Welcome back!

Thanks for spending a few moments of your Tuesday with me. Each week I will share excerpts from my current writing, quotes from others that have really impacted me this week, plus what I'm reading, listening to, watching, creating and excited about this week.

Morning Page Musings

(Excerpts from my daily journaling)

On Swimming and Mobility: "The way the water holds me and allows me to feel light and move easily."

On Arguments: "Most arguments are dumb, but this one was like the dumb gift that kept on giving."

On Routine: "Its' good to have a solid routine, but it's also good to be light on my feet and adaptable when life happens...as it does."

On Belonging: "I mostly hoped to find a sense of belonging. But to belong, I had to be someone I wasn't, so I'd never truly belong."

On Pest Control: "I caused harm, despite my good intentions, and that almost feels worse than doing it on purpose." (accidentally killed a mouse in a catch and release mouse trap)

FOLLOW UP from last week. It took some thoughtful planning and careful execution, but I successfully bathed the cat and neither of us suffered any (physical) injuries. On Bathing Our 15-Year-Old Cat: "I know it might be a terrible idea, but if I could figure it out, I could save $75 every 8 weeks."

Quotes from Others

"I said NO!" 2-year-old Clara clarifying her opinion in case anyone missed it the first time around.

""I'm too old." is something we tell ourselves to save ourselves from the emotional cost of the ego deflation involved in being a beginner." Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way​

What I'm Reading

​Sold on a Monday is a book one of my neighbors told me I HAD to read before I put it out in my Little Free Library. I took her advice and couldn't put it down. The story was riveting, mysterious and suspenseful, but not scary or gory. Really well done. Set during The Great Depression of the 1930s, the story begins with a journalist snapping a photo that sets into motion of a series of events no one could have ever expected.

What I'm Watching

I watched the series The Helen West Case Book on Britbox. It's from the early 2000s and only three feature length episodes, but enjoyable, nonetheless. Amanda Burton stars as Helen West, a solicitor and crown prosecutor investigating fairly gruesome cases alongside her police detective (and romantic) partner. I love all things Amanda Burton, and this was no exception. Pity there weren't more seasons.

I spent a day with my daughter as she recovered from wisdom teeth surgery, and we watched the movie The Perfect Host on Amazon. It wasn't anything like we expected, and frankly, it doesn't have good reviews, but we loved it. David Hyde Pierce is hilariously horrific, and the plot twists kept us guessing until the very last scene.

What I'm Listening To

​Artists for Joy Podcast: Creating in the Wilderness with Sarah Bessey was a lovely conversation about "the spiritual nature of creative practice, the important difference between self-care and self-comfort", processing grief and managing creative blocks.

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What's Cooking?

​One Pot Creamy Orzo Tuscan Chicken from Cailee Eats, was a real Sunday dinner hit, although I would have called it One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Orzo. Anyway, fairly straightforward recipe. Might be better for a weekend if you are pressed for time on weeknights. I made two slight changes to the recipe. I only had about 5 ounces of cream, so added 3 ounces of chicken broth to make up the difference. And I didn't have any fresh basil, but it was fine without it. It was delicious freshly cooked AND reheated for lunch the next day, which is always a bonus in our kitchen.

What I'm Creating

I've been dabbling with watercolors lately and decided to paint Danny an anniversary card instead of buying one at the store. I followed a tutorial and I think it turned out pretty well, even though it looks like boat with a duck holding a broom vs. Danny holding an oar. He loved it and that's all the counts!

Places

Friday was Danny's and my 16th wedding anniversary, and he took the day off from work so we could go on a day trip. We love to explore parts of Florida we've never experienced before, particularly if they are off the beaten path. We pointed our car northwest and headed out to Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens in Williston for the day. It's a century-old, abandoned lime rock quarry transformed into a 20-acre botanical garden. There are well-marked, safety railed paths encircling the site for 360-degree views from the top, then paths that lead down to the bottom of the site for views at ground level. Tons of water features, waterfalls and incredible flora. It took about 90 minutes to walk the whole thing, and by my photo count, I took about one photo per minute. It was worth the long drive and highly recommend to anyone who loves to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Until next week...I'll be finding happiness in the pursuit.

Betsy

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