Here is May!

Yes, this is May. We are coming into spring. Not the cold and muddy snow-melt season that quickly runs through its welcome, but genuine, colorful spring! It’s evident in the little trout lilies, stretching their yellow flowers above the mottled foliage. The trees are a dozen different shades of green, as their leaves get ready to open. Ferns are poking up out of the ground. Before long, the trillium will be blooming on the roadsides.

Spring shows itself in the whole waves of bright green onion-smelling ramps that are thriving this year at the edges of the woods. The other day, I added a big handful of them to a tray of chicken pieces, roasted them together, and enjoyed the flavor combination immensely. And of course, this season brings the many photos and mentions of morel findings. Alas, I do not have an eye for those delectable mushrooms.

I’m happy for this arrival of a new month. Flipping a page of the calendar always signals a fresh start, to me. It’s time to get back on track with all those promises I made to myself about time-management, organization, diet, exercise, and spending restrictions. As I write this, there is a package waiting for me at the airport and, without looking it up, I have no idea what I ordered! How’s that for “careful spending” going right out the window?

I’m anxious to get into the garden. My back is much improved, and I got in a few hours yesterday of productive outdoor work. It was too wet, however, to actually get into the garden. Out here on the Fox Lake Road, we have a narrow window of opportunity to get our yards and gardens in order, before the first hatching of mosquitos sends us all rushing for cover. I took last week off to get my garden planted, then put my back out, and spent most days just trying to recover. Now, the pressure is on!

I’m happy for this month because I have family coming. Two sisters, and one cousin will come around the middle of May to get the farmhouse opened for the season. Good conversation, family meals, games and puzzles in the evenings…I can hardly wait!

Oh, and I’m happy to be done with April, and my A to Z writing challenge! Six days a week of writing and publishing a blog is a big commitment! To readers, it may seem like I just thoughtlessly whip these out, one after another, but that’s not the case at all! I type with two fingers, “hunt and peck” all the way. And, I’m a slow writer. It takes me a long time to write what sounds like thoughtless babbling. Most days in April, I’ve been getting up at four AM, to write, edit and publish the day’s essay. I’m glad to be able to go back to my sporadic once-or-twice-a-week blogging habit!

So, you may wonder, what am I doing here today? Well, it turns out, I kind of got in the habit of getting up early. It’s not so easy to stay in bed just because I can! I’ll figure it out, though; I have no plans to continue this every day. Just today…because I already missed you! Happy May!

What’s for Dinner?

What’s for dinner? That’s a question, and a problem to be solved, almost every single day. Right now, when I’m not feeling at my best, it’s more of an issue than usual.

One night this week I had a bowl of cereal and milk for dinner. Another night, it was rice cakes with peanut butter. Yet another, a plate of fried potatoes with onion. Last evening, I had left-over green beans and buttered egg noodles.

Advantages of these throw-together meals? Well, they don’t generate very many dirty dishes, for one thing. On the rice cake night, I think the coffee pot, a knife, and my morning coffee cup were about the only things I had to wash! They can usually be thrown together in just a few minutes, and they are generally fairly filling.

Filling, but not especially satisfying. And that’s one of the disadvantages. They also tend to be heavy on the carbohydrates, not inclusive of all the food groups, and not particularly healthy. In addition, when a meal doesn’t comfort or satisfy, I find I’m much more likely to continue unhealthy snacking until bedtime.

This evening, I was determined to do better. I brought a pound of ground beef home from the grocery store, and divided it into four. I remember my Grandma Florence saying you should always get six hamburger patties out of every pound of ground beef. Nowadays, when you go to the restaurant, most burgers are advertised as “half-pound.” That’s way too much meat for me! I make quarter-pound patties, and feel like that’s plenty.

I sauteed a part of an onion, diced, with a handful of sliced mushrooms. I pulled them off the heat, then put the burger in the pan. While it was cooking, I toasted half of a pita bread, split it open, and spread mustard on it. After the burger was browned on both sides, I topped it with a piece of Swiss cheese, and the mushroom-onion mixture. Then I put the lid on the pan to let everything finish.

I added a slice of tomato to my toasted pita, then lifted the burger from the pan, with all of its toppings, and placed it on top of the tomato. The pita was crispy, but not crumbly, and held everything together nicely. I felt like I was getting a decent serving of vegetables, too. The hamburger, a rare treat, was delicious!

