Mabh Savage
Words and the world passing by; how it sings to me; how I clamour back.
Heit – Resolution
I began learning Icelandic in 2022 and today I learned that the word for resolution is “heit”, which I thought was “hot” so maybe one of my resolutions should be to step up my language practice…
Resolutions. Things we promise to ourselves. Commitments. Intentions. As someone with ADHD and a tendency towards pathological demand avoidance, resolutions can be anathema, as the moment I feel I “have” to do something, I kind of shut down and will do literally anything else instead.
Languages, for example. I learn several at a time, because when I can’t do Spanish, I can do Greek or Icelandic instead. I procrastinate over one by working on another. For some reason, this appeases the stubborn part of my brain that is all about anti-compliance.
So, how do I set New Year’s Resolutions? Instead of picking out a couple of things I want to do, I make a sort of bucket list of things I’d like to achieve. This makes it more achievable – even though technically, it’s more work.
In 2023, my list includes:
Make more music
Publish some poetry
Finish writing at least 2 books
Stay on top of my admin
Be kinder to myself and others
Grow something
Right now, these are fairly nebulous goals (apart from the book finishing – that’s fairly cut and dried!). I like it like that. The vaguer they are, the more accomplished I’ll feel when I can record that I’ve completed one of them to a standard I’m happy with. I’m also more likely to work towards them – which means I’ll achieve something, even if it’s not as much as I initially hoped I would.
I want more magic and music in 2023. I’ve started by releasing three songs from my old band, Mexican Deathcap. These are available right now on Spotify. Look out for at least 5 more releases in 2023, including some folk tracks and a couple of originals.
Magically, I want to create a better space for practice, as currently I grab whatever space is free in between everyone else’s commitments. This means I let things slide when what I want is a more consistent, meaningful practice. I’m going to create an outdoor area for when the weather is suitable, and figure something out for when it’s too wet/cold/windy!
Finally, I need to focus on keeping myself healthier: more sleep, better eating, more gentle exercise. There don’t need to be massive changes, just consistent care. I pledged to a Goddess that I would do this, and need to follow through for Her and for myself.
And, of course, I’ll be learning more Icelandic ahead of one of my lads travelling there later this year!
What’s in store for you in 2023?
Lessons from NaNoWriMo
I rather ambitiously decided to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. I’ve never done it before. It’s now the end of November and I am nowhere near the 50,000 word target. I guess I’m disappointed, but I definitely have learned a few things. Here goes:
- I cannot take on another book to write while I am in the process of finishing two books on birds and parenting, working as a full-time writer (for goodness’ sake), being a parent, and struggling with health issues – that’s the ADHD talking.
- I can, however, write a decent amount in a month regardless of these challenges. I wrote over 16,000 words of a new novel aimed at kids/young adults, I know exactly where it’s going to go, and have the whole thing plotted out. That’s definitely a win.
- I love the novelty of new writing apps – again, that’s an ADHD thing. I’m currently using a free trial of First Draft Pro and loving it. I’m going to have another go with Scrivener soon, too.
- Making buddies and joining groups is only useful if you actually interact with the people in them. Or, you know, even look at the posts or anything.
- I’m better at dialogue than I thought.
- Fiction is hard – unlike reality, it has to make sense. (Paraphrasing Tom Clancy there!)
- But it’s fun.
- Plan for problems – a sudden virus knocked the whole household out, I had two kids at home alternating weeks, then got sick myself. Over half the month basically unable to write.
- A little every day is more achievable for me than great, long stints. This is the exact opposite of how I write non-fiction, which is in a hyper-focused, teeth-gritted, grim faced, time-exempt bubble of don’t talk to me.
- I will complete this novel. I’m not sure yet whether I’ll submit it for traditional publishing or self publish, but it will exist in a complete format at some point!
That’s a win as far as I’m concerned. Okay, not technically a NaNoWriMo win, but I’m taking it!
Happy Wolfenoot all!
Happy Wolfenoot! A newish lovely holiday celebrating canines, pack, and kindness.
