I was in the car, reviewing my shopping list, when it suddenly felt like I was being watched. That’s when I spotted this guy.
I don’t know what was going on but it appears he wasn’t having it. I’m hoping they stopped for ice cream on the way home to brighten his day!
This winter has been unseasonably warm here in southern Ohio. While we would normally expect daily highs in the twenties or thirties, we’ve mostly been in the fifties and sixties for a while. Thursday will be 76 degrees.
I tell you that to say this.
Our spring flowers and shrubs are confused.
I plucked this little daffodil from my yard last night and brought her to a vase inside. There are at least a dozen more ready to bloom today or tomorrow.
This cartoon comes to mind this week.
These gals typically bloom in late March or early April so this feels super early. This is what we call “fool’s spring” so I’m trying not to get too attached to the idea that the earth is stirring to life.
Meanwhile, when you’re in the presence of a daffodil, the appropriate response is to smile. So I’ll just keep smiling.
Decluttering is something I like to work on during the winter months. It’s a perfect job for this cold season and for my No Spend Challenge. After all, nothing makes you want to stop buying stuff quite like getting rid of your excess and thinking about how much money you have wasted on unnecessary crap over the decades.
While convalescing this weekend, I perused YouTube and watched a handful of videos about how getting rid of unneeded stuff can inspire inner peace. One video in particular listed over fifty things you can get rid of today. I was on board with a lot of her ideas but she and I parted ways on several topics.
For example, she doesn’t believe in having more than two pieces of luggage, purses or backpacks. Why would anyone need more than two suitcases anyway, she wondered. I have several pieces of luggage because every airline has different carryon allowances. If I were loyal to one airline, I could get rid of the excess but I tend to go with the best flight deal. Not to mention, road tripping me has different needs than flying me. If I’m hiking a lot I need bulky items like hiking shoes, extra water bottles and more clothes because rewearing yesterday’s sweaty clothes isn’t an option. Do I have a suitcase for every occasion? No, but I have more than two!
She also talked about throwing away spare change. She doesn’t like having it around and so she will sometimes just throw it in the trash. Who throws away money?
I hold onto my change in a ceramic Snoopy bank. Once I’ve accumulated a good bit, I take it to our bank to cash in for dollars. There are many years I’ve funded road trip gas with coin. We live in a country where people beg for change in the street and she’s sending it to a landfill? Wow. Tone deaf and wasteful don’t begin to cover it.
She also suggested family heirlooms like grandma’s turkey platter should be dispatched immediately if not sooner because there’s no point keeping something you use one day per year. Winter coats and scarves? You need one of each. Never mind that you might need something for dressing up for work and another coat for walking around. Plus, anyone who lives in a cold environment knows there are varying needs throughout the season.
I could go on but there’s no need to nitpick. Clearly, her values and priorities don’t align with my own. There’s nothing wrong with that (except the money thing and that’s just nuts).
However, I would caution you to think critically when people advise you to just throw away or donate something that you enjoy, that you use, or that has value. They may have Instagram worthy homes but they don’t live your life.
I will never be that person with four plates and four cups. My home will never be a showplace and, hard as I try, the cabinet with my cookie sheets is always kind of a mess.
In this season of decluttering where there’s constantly someone shaming you for your messes and trying to sell you containers, don’t buy into the hype. Keep what you love, donate or sell what you can and feather your nest in a way that makes you happy. It needn’t be perfect as long as it is perfect for you!
Everyone should have friends who are willing to derail their plans to slam on the brakes whenever you gasp the words “look at that!”
My Pittsburgh pal is a champ in this category. When we spotted this Catholic church atop a hill in a tiny western Pennsylvania village, she didn’t hesitate to look for the entrance.
The door was open so we were able to let ourselves in. My friend prayed while I admired the quiet and the light of this beautiful sanctuary.
It really is gorgeous.
It was built in 1893 and, while it feels historic, it also feels fresh and well cared for.
The stained glass is magnificent.
The cemetery contains numerous old graves with interesting, finely crafted headstones.
Lovely, eh?
Just before we left, we met a woman who is a longtime congregant. We had a quick chat with her and she confirmed that the church has an active congregation and she seemed positively thrilled that we showed an interest.
It made my heart happy to think there are still people out there so devoted to their church and faith and that they would make strangers feel so welcome.
It’s a long weekend for many of us in America since Monday is Presidents’ Day. The weather is going to be absolutely gorgeous today. At 45 degrees and sunny, one could not ask for better hiking weather and I am tempted to hit the trail this afternoon.
Unfortunately, my body is begging for rest. I had a sinus issue this week, complete with a cough that kept me up most nights. And, of course, the neck issue I developed Thursday persists.
I’m starting to fray around the edges.
So I bought a new pillow, some pain cream and some quick prep foods to make mealtime easier this weekend. I also bought this clearance journal designed to help me slow down and plan wellness improvements.
How sad that I’m seeking health advice from the clearance shelf.
It’s important to listen to your body and to give it what it’s begging for. So unless I feel significantly better this afternoon, I’ll be hanging out with my cat, a book and my tv remote. This isn’t really my speed but here we are.
Enjoy your Saturday and wish me luck!
It isn’t every day I get to write about a literal pain in the neck but I injured myself while getting ready for work yesterday morning. To be clear, I wasn’t doing anything wrong or even taxing. I just turned my head to the left and immediately felt something snap in the right side of my neck. Pain immediately radiated down my neck and into the shoulder.
It was a busy day so I persevered but noticed the issue hurt more with each passing hour. My hopes that it would wear off on its own were clearly unrealistic.
This picture from Lake Alma is about as bleak as my mood yesterday afternoon.
Luckily, my chiropractor is great and they got me in right away. By the time I walked in his office, the pain was up into my temple and down my right arm. I shudder to imagine how bad it would be now without his care.
I feel better now. Not good. But better and I’m hopeful that some rest this weekend will help me heal. If not, I’ll go back next week and try again.
This week has been rough as I have struggled with a cough and a sinus problem. These episodes have gone a long way toward reminding me just how precious good health is. We don’t often recognize it till it’s gone.
Be healthy and happy, my friends, and be grateful if you are in good health.