. I've seen ice in tidal pools at the Gulf - freezes at 28º. With the high humidity, it's cold. It isn't a cold that last weeks on end. Usually lasts only a few days then back to milder weather. : )
Very cool shots -- I'm not sure what the temp was, but it looks like the walk was worth it.
Curious to know how you pronounce "slough". I haven't seen that word too much outside of UK and Ireland -- this may be the first time! It's not even common in Canada, which now that I think of it, seems a little unusual...
Thanks Graham. I think our best fogs occur in the 40s, and if the temps get above much into the 50s they dissipate. But now you’ve made me think I need to pay more attention to that. I take my morning coffee out on my back porch, from which I can see out into the Snohomish River Valley ... and the fog. We seem to have a lot of sloughs in this area, though I don’t know that I’ve seen them elsewhere in the US now that you mention it. I we say slew, which rhymes with you and through and few. Ain’t English grand?
I've only ever heard it as rhyming with "cow" (except when you're talking about skin, when it rhymes with "bluff"). I suspected it might be different there.
Take off the "s" though, and it becomes "lock"....
Stunning work, Tom. I go through similar spurts (why am I even doing this?), but somehow I find my way back to writing. I’m happy you shared this today! Also, while taking in the photos, I couldn’t help but think of Fog Chaser. Neat to see his name at the bottom and to hear how you are inspired by his music, as well. Take care.
Yeah, the pull of “why am I doing this” is strong, isn’t it? I don’t know that it ever hit me quite so hard as these last months, but I’m working my way out of it. Glad to share the Fog Chaser love!
Retribution, no, not at all. It was just not such a direct connection that it was worth calling out: I read your story and then a couple others and kind of went, “Wow, I liked those.” But I wanted you to know that you helped.
Love these photos of the fog. Absolutely gorgeous. For a few years in my early twenties, I lived in the Sunset District of San Francisco, a neighborhood continually covered with fog. I worked in Marin County, which boasted warm weather all summer. As I'd pass through the tunnel and over the Golden Gate Bridge on my way home from work each day, I'd leave the warmth of a beautiful summer day and need my windshield wipers by the end of the bridge. I grew to hate the fog and moved down the peninsula at my first opportunity. Many years later, I live in the foothills of California and have a love affair with the fog dancing along the riverbanks as I drive through our canyon. It's interesting how different the fog feels to me in nature as opposed to the city streets. Thanks for sharing! 💜
Yeah, that San Francisco fog is really something. I used to travel there several times a year for business, and I never could figure out how to dress. But fog in the nature is pretty cool. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Lovely shots. You're absolutely right, the fog here in the NW is gorgeous. And, totally get your dust metaphor -- I'm starting to emerge from a bit of a break as well. They always seem a bit different from one another, but every time they creep up the prevailing feeling I get is that of an engine overheating. Just backing off has helped, trying to wriggle away from the self-imposed pressure to "produce!" and to "grow!" and instead let everything cool. Easier said than done sometimes, but being able to acknowledge the feeling, and that it isn't a permanent state has been critical.
Beautiful photos of the fog. I live in the fog belt in California’s Central Valley and it’s fog season. Other than driving in it, which can be dangerous I love it’s mystery.
The dust metaphor makes total sense to me!! I get in those slumps too.
Honestly, that’s good to know! It was a first for me. Since you’ve survived it in the past, do you have any tips if it happens again? Do you just ride it out and wait for your taste to return?
Oh gosh. It’s the most frustrating thing and honestly I think different things work every time! But one common theme: sometimes it helps to remember the difficult thing about writing is using words to get to a place beyond words. I have to find a way to shut off my editor brain and get back into my body. So, blasting music and reacquainting myself with rhythm. Cooking something to distract my hands and let my mind work in the background. And, forcing myself to read read read. Eventually I’ll find something to inspire me or at least I’ll remember how to write a sentence.
That’s interesting; thanks for sharing. I’ve definitely been trying to “put my hands on the work,” to just literally do stuff like make and sell pastries and help build a foodservice operation, as a way of working through this.
Yes! Sometimes I think our best writing happens while we’re just out in the world... living. I personally call BS on the “write every day” advice. It’s all fodder.
Great shots, Tom! But what were you reading that reignited the fire???
I was wondering this!
(also agree about the photography)
You know, it was nothing special really, just a story on Substack, but instead of responding to it with “so what?”, as I had been doing for a while, I got engaged: “What a nice turn of phrase,” and “Why did she make that choice?” (I’d have to go back and find the exact story, and I’m afraid if I do that and read it again it won’t stir me, so I think I’ll leave it unnamed, even to myself.) And then I stumbled onto an old John McPhee story in the New Yorker (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1979/02/19/brigade-de-cuisine) and that really sealed the deal.
I've always loved your attitude in retirement. You're keeping busy, but on the things you're interested in pursuing. It's possible the reading only holds value if it's complimented by your experiences. Sort of a theory/practice thing. Glad to hear you're well. The red vest suits you. 👍
Ha ha, the red vest! It cracks me up. I remember thinking I was such a big cheese when I took the title “Chief Learning Officer.” The red vest reminds me I’m not!
