Not gonna lie... things are altogether heavy around here. Politics. Floods. and then in my circle there's cancer and a traumatic death and..... it seems to never stop. BUT...
Today, I had the chance to talk to a neighbor I have only conversed with one other time. I've been worried about him because he has lost A LOT of weight. I got in his business and asked directly if he was ok (Just fyi... tattooed grandmothers can get away with this. :-)) Long story short, he is and he appreciated me stopping and asking AND he let me send him home with a yummy healthy chocolate dessert I have been making on the regular. IT increased the brightness on my week dramatically.
SO, yep... there are glimmers of light in the midst of darkness. Some others being my gorgeous dahlias that are about to show out!!!
We are on the same wavelength with books lately! I read and loved The Wedding People a few weeks ago, and also Colored Television. I also just listened to James on audio and couldn’t put it down.
I’m having trouble taking in the macro drama and tension due to the micro drama and tension of my BIL’s brain surgery coming up on Monday. This will be his 3rd in ten years… bringing sour patch, Kit Kats, and my physical presence to sit with my sister during the surgery. Hard to balance it all and feeling kind of numb and then guilty about being numb? It’s dumb. (Ha.)
Counterweight: we finally got our above ground pool open for the summer and my husband and I have been enjoying it after my daughter is asleep each night (and sometimes with her of course). Water is often the answer for me!
I said yes to a handful of summer concerts months ago and they’re proving to be the insurance policy my head, heart, and bones knew I would need. All the praise for big-group sing alongs to the same songs.
Bonus - make it a meet up with your bestest college friend and git yourself a new-to-you popsicle that is bright with fruity-pebbles-bottom-of-bowl goodness!
Always so grateful for your words, Shannan! ❤️. I struggle to find my tweaks today. My adult children have accused me of being ‘radicalized’ by social media, specifically IG. Maybe. I think I would be more concerned if I wasn’t angered into this new fluctuating state of pain by current events. Can I regulate? Should I? Darn if this white woman knows…
Your weights speak to me. I am looking for my own counterweights and tweaks. I just got back from an epic trip with friends to Alaska where I fell back in love with the world a little bit but alas now I have Covid. Thank you for your beautiful words.
As always, you echo my heart. The heavy is HEAVY right now. I remember when things were worse…the 1960s were an absolute s**t show with so many political assassinations, city engulfing riots all across the U.S., the Vietnam War was raging…but I am afraid things are about to get much, much worse. Because at least then we had enough (just enough) good men and women leaders that did the right thing. I don’t see that today. Yes there are good leaders but they’re in the minority now. Our government has been swallowed whole by corrupt men and women. We the people are going to have to save ourselves. And to do that we have to keep our strength up — our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Consuming the news differently has made such a difference! Found a place I can volunteer and redirect some of my energy in a healthier way. We walk every morning and because we live in Vegas and it’s 88° at 6 am in the summer, we drive to a nearby big box store first thing every morning and walk there. This is our 2nd summer doing this and we’ve gotten to know half a dozen employees by name; yesterday we stopped to chat and find out how Edith’s vacation to her home country went and she showed us photos of her niece’s wedding. I set a goal to try one new recipe each week and it’s fun to add some into rotation (and laugh about the failures). Another goal is to go to the library once a week; haven’t been as consistent with that one bc of health issues but it has made a difference in my mental health to be more intentional. The biggest change to help me, though, is to refuse to allow them to steal my joy. I will recognize, name and celebrate the good people and the good things in my life!
We’re going to have to keep marching and resisting, we’re going to have to strike, we’re going to have to get loud and stay loud for a very long time.
Today I’m taking myself to a flood relief concert with one of my favorite artists— look up San Baker. I couldn’t find anyone to go with but it starts at 2 pm 👍🏾 and is 40 minutes away. Live music is such a balm
the highlights were Sam Baker singing his song, Mennonite and his song, Angels. Found a new songwriter with a gorgeous and great story tellling named Erin Ivey. they are posting the stream today . Oh and they raised 42K as of yesterday for Convoy of Hope, Mercy Chefs and Community Foundation of the Hill Country.
But what if the B-word has grown on us???? 😂 I like your idea, too. As for the cooling off, that's a better question for Cory, who is perpetually hot. I am not in that club...yet. 🤷🏻♀️ A chilly shower afterwards does always hit the spot!
Well, I tried to paste my picture of power lines and sunset skies off the balcony of a new place we tried for tacos, but alas! My tech skills end at control c, control v. I made my family be "hometown tourists" a la Emily P Freeman. I talked to my counselor yesterday. I feel less alone when I read your emails. Thank you.
