1. Morning walks. It’s so nice during the summer to walk with both Eric and Ringo whenever I walk. This morning’s walk was extra special because my friend from graduate school who now lives in Wisconsin was in town and met Ringo and I to walk with us. Added bonus when a friend is the sort that even when you rarely see them in person, when you do, it’s comfortable, without effort, and enjoyable. We did get a cute selfie but I keep forgetting to ask her to send it to me. (Update: she sent me the picture, so I’m adding it here). It’s important to take pictures with your friends — trust me, if you ever lose them, you’ll be so happy you did.
2. Fruits and vegetables. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches, grapes, watermelon, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, corn on the cob. etc.
3. Massage. I got a professional one yesterday from Dana, my masseuse for the past TEN years, and I get (and give) an amateur one every night from Eric while we watch TV. I absolutely hold a lot of tension in my body so it is essential.
4. Rain. We had some wild storms here this past week, and even though that extreme weather can cause a lot of damage, in a state that’s almost constantly in a drought and getting hotter by the year, the moisture is appreciated.
The picture Eric took of Ringo The picture I took of Eric, taking the picture of Ringo
5. My tiny family, tiny house, tiny life. So much love.
Bonus joy: good TV, excellent books, listening to podcasts, seeing friends, texting with Chloe’ and Mom and Chris, a warm shower, the pool, ten minutes in the hydromassage chair, fifteen minutes in the sauna, another peach pie in the works, being able to “take the rest of the day off” when I’m tired, clean sheets, things I’ve been dreading being easier and quicker than expected, other people’s dogs, cinnamon swirl bread (which will never not remind me of my grandma), pay day, grocery shopping, leftovers, good neighbors (including the ones who have moved away), turning the radio loud when a good song comes on and driving with the windows rolled down, yellow, wildflowers.
1. Woman known online as the Black Forager on finding wild edible plants for meals on CBS Mornings. (video) “Alexis Nikole Nelson, also referred to as the Black Forager, is known for finding wild edible plants in both urban areas and the woods. She then teaches people how to cook and enjoy the ingredients on social media.”
2. John Roedel: “Poet. Writer. Comic. Storyteller. Terrible Dancer.” I just discovered his work on Facebook and am in love.
12. Is Pilates as Good as Everyone Says?on The New York Times. “The strength and flexibility workout is having a moment. What can — and can’t — it do for us?” I ADORE Pilates equipment workouts, (it helped me heal chronic back pain I’d lived with for 25+ years and thought would never go away). I wish it was more affordable.
15. We need to talk about “random acts of kindness” TikTok. “There’s an entire niche of mostly white men who perform, film, and post ‘random acts of kindness’ that are performative at best and emotionally damaging at worst. It reeks of white savior complex, and it’s time we talk about it.”
19. The art of Yuko Kurihara. “Yuko Kurihara’s paintings capture familiar motifs such as cakes, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and sea creatures with a unique sensitivity. Her faithful depictions of these motifs are captivating to viewers with both the vibrant color schemes and the serenity of a Japanese painting,” (from this short interview with the artist from Kaigado Gallery, who hosted her first solo exhibition).
28. A Shift in American Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement. “However they arrive at estrangement, parents and adult children seem to be looking at the past and present through very different eyes. Estranged parents often tell me that their adult child is rewriting the history of their childhood, accusing them of things they didn’t do, and/or failing to acknowledge the ways in which the parent demonstrated their love and commitment. Adult children frequently say the parent is gaslighting them by not acknowledging the harm they caused or are still causing, failing to respect their boundaries, and/or being unwilling to accept the adult child’s requirements for a healthy relationship.”
Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray) 