nourishing me is fresh mango, avocado, and lime salsa on everything. I make a batch nearly every day, i'm fully addicted. i'm hungering for more spiritual alone time to feel into being newly engaged, what it means to me, what kind of relationship I hope it flowers. it's not so much a mantra, but I am reassuring myself with lots of, "slowly, slowly, now. gently. quietly." trying to metabolize the big joys and energies with moments of calm <3
I love all of that so much, Erin. Mango, avocado, and lime salsa sounds divine - and something I could easily make here, so thank you! And it’s so beautiful thinking of you making space for, feeling into, and savoring this newly engaged time. ❤️
This is a clarion call for us to show up fully. I love getting reminders like this, they are like water in the desert sometimes. Reading your essay felt like you were gently holding my head between your palms and turning my head, while saying, "look here".
I was up in London and found a place called Words on the Water, it’s an old Dutch barge full of books and places to sit, old armchairs, cushions, and books on the outside of the barge and atop this, the owner, I think, playing jazz sax, the sun was out, the water rippling and the barge gently swaying. Absolutely lovely. Moored on regents canal up by Kings Cross
Quick note on the Kindle thing (or, for me, a Kobo): I actually find it easier to fall asleep reading from their screens than a book, as I can do so with the lights out. The backlighting on mine is turned quite far down, and it is still enough to see, and nothing like a non-eInk screen. Add to that just how much easier finding books is in Thailand, and how many you can carry around with you, and it makes a lot of sense. Just make sure those tiny ants don't set up home inside it... (I still love real books too, of course!)
As far as book recommendations go, have you read Alix E. Harrow? I love all of their work, especially The Ten Thousand Doors of January. Maybe Station Eleven by Emily St. Jon Mandel? The Mythago series from Robert Holdstock. Or books by S.A. Chakraborty, Tasha Suri, Scott Hawkins, Samantha Shannon, Joe Abercrombie, Tad Williams, C.L.Clark, or Richard Swan. Just a few ideas that might fit!
I’ll pass on the standing splits, but have something to say about Kindle. In case you don’t already know, you can read a Kindle book online or via an app, so you don’t need to buy the gadget itself. I think digital books are brilliant and I love the easy and accessibility. I set my screens to dark, which is supposed to help with nighttime reading, but I still need to turn them off at least an hour before bed. For me, a hybrid approach works quite well. Game of Thrones would keep you busy for quite some time.
Thank you, Pamela! I find I’m generally not able to read long works (like ebooks in pdf form, for instance) on my laptop or phone. I just can’t stay focused or retain information as well, and I find the experience agitating. So unfortunately, I suspect it’d be the same with reading a Kindle book online or via an app. I’m hoping the Kindle (or a similar device) is different somehow? But I really don’t know. I should totally read GoT!
I hear you Dana. There are parts of me who are deeply offended by the idea of digital books in general. It’s weird all around. I got over when I started commuting by train and wanted options but didn’t want to carry a dozen books. I’ve had a Kindle and now use the app on my iPad. I don’t find it any different than reading online or on my laptop. For me, the convenience and accessibility override my agitation with the device.
Thanks for sharing, Pamela. I also notice that reading online all day really strains my eyes, and unfortunately any digital device might contribute to that (whereas paper books don’t seem to nearly as much). Sigh... All things to consider.
For sure, my eyes don’t love screen time! But they seem to have adjusted over the years and I now use blue light blocking readers. I can’t do it all day every day, but I no longer feel like my eyeballs are all dried up after an hour or two. What about audiobooks? I tried that for winter evenings when I was attempting to minimize artificial lighting. I can’t seem to pay attention to them myself, but I have friends who swear they’re the best.
Hi Dana! I have so many thoughts racing through my mind! First of all, thank you for the reminder to be present and to live in the moment. Just last night I found myself thinking, "This is such a LONG week! I wish it was the weekend." (I'm a teacher with 3 weeks left until summer break.) I always feel guilty when I have those thoughts. I don't want to wish time away. Now to the books you mentiioned... I LOVED the Hunger Games:) The movies were okay, but they didn't even compare to the books. In addition to Hunger Games, Twilight was another favorite series. Maybe you've already read it. I loved the parallel of the love triangles (Katniss/Gale/Peeta and Bella/Jacob/Edward). I look forward to doing more reading this summer.
