1. Morning walks. I’m not going to lie, some mornings I’d rather stay in bed. And it’s getting darker and colder out there, little by little, day by day. And this year it won’t be as golden as fall usually is because of the extra rain we had all summer long. And this past week, my bum knee was achy and cranky. And Ringo, as always, is determined to eat every stick, dead thing, abandoned food item, and horse apple we encounter on the trail. And yet, every morning walk is such good medicine.

2. Cancelled plans. Knowing I am heading to Oregon on Monday made me very careful with my energy this week. I had to cancel a few things in order to give myself some space. It was such a relief. In what seems like “related news,” I also made a deal with myself to stay off social media altogether while I’m in Oregon, to be more present, so I took Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube off my phone. Don’t worry, I downloaded the first season of Deadloch and the final season of Sex Education, checked out a new book from the library, and have a few podcast episodes and a playlist, all downloaded so I don’t have to pay for data overages again on this trip, (there’s no wireless at my parent’s house).

3. Practice. It both comforts me, is a soft place to land, and strengthens me, provides support. Because of it, I’m soft enough to stay open to what is, and strong enough to stay with it.

4. Pie. With the exception of two, these are all pies Eric has made. Google images shared this with me this morning and it made me realize there hasn’t been nearly enough pie this summer.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. Oh, how I am going to miss them while I’m gone. And yet, knowing they’ll be here waiting for me when I get back helps. 

Bonus joy: Books that aren’t necessarily prize worthy but are so fun to read, writing with my wild-ish sangha, poetry, chocolate zucchini bread, a big glass of cold clean water, the chance to start over again, practicing yoga with Red Sage, glue stick, scissors, other people’s dogs, peach flavored Kefir, The Other Black Girl on Hulu (this was fun), watching Iron Chef and Snapped with Eric, making each other laugh, going to bed early, bird song, ink refills, all of Ringo’s different barks and howls and sighs, that the two lumps we found on Ringo are benign, my brother and niece who are taking such good care of my parents, Mom getting home from stroke rehab, getting in the pool, sitting in the sauna, a massage appointment, brunch plans with a dear friend I haven’t see in WAY too long, texting with Chloe’, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.

1. Morning walks. I love fall in Colorado, so much. It’s a bit different this year because we’ve had and continue to have so much rain (“so much” in Colorado terms). I’d usually be walking only by the river and the ponds this time of year, but when it rains, those trails are too muddy. The weather has also changed how things look — grass is still green, some of the trees aren’t turning color yet and some won’t this year at all, so it isn’t golden the way it normally would be. I miss that. 

2. Another trip to Oregon. Although I could live without the “why” of this trip, I am grateful that I can go. My dad is still there, although that could change before I arrive. My mom is supposed to get to go back home in a few days, so she’ll be there and is looking forward to seeing me. And I’ll get to see my brother, thank him in person for everything he’s been doing in the weeks between my last trip and this one, be able to give him a bit of a break. I’ll also get to be there for my niece Annie’s birthday and my mom & dad’s 59th wedding anniversary. And, I’ll get back to Colorado in time for Eric & I’s 30th wedding anniversary. 

3. Practice. I’m feeling the pull to sink even deeper into contemplation, study, and practice. It nourishes me, supports me, strengthens me, saves me. I wouldn’t still be here without it.

4. The chance to begin again, to start over. No matter how far you wander off, no matter how deep in the weeds you get, you can always start again, redirect, recalibrate. Getting lost, plans not working out, things being different or more difficult than you expected, or even simply changing your mind are not signs of failure or reasons to despair or give up. When you notice you’ve drifted off, just come back, start over as many times as necessary.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I’m taking Ringo in this week to get a mystery lump checked by his vet. We could use all your good thoughts around that, because if something bad is happening to Ringo on top of everything else, I may lose my sh*t. You know how “they say” that when things go down in your life, you find out who your true friends are? That’s so true, and related to that, I picked the best partner for myself in Eric. He’s always so good to me, has been so supportive.

Bonus joy: aqua aerobics, sitting in the sauna, the hydromassage chair, training with Shelby and the gang, dark chocolate covered walnuts, chocolate zucchini bread, scrambled eggs, watching Iron Chef and Snapped with Eric, making each other laugh, letters and texts from Chloe’, memes from Carrie and how riled up she gets on my behalf, texting with Shellie and Chris and Mom, malas, peanut butter, all the pillows, down blankets, wool socks, honeybees, barbeque, practicing with my writing sangha, good doctors, good neighbors, other people’s dogs, the quiet of the graveyard, gummies, writing in the morning with my HappyLight and a mug of green tea, seeing Lindsey, maple trees, seeds, listening to music and podcasts, reconnecting with good friends, getting books from the library, Maria Bamford’s book, community, naps, art, reading in bed at night while Ringo and Eric sleep.