Excerpts from Wonderworld

A portal to the wonders that give my life meaning

February 9, 2023

Dear Reader,

Welcome to my very first blog post on Substack!

Wonderworld with Ruby

“Everyone is totally winging it, all of the time.” —Oliver Burkeman

Well here I am, winging it.

I’m so glad you’re here.

This is a beginning.

It hasn’t seemed right until now. I’ve had such resistance to the soul-bearing work of blogging. And hiding myself away has been so much more comfortable!

But the new year has brought me a sense of clarity. And I’m ready to send my writing out to you.

Excerpts from Wonderworld is an invitation, a knock at the door of your attention and a beckoning…come with me and notice the wonders that captivate me.

In each missive, I’ll include images and videos of wonders in my world. With them, I’ll tell my story of being absolutely taken by their magnificence. Perhaps you’ll find the wonder in them, too.

My wish is that your mind and spirit would light up with fresh perspective in reading this Substack.

As we become acquainted and you walk a while with me here, I hope you will become inspired to notice the wonders in YOUR world in profound ways. And, that you feel a bit more enlivened and hopeful.

In this portal, I will be introducing you to people who inspire me, too. I’d like Excerpts from Wonderworld to help you feel connected to others, and on the days you feel alone, not so lonely. I want to remind you that you matter, and the world needs you regardless of how inconsequential you feel.

Excerpts from Wonderworld is a place to find silver linings on shitty days.

You may sometimes read candid confessions here. I may share honestly about times when I’ve crawled through dark tunnels before finding even a suggestion of light. We don’t talk much about our fears and dark nights of panic, do we? But we all have them. It helps to be real with each other about these things! It’s a normal human experience, and we become more authentic when we share honestly with one another.

I’ll share a bit of biographical information, too. In learning my history, you’ll understand the role writing plays in keeping this Jack of all Arts rooted. You see, I’m passionately interested in so many things, which is a joyful way to live, but at times I feel scattered and unmoored. Writing regularly gives me clarity and grounds me.

I hope that here in Excerpts from Wonderworld I can distill my experiences into some bits of gold. Bits of magical gold that can scatter hope and light into the dark skies of our minds.

It’s time for Wonderworld.

It’s time for me to find my community of readers, “my people.” And though I’m shaking a bit, here I am winging it in hopes that others might push open that door and come along with me.

And now for Today’s Wonders!

This is my elixir, my tonic, my escape and my restoration: the forest. The snowfall transforms it into Narnia, and truly, it transports you to another world.

It’s impossible for me to walk on wooded trails and not be refreshed. When I am stressing out and in a panic, I head for the woods. I walk and walk until the restorative chemicals, emitted from the trees and circulating all around me, work their magic and calm me. I have to remind myself to breathe deeply there. To stop. To listen.

On this particularly wintery day, the falling snow canceled the noise of the rushing world and the busy thoughts in my head. The snowflakes’ whispering hush calmed me. I was able to feel connected again, quiet in my heart, as if all was well.

I wish I could transport you there, but this is as close as I can get. Here are two mini clips of an unforgettable walk in the woods.

https://youtube.com/shorts/SaQEsyh8FtA?feature=share

Wondrous Writers

In each episode, I will introduce you to a fellow wordsmith.

I’ll begin with Ireland’s beloved Louise Coghlan. We met last year and became fast friends through the London Writer’s Salon where she was writing the story of her 107 year-old Granny Nancy’s life. Louise is magical. She brings laughter, love and warmth to our often brittle world. Her Facebook page (with 21k followers,) Living and Laughing with Lou, is a total mood-lifter. The world seems to be hungry for what Lou brings to it.

Here is her Substack page:

Living and Laughing with Lou

London Writer’s Salon members had the privilege recently of hearing author and journalist Oliver Burkeman speak

. His words reassured me I’m not the only one flying by the seat of my pants in life!

To read his article on the subject, click here: Everyone is Totally Winging It. Oliver Burkeman

Wondrous Music

In every episode of Excerpts from Wonderworld, I will share music.

My life would feel so empty without music. Along with magnificent trees and forested trails, it is music that unlocks my soul, melting the icy shell that stress so often forms around me.

The piece of music that most profoundly stirs me is from the score of the film, The Mission. I cannot hear it without my heart swelling and my eyes warming with tears. It is written by the incomparable Italian composer, Ennio Morricone and I want to share it with you. I hope you will savor it. It is a masterpiece.

Click to listen: Gabriel's Oboe, composed and conducted by Ennio Morricone

Well, on that note, I’ll close my first post of Excerpts from Wonderworld. Thank you for taking time to read my Substack today.

Feel free to comment below and to share my new Substack with your people. And keep your eyes open for a new post on Friday mornings.

I wish you fresh joy and eyes see that wonderworld is around you. Don’t miss it!

With lots of love,

Linda

P.S. Speaking of love, there will be a bit of humor in every post.

Starting with, “Will, I’m secretly in love with you.” 😂😘