1. Morning walks. I love fall in Colorado, so much. It’s a bit different this year because we’ve had and continue to have so much rain (“so much” in Colorado terms). I’d usually be walking only by the river and the ponds this time of year, but when it rains, those trails are too muddy. The weather has also changed how things look — grass is still green, some of the trees aren’t turning color yet and some won’t this year at all, so it isn’t golden the way it normally would be. I miss that. 

2. Another trip to Oregon. Although I could live without the “why” of this trip, I am grateful that I can go. My dad is still there, although that could change before I arrive. My mom is supposed to get to go back home in a few days, so she’ll be there and is looking forward to seeing me. And I’ll get to see my brother, thank him in person for everything he’s been doing in the weeks between my last trip and this one, be able to give him a bit of a break. I’ll also get to be there for my niece Annie’s birthday and my mom & dad’s 59th wedding anniversary. And, I’ll get back to Colorado in time for Eric & I’s 30th wedding anniversary. 

3. Practice. I’m feeling the pull to sink even deeper into contemplation, study, and practice. It nourishes me, supports me, strengthens me, saves me. I wouldn’t still be here without it.

4. The chance to begin again, to start over. No matter how far you wander off, no matter how deep in the weeds you get, you can always start again, redirect, recalibrate. Getting lost, plans not working out, things being different or more difficult than you expected, or even simply changing your mind are not signs of failure or reasons to despair or give up. When you notice you’ve drifted off, just come back, start over as many times as necessary.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I’m taking Ringo in this week to get a mystery lump checked by his vet. We could use all your good thoughts around that, because if something bad is happening to Ringo on top of everything else, I may lose my sh*t. You know how “they say” that when things go down in your life, you find out who your true friends are? That’s so true, and related to that, I picked the best partner for myself in Eric. He’s always so good to me, has been so supportive.

Bonus joy: aqua aerobics, sitting in the sauna, the hydromassage chair, training with Shelby and the gang, dark chocolate covered walnuts, chocolate zucchini bread, scrambled eggs, watching Iron Chef and Snapped with Eric, making each other laugh, letters and texts from Chloe’, memes from Carrie and how riled up she gets on my behalf, texting with Shellie and Chris and Mom, malas, peanut butter, all the pillows, down blankets, wool socks, honeybees, barbeque, practicing with my writing sangha, good doctors, good neighbors, other people’s dogs, the quiet of the graveyard, gummies, writing in the morning with my HappyLight and a mug of green tea, seeing Lindsey, maple trees, seeds, listening to music and podcasts, reconnecting with good friends, getting books from the library, Maria Bamford’s book, community, naps, art, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.