Hey Crystal! Hurray for being in the home stretch before summer break! My parents were teachers... and I used to teach college, so I know very well what an all-consuming job that can be. I hope you have a nourishing, easeful summer ahead - with plenty of good reads. Thank you for the recommendations! ❤️
Great to hear your update Dana. Horrified by the scented/cooling pads!! In my experience Kindle before bed doesn't mess with sleep. It's very different from other screens and much more like looking at paper (I generally avoid all blue-light screens before bed as they totally mess up my sleep). Reading in general seems to be good for sleep, it works like EMDR, as your gaze tracks left to right, back and forth, the nervous system starts to regulate. I wouldn't be without my Kindle (but see earlier discussion re Amazon...)
Thank you, Vicki. I love hearing your experience with Kindle. And that’s fascinating to think of reading as being like EMDR in that way. While I haven’t tried EMDR, I really want to, and I’ve heard such glowing testimonials. It seems like such a great modality for people who (ahem, like me) try to think their way out of experiences and patterns we can’t actually think our way out of.
Such a juicy Taurus season essay 🥹 the presence seeps through your words. I love your reflections. I've also been finding solace in the present moment (since my last essay, it really lit something in me). Now everything just feels simpler—probably because I've decided that's how I want it to feel. It really is that simple! I appreciate the question of "how do you want to use your time?" especially as I find my time here dwindling. I want to make every moment I have left in this space precious.
I love that, Kaitlyn: “Now everything just feels simpler—probably because I’ve decided that’s how I want it to feel.” It’s so lovely how you’re feeling into the preciousness of each moment. I could use a bit more of that this morning, honestly. xo
Is it cheating to say that you keep me on track? With your practice of life and uncompromising ethics...dagnabbit, I've got to keep up, less I get existentially run over around this here house.
nourishing me is fresh mango, avocado, and lime salsa on everything. I make a batch nearly every day, i'm fully addicted. i'm hungering for more spiritual alone time to feel into being newly engaged, what it means to me, what kind of relationship I hope it flowers. it's not so much a mantra, but I am reassuring myself with lots of, "slowly, slowly, now. gently. quietly." trying to metabolize the big joys and energies with moments of calm <3
I love all of that so much, Erin. Mango, avocado, and lime salsa sounds divine - and something I could easily make here, so thank you! And it’s so beautiful thinking of you making space for, feeling into, and savoring this newly engaged time. ❤️
This is a clarion call for us to show up fully. I love getting reminders like this, they are like water in the desert sometimes. Reading your essay felt like you were gently holding my head between your palms and turning my head, while saying, "look here".
Lots of hearts to you, Donna. I need this call and reminder, too. ❤️
I was up in London and found a place called Words on the Water, it’s an old Dutch barge full of books and places to sit, old armchairs, cushions, and books on the outside of the barge and atop this, the owner, I think, playing jazz sax, the sun was out, the water rippling and the barge gently swaying. Absolutely lovely. Moored on regents canal up by Kings Cross
I found myself audibly sighing at this description, Lucy. Sounds so dreamy. ❤️
Quick note on the Kindle thing (or, for me, a Kobo): I actually find it easier to fall asleep reading from their screens than a book, as I can do so with the lights out. The backlighting on mine is turned quite far down, and it is still enough to see, and nothing like a non-eInk screen. Add to that just how much easier finding books is in Thailand, and how many you can carry around with you, and it makes a lot of sense. Just make sure those tiny ants don't set up home inside it... (I still love real books too, of course!)
As far as book recommendations go, have you read Alix E. Harrow? I love all of their work, especially The Ten Thousand Doors of January. Maybe Station Eleven by Emily St. Jon Mandel? The Mythago series from Robert Holdstock. Or books by S.A. Chakraborty, Tasha Suri, Scott Hawkins, Samantha Shannon, Joe Abercrombie, Tad Williams, C.L.Clark, or Richard Swan. Just a few ideas that might fit!
Thanks so much, Alexander. That’s really helpful - hearing your experience with Kindle/Kobo at night.
I love Tailchaser’s Song and really want to read more Tad Williams. I haven’t heard of the others, but I’m now adding them to my list!
Anything by Sarah J Maas. Fun series (I think she has 3 different series) about faeries, supernatural worlds, great sex, quick, engaging reads.
Yes! I tore through ACOTAR and Throne of Glass. I haven’t read her other one.
Crescent City was also really good, and expanded beyond just faeries.