When all was said and done, it didn’t really take that much energy, or that much time to prepare. With one pan and one plate, plus a few utensils, this meal didn’t generate a lot of dirty dishes, either. All in all, it was a very satisfactory dinner!

Books

Books have always been a big part of my life, and I usually have several going at any given time. Right now there are the gardening books I’m browsing for inspiration, an old cookbook that I’m re-reading, one book on walking, one on weight training for seniors, and one on time-management. Then, on my nightstand, I have a small stack of books that I intend to read, but until I get new eyeglasses, the nightstand is the wrong place for them. My bedside lamp is just not bright enough, for my vision right now. Sometimes, n the evening, with my magnifying glass close by, I read snippets from Alpha to Omega: The Life and Times of the Greek Alphabet, by Humez and Humez. It’s just the kind of easy reading that I like, dealing with word origins, history, folklore, and lots of obscure facts. I’ve had the book for many years, and have read it before. With a possible trip to Greece coming up in the next year r two, I this would be a good time for a refresher.

Mostly, these days, I depend on audio books. I avoided them for a long time, insisting that I preferred the feel of a real book in my hands. I still feel that way, but with age has come arthritis in my wrists and fingers, as well as a few issues with my vision. That makes holding a book and reading small print more challenging. My first experience with an audio book was not a good one, simply because the reader had an annoying tone. She tried too hard to mimic a child’s voice, or a man’s voice, or a Southern accent, and the whole experience made me cringe. I honestly think I would have loved the story, if I’d had the printed version, or if it had a better reader! Now, I always listen to a sample first.

Since I’ve gotten over that hurdle, I find that there are many advantages to being able to listen to a book. I listen while I’m walking the dogs, and while I’m driving to and from work. Lately, I also listen while folding clothes, working in the studio, or taking a bath. I’ve downloaded the Libby app, which allows me to borrow audio books from the library at no cost. I also have an Audible membership, which gives me one credit per month toward the purchase of many titles, and access to many books that are included free with my membership.

I’ve gotten a few stinkers, but I’ve learned to read reviews as well as the publisher’s descriptions. That, along with listening to a sample of the audio, helps to ensure it will be a good experience. Lately, I’ve found a few gems. I was slow in getting through a book I’d borrowed from the library. The Removes by Tatjana Soli was a pretty intense historical novel recounting, from the point of view of two women, the first great settlement of the west, and the cruel and heart-breaking destruction of the Native American culture. I was seventy percent through it when it came due. Because someone else was waiting for it, I couldn’t renew it. I returned it, and put myself on the waiting list.

Then, desperate to have something to listen to that day while I walked the dogs, I quickly pulled a title from my list of possible good books (based on reviews read), and downloaded it. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is set in northern Michigan, not far from where I live! Having our local cherry and apple orchards play a part in the story was thrilling enough. Even better, the entire book was narrated by Meryl Streep! Her expressive voice was perfect for the story. It was a wonderful story, too.

After that, I was pretty selective. I hate to top off a really good book with something only mediocre. So, I spent some time investigating, and finally acquired The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Oprah Winfrey had selected it for her book club, and said it was the best book she’d ever read. That was good enough for me! After I spent my Audible credit to purchase it, and had it loaded on my phone, I realized it is over thirty hours of listening time! Most audio books run six to twelve hours; if they are less than six, I feel like I’m getting short-changed…but thirty-one hours! I can’t believe it only cost one credit! And, though I’m only on chapter eight, so far, it’s a very, very good book!

Lent, Backwards

I grew up in the Catholic faith, so, since I was a child, Lent has been a regular part of my year. The Lenten season lasts from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday. Based on the liturgical calendar, the dates vary from year to year. Ash Wednesday is always 40 days before Easter, and Easter always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. It’s a little complicated, so I just depend on the calendar.

As children, we were taught that Lent should be a time of reflection and prayer, and of making amends. We were encouraged to give up something for Lent, as a way to teach us about sacrifice, and to make us more aware of the season. For most of my childhood, I gave up candy. It hit all the markers, being something I loved and would miss, but not involving a lot of forethought.

