Hello!

Hello! This week got away from me. Lots of easy, fun, friendship-heavy days. 

I say this, but I'm not as appreciative as I should be and it's bothering me. My mind has been swirling some negative chatter all week. It's some self talk BS. My "stronger and lighter" year is not starting well. I've been eating like crap, exercise is off (shoulder), hormones are a mess (hot flashes, night sweats). 

I feel blah.

More like weaker and heavier.

And HOT, not like hot girl summer, like hot flash summer. 

I'm going to work on the one thing in my control today -- food. LIGHTER is the key word. This should help with some of the night time sweats. Not a diet (never again), just smaller portions and no grazing. Let's see if that feels better (of course it will, I'm not fooling anyone).

Tuesday was fantastic. Spent time with a friend touring a community garden, learning about a charity to help Refugee women (in particular), dined at an Iranian cafe. Home to babysit my grandson. Then a couple of phone calls to round out the evening. 

Here are some pictures of the gardens. There are beautiful murals and such all along the garden, but I'm not posting the pictures since the bots are active again. 

Squash hanging from the top.

Use everything as a trellis.
This was a mattress spring.

Making planters from old tires.

Everything works in a garden.

HUGE bean

Wednesday was equally lovely. Spent the day with a friend at a semi-local indy bookstore. Most excellent conversation with her all afternoon and the bookstore was another gem. A few more friend contacts (fun text exchanges) -- felt the friendship all day. 

Today is another friend day. Invited to lunch and a look at her garden. My friend who was widowed will be there too. It's friendship and support. The host started an elimination diet to see if she can figure out some joint pain. She's also an excellent flower grower. So what to bring to her house (she said nothing) -- no dessert or flowers given the circumstances?!?! An actual gift feels like too much. 

Then an idea ... reserved some large slicing tomatoes from the farm stand this morning. I'll bring enough for everyone since none of us have large tomatoes growing. Perfect. It's near my old house so a bit of a drive, but it's worth it. 

Here's a bit hard-to-see picture of the baby birds nesting in my herb pot. Google search says they're baby wrens. 

Tunnel nest

Little yellow beaks.

My "friendship week" continues until Tuesday -- it's a really nice homebody social streak. Lots to do, but nothing is hard or rushed. That's a good balance for me. I just need to feel better. It's a crappy circle partly of my doing -- trying to break it today.

Hope you have a good day. Later gators.

I Love Art

Yep -- a great day. 

There's basically an art district in midtown Atlanta. I know embarrassing little about Atlanta, but I'm on a path to learning more. 

The musical. It's a debut with hopes to head to Broadway. Based on a true story and documentary called Landfill Harmonic (which I'll watch this week). It was excellent and I was trying hard not to cry by the end. 

Traditional Turkish brunch to start the day. MODA museum for an installation on salt after the musical. Very interesting. Lots of art displays around the area. I only took a few pictures though.

You could push them
and they'd wiggle around.

Outside the venue

At the restaurant.
Highlighted the upper windows
inside for pretty view.
They clinked in the breeze.

Brunch.

We drove home and hit insane storms. I could barely see the road. Storms bad enough to cancel the hike this morning. So many trees down, area is a mushy mess. 

Overall, a wonderful, artsy, cultured day. Loved it and my shoulder/neck was manageable. 

Today is all me in about 2 hours. Hubby leaves for Asheville for a golf trip. I have nothing on the calendar now and I'm all in for a solo day. Some ME things, some chores, lots of quiet time. I need to use my inner chatter for good today.

Hope you have a great Monday and start to the week. 

My neck is still a problem, but I'm looking forward to a really good week.

Later gators.

Artsy Day

It wasn't the recovery day I planned, but it was the one I had. 

I got some good garden time -- lots of clean up, clipping, etc. Spent a couple of hours between my garden and my son's. I was glad to finally spend time in my garden. It really needed a mid-summer trim. 

But reaching and twisting aggravated my shoulder/neck something fierce and that ended all the rest of the things. I sofa sat with a heating pad and tried to rest it enough to start it healing. It always feels better in the morning, but I can feel the ache starting already. Carrying chairs, reaching to open coolers, sitting at the concert was also really problematic the day before.

