26 Comments
User's avatar
Jill Swenson's avatar

That lovely little cup of violets in the photo caught my eye begging me to sprint into a memory of making violet jelly the first time only to discover it turns out pink.....as pink as Dippity-Do hair-goo.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

I know, isn't that wild? I found that out when I made my flower essences. You also need a LOT of violets to get their taste, it's so subtle. But really wonderful when you can capture it.

Expand full comment
Jill Swenson's avatar

Yes, it mostly tastes sweet unless you have it on an unsalted saltine cracker or something equally bland. Haven't found a nice patch of violets since I left the Finger Lakes a decade ago; been a while but I'll never forget my astonishment at how pink the jelly was.

Expand full comment
Mary Lou Buschi's avatar

Beautiful! Your dad is right on pace with all of us trying to not only survive but subvert the evil around us. I was talking with a writer friend who couldn't stop watching the news the first time around. This time is baking. She is finding sweetness and love by sharing what she makes.

Your mom is looking at you with such love in her eyes in that photo. What w wonderful moment to have captured.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Thank Mary Lou! Yes, it's almost like you can't stop insanity by becoming it. Today I did read the news, though. A lot. of. heartbreak.

I know, isn't that a sweet picture? It wasn't the one I was going to share, but somehow that picture disappeared and then I found this one. She was so beautiful. PS, that was my favorite purple Danskin top.

Expand full comment
Susan J Tweit's avatar

Gorgeous. And thank you for writing those spirits, as well as brewing love. You are a light in these times.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Thank you, Susan. You, too!

Expand full comment
Mike Matejka's avatar

very sweet & well said -- we can't let the orange, brooding cloud destroy our spirits. Our loving (and laughing) spirits are our hope for transcendence. Protest, write letters, sing songs, but most of all, practice and be the spirit you hope for....

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Yes! Thank you, Mike.

Expand full comment
Rosemary Writes & Recovers 🌹's avatar

I love this idea and practice of “brewing love.”

I love that your father is experiencing the love he felt from your mother all over again.

And yes! What a good trade: swapping news for love 💕

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Thanks so much, Rosemary!

Expand full comment
Peggy Clement's avatar

I am crying right now. So many emotions coming to mind. My paternal grandfather, my maternal grandmother and my father-in-law had Altzheimer's. It is so hard to watch a loved one suffer but writing down the good moments, like the one you described with your father, will help to bring you comfort as well as bringing peace to those of us who luckily found your Substack. Thanks for reminding us how to brew love.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Hi, Peggy! I'm so sorry I didn't respond sooner, I just saw this. Thank you so much for this heartfelt comment, which hit me straight in the chest. My grandmother also had Alzheimer's so I know what you mean. Another thing that brings me comfort, besides writing about this journey, is hearing from people who have been through it too, and knowing that you feel it too. I appreciate this comment so much. Thank you for reading, receiving, and writing me back.

Expand full comment
Tim Holloway's avatar

Yes, let’s keep brewing love! It’s the only thing to balance judgement and hate and it requires no financial exchange. When I give or "spend" my love, it just makes room for more love to be deposited in my love bank and there is an endless supply to draw from. I believe love is where we come from. In a recent doula training I attended, the instructor’s spoke of the concept of W.A.I.T. when deciding whether to speak or not. It stands for Why Am I Talking. This was great to hear as sometimes for me it might be better to wait a minute before filling the silence with my voice. I’ve been trying to tap into the profundity of silence.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Yes, yes, yes to all of this here! I've been trying to wait a second before talking, too! Silence is such a rich place, and yet I'm so quick to try to fill it right up--often with nonsense. Thanks so much for writing this--I always like getting updates about what you're learning in your studies. And I love what you wrote about love requiring no financial exchange.

Expand full comment
Emily's avatar

Dad is such a nut! Thanks for reminding me again and again. Love this post as always

Expand full comment
Priya Iyer's avatar

This is so full of love, Rebecca. 💕

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Thank you, Priya!

Expand full comment
Jess Smiley's avatar

I will happily sprint with you!!! I just upgraded my subscription 🐦‍🔥 and thank you! 🙏

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

AWESOME! So excited to have you!

Expand full comment
from curiosity and wonder's avatar

Anger in moderation has the mission of leading human beings to love; we can call it the teacher of love. Rudolf Steiner. with love, Gill

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

100%! And jealousy, and despair, etc. All emotions are teachers--I love this about them.

Expand full comment
Lisa Kornick's avatar

I would love to do your workshop! Thank you for the concept of brewing love in such scary times. I so appreciate you and your writing

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

Thank you Lisa. Putting you on the list and excited to have you!

Expand full comment
Steph Auteri's avatar

Lord knows if I'll even be available, but in the event that I am... for sure include me on your mailing list for writing sprint stuff!

Expand full comment
Rebecca Barry's avatar

It would be SO AWESOME to have you. Even if you can’t come, I’ll have a replay available. Putting you on the list. Hope you can make it, truly!

Expand full comment