As an adult, I continued to make commitments for Lent, not because of a strong religious conviction, but as another time for a fresh start. Like the New Year, my birthday, the first of every month and – if I’m honest – every single Sunday, Lent is a time for a “reset.” What isn’t working in my life, and what sacrifice will help to fix that? I figure that a little more discipline and restraint is never a bad thing.

Usually, I forget to plan ahead. I realize Lent is here when I start noticing people with smudges of ash on their foreheads. Then, the pressure is on, and I have to scramble to come up with a sacrifice. In past years, I have given up sugar, pasta, meat, bread, alcohol and – my old standby – candy. Not all in the same year, of course. My focus is generally on what will do me the most good, either for my general health or weight loss, rather than any spiritual gain. This year is no different, though I’m trying a different tactic.

I started Intermittent Fasting three years ago. I read a couple books on the subject, listened to a couple podcasts, convinced myself that it would not kill me to give up cream in my coffee, set a date, and dove in. I had nothing but black coffee and water until noon. Then, between noon and eight PM, I ate what I wanted…usually two meals with maybe a snack in between, and often a dessert after dinner. At first, it was great. As I’d suspected, giving up cream in my coffee was the biggest hardship, but I got used to even that pretty quickly. I’ve never been much of an early morning breakfast-eater, so that was easy. I loved not having to count calories, avoid certain foods, or limit portion sizes. And, I started a slow but steady weight loss. After the first nine months, I had lost about eighteen pounds!

Then, with winter approaching, the weight loss stopped, though I continued Intermittent Fasting. Cooler weather invited more calorie-dense comfort foods, and I’m not as active in the wintertime. Slowly, the pounds started to creep back. Then, in January, I started a new job at the Community Center, which changed my schedule. Even though every 24-hour period was still divided into an eight-hour eating window and a sixteen hour fast, there were subtle changes. For one, I was having dinner much closer to bedtime. I was having a hard time getting a good walk in each day. And, we serve an excellent pizza at the Community Center; it quickly became a fairly regular treat. Within a pound or two, I gained back everything that I’d lost!

That’s where I’ve been for well over a year, still fasting, still watching the scale go up and down, a pound or two in either direction, with no real progress. Friends and medical professionals have advised me to stop the Intermittent Fasting for a while, so that when I go back to it, it will once again be a shock to my system, which may kick-start the weight loss. That makes sense, and I’ve tried it. But only slightly. I’ve made popcorn after eight o’clock a couple times, or made toast in the morning every great now and then. I’ve even given over a whole day to “eating normally,” but not often, and not regularly. The fact is, I’m a creature of habit, and it’s hard to change that.

That’s where Lent come in. This year, rather than give up a food group, I am giving up Intermittent Fasting…for forty days! It seems kind of backwards, and possibly counter-productive. After, all, we’re still in the middle of a long, cold winter here; all food sounds appealing, and stuffing my face seems like a worthwhile pastime. I may find myself with a lot more weight to lose! But, I’m going to try it anyway. It’s Lent, after all…a time for sacrifice!

Cinnamon Buns

I own eighty recipe books. Shocking, I know. This is after paring down! After .determinedly going through every one, asking myself, “do I use it;” “will I use it;” “why do I need it;” and “couldn’t I possibly pass it on??” And I did set many cookbooks aside for donation. Still, I have a very large number of them.

It’s not quite as bad (as in Hoarders bad) as it sounds. More than thirty of the cookbooks in my collection are thin paperback publications put out as promotions for specific products. I have at least two from Pillsbury, one from Sun Maid Raisins, and a vintage booklet put out by the company behind Fleishmann’s yeast. Several little recipe collections were offered free as promos for a magazine subscription. Several others came with the purchase of small kitchen appliances.

Of the (47) full-sized cookbooks on my shelves, some have great sentimental value. I have the cookbook that my maternal grandmother used as a young mother in the 1930s! It is titled Meals, Tested, Tasted, and Approved, and was put out be the Good Housekeeping Institute. There is no copyright, which may alone be an indicator of its age. The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book was a gift from my mother. She gave it to me for Christmas in 1970, a month before I got married. Its pages are stained and scarred from use, and it’s still the book I reach for most often, for reference and special recipes. I have one cookbook that my daughter Jen gave me, and another that she “illustrated” for me when she was just two years old. I have two different Beaver Island cookbooks, and enjoy reminiscing about the folks – often long gone – who contributed the recipes contained there.

