Carefree and Unbothered??

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Mostly overcast with a cool breeze. It felt like a front was moving in and there was this energy swirling. We all commented on how good it felt.

(Sadly, the rain forecasted for the next couple of days is minuscule.)

I hiked almost 9 miles and it was beautiful. The wind through the trees, cool temperature, spring green, so many birds. There's a breed of owl on this mountain that's out during the day. You can hear them the entire trail -- "who-ing" in the trees. This hike is my favorite of the moment. Of course, both times were on unseasonably cool mornings and that makes a big difference. 

Then home and walked to lunch with hubby. Sat outside in that swirling breeze. We ran into our neighbor and I hired his younger kids to water a few pots while we're away in Hawaii. I'll put out buckets of water and they can water from the buckets since we turn off our water. Happy to have an option for my poor plants since rain is nonexistent and kids love to earn a little money.

We early voted too. 35 seats -- some primary, but the judge seats are the actual election.

I've been pushy with friends and family on this election.

Not sure it was well received hah, but I don't care. It's too important to be quiet. 

Had to top off basil so it grows more bushy and now I have lots of little jars sitting around. It's totally my summer love language. I hope the basil takes as the summer temps move in. I planted them under other plants for some shade. 

Reading this on a recommendation from a friend. I LOVE it. It's so suspenseful and engrossing. I think it's her best yet.

I'm playing around with a reading list for the next few weeks. I planning to bring books to Hawaii, not my kindle. A couple of long, slow reads. Not totally sure yet, but I don't want to load up my kindle with backlist from the library or duplicate what I already have in print. That feels like a waste on both fronts. Plus, plane and vacation mean lots of reading time and an opportunity to finish a couple of chonkers on my TBR. 

That said, if I can get some of those big books from the library, maybe no harm in going that route. But, I'm not an e-reader fan anymore. Something about holding the book feels better, and being able to go back and forth, see the chapters, etc. Decisions, decisions. Carrying said book in my carry-on is the downside though.

First I need a book for this weekend in Asheville. I won't have as much reading time as I usually do, but I enjoy a certain kind of book in Asheville and I want to be intentional. Something a little slower or meaningful or whimsy. Stay tuned. 

I'm thrifting with my aunt today and lunch at one of our favorite places out her way. I'm looking forward to a fun day. 

This change of heart about not letting these trips overwhelm me ahead of time seems to be working. {knock wood}. I'm prioritizing have fun first (me-time) and the "work" of the trips second. A little more carefree and unbothered. Could this be my theme of the summer? That might be something to experiment -- hmmmm. Right now, in this moment, for the 5 minutes I've been doing it ... it feels good. 

Have a good day! Later gators.