More info here: https://www.wolfenoot.com
Image by Thomas Bonometti via Unsplash.
Plastic Free July – Planet Friendly Candles!
Did you know it’s Plastic Free July? Excess plastic that gets wasted is destroying our oceans and other habitats, and even ending up in our food and water – gross, right?
You can do your part by cutting down on single-use plastic items or even refilling a water bottle rather than buying plastic ones. We’ve started using a plastic free grocer plus we engage with a food waste initiative – more to come on that in future blogs. I also try and make sure any consumables I buy are as plastic-free as possible, including my packs of candles and other fragrance items.
You might not know this, but I’m a PartyLite affiliate and one of the reasons is that I love candles and these are the best I’ve found, environmentally speaking (other than making your own!). PartyLite’s 3-wick candles all come in durable, reusable glass jars – they even come with loose fitting lids so they’re ideal for storage or regifting. A popular gift is a clean 3-wick jar filled with tealights! Plus, because the wax is so high-quality and long lasting with a clean, even burn, you don’t need to replace your candles as often which reduces your carbon footprint. The packaging is low-ink, plain brown card, and completely recyclable. I genuinely recommend them to anyone wanting a higher quality candle that helps cut down on plastic waste.
More info on Plastic Free July here: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org
You can see the full PartyLite range at www.partylite.co.uk/mabhsavage and if you make a purchase, I get a commission as an affiliate.
Want more ways to be kinder to Planet Earth? Grab my latest book, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Just £4.99 on Kindle right now!
Leeds Goes Purple
Litter Free Leeds is hoping to turn the city purple this weekend – with purple bags filled with litter, all picked up by volunteers wanting to make a difference in their community.
I wanted to join in so I got in touch with my local group, and a kind person dropped some bags off with me today and I hope to get out tomorrow to make a dent in the litter surrounding our local area.
Litter is detrimental, not just because it looks disgusting, but it spreads bacteria and other microorganisms, and is extremely harmful to wildlife and wildlife habitats.
If you want to join in, visit www.litterfreeleeds.co.uk or join the Facebook Group. I joined and was quickly put in touch with the group in my local area to find out how to get started.
Together communities can look after each other and help make the place look great and be safer again!
Platinum Crumbs
I shower then dry off
My armpits carefully
Soaking up each drop of moisture
With a scratchy towel
Ready for more moisture
Drying and soothing
Only to be rolled over
With wet, smelly goo,
Designed to keep my
Sweat at bay
Roll over my skin and
Keep my offensive nature
At bay.
While in the Houses and Palaces
They dry our tears with flags
And jewels
And fires
And prizes
And patriotism
Ready to roll over us
With crushing
Austerity
Prejudice
Rights for one
But not for that one
Division
Cutting us like a trifle
Like a platinum pudding
Where the Houses get a bowlful
And we get the crumbs.
I clutch my towel
Dab at the tears in my eyes
Grit my teeth
And carry on.
Birds at Bealtaine
Bealtaine 2022
As is traditional, we started our Bealtaine celebrations last night. Bealtaine, never Beltane, to honour the very living Irish traditions (and language!) the word comes from. Yes, I’ve called it Beltane in the past. No, I shouldn’t have done. When you know better, you do better, right?
One of the kids has a birthday shortly so we were busy sorting out a sleepover and celebrations. The house was full, and everyone was already in a celebratory mood. Us grownups made a safe spot for ourselves in the kitchen and toasted many wonderful things, celebrating our life with drink and music. We played guitar, sang, and ate.
Today, it’s been grey and damp, but the air is so fresh and the weather mild enough that I’m sat writing this in the garden in just joggers and a t-shirt. I can hear blackbirds, goldfinches, starlings, and have seen magpies and wood pigeons, and many sparrows. The dandelions have bloomed ferocious and yellow and now closed again. There is a sense that “sumer is icumen in”, perhaps not quite here but certainly just around the corner. I have more to do: sacred space to clean, candles to light, commitments to follow through on. But after a hectic night and day, it’s nice to pause and listen to the birds this Bealtaine. They know what they’re doing; oh to have that same confidence of purpose, and lightness of being.
