And still counting ... (17,088-17,186)

breath billowing on cool September morning air, how the chill pricks my skin, stars in the sky on a clear morning canvas

closed doors that make me laugh with delight and gratitude, morning coffee, Dave's offer to write again on 66 Books next year, the writers on 66 Books, morning quiet time

sticky tabs for notebooks, a planner, sharpened pencils, a focus on fall and home rhythms, a good day of weeding, Lucy Gray (my favorite chicken) helping me and chatting me along the path

a swim cap for big hair, nose plugs, ear plugs, delight in swimming, bigger dreams

the creative energy and imagination of a four, positive people, books in the mail, organized bookshelves in the school room, a picture of us on a roller coaster from 2009

making plans with friends, broccoli salad, geese in v formation in September morning skies, chickens free ranging, all that dirt moved

stickers for a school year, a holiday weekend together, Denise at the table, Sharon's yes, good books

clean sheets, long-sleeve shirts, denim jackets, running, green smoothies

living the dream, ability to move 6 yards of dirt alone, the garden potager--an old dream now come true, rosemary, a frisbee for Ruth

lost things found in the recycle (thank you!), creamer for my coffee, sage, thyme, oatmeal raisin cookies

string lights on secured hooks, vet tape, a clean driveway, a cucumber that Nella didn't find and we got to eat, her math friend

the laundry room (tidied!), clothes to donate, couch cuddles with Erin, early mornings with Lanie, washed and folded blankets

first days at home schooling, open windows, chicken tortilla soup with lime, a good workload, cinnamon rolls for breakfast

super cool morning to run, Emet at the race cheering me at the finish line, an awesome team, a rainy day race, Grant's reaction when the medal was metal

cuddles with my high schooler, super early bedtimes for me, fully charged body battery, Nora's "let's chat" message, races in queue

Dave on 66 Books, actually--all the writers are blessings and friends, a new school year momentum, optimism, Stranger Things nostalgia

farm fresh eggs, a book stack from the library, index cards and a holder, a lanyard and a name tag at co-op, the sound of wind through the leaves this time of year

a soft cardigan on a chilly day, "window" shopping with Erin, steam punk goggles, a chocolate milkshake, the feeling of finishing a 9-mile long run

the friendly women at the fabric store, ice water, an order of winter favorite teas (and some new ones to try!), a 50-degree morning under stars, a date scheduled with Michi

friends on a Friday, the loveliest ever first week of homeschool, a last dip in the pool with Erin--so cold and so fun!, chicken tortilla soup, the soft and stretchy running bras from Born Primitive

peanut butter on gf matzoh

Day story

 September 2022

Outside my window, a clear view of the stars in the sky. I am so thankful for my vision. Who knew that a cataracts diagnosis would bring so much wonderful change into my life? It was absolutely delightful to stand barefoot on the cold ground this morning, watching my breath billow out in front of me, hearing the September crickets playing away, gazing up at the stars. On my wish list, I still want to go somewhere where I can really see the stars spread out full and thick across the sky, just like I've seen in pictures. But for now, I'm happy to see Orion standing watch.

And I quote,

“And now, a million years later, as you get up every second day just to do another three miles around the housing development, heaving and breathing and trying to distract yourself with a new podcast, you are actually becoming, in tiny increments, the thing you were meant to be. The soft fat stored from a modern diet of processed industrial compounds starts to dissolve and drop away; your unused muscles in your legs start to tighten and firm; your lungs fill and empty and fill and become elastic and clear. Your heart, that small beating thing, strains to meet the stress and finds that it can. You can feel it growing in your chest cavity, like the Grinch’s.

It’s like one of those modern vampire or zombie movies, where some strange compound transforms the human body into something else, something much stronger, something much more dangerous than the weak and pasty suburbanites who become its prey. Instead of the Walking Dead, we are the Running Living. The urge to transform can come from within, from a sense of either loss or surfeit in your life. I have known people who ran because they felt there was something missing, and they thought if they could pick up some speed they might find it. I have also known people who’ve found themselves like Marley’s ghost, with chains of stress and responsibility and unwanted pounds, who began to run in the hope that all or some of it would shake off from the jostling.

Heraclitus said, ‘What does not change is the will to change,’ and thus our motivations are inexhaustible as we propel ourselves doggedly down the dawn streets. We are fueled by Gatorade and dissatisfaction.” The Incomplete Book of Running, by Peter Sagal, emphasis added

Giving thanks for a new dream, a bigger dream. I outfitted myself with swim accessories and took to the water. How I wish I had started sooner, but all in its time. I have enjoyed swimming, counting the breaths, the pounding of my heart. And when I'm done, effortless and endless floating on my back. It's never been any work for me to float, and there's something so peaceful in staring up at a blue sky, being rocked gently by the movement of the water supporting me. Quiet. Peaceful. Held.

In the school room, yahoo! I love school! I love homeschool! I love organized and dusted bookshelves, planners penciled in, colorful sticky tabs holding places. I love creating a cozy space. I love how the wood stove whispers and I can smell the hints of a yesterday's smoke on its breath. Soon. Soon. Thank you, God, for a home with a wood stove in the school room space. Thank you for a big comfy couch for reading out loud and long talks. Thank you for a kitchen table painted and repurposed for computers and studies and holding all the things. Thank you for a piano and other instruments in the room, a haven of beauty and creativity and joy. Help me to invest time wisely this year.

From the kitchen, lots of baked goods. A recent request for pumpkin bread with chocolate chips (always!) for Lanie's latest back to school. In a cleaning effort of bookshelves, I found a long lost cookbook using almond flour--and now almond scones will be making a sooner appearance.

I am laughing. (Oh, that I ever cried!) In my clean-up of the school room, I found some forgotten papers from forever ago when I did a book study of Recovering from Losses in Life. As I read over the pages with fresh insight, I pitied the person I was who not only grieved the things, but still wanted a way for those things to work and be made whole. I'm glad I found those pages, because within a day or two, God showed me what he saved me from. And I laughed. God is so good. I am so grateful. Some ends are hard, but I'm really going to trust his closed doors. No time for crying. God is good.

I don't want to forget the feel of the cooling air. The joy of a full table. The fullness of a good meal. The warmth of my children's hugs. The comfort of cuddling my man. The loyalty of my dog. The chatter of a favorite chicken. The gratitude for long-time friends. The satisfying ache of endurance. The turn of my stomach in excitement for new adventures. The hope of a plan. The delight in the planning. The wonder of this moment. This rhythm of life.

I am reading The Lifegiving Parent by Clay and Sally Clarkson. I have a stack of other books too, but anticipating the delivery of Holy Hygge in the next week. Also in queue is The Lifegiving Table by Sally Clarkson.

Around the house, a dirt delivery today for the raised beds. I'll be shoveling as soon as it gets here. So excited!

I value wisdom. A favorite quote from the Bible: Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend ... Proverbs 7:4, ESV.

A view of my favorite things

a little treasure from 2009

Her first day sophomore year

humidity run

love

Some people are not your people

half marathon registration--number 3 for 2022

September mood

 

At the table, Denise is joining us this weekend, and I am glad. Holiday weekend. Homeschool starting soon. Grateful for family and friends. Sharon, Autumn, Kellie, and Marshall's Mom in queue too!