Monthly Inspiration / May, June, July & August
Inspiration • August 23, 2025 • Written by Ashley Vemwell & Zachary Vemwell
Since we last caught up in April, we have had a summer of reading, writing, and more reading. And of course, accruing many hours on local nature trails here along the coast.
May through August unfolded rather quickly, and the year itself seems to be speeding along with haste. Yet, these long days filled with light and the abundant warmth of the sun on our skin have felt never-ending (we yearn for winter). Nonetheless, we indulged in a quiet summer accompanied by tabbed pages, penciled notes, and the slow, steady satisfaction of returning to the same paragraph, or page, or book until it finally reveals itself.
Below you’ll find an exceptional quote from Martha Graham, a book by Robin Wall Kimmerer that reads like a long-form essay, and a small selection of summer reads that caught and held our attention. Consider this a four-month sweep of what kept us curious and connected, containing ideas that widen our sense of human life and words that nudge us toward a more generous way of living.
A QUOTE
Photo by George Leavens
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
Martha Graham
This quote by Martha Graham evokes a mix of comfort and unease about what it means to live and breathe freely. It isn’t reserved for the artist but instead explains the art of living. It asks us to be stewards of ourselves as we move through the world—our bodies and minds conduits for our energy, with free will as the director. The aim is to let it all be as it unfolds, to remain present, honest, and open, and not to let doubt, self-consciousness, fear, or judgment hinder our expression of being.
To understand that there is no finish line, no means to an end, and we will not always feel our best. The path rises and falls, and we encounter detours and obstacles. The point is to meet each moment as we are. In that way, we find a kind of satisfaction within dissatisfaction. The queer and the divine.
This is where uniqueness is found, nurtured, and allowed to bloom, channeled from the place within us that lives without restraint. We are not to be perfect or polished, but to be clear in our being.
A BOOK
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Robin has a way of weaving story, history, and culture into prose that’s elegantly down-to-earth. When she speaks, you feel as if you’re sitting in her garden, listening to wisdom handed down through generations, with an undertone of unconditional love and acceptance, even in the most serious conversations.
Gushing aside, The Serviceberry is a gentle and stimulating examination of what we call value. As the subtitle suggests, it explores reciprocity and abundance—togetherness, giving and receiving, finding balance—through the lens of the natural world and how we might reintegrate what we’ve lost in our lives and communities.
It gives thoughtful answers to ideas and questions like:
What does a gift-centered economy look like in ordinary, daily choices?
What does reciprocity with land, plants, animals, and neighbors actually require of us?
How do we foster a sense of abundance in a culture that insists on scarcity?
What responsibilities come with receiving, and how do we give back?
How might we measure a “good exchange” by mutual thriving rather than profit?
And much more.
A SELECTION OF MORE BOOKS
Nordic Folklore & Mythology
(1)
Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark
by Ulla Thynell (Illustrator), Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Parker Fillmore & Jón Árnason
Nordic Tales is a warm doorway into Nordic folklore, including trolls, adventure, and moonlit forests, and told in modern retellings. Ulla Thynell’s illustrations add a soft, dreamy glow that breathes life into each story.
(2)
The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen and Moe
by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe, Neil Gaiman (Foreword) & Tiina Nunnally (Translator)
The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen and Moe and the previous book, Nordic Tales, share the same stories with slightly different retellings. This book is incredibly thorough and is cleanly translated. These stories are earthy, witty, and sometimes shocking. Tiina Nunnally has preserved them with great care.
(3)
Norse Mythology
by Neil Gailman
This book reads like campfire storytelling. The Norse mythology we know and love is presented in a lively, modern, and accessible way without losing its original spark. A delightful introduction or revisit.
High Fantasy
(1)
The Bloodsworn Saga (series)
by John Gwynne
A Norse and Viking-inspired epic filled with magic, battle, politics, honor, and betrayal. Big-hearted characters and found-family carry this trilogy from start to finish with constant momentum.
(2)
A Song of Ice and Fire (series)
by George R.R. Martin
It’s a crowd favorite for a reason. Inspired by medieval Europe with surreal twists—court politics, oaths, and old magic grind against human ambition. Each character is deeply flawed, and no one is spared by reality.
