Learning How to Mosey

This has been an interesting summer. I have be learning the art of the mosey. I used to hike fast and track my rate per mileage. I would aim for under 25 minutes per mile on strenuous hikes. I would train for long, double digit hikes that would take much of the day. In October I got a virus and have not been the same since. We still have not figured out the solution but in the meantime I have not been able to hike. So now we go to trailheads and I do what I call a mosey. We walk slowly and stop often to identify trees or listen to birds. What is most interesting is that I have grown to love this kind of hiking with no goal and no destination. We go as far as I can and then turn around and head back just as slowly. Justin has been really supportive of this new kind of nature bathing. He has spent a lot of time studying trees and learning more about the native flora. Now that I have found the joy in slow hiking I am going to try to slow down all aspects of my life. Faster does not mean better. I will need to retrain after rushing so much. But I am looking forward to what my slower paced life will look like. Here are a few of my pics from favorite times outside this summer.

It's Been Awhile

Every year I say I will be better about journaling and every year I seem to write less! This summer has been very different. Due to some medical issues that have yet to be identified, I am unable to enjoy my favorite passtime- hiking. Since it is usually how I spend 2-3 days per week in the summer, it means I have a lot more time to fill. Not only was hiking my favorite activity but it also helped me stay in shape and release tension and frustration so it has been quite an adjustment this summer. One thing that I have been adding to my routine is meeting friends for coffee. Better yet is when I can meet someone for coffee at a bookstore. I got to do this earlier this month at The Read Queen in Layfayette. Whenever I go to a bookstore, I try to find a book that was not on my radar before going into the store. Sometimes this works out perfectly and sometimes I have a book staring at me for quite awhile to complete. But I have always loved the quote from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society “Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers." This is part of the magic browsing in an independent bookstore or library and just happeing upon the right book at the right time. I have gone so far that when a book falls to my feet when I am reshelving or working with books, I often see it as a book jumping into my world and saying READ ME. While I may not complete every book that crosses my path, I certainly give them a closer look and have found many a great read this way. It worked out perfectly again when I met my friend at The Read Queen. There was a beautiful book that caught my eye- Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris. I have always been a sucker for the found family trope. And since I knew we were headed to Wyoming for a camping trip, the title seemed to fit the theme. It was such a perfect match for my weekend in nature.

Joyful Moments

 Joyful Moments

It’s has been too long since I’ve done a blog post. No good reason. Just life. It has been hard seeing my mom's memory fade.  I listened to a podcast this week.  It was from Tara Brach and it was exploring the concept of attachment.  I have heard of this before from yoga but for some reason her version clicked with me.  She said attachment is the feeling of wanting when what you want is not what you have.  I need to stop wanting to change things.  I need to accept what is.  For example, I am really sad that my mom no longer knows who I am but I need to stop getting hung up on that and accept it is what it is and to be in the moment and grow with what is.  

One thing I have been getting better at is finding joyful moments.  Every day is filled with joyful moments.  Petey, our new puppy helps me find joy in the simple times.  Seeing him chase after grasshoppers or fallen leaves reminds me how many little things of joy are all around us.  

I also enjoy cooking.  This summer I finally tried out a recipe I got when I was in Iceland last summer.  It is called the Happy Marriage Cake.  It is sort of like a crisp with rhubarb jam in the middle.  I had two recipes.  It was fun to make them both and work on adjusting the amount of butter to make it just right.  (The first try was delicious but did not need the entire stick of butter.). I really like cooking when time allows and I am not hangry.  Speaking of cooking, I am excited for a new cookbook that comes out this week.  the subtitle says it all- I like that the focus is sharing food with people you love.

I continue to enjoy time outside.  I have not had as much time for actual hikes but even walking in the neighborhood is fun as I pay more attention to fauna and flora, especially birds with the Merlin app.

Something I posted on Instagram but I also wanted to share it here:  If you haven't read the book Die With Zero, do it. It talks about memory dividends. Take a trip while you are young and can enjoy that trip for years to come with memory dividends. I've learned never to take a memory for granted. We do not know how long we can collect them and how long we can hold on to them. If there is a memory you've been meaning to make with a loved one, do it now.

