It's been a good day.  Lots of simple beauty.  Lots of small acts of well-being.  I have felt present and content.

The outdoor time today was really special.  The time down around the pond felt sort of enchanted.  I did the mindfulness practice of zooming in on each individual sense and noticing.  So many beautiful things to see: a flock of birds ( Read more... )

It's good to be here.  I'm settling in on the tiny wicker loveseat on the screen porch at Blueberry Hill Farm.  I arrived a little over an hour ago and have taken the time to methodically make this charming space my own.  Found a hook for my purse, unpacked my groceries, rolled out my yoga mat, found all the light switches and fans...  I ate a ( Read more... )

Another birthday!  Upper thirties now.  Oh boy.  I am smack in the middle of a very busy season, and it's taking a lot of exertion to slow myself down and do these personal birthday rituals today.

I'm thankful for Jeff and the kids who have already given me a lovely morning, even as they also had to get ready for school.  I'm thankful for another ( Read more... )

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day today. Although it happened last week for most moms, today is my day. It’s prettier outside today than last week, and I’m hoping to spend some special time in nature with my family. They’ve already brought me an incredible breakfast in bed with a lovely bouquet of peonies, irises, and columbine.

I wanted to use this ( Read more... )

It's hard to believe I've completed another trip around the sun - it feels like my last birthday wasn't that long ago.  Yet, when I look back at all that has happened since this time last year, it feels like so much.  Last year, I would've been horrified to know that all of our parents would've had Covid by now and we would've been recovering from ( Read more... )

I have known for a long time that I am an anxious person.  I come by it honestly, seemingly through both nature and nurture.  But the stresses caused by this pandemic and long (endless!) stretch of social distancing have wreaked havoc on my body.  Palpitations, panic attacks, apathy, sadness, unmanageable GERD.  An almost constant feeling of a lump ( Read more... )

It is Christmas Eve of 2020.  Jeff is working at the hospital; Linda is here with the kids.  I have a much-needed stretch of time to myself, to finish wrapping, work on final homemade presents, do some basic self care.  My family members are hunkered down in their various homes in various states.  Jeff's family members are on airplanes flying to ( Read more... )

Another birthday!  I have already enjoyed a massive breakfast in bed and texts from my parents.  I'm looking forward to today.  It's Saturday; it's supposed to be beautiful fall weather; and I don't have any client photo work hanging over my head.  A day full of my favorite things and lots of gentle, loving attention!

It has been an interesting ( Read more... )

10:00am

The kids have been playing nicely on the porch all morning, and I am so thankful.  It is a welcome morning to begin with a cup of tea and a book in bed while I hear their small discussions and [mostly] innocent squeals on the porch just beyond my window.

Perhaps I'll have a minute or two to process some of my recent thoughts and feelings ( Read more... )

It's a cloudy morning.  The kids are playing together upstairs; this is the calm before the storm of our day at home begins.

Jeff returned to work at the hospital this morning after a lovely, long spring break.  The last eight days together at home, though tinged with news feeds and worry and preparations for an unbelievable new reality, have ( Read more... )