1440 has been a sanity saver. Good sources. Succinct.
Counterweights this week: listening to my stepson change his vocal pattern to long oooo with no warning. He was recently diagnosed with a neurological progressive disease. We never know what he’s goons say!
Farmers Market flower vendors
Good books. Last one - How to find love in a bookshop.
This found me right in time. Last week, I felt at a nervous system breaking point. Since January, I’ve been striving to be “informed, not overwhelmed “ but the coverage of the camp in FL plus the floods about broke me. My body told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to make some big tweaks.
So I am trying to regain my attention from short form video length to novel length. I’m actually sticking to my screen time limits ( glad to hear I’m not alone is often ignoring it). I’m spending more time outside and with friends.
I was also challenged by a recent post by a Black creator reminding white folks to not sink into the despair. That this is the time for art and joy and connection because we need hem more than ever.
Thanks for helping us feel seen and sharing your own process. I love the walk idea.
I absolutely adore your ice cream & bitching photos & would love to join you (although it would be a bit of a commute). Unfortunately for me, my friend makes me walk with her (at the mall) instead of getting ice cream. We do solve some problems anyway, and spend time commiserating with each other for the things we can't fix.
One of my counterweights has been your playlists - I've enjoyed all of them quite a bit. I listen to music instead of news while I'm getting ready in the morning. Thanks for making my music sessions more interesting!
Not gonna lie... things are altogether heavy around here. Politics. Floods. and then in my circle there's cancer and a traumatic death and..... it seems to never stop. BUT...
Today, I had the chance to talk to a neighbor I have only conversed with one other time. I've been worried about him because he has lost A LOT of weight. I got in his business and asked directly if he was ok (Just fyi... tattooed grandmothers can get away with this. :-)) Long story short, he is and he appreciated me stopping and asking AND he let me send him home with a yummy healthy chocolate dessert I have been making on the regular. IT increased the brightness on my week dramatically.
SO, yep... there are glimmers of light in the midst of darkness. Some others being my gorgeous dahlias that are about to show out!!!
This warms the heart! Our friend we look for at the gas station told another friend that me, Cory, and him are "two peas in a pod." 😻 Made my day.
I can't love this more.
We are on the same wavelength with books lately! I read and loved The Wedding People a few weeks ago, and also Colored Television. I also just listened to James on audio and couldn’t put it down.
I’m having trouble taking in the macro drama and tension due to the micro drama and tension of my BIL’s brain surgery coming up on Monday. This will be his 3rd in ten years… bringing sour patch, Kit Kats, and my physical presence to sit with my sister during the surgery. Hard to balance it all and feeling kind of numb and then guilty about being numb? It’s dumb. (Ha.)
Counterweight: we finally got our above ground pool open for the summer and my husband and I have been enjoying it after my daughter is asleep each night (and sometimes with her of course). Water is often the answer for me!
Kayla! Thank you for sharing this with us. I'll be thinking of you all on Monday. TAKE A SWEATER. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I said yes to a handful of summer concerts months ago and they’re proving to be the insurance policy my head, heart, and bones knew I would need. All the praise for big-group sing alongs to the same songs.
Bonus - make it a meet up with your bestest college friend and git yourself a new-to-you popsicle that is bright with fruity-pebbles-bottom-of-bowl goodness!
I love concerts in theory but I might be too old??? I seem to only enjoy them these days if everyone sits down and it's not too loud. 😂
🤣 Yes, these are of the chill, bring-a-chair variety!
Always so grateful for your words, Shannan! ❤️. I struggle to find my tweaks today. My adult children have accused me of being ‘radicalized’ by social media, specifically IG. Maybe. I think I would be more concerned if I wasn’t angered into this new fluctuating state of pain by current events. Can I regulate? Should I? Darn if this white woman knows…
It's funny, Pearlie, my family accuses me of the same. It's SO sad and exhausting. I'm glad we have each other here. You're not alone. 🫶🏻
So very thankful for you, Shannan! ❤️ Your words and community are a balm to my spirit!
Your weights speak to me. I am looking for my own counterweights and tweaks. I just got back from an epic trip with friends to Alaska where I fell back in love with the world a little bit but alas now I have Covid. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Alaska! COVID.
