Hello, my friends,
As I was vacuuming the house today, I was consciously grateful for the privilege of owning a home and being able to clean it. Tidying the bookshelves, doing the laundry, cooking dinner... these are luxuries.
I am sending this message to everyone on my list so that we may collectively share our concern and compassion for friends, family, subscribers and strangers affected by the devastating and ongoing fires in California. My brother lives just north of the Palisades fire, and I hope the fire can be contained and that it doesn't jump the freeway into his neighbourhood.
There will likely be some UPPERCASE readers who are directly affected by these fires. Our hearts go out to you. I will send an UPPERCASE Sampler to subscribers who have lost their homes, studios or libraries. Some readers are very near to these disasters, still in their homes, but the mental and emotional toll is considerable for them, too.
I remember the stress of the 2013 flood here in Calgary that displaced us from our home for a while. The messy work of cleanup and the uncertainty of what was next. But it was also a time when my community came together and really showed kindness and support for one another.
These fires aren't out yet. There will be more disasters of flood, drought, fire and temperature. Whether they happen on the other side of the globe or in our own backyards, we are all experiencing the reality of climate change. Let's be kind and supportive of one another.
When there's so much out of my control—politics, climate, pandemic—I tend to want to tidy, sort and clean. I start small in my home, making it a safe and comforting space. Then, I look outward.
What else can I change?
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The rest of my message is about the Surface Pattern Design Guide. If you'd like to receive more surface design news, sign up for The Pattern Journal by updating your newsletter preferences in the footer of this message.