I enjoy reading cookbooks, and return to peruse their pages regularly. Some are simply collections of recipes, which can be interesting enough, but many have quite a story within the pages. Peg Bracken’s I Hate to Cook Book is hilarious on top of offering dozens of good – and easy – recipes. The Pat Conroy Cookbook is an autobiographical romp through this author’s life, from southern American childhood, through world travels, told through memorable meals and recipes. Wild Women in the Kitchen is subtitled “101 Rambunctious Recipes & 99 Tasty Tales,” and the book lives up to that description!

Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant is a collection of mainly vegetarian recipes from around the world. Each chapter is presented by a Moosewood employee, with recipes from their country of origin or region within the United States. Each offers a complete meal, from appetizer through dessert, with insights about the country’s history, and mealtime traditions Though I’ve only made a handful of recipes from this book, I’ve read it cover-to-cover more than once, and always enjoy browsing its pages.

I have favorite cookie recipes in several different cookbooks. For popovers and muffins, I always turn to Let’s Get Together by DeeDee Stovel and Pam Wakefield. My go-to bread recipe comes from Home Food Systems, an early publication of Rodale Press, that I’ve had in my kitchen since the 1970s. I most often refer to The Supermarket Epicure by Joanna Pruess, or my old faithful Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook for guidance, or to refresh my memory, with other recipes.

Often, a cookbook is mainly inspirational. Good photographs or outstanding writing can sell me on a recipe. In other cases, the value of a book is aspirational. The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo.is a good example. I’ve never made a single recipe from her book, but, oh, I love the look of that tiny kitchen, and the lovely meals Khoo produces in that small space. Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen is another. I don’t believe I actually have the patience or stamina to make Asian dumplings. After meticulously following my daughter Kate’s instructions for homemade pierogies, I quit after making just one! But I keep that book on my shelf, imagining that one day I will miraculously become a maker of spring rolls, samosas and filled dumplings.

I recognize how contradictory that seems, in this year where my intent is to eliminate excess. One thing I’m doing, to help diminish the guilt, is to make an effort to put my cookbooks to better use. Today, I pulled out the small Pennsylvania Dutch Cookbook that my mother got me many years ago, as a souvenir from a trip she took. After skimming through scrapple, sauerkraut and schnitzel recipes, I settled on…wait for it…cinnamon rolls! I have to start somewhere, right?

Values versus Aspirations

“We hold onto material objects because we think they make us feel secure when in reality they are cluttering our lives.”

As someone who is intent on paring down my possessions this year, that quote really resonated with me. Since I’ve also committed to not adding to the mass of things I own, I’m very interested in the psychology behind acquiring and keeping so much stuff.

Why do I feel so drawn to accumulate more? I’ve been at this commitment for less than a week, and I already know it is not going to be easy. Almost immediately after the calendar turned to 2024, I thought of a dozen things I needed. Why didn’t I buy a good pair of scissors when I was still buying stuff? I worked four hours at the Resale Shop day before yesterday, and was tempted at least a dozen times. “Perfectly good” this, or “practically brand new” that, when the price is only a few dollars, is always appealing. Later, a trip to the grocery store was also a struggle. I had brought a list, and I stuck to it, but it took will-power! A few minutes on social media, and I’m bombarded by things that seem necessary in the moment. Right now, I can’t think of a single example, but on another day, I might have already made the purchase!

I don’t need any more stuff!! And yet, I always think that I do. It’s like that is my default setting. I don’t understand it. I know that the “scarcity mindset” – the feeling, often based on very real circumstances, that I don’t have enough – has something to do with it. But that’s no longer the case. I have enough!

The other question wrapped up in this issue is, why is it to hard to get rid of things? It seems that every single discard, sale or give-away is accompanied by hours of internal dialog:

“Am I sure I won’t need that?”

“I used to wear that all the time!”

“I remember when I bought that…”

“I’m sure, if I ever retire, I will use that!”

“Someone I love gave that to me.”

“Someone I used to love gave that to me during a really happy time in my life.”

“If I ever do this, I will need that.”

“You can no longer even find that book in hardcover anymore.”

“I intend to read that someday.”

“I have read that, but I might want to-read it again someday.”