It continues to "go out." It's an ache, like a bad headache kind of pain. It's awful. Driving position hurts it too -- of course, I'm driving today and sitting in-between. I expect I'll be a mess by this evening. Carpooling made the most sense and me driving was also the right thing to offer, but as I recently discovered, it's not the driving I mind, it's the carpooling. I love to ride by myself, listen to music or podcasts, think, be quiet -- none of that happens when you ride-share. Yes, it's time to talk to a friend, but I have the entire day to do that, but it's a compromise that I couldn't reasonably avoid. 

I'm looking forward to today though and hope my shoulder doesn't detract from the experience. I'll take a hardy dose of Advil before I go. It mildly helps, so I don't take it often. Lying down or at least lying back is what relieves it the most. (laying or lying ... don't know ... googled and made the change lol)

What's up for today?

A Turkish brunch in midtown. 

A play -- have zero idea what it's about lol.

MODA exhibition on salt. 

Fun, artsy, culture day ahead. I'm really looking forward to it. 

It's actually a fun, artsy, culture, and NATURE week. 

It's one of those weeks I want to enjoy and be present and feel grounded. Pretty please let my shoulder behave. I'm feeling good about the balance this week. Some relief from favors for people. Lots of easy and meaningful social things. Early evenings. Better morning schedule -- not perfect, but I have a few slower mornings.

BTW, what did I do on the sofa yesterday?

Binge watched Rooster. I didn't love the first episode and stopped watching when it first came out, but it was excellent. Glad I tried it again.

Ate leftover cookies (way, way too many) and cheese from the picnic. That was a disaster. 

Listened to podcasts about Lonesome Dove. I seem to be in a deep dive.

No reading because I didn't want to look down with my neck.

Hormone lab draw came back -- everything is a mess. Not surprised since I'm having hot flashes again. (And, yes, the sugar binge was exactly what NOT to do.)

Hope you have a nice Sunday. I'm off to try a Peloton ride (sweating to help the hot flashes today), but my shoulder might have other ideas. Later gators. 

Recovery Day

That was A WEEK. Hectic energy all over the place and a lot of my calming efforts out-the-window. I'm giving it a big regroup and reentry kind of energy today. Time for gardening and meditation today -- finally. I have a lot of organizing to do. The house is a relative state of disaster and that gets me crazy. 

Yesterday was super hectic with the rain and the concert. Back and forth to dry chairs, check if they had blow over. We decided to pack a dinner as a group and I won't do that again. Added a layer of fuss that wasn't fun. Room temp snacks (chips, cookies, etc) and drinks in a small cooler -- good enough. So much work putting together a spread. Coolers got muddy. Not worth that part. 

The 80s group was good, but not as good as the 80s group last year. Weather was sticky and humid, but the rain stayed away for the concert. 

Our friend came and was having a really sad day -- she cried most of the concert (tried very hard to be discreet and kept apologizing -- neither was necessary). We knew harder grief was coming and it's here. 

I'm whipped and my shoulder is a mess from carrying chairs, cooler, etc. I also need a break from being the organizer of things. Felt like a lot of herding cat energy for me yesterday. 

As I mentioned -- nothing today but ME and getting organized. I have what I expect is a nicely balanced week coming up. Lots of social, but easier social. Hikes might be rained out though. Hubby is in Asheville for the week and that leaves my evenings free, quiet, early. All the social stuff is mid-day (except hikes). 

My garden watering job finishes on Monday. Rain is forecasted all weekend so I think I'll only need one more visit to check it out and this HUGE time-suck is off my mornings. I'm also off the hook for any contractor stuff with the kids. 

Of course, I don't want to say any of this too loud because of a potential (and very scientific) jinx threat. 

I slept in today and that's a Catch-22. I got some needed sleep, but waking up late makes me feel groggy (like naps often do). Energy is zapped. I feel like I'm in a fog. Waking up on-time would mean a lot less sleep and I'd feel tired. Tired and groggy are two different feelings for me. My body like to follow a sleep rhythm. 

Anyway, best get to all the things. It's only 8 o'clock but it feels so much later. Sun is hot already -- waiting for the promised rain and cloud cover. 

Hope you have a good Saturday. Later gators. 

Lonesome Dove

Big storms yesterday ...

Good news: don't need to water this morning (time to journal).

Bad news: power was out all late afternoon and evening. 

Good news: I finished Lonesome Dove.

Bad news: didn't get to cook for the concert today.

Seriously ... why, universe?!?  I guess it was a good trade off. We need the rain (says every old lady gardener). 

