1. Morning walks. Even though there are mosquitoes, I wanted to see how swollen the river was with snow melt and all the rain we’ve had, so we walked down to the edge but turned right around after I took a few pictures. It’s nice to get to walk with Eric in the morning, and still sort of weird to only have one dog between the two of us. Ringo, on the other hand (paw) LOVES the fact that he has two humans who both carry treats and he’s the only one who gets (or wants) to eat them.

2. Making art. It is a particular kind of magic and medicine to sit down at my desk and let myself make something just for the pleasure of making, added bonus if I’m hanging out with a friend on Zoom at the same time.

3. Books. I’m in a phase where every book I read is so good, exactly the book I wanted and needed at the exact right moment.

4. Practice (and peonies). I’ve really been leaning in as I move through some difficult things and as I step back into the role of “teacher,” holding space for other people also moving through hard stuff.

5. My tiny family, tiny home and garden, tiny life. I’m not a fan of summer temperatures or bugs. I am, however, a HUGE fan of the garden and Eric being home more often. Lounging in the backyard or napping or cooking or taking a walk, all three of us together is the best.

Bonus joy:  crossing things off my list, completing asks and tasks without having to talk to an actual human, training with Shelby and the gang, weeding (yes, I have absolutely lost my mind), clean laundry, clean sheets, wild-ish writing with my tiny writing group, setting a schedule to teach yoga at Red Sage and getting back on the sub list at Om Ananda, pictures and video of dogs who are no longer here in a dog body, scissors, tape, glue stick, green, clean water and air, good neighbors, texting with Chloe’ and Barb and Chris and Mom, that someone filmed Rita’s memorial service so I could “be there” even though I couldn’t be there, strawberries, cucumbers, stickers, paint, down pillows and blankets, our whole house fan, lawn chairs, the kitty Ringo didn’t see who followed us down the block while we were walking this morning, comedy, listening to podcasts, streaming content, true crime, poetry, ice cream, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.