1. Morning walks. I didn’t take many pictures this week, of our walks or otherwise. That happens sometimes. I also haven’t been posting much of anything “original” to Facebook or Instagram. I simply feel quiet and still, sad and grateful, and what I create and share seems to be reflecting that — there’s so much I find it hard to communicate, am stunned into silence.

2. All we can do is take care of ourselves and each other. I’ve said this to a few people this week, find myself returning to it over and over. Chose to do what we can with what we have where we are. I am finding that when I can focus on that, especially on the things that in “our” culture are made to seem small or ordinary or unimportant — like walking the dog or feeding someone or giving a hug or choosing to be kind — are the biggest things, essential and sacred.

3. Keeping your heart and mind open. It can be hard to do, so hard. We are all busy trying to protect ourselves, to predict and prepare for the next disaster. I can be habitually skeptical, critical, disconnected, and isolated. This week I did something relatively new to me (I went to see a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist), decided to stay open to it, to be curious, to let it help me, and I’m so glad I did. 

4. Practice. It’s one of the things I can count on. When I’m lost, I can find myself there.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I love it here, this home we made.

Bonus joy: smashburger tacos with homemade burger sauce, fruit salad, plantain chips and dip (seriously, I may need an intervention soon), clean sheets, clean laundry, a warm shower, a big glass of cold clean water, a/c, getting to hug Chloe’, seeing Pancho and Franny, H. telling a “knock knock” joke, how happily the bees feed on the blooms of our golden raintrees, good books, new music, listening to podcasts, doing yoga at Red Sage, training with Shelby and the gang, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna, the hydromassage chair, down pillows and blankets, our whole house fan, locust trees, sunflowers, fresh corn, peaches, my cholesterol 30+ points lower than last year, naps, how sweet Ringo was with both Dr. Foster and Teri, hanging out with Stacey, texting with Chris, making plans with Barb, origami cranes, gummies, toast, grocery shopping, breakfast burritos, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.  

1. Morning walks. Eric came with Ringo and I a few times this week, which is always nice. We even got to walk close to the river without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, and the SKY! We also noticed that there are no Rocky Mountain Bee Plants this year but the Milkweed is everywhere.

This next set of pictures ends by showing the secret behind getting Ringo to look in the direction of the camera.

2. Good friends. Lunch with Carrie, playing with Tony the Tiger dog, dinner with Chelsey and Jon, writing with Cynthia, texting with Chloe’ and Stacey and Chris, sharing reels and memes with Kari and Shellie, making art with Janice, working out with Shelby and the gang, hopping around in the pool with the aqua crew, finally reading the book Nicki sent me, an email from Laurie, and all the nice comments y’all leave on my blog or messages you send me.

3. Good food. Breakfast burritos, plantain chips and spinach artichoke parmesan greek yogurt dip, a club sandwich and fries, the very occasional Diet Pepsi, dark chocolate covered almonds, crunchy peanut butter Clif Bars, crunchy peanut butter with celery and an apple, cabbage, sweet potato, pasta, homemade jam, homemade teriyaki bowls, baked ziti, strawberries.

4. Reading. There are so many good books, most likely WAY more than I’ll be able to read in this lifetime — not that I won’t keep trying. Also, HOW cool are libraries?!  

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I love it here.

Bonus joy: long naps, afternoon rain showers, dragonflies, a warm shower, a big glass of cold clean water, listening to podcasts, watching TV, clean laundry, new clean sheets, fire departments, not giving up, carrots, the guy up the street yesterday morning with a big shop broom sweeping up the mess from the fireworks the night before, good neighbors, slippers, hoodies, down blankets and pillows, a/c, trees, other people’s gardens, a warm mug of tea in the morning, having a clean and comfortable space to practice, dental floss, gummies, grocery stores, the hydromassage chair, crayons, parades, the joy of little kids, crying, no plans or postponed/cancelled ones, making each other laugh, hugs, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.