We get it all. ⚖️
As always, you echo my heart. The heavy is HEAVY right now. I remember when things were worse…the 1960s were an absolute s**t show with so many political assassinations, city engulfing riots all across the U.S., the Vietnam War was raging…but I am afraid things are about to get much, much worse. Because at least then we had enough (just enough) good men and women leaders that did the right thing. I don’t see that today. Yes there are good leaders but they’re in the minority now. Our government has been swallowed whole by corrupt men and women. We the people are going to have to save ourselves. And to do that we have to keep our strength up — our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Consuming the news differently has made such a difference! Found a place I can volunteer and redirect some of my energy in a healthier way. We walk every morning and because we live in Vegas and it’s 88° at 6 am in the summer, we drive to a nearby big box store first thing every morning and walk there. This is our 2nd summer doing this and we’ve gotten to know half a dozen employees by name; yesterday we stopped to chat and find out how Edith’s vacation to her home country went and she showed us photos of her niece’s wedding. I set a goal to try one new recipe each week and it’s fun to add some into rotation (and laugh about the failures). Another goal is to go to the library once a week; haven’t been as consistent with that one bc of health issues but it has made a difference in my mental health to be more intentional. The biggest change to help me, though, is to refuse to allow them to steal my joy. I will recognize, name and celebrate the good people and the good things in my life!
We’re going to have to keep marching and resisting, we’re going to have to strike, we’re going to have to get loud and stay loud for a very long time.
I'm nodding along with every word! Sounds like we're two peas in a pod. :) Thank you for sharing what is helping you, Kimberly.
Today I’m taking myself to a flood relief concert with one of my favorite artists— look up San Baker. I couldn’t find anyone to go with but it starts at 2 pm 👍🏾 and is 40 minutes away. Live music is such a balm
How was it?!
the highlights were Sam Baker singing his song, Mennonite and his song, Angels. Found a new songwriter with a gorgeous and great story tellling named Erin Ivey. they are posting the stream today . Oh and they raised 42K as of yesterday for Convoy of Hope, Mercy Chefs and Community Foundation of the Hill Country.
Glad I went.. https://bluerocktexas.com/hill-country-flood-relief-2025
I just..needed this. Thanks.
We're gonna keep doing whatever it takes, Babycakes! 🫶🏻
I cleaned trash cans during my years at Sbux. Barf is correct.
I think ice cream night could be renamed “Ice Cream & Salty Talk”
Asking as a menopausal woman: How do you cool down after walking at night?!?
Aldi cherries at $2.99/lb were one of this week's counterweights, along with last night's sunset.
But what if the B-word has grown on us???? 😂 I like your idea, too. As for the cooling off, that's a better question for Cory, who is perpetually hot. I am not in that club...yet. 🤷🏻♀️ A chilly shower afterwards does always hit the spot!
Well, I tried to paste my picture of power lines and sunset skies off the balcony of a new place we tried for tacos, but alas! My tech skills end at control c, control v. I made my family be "hometown tourists" a la Emily P Freeman. I talked to my counselor yesterday. I feel less alone when I read your emails. Thank you.
Just picturing it on my mind works for me! Also, tacos are a wonderful counterweight. ⚖️🌮
1440 has been a sanity saver. Good sources. Succinct.
Counterweights this week: listening to my stepson change his vocal pattern to long oooo with no warning. He was recently diagnosed with a neurological progressive disease. We never know what he’s goons say!
Farmers Market flower vendors
Good books. Last one - How to find love in a bookshop.
As a Latina, I think I need ice cream and b*tching 😆 So far, it’s been tacos and tears 😅
And also, loved your little changes to your media diet. It’s a luxury to step away and I know I have to be at least a little clued in.
This found me right in time. Last week, I felt at a nervous system breaking point. Since January, I’ve been striving to be “informed, not overwhelmed “ but the coverage of the camp in FL plus the floods about broke me. My body told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to make some big tweaks.
So I am trying to regain my attention from short form video length to novel length. I’m actually sticking to my screen time limits ( glad to hear I’m not alone is often ignoring it). I’m spending more time outside and with friends.
I was also challenged by a recent post by a Black creator reminding white folks to not sink into the despair. That this is the time for art and joy and connection because we need hem more than ever.
Thanks for helping us feel seen and sharing your own process. I love the walk idea.
I absolutely adore your ice cream & bitching photos & would love to join you (although it would be a bit of a commute). Unfortunately for me, my friend makes me walk with her (at the mall) instead of getting ice cream. We do solve some problems anyway, and spend time commiserating with each other for the things we can't fix.
One of my counterweights has been your playlists - I've enjoyed all of them quite a bit. I listen to music instead of news while I'm getting ready in the morning. Thanks for making my music sessions more interesting!
How do you do your weekly colorway?
Last night's beauty