1. You, kind and gentle reader. This week was a hard one. I’ve been writing a lot about “it,” processing and contemplating and raging and grieving, but don’t really have anything that is ready to post here. What I do want to say now, today, right here is how much I appreciate YOU, how lucky I feel that once I am ready to talk, I have this space and your loving attention. Some of you have been here a really long time and some of you just got here, but just knowing you are “out there” gives me so much comfort, inspires me to keep going, to keep showing up, to not give up. Thank you for that and so many other things. 💕  

2. Morning walks. No matter what is going on in the world or my life, walking with Ringo in the early morning while things are still quiet is my medicine. The week started with a gorgeous sky and the final stage of golden trees, and ended with the sky turning gray as a storm was heading our way with our first snow and most of the gold on the ground.

3. Practice. More essential this week than most, and as upset as we all were, it was especially sweet. I have a rotating group of 2-5 people who come to regularly practice with me at Red Sage, and this week we had to open up the second room to make space for the 11 people and one puppy who showed up, all saying, “I really need this today” — which they always say, but this time there was an urgency that normally isn’t present. And my Friday morning writing sangha, which is always such a supportive practice and group, felt extra special too. My morning meditation and writing practice also gave me a safe space to rage and grieve, which was so important. I hope, dear reader, that you have something in your life that supports you when you are strong and when you are struggling.

4. Books, poetry, music, TV, films, comedy, podcasts. They keep me company when I can’t people, they teach me and make me laugh and inspire me and give me comfort.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. Extra gratitude here this week as well. Having a safe, stable, soft place to land is so important.

Bonus joy: apple pie oatmeal, gummies, a big glass of cold clean water, down blankets and pillows, reading James Baldwin and then having a discussion about it with other smart and compassionate humans, seeing a show with Eric and plans for two more (we saw The Moth yesterday, and Monday night we’ll see Aimee Mann in Boulder and Tuesday night see her again in Fort Collins), bread, potatoes, clean sheets, clean laundry, a warm shower, other people’s kids and dogs, twinkle lights, animal rescue, hospice care, electric cars and solar panels, plantain chips and dip, Christmas movies, true crime, wool socks and sweaters, peanut butter, snowflakes, keeping the house cool enough that I can wear a hoodie and snuggle under a blanket, cuddling with Eric and Ringo on the couch, hugs, making each other laugh, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.