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. 

1. Morning walks. The gold is starting to fall to the ground and there’s snow in the forecast. I told Eric last night that as much as I love walking with Ringo, there’s also a particular joy going to bed on a Friday night knowing I don’t have to get up early, can sleep as late as I want.

2. Practice. We’ve started to add some half hour lunch break yoga sessions to our schedule at Red Sage and even though it is shocking how quickly a half hour goes by, there’s also a particularly joyful energy to it. I’m feeling extra grateful for my Friday morning writing sangha and our wild-ish writing practice. With the election coming, it felt especially supportive this week.

3. There’s no need to rush. It’s hard when something you want takes a lot of time and effort rather than just manifesting fully formed. And with things that take time, there are also going to be moments when you get frustrated, can’t see the progress you’ve made, and maybe even want to give up. And it can feel like time is rushing by so fast, that it’s running out, and it’s hard not to push yourself. I keep reminding myself that it’s okay to pace myself, that there is plenty of time — even if there isn’t. Especially this time of year when nature is winding down and preparing for a “big sleep” until spring, I’m reminded that it’s not only okay to slow down, to rest, but it’s necessary.

4. Ringo curled up under my writing desk again. It was while we were writing on Friday morning. He’s always close by, but curling up at my feet is something he never really wanted to do, even though I invited him, always kept a dog bed there just in case. He only stayed for 5 or 10 minutes, but I’ll take it.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. Everything I want or need is right here.

Bonus joy: watching TV, good books, listening to music and podcasts, getting in the pool, the hydromassage chair, sitting in the sauna with Eric, clean sheets, payday, a warm shower, my bed, down pillows and blankets, head lamps, other people’s dogs and kids, pictures of my favorite kids in their Halloween costumes, making and eating good food, hugs, making each other laugh, texting with Chris and “the girls,” texting with Chloe’, sharing reels and memes with Shellie and Kari and Carrie, the miles and miles of trails we have access to, good neighbors, naps, libraries and librarians, poetry and poets, comedy, true crime, glasses, paint, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.