Lonely Goose

To paraphrase Veruca Salt, “Gooses – Geeses – I feel like a frozen, lonely goose this mid-winter!”

This is the cover that I illustrated for the Winter Issue of Woolgathering, in which I wrote about the practice of Wintering that author Katherine May wrote about in her brilliant and insightful book of the same name. 

When we Winter – we are alone in our process of pulling away as we work through or just experience whatever it is that has befallen our lives. We become solitary geese against our natural, social state. 

I’m feeling a lot like a solitary goose these days – partly because of this pandemic which still makes it difficult to gather safely indoors. Especially with the last omicron spike that brought on so many canceled plans – I crave a warm patio on which to gather with friends – to feast – to  laugh together. 

But, I have to remind myself that there is value in being the lonely goose who walks in a snowstorm instead of flying with friends. She is figuring it out by being alone with herself – her thoughts and emotions. She finds gratitude in the beauty that is all around her, and she trusts that Spring is coming. There will be plenty of sunny, warm days of swimming on ponds, resting on the grassy banks, and viciously protecting fuzzy babies from intruders. 

I’m sending warm wishes to all of you if you are also feeling like a lonely, frozen goose, and I also send warm wishes to those of you who are sweetly nestled among your flocks. XXOO 

If you are interested in obtaining a free sample of the latest issue of Woolgathering, please visit HERE!

[image description: an illustration of a Canada goose strutting through a snowstorm. The color scheme is blue, black, and white. The words “Woolgathering Winter 2021” are written at the top of the image]