August | 2024 | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

1. 3 wolf pups born in Colorado mountains spotted playing in puddle. (video) “Video taken by Mike Usalavage and shared Monday by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) shows three healthy wolf pups born to a male and female that were reintroduced to Colorado last year. The video, reviewed and validated by CPW wolf biologists, shows the three pups and one adult from the Copper Creek pack. CPW said in June that the pair had reproduced and confirmed at least one pup was born. On Monday, CPW spokesperson Rachael Gonzales said the agency now considers the minimum number of pups in the pack to be three, though there might be more. Wolf litters typically consist of four to six pups, CPW previously said. The pups are about 40 to 50 pounds and are seen playing in the video.”

2. Blossoming late: A new State Fair crop artist emerges in retirement. In related news, a short video about her work.

3. Lick that Stamp, Send that Letter, Share that Story. “This is a story about all of us, reminding us how much stories matter – not just the stories we write, but also the stories we tell each other every day. It’s how we process our grief and joys and challenges. It’s how we bear witness to each other.”

4. You’ll soon need a Real ID to fly in U.S. Here’s how to get one. Somehow I had missed this, so I thought maybe you had too. Another PSA, A new round of free COVID tests is coming soon. These will test for the new variants.

5. Y2K | Official Trailer HD. (video) This looks fun.

6. 9 of the Most Polarizing Science Fiction Books to Love or Hate.

7. Never take health tips from world’s oldest people, say scientists. “Scientists still trying to work out why some people live beyond 100, but agree it is best to avoid taking advice from centenarians themselves.” Apparently, living this kind of long is mostly due to genetics and luck, neither of which we can control.

8. Maxwell: Tiny Desk Concert. (video) “Have you ever been in a room where you can feel a palpable, collective swooning? Welcome to a Maxwell Tiny Desk. The crooner’s sensual falsetto and rooted baritone have seduced audiences since his debut album dropped in 1996. One of the leading voices in the resurgence of soul music during the late ’90s, Maxwell’s albums are full of tender songs recounting love, life and heartbreak that have resonated with generations of fans looking for ways to be vulnerable. Clad in soothing neutrals, Maxwell charmingly admitted his nervousness at being at the Desk, stating that “This is where real music can’t lie. You cannot lie here.” The audience was there with encouragement — singing along, screaming in pure glee and adding the party vibe when needed.”

9. The wonder and terror of a mind that doesn’t work like everyone else’s. “Sometimes my mind is a sharp knife. Sometimes it’s an empty amusement park. Sometimes it’s a compost heap of garbage where unexpected things grow… Things that may be poisonous. Things that may be magical. Things that may be both.”

10. Good stuff from Seth Godin: The missing file and The steep part of the mountain.

11. Eight of the world’s most extraordinary tiny hotel rooms.

12. They Shouldn’t Have Been Silenced from Frederick Joseph. “On the DNC and the speech we should have heard.”

13. Biden’s Gaza policy is a liability for Kamala Harris. “Harris must call for a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel this week. It’s a no-brainer. Refusing to would mean risking defeat.”

14. Progress 2025, “intended to be a hub for the big ideas—and grassroots methods—that offers a hopeful, collective vision that counters toxic individualism and authoritarianism.”

15. Bombed hospitals, buried children: we have become numb to Gaza’s destruction. “As we are saturated with horror, it gets normalized – and Israel’s assault continues unfettered. A Palestinian American poet on dehumanization.”

16. Oh Self-Help by Jamie Attenberg.

17. The worst and the best from Danny Gregory.

18. 8 Hard Lessons I Learned by Doing Too Much and Getting Sick.

19. 40 Of The Best All Time Images From The International Dog Photography Awards.

20. 2024 finalists for the Ocean Photographer of the Year.

21. Let Your Heart Break on Lion’s Roar. “Awareness will not solve the world’s problems, says Ronna Bloom, but it’s an important first step.”

22. Why Self-Love Is So Hard To Achieve from Andrea Gibson.

23. A Short Guide to Dealing with Discouragement on Zen Habits.

24. The Name of Things You Probably Didn’t Know.

25. Bike bus. (Instagram reel) “You can’t tell me there is a more joyful, physical, child focused & community oriented event that sets students up for a successful school day than the #BikeBus. Playing Crazy Train is the cherry on top.” I love this, so much.

1. Morning walks. This week we saw multiple raccoons, deer, and herons — all these and a sprinkling of fall. The rabbitbrush and asters are blooming, and leaves are starting to turn golden and fall.

2. Good books. I just finished “Fairy Tale” by Stephen King. I used to read everything he wrote, along with my dad, but there were some “lean” years where it seemed like he was trying to meet a deadline, had lost interest or run out of ideas, and the stories just weren’t the same, so I stopped — we both did. I got this one from the library, maybe because I was missing Dad so wanted to revisit something we’d always shared, and it read more like his older works, was such a fun read. And one of the main characters is a dog who doesn’t die or experience any unnecessary suffering.

I kept catching myself thinking I should get Dad a copy for Christmas, and then remembering he’s gone. Not being able to share books with either of my parents anymore makes me so sad. I will be forever grateful to both of them for teaching me to read, encouraging me to read, allowing me to read, giving me access to books and libraries, for showing me how much they loved to read — because reading and books are some of the greatest joys of my life.

3. Good food, good medicine. This week was a bit weird for my body. I broke out in hives one day and was having intense heartburn every time I ate. I’m not exactly sure what was (is?) going on, but I feel a lot better after seeing my acupuncturist on Friday, getting treatment and some tips. Yesterday and today, no heartburn! I’m also reading “The Galveston Diet: The Doctor-Developed, Patient-Proven Plan to Burn Fat and Tame Your Hormonal Symptoms.” I’m considering doing an experiment and trying it for a month or two, seeing what happens. Anything restrictive (which this one is in terms of things like sugar and any kind of bread or baked good) is so tricky for me as someone with an eating disorder, someone skeptical of any new person or program or product the wellness community is trying to sell, but also — if it could make me feel better, it seems like I could at least try it?

4. Practice. I keep showing up and it keeps meeting me where I’m at.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I’m going to stay here, with them, for as long as I’m able.

Bonus joy: clean laundry, a warm shower, clean water, down pillows and blankets, clean sheets, hugs in the kitchen, cuddling on the couch, getting down on the floor to pet Ringo, the way he stomps his foot when you stop petting and he wants more, the way he still digs up the couch and parkours around the living room at almost 11 years old, how curious he is, how soft the grass in the backyard can get, the meadowlarks feeding on the sunflowers, the single Rocky Mountain bee plant that showed up in our garden, gummies, getting to pick a new sticker for the cover of a new blank notebook, photo magnets, breakfast burritos, Palisade peaches delivered to our door by a dear friend, knowing Chloe’ is so close by, texting with Chloe’ and Chris, picking books to send Jessamy for her birthday, knowing that Carrie totally understands when I “go dark,” being able to cry, getting in the pool, training with Shelby and the gang, rain, stained glass, cancelled plans, curly hair, naps, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.