And on, and on, and on. When it comes to the idea of getting rid of books, I swear my blood pressure goes up at even the thought! Anything my mother gave me, I break right into a sweat at the suggestion of passing it on. Art and craft materials in my house could all wear a label that says, “KEEP. JUST IN CASE,” because that’s exactly what I do! Why is it so difficult?

One article I read on this subject suggested that we acquire things, and hold on to them for dear life, because they somehow reflect an image of ourselves that we aspire to be. Not the person we actually are. That makes sense. When I am drawn to purchase a colorful pair of brand-new pajamas that came, like magic, into the resale shop in exactly my size, in the same year that I have a trip planned, I swear, I can see myself in those pajamas! As if I were a person who wears pajamas! As if I didn’t already own three pair of pajamas, one for warm weather, two for cold weather, set aside simply for travel, when I might need something more presentable than the raggedy sweatpants and T-shirts that I usually sleep in. As if, if I were ever going out to buy myself pajamas, I would choose that colorful pair! No!

That idea translates to many areas of my collections of stuff. I aspire to be the calm, orderly, thoughtful and meditative, tea-drinking, pajama-wearing person that a few simple purchases would make me. Except that it doesn’t work. In truth, aspirations are not values and, in many cases, they are not even reflective of my values I am plenty of things: family member, artist, writer, reader, craft-person, walker, dog-lover, gardener, baker, cook. Instead of gathering more things to try to broaden my presence, I need to focus on the things in life that I truly value. And, for that, I have enough!

Snow Today

Today, a week into January, we are getting the first significant snowfall of the winter. There have been a few dustings of snow here on Beaver Island, but never enough to warrant getting out the snow shovel, or even the winter boots. This is a very light, fine snow. I’ve been watching it come down since I got out of bed at 5:30; five hours. and it still barely covers the ground! Still, it doesn’t show any signs of letting up. So, finally, winter is beginning to look like winter.

I think of my friend, Bob, on the west side of Michigan’s lower peninsula. He’s been chomping at the bit to get his cross-country skis out, for his daily treks over winter trails. He’ll be thrilled to have good snow cover! Then I think of my friend, Linda, who lives on the east side of the state. She hates the snow, for the cold, and mess, and all the work it adds to her days. She clears drives and pathways, but also has to move snow away from her foundation, and keep the roofs clear. She will hate this!

My reaction is not so extreme in either direction. I don’t do winter sports, unless I count my daily walks. Sometimes, when the snow is deep and heavy, just walking through it is quite a workout, but that’s not the norm. I also don’t do much extra work because of the snow. A sweet young woman comes out with her plow truck to clear my driveway when it needs it. And, unless we get a big accumulation, I just tramp through the snow on my way to and from the house. 

Personally, I’d just as soon have winter weather in the actual wintertime. I hate those blizzards that come along in April, when I’m thinking about planting seeds, and am more than ready to be done with the cold weather. This time of year, I don’t mind snow. It certainly makes the landscape look more beautiful! As for the dogs, Stella doesn’t seem to mind the weather; and Rosa Parks has always loved snow. I’m going to get out for a walk with them shortly. Beyond that, my biggest dilemma today is deciding whether to make my goal for this snowy day to be really productive and tackle another major project…or to think of it like a “snow day,” and go for “cozy and lazy.”

If I opt for productive, I’ll open work upstairs. The studio definitely needs attention, but the other room, too, is quite a challenge. I have used it as a place to sort things from the studio, until I get t organized enough to have a designated place for everything. So, there’s that. Then, I pulled all those totes out of the attic, to make better sense of all the stuff stored there. Also, my daughter recently mentioned she’d like to use for the canopy I used for art shows. I know that is somewhere in that attic, so should dig it out while I’m at it.

If I go for the cozy and lazy possibility, I’ll put a pot of soup on the stove. While that simmers, I could mix up a batch of my whole-wheat “fitness house bread.” I’m halfway done with my bullet journal set-up for this new year; I could sit and finish that. I have a big crochet project in the works; progress on that would be a good thing. I could get out a jig-saw puzzle. Or, open the new book that Kevin and Lois got me for Christmas. It’s all sounding very intriguing. I might change my mind, but so far I think the second option is winning out!