Words AND Pictures: all lovely!
Thanks man, your sailing pics have inspired me.
Real nice, Tom! The pics remind me of the ground fog in southwest Louisiana, and the Tule fog we get here, the SF Bay Area and central valley, in winter. Beautiful, and still. Here, the fog usually rolls in and out on the wind, rarely setting on the ground. Thanks for posting these pictures!
I’ve had just a few glancing experiences with California fog but I bet I’d love it. But Southwest Louisiana ... I wouldn’t have imagined the temps would go low enough. What time of year?
Usually late fall, and winter, into spring. Temps get down into the low 40s and 30s regularly. I remember 20s and a couple of upper teens. I've seen ice in tidal pools at the Gulf - freezes at 28º. With the high humidity, it's cold. It isn't a cold that last weeks on end. Usually lasts only a few days then back to milder weather. : )
You are a true fog chaser, Tom.
Indeed I am!
Very cool shots -- I'm not sure what the temp was, but it looks like the walk was worth it.
Curious to know how you pronounce "slough". I haven't seen that word too much outside of UK and Ireland -- this may be the first time! It's not even common in Canada, which now that I think of it, seems a little unusual...
Thanks Graham. I think our best fogs occur in the 40s, and if the temps get above much into the 50s they dissipate. But now you’ve made me think I need to pay more attention to that. I take my morning coffee out on my back porch, from which I can see out into the Snohomish River Valley ... and the fog. We seem to have a lot of sloughs in this area, though I don’t know that I’ve seen them elsewhere in the US now that you mention it. I we say slew, which rhymes with you and through and few. Ain’t English grand?
I've only ever heard it as rhyming with "cow" (except when you're talking about skin, when it rhymes with "bluff"). I suspected it might be different there.
Take off the "s" though, and it becomes "lock"....
English *is* grand! lol
I looked around a bit, and it seems to be a West Coast regionalism, though some sources say all of US goes for “slew.” https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/slough.html
Stunning work, Tom. I go through similar spurts (why am I even doing this?), but somehow I find my way back to writing. I’m happy you shared this today! Also, while taking in the photos, I couldn’t help but think of Fog Chaser. Neat to see his name at the bottom and to hear how you are inspired by his music, as well. Take care.
Yeah, the pull of “why am I doing this” is strong, isn’t it? I don’t know that it ever hit me quite so hard as these last months, but I’m working my way out of it. Glad to share the Fog Chaser love!
I appreciate the update, and the ode to Fog is very powerful on multiple levels. You’re doing fine.🌫️🌤️
Hi Tom. Nice to see you. 💛
BTW, the story that kind of cleared the dusty taste from my mouth was yours ... I don’t remember the title, just in the last two weeks or so.
Hold up.
The UNDERWEAR story???
I'm appalled you didn't share that with your readers, Tom. Or is this my punishment for my recommendation faux pas this week? 😏
Either way, I'm glad something I wrote got you to write something.
Welcome back.
Retribution, no, not at all. It was just not such a direct connection that it was worth calling out: I read your story and then a couple others and kind of went, “Wow, I liked those.” But I wanted you to know that you helped.
Glad you're back in the saddle.
Partly! I’m about to get seriously busy in the pumpkin patch for the month of October ...
Your photography, as always, is lovely. Ground fog + autumn always a winning combination.
This past summer was exceptional at sucking the writing lifeblood out of many of us. The farm looks fun; if not a creative muse, good for the soul.
Love these photos of the fog. Absolutely gorgeous. For a few years in my early twenties, I lived in the Sunset District of San Francisco, a neighborhood continually covered with fog. I worked in Marin County, which boasted warm weather all summer. As I'd pass through the tunnel and over the Golden Gate Bridge on my way home from work each day, I'd leave the warmth of a beautiful summer day and need my windshield wipers by the end of the bridge. I grew to hate the fog and moved down the peninsula at my first opportunity. Many years later, I live in the foothills of California and have a love affair with the fog dancing along the riverbanks as I drive through our canyon. It's interesting how different the fog feels to me in nature as opposed to the city streets. Thanks for sharing! 💜
Yeah, that San Francisco fog is really something. I used to travel there several times a year for business, and I never could figure out how to dress. But fog in the nature is pretty cool. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Such an evocative post, Tom. A great read - thank you.
Lovely shots. You're absolutely right, the fog here in the NW is gorgeous. And, totally get your dust metaphor -- I'm starting to emerge from a bit of a break as well. They always seem a bit different from one another, but every time they creep up the prevailing feeling I get is that of an engine overheating. Just backing off has helped, trying to wriggle away from the self-imposed pressure to "produce!" and to "grow!" and instead let everything cool. Easier said than done sometimes, but being able to acknowledge the feeling, and that it isn't a permanent state has been critical.
Beautiful photos of the fog. I live in the fog belt in California’s Central Valley and it’s fog season. Other than driving in it, which can be dangerous I love it’s mystery.
Ha ha, what a surprise that a magician would like something that wrapped the regular world in mystery! :) I like that about fog too.
Indeed, fog is magical, Especially where you live in Washington with those beautiful mountains.