1. Morning walks. It clearly is turning towards fall, although we’ve had so much rain recently that things are still really green. We saw the two mama whitetail deer again with their three babies, who are getting bigger but still have their spots, and one morning a raccoon, which is always extra exciting for Ringo.

2. Practice. Keeping me sane since the early 2000s. Two especially lovely ones this week were lying down on the futon in my practice room with my weighted blanket while listening to one of my favorite Insight Timer tracks, and practicing yoga with Red Sage. Eric also occasionally leaves a surprise bonus love note on my meditation shrine.

3. Good food. I’m looking forward to cooler weather so I can bake more often. Last night I made more smashburger tacos with Big Mac sauce along with some coleslaw and very mustardy potato salad. I don’t like the heat, but I do love BBQ season — the smoke, the mix of sweet and savory, and all the sides. Also, leftovers!

4. Time with friends. Barb and Chloe’ and I got together and “celebrated” what we had to celebrate this week, in particular Barb’s cancer recovery and birthday. And next week, I probably will get to see Carrie and Tony the Tiger dog.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I know it must seem dull, boring, repetitive, but I really do love it here, so much.  

Bonus joy: acupuncture, training with Shelby and the gang, thunderstorms, how soft the grass in the backyard is when it’s green and a little too long, the maple tree right outside my window, Rocky Mountain bee plants, curly hair, I think I’m almost over it but for now and still: plantain chips and spinach artichoke parmesan in greek yogurt dip, bubbly water, how soft Ringo’s belly hair is, napping on the couch, down pillows and blankets, fans, ice cream, trash service, peanut butter, spiders, water, trees, the sky being clear enough you can see the foothills, the big wildfire contained, how sweet Ringo is with Dr. Foster and vice versa, access to dental care (I lost the genetic lottery when it comes to teeth), baby raccoons, kitchen towels, a big glass of clean cold water, sushi rolls, Thai peanut sauce, other people’s dogs, comedy, listening to podcasts while I cook or clean, a warm shower, a/c, ink refills, crows, that particular color of blue, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep. 

1. Morning walks. The smoke has mostly cleared from the fires. I have to wear a headlamp for the first part of our walk because we definitely are tipping towards fall, my favorite season. On Friday morning, we only got to walk around the block because it was still raining. One morning, there was an owl in my favorite dead tree. I thought I was going to be able to get a bunch of good pictures, but then Ringo noticed it and started barking so it flew away.

2. Acupuncture. My practitioner is doing lots of work clearing all the things that are keeping me stuck, heavy, and tired — trapped trauma, shock, grief, and every burden that isn’t mine to carry. Normally I’m pretty skeptical about “alternative” therapies, but this time I am choosing to trust it and that shift in perspective is probably the primary reason it feels like it’s working. While I’m at it, I’m also SO grateful for my masseuse, who I get to see later today.

3. Good food. I have been trying really hard to make sure I have good food to eat, to feed myself, to nourish all the parts of me.

4. A few cooler days. After quite a few 90+ days (weeks), we got rain and a few 60ish degree days. It was such a nice break and with the fires a very necessary one.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. There is never anywhere else I’d rather be.

Bonus joy: peaches, plantain chips and dip (yes, still…), peanut butter, texting with Chris, going on a date with Eric to see Danielle Ate The Sandwich, cancelled plans, a warm shower, a big glass of clean cold water, gummies, listening to podcasts, cooking and baking and eating, grocery shopping, reusable bags (and remembering to bring them), Chloe’ making it back and plans to see her and Barb in a few days, flowers from Eric, practicing meditation and writing in the morning, doing yoga with Red Sage, naps, making each other laugh, clean laundry, baked ziti, floss, prescription glasses, new to me music, Teddy Swims, the Olympics, Snoop Dog, people who earnestly are trying to do better, love that asks for nothing in return, the way Ringo’s head smells when he’s been outside in the sun, dried raspberries, libraries and librarians, poetry and poets, comedy, storytellers, hugs, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.