Distractions

My life is full of distractions. As a young mother with two children under four years old, I complicated my life by starting college. Well on my way to getting a degree, I left that path to move to Beaver Island. Years later, a divorce – also unplanned – upended my life again. I went back to college, finishing my Bachelor’s and then a Master’s degree.

During the process of finishing my education, I changed my focus from painting to ceramics. Originally intending a degree that would allow me to teach K~12, I switched focus to one that would qualify me to teach art at college level. I was often being pulled into other areas of interest: Women’s Studies, Literature, Poetry, Creative Writing, History and International Studies. I was often advised to “maintain focus.”

Focus is difficult when I am so easily distracted. I can see it when I look back over many years, but the problem exists even in the smallest elements of my day-to-day life. Every single project becomes more complicated, when distraction comes into play.

Yesterday, the young man came to finish hooking up my new stove. He also lit the pilot light in my propane heater. After a few cold mornings, I was anxious to have it working. In order for that heater to function properly, I needed to put new batteries in the thermostat. That was my simple intent.

When I set up a wall of shelves along one wall in my kitchen, I considered the height of books, the easy access to most-used items, and – of course – the allover appearance. I did not consider the thermostat, which nestles behind one shelf. Once a year, in order to change the batteries in the thermostat, I have to remove everything from one shelf in order to remove it, to access the thermostat. So, that was my afternoon project.

First, I removed everything from the shelf, gave it a good wipe-down, and took a look at the thermostat. I couldn’t remember how to get the cover off of it. First, I spent a few minutes trying to find my magnifying glass in order to read the brand name printed on the face of the device. That led to tidying the desktop, finding a dish to serve as a “designated place” for the magnifying glass, refilling the container of dog treats, refilling the bottle of spray cleaner, and rearranging a few framed photos.

Next, I pulled out the file titled “Warranties, Guarantees and Instructions.” In that fat folder, I had every bit of paperwork that came with every single purchase I made. Many things were no longer even in my house. The entire folder needed to be reorganized and tidied. Along with a bit of reminiscing and editing. Of course I had the booklet that came with the thermostat! Unfortunately, it didn’t tell how to remove the cover.

Then, I sat down at the computer, and typed in, “how to open a Honeywell thermostat.” Helpful, but that led to the discovery that I was out of AAA batteries. That led to a drive to the hardware store. With the dogs, in hopes they might consider the ride a decent substitute for their walk, as the afternoon was quickly getting away from me. I got the batteries, but also cork board and white glue for a separate project, velcro to make another repair, and a new filter for my water pitcher. The hardware store is an easy place to get distracted!

Home again, I had to go back to the computer to see if the lithium batteries I’d purchased would work in the thermostat that – underneath the old batteries – had raised letters indicating “alkaline.” Okay. I was in business! Then, I looked at the possibility of moving that shelf, in order to have easier access to the thermostat.

Well, it would be possible, though it would necessitate adjusting the height of all five shelves. Which would involve removing everything from those shelves. Thirty cookbooks; twenty gardening books; eleven nature guides; canned goods; boxed goods; staples in assorted jars; trivets and napkins; knick-knacks. Always ready for distraction, of course I did it!

This New Day

Today is my birthday. I’m awake early, my mind full of all the things I want to accomplish. Not only today, though my list of plans for this day runs pretty long, but for the year ahead. My birthday, like New Year’s Day, feels like a good day for assessment, and for looking at how to do better.

In this year so far, I’ve read fifty-seven books. That number is way up over previous years; usually, I average about one book a week. The increase, I’m sure, is due to my failing vision. Lately, I need well-rested eyes, the brightest light and sometimes a magnifying glass to be able to read a book. So, I’ve been depending more and more on audible books.

I started listening to a book when I was walking the dogs. Then, I quit turning it off when I got back home. I listen while I prepare my dinner and feed the dogs. Sometimes, I continue listening while I eat. I listen when I’m driving to and from work, and often while I’m working around the house. I started with a subscription to Audible, which, for a small monthly fee, gives me access to a large selection of books at no cost, and the ability to earn credits toward the purchase of other selections. Yesterday, thanks to my daughter’s suggestion, I downloaded the Libby app, which allows me to check out audible books from the library, for free. Books have always been good companions; now, that’s true more than ever!