I’ll pass on the standing splits, but have something to say about Kindle. In case you don’t already know, you can read a Kindle book online or via an app, so you don’t need to buy the gadget itself. I think digital books are brilliant and I love the easy and accessibility. I set my screens to dark, which is supposed to help with nighttime reading, but I still need to turn them off at least an hour before bed. For me, a hybrid approach works quite well. Game of Thrones would keep you busy for quite some time.
Thank you, Pamela! I find I’m generally not able to read long works (like ebooks in pdf form, for instance) on my laptop or phone. I just can’t stay focused or retain information as well, and I find the experience agitating. So unfortunately, I suspect it’d be the same with reading a Kindle book online or via an app. I’m hoping the Kindle (or a similar device) is different somehow? But I really don’t know. I should totally read GoT!
I hear you Dana. There are parts of me who are deeply offended by the idea of digital books in general. It’s weird all around. I got over when I started commuting by train and wanted options but didn’t want to carry a dozen books. I’ve had a Kindle and now use the app on my iPad. I don’t find it any different than reading online or on my laptop. For me, the convenience and accessibility override my agitation with the device.
Thanks for sharing, Pamela. I also notice that reading online all day really strains my eyes, and unfortunately any digital device might contribute to that (whereas paper books don’t seem to nearly as much). Sigh... All things to consider.
For sure, my eyes don’t love screen time! But they seem to have adjusted over the years and I now use blue light blocking readers. I can’t do it all day every day, but I no longer feel like my eyeballs are all dried up after an hour or two. What about audiobooks? I tried that for winter evenings when I was attempting to minimize artificial lighting. I can’t seem to pay attention to them myself, but I have friends who swear they’re the best.
I definitely want to read rather than listen. I love reading in silence... or while listening to storms or cicadas. 😊
Hi Dana! I have so many thoughts racing through my mind! First of all, thank you for the reminder to be present and to live in the moment. Just last night I found myself thinking, "This is such a LONG week! I wish it was the weekend." (I'm a teacher with 3 weeks left until summer break.) I always feel guilty when I have those thoughts. I don't want to wish time away. Now to the books you mentiioned... I LOVED the Hunger Games:) The movies were okay, but they didn't even compare to the books. In addition to Hunger Games, Twilight was another favorite series. Maybe you've already read it. I loved the parallel of the love triangles (Katniss/Gale/Peeta and Bella/Jacob/Edward). I look forward to doing more reading this summer.
Hey Crystal! Hurray for being in the home stretch before summer break! My parents were teachers... and I used to teach college, so I know very well what an all-consuming job that can be. I hope you have a nourishing, easeful summer ahead - with plenty of good reads. Thank you for the recommendations! ❤️
Great to hear your update Dana. Horrified by the scented/cooling pads!! In my experience Kindle before bed doesn't mess with sleep. It's very different from other screens and much more like looking at paper (I generally avoid all blue-light screens before bed as they totally mess up my sleep). Reading in general seems to be good for sleep, it works like EMDR, as your gaze tracks left to right, back and forth, the nervous system starts to regulate. I wouldn't be without my Kindle (but see earlier discussion re Amazon...)
Thank you, Vicki. I love hearing your experience with Kindle. And that’s fascinating to think of reading as being like EMDR in that way. While I haven’t tried EMDR, I really want to, and I’ve heard such glowing testimonials. It seems like such a great modality for people who (ahem, like me) try to think their way out of experiences and patterns we can’t actually think our way out of.
Yep, overthinker here too 🙋♀️ EMDR, somatic work, and yoga have been my saviours 😃
Such a juicy Taurus season essay 🥹 the presence seeps through your words. I love your reflections. I've also been finding solace in the present moment (since my last essay, it really lit something in me). Now everything just feels simpler—probably because I've decided that's how I want it to feel. It really is that simple! I appreciate the question of "how do you want to use your time?" especially as I find my time here dwindling. I want to make every moment I have left in this space precious.
I love that, Kaitlyn: “Now everything just feels simpler—probably because I’ve decided that’s how I want it to feel.” It’s so lovely how you’re feeling into the preciousness of each moment. I could use a bit more of that this morning, honestly. xo
I hope you were able to find a little bit more ❤️ it's so hard being human sometimes.
❤️
“Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Krueger just kept me up last night to finish it. Midwestern tale of family and tragedy and a lot of grace.
Oooo... that sounds good, Dee. Thank you!
Is it cheating to say that you keep me on track? With your practice of life and uncompromising ethics...dagnabbit, I've got to keep up, less I get existentially run over around this here house.
Somebody’s gotta do it. And in our house, I think it’s either me... or LingXu. 😂