Merry Bealtaine to all who celebrate.
Earth Day 2022
Did you know Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970? Earth Day reminds people once a year that our planet needs us to be stewards, to be custodians, to protect and care for the planet as well as we can.
My new book, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living, addresses this in terms of spirituality – making small changes to the way Pagans and other spiritual folks practice their daily faith rituals, from the ethical sourcing of tools to not trampling the countryside in search of peace. Of course, people of all faith paths (or none) can and should take action to look after our planet, and to halt the progress of climate change before it’s too late. Small daily changes you can make include:
- If you’re able, walk short distances instead of driving
- Contact your local MP on community environmental issues, such as the closure or destruction of parks and other green spaces
- Vote Green or vote for the representative that supports the most ethical and planet friendly policies – always check that whoever you vote for isn’t just greenwashing i.e. ineffective green policies or using environmental policies to distract from other, not great policies!
- Recycle whatever you can
- Reuse whatever you can – I’m not advocating filling your house with rubbish, but so many jars, bottles, pieces of fabric from clothes that can’t be donated, and even cardboard boxes can get practically “upcycled” rather than ending up in landfill
- Compost
- Feed the birds
- Grow flowers or let native plants flourish to help bees and other insects
- Follow the countryside code e.g. stay on paths in wooded areas to protect wildlife
- Switch lights off
- Turn devices off where possible
- Lobby corporations with poor environmental policies – sign petitions, send letters, or simply act with your wallet by refusing to buy from companies that act in bad faith when it comes to protecting our world
What will you do this Earth Day and beyond to help make a difference to our planet? She really needs our help!
P.S. the link to my book above is for the Amazon Kindle e-book but if you boycott Amazon you can also buy it at UK Bookshop.org, an organization that ensures independent bookstores in the UK get a fair cut.
Organizations doing great work for the environment and nature:
Please feel free to leave ideas and links to other organisations in the comments. Happy Earth Day!
That Little Laugh
No doubt you’ve seen us
The mischief makers
Followers of a chaotic
Maelstrom of love
A little smirk on our faces
A little laugh, perhaps
As we listen to words only
We can hear
Rocks and sweets and toys
In our pockets
No we don’t all have kids
But we all care for something
Maybe there’s a hint of cinnamon
A scratch of flint
A side eye across
An empty room
A hastily scribbled rune
On the back of a bus ticket
A snake tattoo
Or simply a nod
To the brightest star
You definitely know us
You’ve seen us around
We’ve seen you too
And so have They.
I Am, I Will Be Drunk
Content warning: mentions of intoxication and drinking alcohol
Charles Baudelaire,
He said be drunk
I know what he means
I do.
To be drunk on
“Wine or poetry or virtue”
Oh how I would love
To make you drunk on poetry
To feed you my words
Shot by shot
Fiery and sweet like absinthe
Green like envy
Slipping acidly down
Your gullet.
Hot like love
Like love like sweet, dark love
Wrapping around your tongue
In every language
A polyglot of emotion.
Speak to me, speak to me
Tell me are you drunk yet?
Drunk on phrasing,
Innuendo, entendres double
And beyond
A polycule of hidden meanings
Or not so hidden
A flash of cleavage
In a dusky speakeasy.
I’m going to tell you
A secret though
I’m already drunk
Drunk on your presence
Your easy love
Not easy as in
Obtainable
Available
Or even
For-saleable
But easy to be in,
To lose myself in
Freely given in return for
Worship and offerings
And words, words, words
Takk fyrir
Loki
My mead, my wine, my drunken heart
Spinning like a head after a
Significant birthday party
My salt-rimmed sweet and sour treat
Cynical and adoring
In equal measures (50 ml)
I know what he meant,
Be drunk, always be drunk
On divinity, on cosmic wonder
On you.
Mabh Savage 