Since the first of January, I’ve walked two-hundred and thirty miles. I’m still on track to beat my total from last year, but I’ve fallen off in my daily distances lately. Insects, shift changes, old dogs, and general exhaustion all got in the way of my two-miles-a-day plans. Sometimes I’d barely get out of the driveway before swarms of mosquitos would send me running for cover! And there have been days this summer when even a half-mile walk seemed to test my endurance. Now that we’re getting to the end of our busy season, I’m renewing my commitment to get my longer walks in.

I have continued Intermittent Fasting, for well over two years now. It is an eating plan that suits me and my lifestyle…but, after a lot of promise and good weight loss in the first few months, it is not helping me lose weight. Which was my goal. So, I’m still thinking about that, and what changes I need to make. I eat a healthy diet, though heavy on carbohydrates. I’m afraid I’ll eventually have to give up bread and pasta. Not quite yet, though.

Another casualty of this always busy, sometimes hectic summer has been my exercise regimen. I had a good habit of daily exercise. I almost always did some simple yoga stretches, and spent at least ten minutes a day on the trampoline. I’d intersperse that with some weight training, and moves specific to arms, abs or back. Until when? I don’t even know when I fell out of the habit, or what caused it. I know the trampoline has been leaning against the wall, unused, for weeks. Well, today is a good day to recommit to taking better care of myself!

In my life, it seems that messages come to me when I really need them. Years ago, when I was alone in a tiny apartment, broke, lonely and frustrated, I got a letter in the mail. Inside the envelope was a card that said, “Do not be discouraged. You are not forgotten.” Actually, it was a solicitation for a donation, I think for Doctors Without Borders. To me, though, it felt like a gift from the heavens, exactly the encouragement I needed to hear. There have been others, through the years, offering a bit of hope, cheer, or inspiration when I needed it. Today, scrolling through social media, this message came up:

“Today has fresh air you have never smelt and sunrays you have never felt. Today is a chance to restart.”

I’ll accept that as a good message for my birthday!

What’s Good?

A few weeks ago, an actor – whose name I cannot remember – was killed in a car accident. In reporting his death, the news crew also talked about his attitude toward life. His last post on social media, not long before he died, said, in effect, “I’m mowing today…and I love the smell of freshly-cut grass.” That’s how I want to go out of this world, I thought: reveling, right up to the end, about the things that bring me joy.

I do try. I start each day with my gratitude journal, writing a list of things that I am thankful for. It gets repetitive. I am grateful for rain, or sunshine, or warm weather. I am grateful for good sleep, good coffee and good conversations. I am thankful for flowers on my table whenever I have a bouquet there. I wonder sometimes what people will think, when they come upon these lists after I am gone. “Oddly obsessive about coffee and sleep,” I imagine them saying.

Perhaps it will look, to others, as if my life were sad and small, with little of interest. If that’s the case, well, they are missing the point. It is not in the constant search for big, life-changing events that we find joy. No doubt happiness sometimes comes to us that way. There are days I remember as good ones that are associated with big events: the births of my daughters, or the completion of a difficult challenge. Most of my days, though, are much quieter than that. That’s why I choose to find joy in the small things.

Last week, I mowed my lawn. The grass was slow growing, because it has been so dry, but the weeds take right off in that kind of weather. Some were almost two feet high! So, I mowed. And, since – like that unnamed actor – I also love the smell of freshly-cut grass, that’s what I focused on. Not on the fact that my family was here, and taking time to cut grass was time away from them. Not on the heat, or the dust, or on how tired I was.

I paid attention to the green, bright smell of fresh-cut grass. It always reminds me of summer Sunday afternoons, after church, when I was very small. That’s when my Dad would cut the grass. I also thought about how good it was going to look when I was done, and how much it would help to keep the mosquitoes down. I thought about how wonderful a shower would feel when I was finished. And how, over dinner with my family, I could boast about what I’d accomplished.

Today, I’m working around the house. I have the kettle simmering, filled with the makings of chicken broth, that I’ll then package up for the freezer. It will taste so good next winter! I’ve had three delightful telephone conversations, two with friends, and one with my daughter. I weeded around the flowers. I stripped the bed, washed the sheets, and hung them on the clothesline. Now I’m thinking about how that nice breeze will help to dry them. And how lovely it will be to get into bed tonight between those sweet-smelling linens.

To have joy in my life every day, I focus on the little pleasures. There are plenty of those, every single day!