1. Morning walks. This week they were mostly dark and cold with one especially foggy morning, but the trees were amazing, as are the neighborhood Halloween decorations. One of my favorite things about late fall and into winter is how quiet it gets. There are fewer humans out, because it’s too cold and dark so they either don’t come out at all or come later, after we are done walking. And yet, at first it’s strange to have it be so quiet, in particular fewer birds singing, and then it’s always a surprise when everyone starts to come back and the birds get so noisy again in the spring, after a long quiet winter of having what feels like the whole world to ourselves.

2. Practice. We didn’t have enough people for Red Sage yoga this week, and I have to confess that instead of doing yoga on my own anyway, I stayed in my PJs on the couch with my phone. Friday morning writing sangha was gorgeous and magical, again. And, I’m still meditating extra, sitting as well as doing a full body scan (which is a whole lot like yoga nidra) for the MBSR course I’m working through.

3. Making the right choice for me. As a people pleaser perfectionist in recovery, this keeps getting easier and easier. This week it was canceling my remaining physical therapy appointments because the value just wasn’t there.

4. Our pool and gym community. I finally seem to be able to work that back into my routine and I’m so glad. I start with the hydromassage chair, then attend an aqua aerobics class, stay after and “walk” or otherwise hop around for a mile, and then end with the sauna. It feels good.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I was ready to head out the door when Red Sage texted to say they didn’t have enough people for yoga, and because Ringo expected me to be leaving he was already in his crate and got SO confused when I changed back into PJs and got on the couch. He quickly accepted the shift in plans, however, and got up on his chair to nap. Ah, canceled plans — IYKYK. 

Bonus joy: all those who rallied today, other people’s pets and kids, the gardens that are still blooming even now, the way people wave at each other in smaller neighborhoods, sitting outside in the sun when the temperatures are cooler and you can wear a hoodie, down blankets and pillows, listening to podcasts, leftovers, getting the laundry done, a warm shower, clean sheets, my Shakti mat, good TV (and sometimes even “bad” TV), libraries and librarians, poets and poetry, comedy, true crime, documentaries, the way fresh rosemary smells, the sound of the leaves rustling, our backyard covered in bits of gold, yogurt and granola and berries, making someone else laugh, someone else making me laugh, naps, gummies, a warm mug of green tea, reading and writing in the morning, beans, peanut butter, online shopping (yes, I know that there are “downsides” but not having to leave the house to go to an actual store where there are other people and weird lights and too much noise is ideal for me), prescription glasses, dental floss, wireless internet, dog rescue, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.