Enjoy the Easy Steps

Often when I plan a hike I take notice of the elevation gain. Then as I hike, if it begins with flat or little incline, I think to myself- there must be a lot of uphill ahead of me. So instead of enjoy the easy steps ,I am thinking of the hard to come.  I noticed I was also doing this in life- worrying about future challenges rather than enjoying the "easy steps".  So I have made this mindshift to always enjoy the easy steps both on a hike and in life because the hards steps are going to be ahead whether I think about them or not.  So even if the easy steps are only for a minute or an hour or a day- I need to stop and enjoy the easy steps.  

Summer Solstice

Today is the longest day of the year- lots of light and I feel like I am coming out of darkness. Here are some reminders for me and anyone else who might need it: 

1. Make Connections- Loneliness is a bad road to stay on. When you reach out you will be surprised how much compassion and understanding there is in this world. If you are not feeling it, expand your circle. Take a risk and find some new connections. 

 2. My peace cannot rely of the peace of others- If I can't control it, let it go. This is MUCH harder than it sounds and I still have a long way to go but this is basically the serenity prayer: Accept what I cannot change, Courage to change what I can and the Wisdom to know the difference. There are things I can control and things I can't control. I need to find joy in the life I can control and let go of the rest. 

3. Be Present- Find small joys everyday. The small joys will become a habit even in tough times. 

 4. Do something for others every single day. If we all could follow this tip the world would be so much better. It helps you and helps others at the same time. 

5. Embrace the unknown 

6. Break the freeze habit- release the tension. For years my default has been to hold it in. Here is my new strategy: MELT

Meet myself and others with love 

Everything is unfolding 

Live in the moment 

Take a deep breath 

7. Have hope- lean into positive words: Trust, Peace, Acceptance, Calm, Love, Awareness, Hope, Honesty, Non-judgement, Blessings, Faith

Seasons of Life

I love Autumn! I love the cooler temps and the bold colors and the flannel and the decorations. It also makes me think about my life. I feel like spring is up until 25. Still growing and learning. Summer is up until 50. Fun in the sun. Livin life. Autumn is now until 75 and Winter follows after. When I told my kids this they said that is so depressing. But it does not feel that way at all because I love autumn! I feel like I am the red and orange and yellow of life right now- bold and standing out. Autumn is when you reap all the efforts of your labor- I am harvesting all sorts of love right now. Autumn is when you get cozy and snuggle up with a good book. Related to this- when I turned 50 I said to myself -I want to exit this decade healthier than I entered it. I have had a lot of chronic pain, especially migraines. It effects my quality of life and my ability to enjoy my friends and family as much as i want to. So I have been on a journey these last couple of years. It has cost some money but as my husband reminds me, it is an investment in my health. I have gotten back to a more regular yoga practice, started getting massages while also going to a chiropractor and for physical therappy. All of these things combined have helped me feel better. I just finished reading a book called Die with Zero. This is a good read that helps as we transition from a lifetime of saving to the spending phase. The book mentioned "Memory Dividends" which refers to the idea that the sooner we create fantistic memories the longer we have to enjoy the memories. I really like this thinking as it is so easy to keep putting off great trips and memory makers waiting for the "right time" when it is very likely the right time is NOW... so pardon me while I start planning that trip to Costa Rica!

My 2022 Playlist

If I had to pick three songs that sum up what 2022 has been like so far, here is what I would say: 

Both Sides Now  

I'm Still Standing  

Only a River 

Both Sides Now shows how I have matured. I used to be a lot more black and white and with more and more life experiences I see that when you look at both sides it is a lot easier to have empathy and see that everyone is doing the best they can. 

 I'm Still Standing is how I feel after this summer- it was one thing after another but I'm still standing and trying to see how challenging times help us grow. 

Only a River reminds me how healing nature is for us. Whenever I get out I always realize it is just what I need. I love the mountains but I also love the river- to me it is truly in the moment because the moment of a river is always there for that second never to be the same before or after. I love the sound and the view and the smell and the feel. The only sense that is not engaged is taste- although I usually am eating at the river also. It is just such a healing space for me.