During the last pandemic, my Wednesday evenings became a sacred space for about 90 minutes when I talked to my father by phone. From the calm cocoon of our DC condo, I would close the door gently against the pleasing drone of my wife’s Duolingo, and get Dad on the line in Arizona. First updates and the weekly grocery order, then as much time as we could writing down family stories together.
I grew attached to that Wednesday writing ritual, and the refuge of my father’s attention against the difficult circumstances we were all facing in those days. To be of any use at all to him — widowed and socially isolated — kept me afloat from so far away. The separations we all experienced during that time were painful. That weekly phone call was a place to reminisce, laugh a little, practice our writing, and stock up on chocolate pudding for the week ahead.
Later, I moved back to Arizona and became Dad’s primary caregiver. Wednesdays still made sense as our writing days, and his massive postcard collection became endless inspiration. The Posted Past was first invented to keep us fascinated as the days went by. The weekly pace and soft deadline provided helpful discipline. It was a trusted escape for me and mind-jerky for him to chew on at 88, then 89, then 90.
I hosted the first Completing & Creating circle in late 2023. A few of us in a similar online, weekly format: short intervals of focused discussion, followed by quiet parallel play, and a chat back. I’ve attended a number of in-person salons and studio talks over the years. I wanted to create that cozy, connected vibe online.
Fast-forward to tomorrow, my own creative calendar is starting anew. I find myself at interesting intersections of social history and family lore, with a passion for epistolary writing. The year ahead means going down research rabbit holes, getting glassy-eyed looking at old images, and plotting points in storylines from the past. That’s what I’ll be doing with my quiet time in the Wednesday circle, putting my own puzzle pieces together side-by-side with you.
For tomorrow, our prompt is: where are you coming from, and where are you going to? Put this set of questions where they fit for you tomorrow. Coming from lunch and going to your next meeting — I hear that. Maybe this online circle in the middle of the week is enough space for a simple relaxing craft — a nice place between meetings to crochet and chat with others.
The fee is modest and flexible because that’s nice, too. Try month-to-month for $5 or commit to the whole year for $50. I’ll be here weekly. If you love regular creative discipline, great. You can also drop-in anytime. I do not mind!
I will send the meeting link and instructions privately to the circle every week. To join anytime, hit the button below.
