Camp Haul Week 3 Activity

Welcome to the Chronic Cloud Collectors Club!

Campers, grab your pillows and look toward the windows. Today, I’m launching a new cousin to the A Friend for the Long Haul fam: The Chronic Cloud Collector’s Club. I’ll be starting it on Instagram first and maybe expand it, spoon-allowing, but it will be 100% community built!

Inspired by the spirit of the West Texas Cloud Appreciation Society - of which I am a lifetime honorary member - and the fact that I had no freaking idea what to do for this week’s activity. The WTCAS is a group that honors the sky, even if you can only see a tiny sliver from a back porch. Our new club is a dedicated space for chronically ill and disabled community members to submit photos, poems, drawings, paintings, and the like to appreciate the sky from our nests.

When your world shrinks to the size of a bedroom, a view of the sky feels like a balm on the days you can take it in.

Today’s Activity: Collect a Cloud

I’d like to invite you to practice the slow, radical art of cloudspotting. Set your timer for no more than 5 minutes (and know that you don’t have to take the full time!) Rest your head on your pillow, the arm of the couch, and look out the nearest window, or head outside and sit in your favorite chair, or lie in the grass if you can. I’d love to collect your unique view of the sky today, in whatever medium matches your spoons.

The Photographer: Snap a quick photo or a 5-10 second video of the clouds out your window (partial views, power lines, and window screens are all welcome)

The Artist: Sketch a quick, messy cloud doodle on a scrap of paper, or digitally paint the colors you see. Draw an animal around your cloud shape. Drop and blend some watercolors on paper to create your own cloudscape.

The Writer: Write a single sentence, a title for a cloud shape you saw, or a short poem. If you can somehow submit a dirty limerick or haiku, I’ll be impressed.

The Dreamer: If your blinds are closed or you’re in a dark room today, close your eyes and collect a cloud memory from your favorite past sunset. You can always share it on a day when you have more capacity. There are no deadlines at Camp Long Haul!

How to Submit

Become a founding member of the club by sharing your cloud creations!

On Insta: Post your submission to your grid or stories and tag either me at afriendforthelonghaulpodcast or at chroniccloudcollectorsclub. You can also DM it to either account if your account is private, just let me know it’s ok to share.

On Substack: Upload your art or share your poetry directly to the comments section below so your cabin mates can experience it!

Submission Form: I have set up a Google Form for submissions, too.

Spoonie Time

Please keep in mind that I’m sick too, and operating on Spoonie Time, so it may take a while for me to share submissions. Please let me know how to attribute your work! And thank you for helping our community by sharing your view.