Closeup photo of a quilt block, with fabrics in green, pink, grey, and other colors.

Welcome to another week of summer. I hope you are keeping cool. We’re getting into a deep green vibe for this issue, but first:

Margee and Arelia, would you please reply to this email?

You two are the winners of free potholders! I reached out to you both individually but I haven’t heard back yet.
The spam goblins could be working their mischief.

Photo of a green plant with yellow flowers growing out of a crack between concrete pavement and a brick wall.

Up through the cracks
Up through the broken glass
In the hot red light of a black and white
Roses grow
Roses grow
– Concrete Blonde, Roses Grow (from the album Bloodletting, 1990)

Viriditas

I think of this word every time I see a plant growing out of a crack in pavement. But I only learned its origin a few days ago.

Viriditas is a Hildegard von Bingen word. If you’re not familiar with Hildegard, here’s a short introduction. If you’re interested in starting a HvB fan club, let me know.

Closeup photo of a piece of cotton fabric, dyed light green, printed with wax resist in a pattern of overlapping circles, then overdyed with dark green.

Loosely, “viriditas” translates as “greening power.” I think of this when I pass a so-called “vacant lot” that’s being reclaimed by grasses, shrubs, and trees. (They’re probably full of invasive species, but I still love the wildness of earth that’s been left alone.)

Photo of a patchwork quilt with fabrics in green, blue, white, and other colors.

I'm reorganizing my online store.

20 pieces are now categorized as "Last Chance."

Fallow Fields (above) is one of the quilts in my Last Chance Sale. If you’ve had your eye on any of these quilts or paintings, act now, because I’m removing them from my inventory on August 16.

Elevate your space. Invest in joy.

Sarah Atlee is now accepting commissions for custom-made quilts! Click here to learn more.

Slow Medicine

Physician and author Dr. Victoria Sweet took a deeper dive into the meaning of viriditas in this TedX talk: The Efficiency of Inefficiency.

tl;dw: It’s a fascinating discussion of medicine, compassion, and slow time in the healing business which, as Dr. Sweet demonstrates through data, is increasingly encumbered by bureaucracy. This video found me at just the right time, after my Mom was in the hospital with a broken hip (she’s recovering very well). Great food for thought.

"Put inefficiency, that is, unassigned free time, back into health care. Because it’s that free time that gives us the space to be personal. To follow our calling. And that is the most efficient health care of all."

Photo of several tropical plants and ferns growing in an indoor garden.

Foliage Friday

I’m starting a new thing on social media called #FoliageFriday. Every Friday, I’ll be posting photos of something green and growing. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook if you’ve got the notion.

A GIF For Those Who Read This Far

Animated image of a llama-shaped Chia Pet made from Lego. — source: Reddit

Remember to bloom where you're planted.

xoxo Sarah

The Fold: Viriditas