Still Loving It

#1 - I'm still loving the assignment I selected for myself as homework for my writing and meditation class, "Think of one small action you can take every day between now and Sept 16th.  It will be the exact same action 34 times.  Ideas:  take a picture every day, drink a smoothie every day, read a poem every day, send a postcard every day, walk around the block every day.  Keep it simple."   I chose to read a poem to someone every day - ideally a different person each day.   This has been one of the highlights of my day - even if I am just leaving the message on voicemail.  On Wednesday I actually read a poem to a friend I haven't spoken to in over 15 years.  Just the sound of his voice brought me deep joy.

Today my friend Matt answered his phone.  I see him most weeks on my soccer team, but I don't call him on the phone and I haven't read him a poem in a long time.  He was happy to give me the time and space to listen to one by William Carlos Williams.

#2 - The Coconut Lime popsicle by goodpop is delicious.  Today I looked at the ingredients wondering why I like it so much (beyond the lime which is always a dessert preference for me).  It is sweetened by agave nectar and has 11 grams of sugar. 

https://www.goodpops.com/portfolio/coconut-lime/

#3 - I thought the farmer's market was going to be toasty and humid today but the cloud (or smoke) cover prevented that.  We had a new craft vendor that was very punctual and arrived right on the dot at 6AM to set up.  (Usually only the farmer's arrive that early.)  It was good she filled in as a couple farmer's were unable to come.

#4 - There was both strawberries and spinach, so I bought a bunch to make a strawberry/spinach salad.  I didn't do any recipe planning before the market so it was nice to have this idea come to mind.  I think some feta cheese is all I'll need to purchase from the store.

#5 - I have leftovers from some yummi tacos I made yesterday with homemade salsa and guacamole.  I usually grocery shop on Sundays and I rarely have homemade leftovers this late in the week.

Homework

#1 - This year I am in a monthly writing and meditation class.  Each month we have multiple homework assignments.  For example - once a week drink a glass of water or eat an apple without doing anything else, or slow walk around the block at least once, or read a picture book and take your time with each page, enjoy letting your eyes rest on the images, or listen to an entire CD/album from start to finish without doing anything else.

Last month one of the assignments was "Find a place outside you can recline - a blanket on the grass, a hammock, a reclining lawn chair, on top of a picnic table.  Set your timer for 15 minutes and watch the sky." 

This photo is what one of the other women in class saw when she did that assignment.  I asked if I could share it and Diane said yes.

#2 - This month one of the assignments is "Think of one small action you can take every day between now and Sept 16th.  It will be the exact same action 34 times.  Ideas:  take a picture every day, drink a smoothie every day, read a poem every day, send a postcard every day, walk around the block every day.  Keep it simple." 

I decided to read a poem to someone every day- preferably a different person.  So I pulled out the notebook where I write favorite poems and I pulled out my address book and started calling.  On Tuesday I called a friend I haven't spoken to in a year.  On Wednesday a friend I haven't spoken to in 7 years.  On Thursday a friend it's been more than 10 years.  Today the woman who owns the studio where I do yoga.  So far no one has answered, which is great, I just leave a voicemail.  I think that is why we often don't call someone we haven't spoken to in a long time, where to begin?  But it's so nourishing, to me at least, to just scatter these seeds of connection.  Scatter these seeds of poetry.

#3 - I was about to call the White House comment line because of the horrific amount of money needed for Trump's military parade.  I looked it up right before I called and found out the parade had been postponed, so I actually called and thanked them for postponing (or hopefully cancelling altogether).

#4 - I haven't been motivated for a number of months to check out a cookbook from the library and try some new recipes until a couple weeks ago.  This week one of the recipes had 8 oz of dried porcini mushrooms, when I went to the bulk section to buy them I found out this would cost $40.  I figured this must be some sort of error, maybe it was 8 oz AFTER reconstitution.  I bought 1 oz and then my partner gave me another ounce or two he had when I told him the story.  Suffice it to say I made the recipe but without the quantity of mushrooms.

I'm grateful to have leftovers of this to take with me so I have an quick/easy meal to eat between barre class and cleaning the yoga studio today.

#5 - My doctor suggested trying physical therapy for an issue I've been having.  I was having some gratitude challenges with this wondering how much time this is going to take and if insurance will cover it.  I called insurance today and they said the clinic and physical therapy will be covered (to a certain amount of visits).  I know this is a huge privilege in this country, and for that I truly am grateful.

So Taken Care Of

#1 - "We're in this together." The response of the guy on the phone whom I'd just told, "I did this quickly so I may have made a mistake," when we looked at the changes he requested on the website.

#2 - My mind was racing this morning, so I sat still for ten minutes. Since it was the last thing my mind wanted to do, I knew I needed it. I did not want that mind running my day and I knew if I didn't stop it would. It's the one habit from Spain I'm still carrying with me.

#3 - The apparent pride in the write up the man I'm dating did about a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with his two daughters last week. It was in response to an internal work post asking what people's children had learned this summer. I had really debated about joining them this year. When I decided not to I expected I would feel sad. However, the week before the trip I felt confident instead. I don't feel jealous they had a wonderful experience, I feel grateful.  Furthermore, the confidence I hear gained by the three of them going by themselves further affirms that decision (#4).

#5 - Reframing - reminding myself constantly to reframe.  Here is an example from today.    The only time I wear glasses is on the computer and I need them on the computer or my eyes feel tired and strained.  I was excited to get my new prescription, since the old one is a few years old.  The eye doctor convinced me to get bifocals because they are the more expensive glasses and then I'd have the distance vision (if I want to wear them to sharpen things up a bit, though he said my distance vision is good) and the close up description.  But the close up is blurry at the distance of my computer screen and clear much too close to my face to be useful.  So really at this point they are pointless for what I need them for.  So I called and first I need to go to the shop to see if they measured incorrectly and if it's correct, then I can go back to the eye doctor.  I'm pretty sure I'll need the second so that means at least two more trips when I just want a simple pair of glasses.

Ok that is one way to look at it.

The other way to look at it is HOW LUCKY I am to be able to see an eye doctor, to have insurance that will pay for a pair of glasses and if those glasses are incorrect, to have that rectified without additional charges (I think, at least on the last part).  Here I am mentally complaining about taking time for this instead of being GRATEFUL that I am so taken care of.