Duke discovered the bird's nest in my herbs while we spent the evening on the porch waiting for the power to come on. We are now in crazy town. I moved them away from the chair so he can't jump, but he's close to getting it. Jumped all morning. We're going to have to bring out the dog pen to put around it. 

(Not sure if the video will load -- this dog is 10 years old with the craziest vertical jump.)

Loves to "walk"
on 2 legs

Packed day today, ending in an our town's monthly summer concert on the lawn. It'll be hot, but hopefully no storms tonight. We have a big group going -- 80's cover band. Best decade of music. I'm organizing our group and setting up chairs first thing this morning. 

A little lot more on Lonesome Dove. 

Hit my orbit after hearing a couple of podcast folks say it was their top book ever (or in top 5 ever). Took it out from the library and promptly returned it. Western clocking in at just under a dense 800 pages. Nope.

Mentioned this book to a friend while we were hiking (the one who came to Asheville) and her father had a connection to the author. This is one of her favorite books and she's read it 3 times. Back on my list -- this time I wanted to thrift a copy. I expected to take a long, long time to read it and wanted the flexibility to read it when the mood hit. 

Looked for months -- can't find a copy. 

She knew it was required reading in HS in TX so she had her HS friend thrift me a copy and mail it to her. It was part of her gift when she came for the week. 

I should NOT like this book. Western. Lots of horrible behavior and prejudices from the characters. Bugs, gore, violence. 

And it was amazing storytelling. The descriptions spot on -- felt like you were there. The message was strong. The last line of the book -- wow. I gave it 5 stars. And now it has special meaning for me because of the absolutely most thoughtful trouble she went to get me the book.

On that note, I have to get going. Chair setup, Friday meeting, volunteer court training, cooking, concert -- long day ahead. 

Have a good one. Later gators. 

Rushing

The latter part of this week is a blur and won't settle until the weekend. 

My mornings are rushed -- having to water my son's garden every day has taken any little bit of the morning time. Up at 4 o'clock again today (and tomorrow). 

Add to the watering (takes an hour with travel time) a favor for a friend (the one who's husband passed) and a favor for my eldest (still closet related) all before a 10 o'clock hair appointment. 

All this to say a quick hello and I'll probably not be back until the weekend. 

Have a good rest of the week. Later gators.

Hiking Gems

Good morning from a sorta slow roll morning. 

A little less slow roll because I slept in 2 hours longer than usual and I don't have a ton of time to lallygag around. Gardens are calling. Storms did havoc on my son's garden so I need to spend some time there this morning.

Was the sleep-in worth it? 

I'm not sure, but here we are. 

I had a good hike yesterday. Short worked for my tired back, but I'll still say it was a big rush in the morning for not the biggest return. Still, she's a friend I enjoy spending time with and that was nice. I'll just be a little more careful about what and when I schedule a hike with her. 

Mother Nature showed up. Even when it's not the pretty of spring or fall, there are little gems to find. Most of these pictures are hers -- she's our official photographer lol.

The afternoon was a crazy favor for the kids. Unannounced closet supply delivery. Long story. Truck didn't wait for me to drive 10 minutes to accept the delivery. Company had them return. Hours waiting at the house. Pallet almost fell off the truck. Delivery guy almost passed out. Lots of drama, but it's ready for their install later in the week. You're welcome. 

P.S. THIS kind of thing is how MY time gets eaten up, but my schedule is more balanced this week so I'm not as frantic about losing the afternoon.

The Tuesday group isn't hiking today. "That" person is on vacation. One of the other ladies offered up a neighborhood walk which I declined. I asked about a lunch, but no reply so guess that's not happening. I might take myself and a book out to lunch. We'll see if time permits. 

I am really proud of myself for the decisions I made this week. I know it seems like such a small thing, but it matters a lot to me. 

I'm hiking with the hike leader tomorrow and I'll tell her I'm all in for Slovenia. I had a horrible dream about it already -- falling off the ridge path. Geez. If I get on the trip, I'm going to need coaching hah!

Okay, I'm going to get going. Balance exercises (I see you, ridge line) and an arm workout. I also want a longer meditation this morning. I've been doing visualization meditations about "stronger and lighter." The more I repeat it, the more it shows up for me, the more I notice, the more I can redirect myself. 

It's all in the practice of the thing you want. 

(Another "back to basics" philosophy that I've steered too far away.)

Have a good day. Later gators.