Around here, I am freshly back from vacation and barely acclimating. I’m not one to rest well when I travel nor do I allow myself a lot of time to just breathe. If I’m going to the trouble of traveling someplace, I want to enjoy that place and see as much as possible. Then I was in hurry up and wait mode as air travel felt like more like a chore than a luxury this time.
So I came home tired, jet lagged and possibly fighting off a cold or something worse.
I slept about fifteen hours last night. While I regret missing so much of this day, I am glad to wake up feeling much better and less like knocking on death’s door.
Around here, the colors are muted, the sky is dull and it is chilly. It’s the perfect day to lollygag with a book and cat and to piddle around the house, putting things back in order. Dishes are done, the bedsheets are drying, and the bed is airing out while it waits to be made up.
It’s also a good day for soup. I found a recipe to try but I’m going to Brandify it so wish me luck. This could go well or be terrible.
Around here, I broke down and turned on the heat today. Overnight temperatures outside have been in the thirties since I got home. I play this game to see how long I can hold out before turning on the furnace. My goal is November 1. It’s October 25 and was 50 degrees inside when I got up.
I’m choosing comfort over valor this year.
Around here, I am five books behind on my annual reading goal with little hope of catching up by December 31. Thats ok. The reading goal is really designed to keep me pushing forward rather than to make me feel bad for missing the mark. In the end, I will still have read a ton of truly good books this year.
Around here I am contemplating what travel stories to tell you in the coming weeks. This trip to Cody was exactly what I needed – some museums, some outdoors, some shopping and some time with my friend who I miss very much.
There wasn’t any hiking though as my knee continues to be an issue. Instead, we did some sightseeing and even some off-roading in her Jeep. Cody isn’t especially friendly to those of us who don’t eat meat so I came home excited for vegetables and with few restaurant recommendations to share.
And much of what we learned in museums wasn’t especially cheerful. The most meaningful place we went was Heart Mountain, the site of an internment camp where Japanese Americans were held during World War II. Their interpretive center is a place I believe every American should experience at least once. Yet, I notice that people I have tried to talk to about it completely check out of the conversation because they don’t want to hear it.
Because ignoring it will certainly make it go away, right?
Around here I’m thinking a lot about the stories we tell ourselves, the ones we choose to hear, and how our ability to only be exposed to what we like or agree with is killing our nation.
Around here, I have a lot on my mind. But for now, I’ll cuddle my kitty cat who is desperately glad to have me here and I’ll make my soup and read my book and be glad to be back home.
Like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, around here is a pretty cool place to be.
Always feels good coming home.😊
I never want to come home until I get about an hour from home and then I’m ready!
I broke down much earlier and turned my heat on at the beginning of the month! And hey, being five books behind isn’t bad. And it’s all about looking at the big picture and how many books you ended up reading this year, which I’m guessing is pretty impressive and better than most.
My reading goal usually isn’t about hitting the goal so much as motivating daily reading and constantly reaching for the next book. I’ll keep reading and be glad for every book I get to read.
Sounds like you found plenty to do and explore despite the knee. I’m heading home from Albany, NY. Didn’t get out and do much, as Dad’s knees are bad. But we had a lovely visit getting reacquainted.
Book reading goals are nice, and not set in concrete! I didn’t meet the goal last year (by a long shot), but should be able to meet the same goal this year. Both outcomes are fine. I read plenty other than books, too.
Hope you’re all better now. So often I catch a bad cold when flying. Don’t enjoy flying nearly as much as driving!
I’m glad you had some time with your dad and hope your journey home was a good one. Driving is a much more enjoyable way to travel!
As far as I’m concerned, the book goal is a great vehicle for reading more. So even if I don’t hit the goal, I have read a ton of books this year and that’s amazing.