five simple things #20 — The Traveling Notebook

May 31

May 31 five simple things #20

Lately I have been struggling to find words. Between ongoing concerns related to the pandemic, tragedy and injustice, I find it challenging to find to words to express my thoughts and feelings. I know that I will never have the right words but I think it is important to try, to sit with the discomfort and to be introspective. This is my beginning and while it admittedly is much later than I would have hoped, I am starting. One day the words will come and when they do, I will aim to share.

For now, I still want to share five simple things. Selfishly, it reminds me of the hope that can still be found.

1. Biking. I felt like a 10 year old when we finally purchased a bike for me. I haven’t had my own bike for over 10 years. I felt giddy riding it home. I cannot wait to explore more trails and go out for daily spins.

2. Baking. Over the past two weeks, I have gotten some of my cooking mojo back. I made a mint chocolate chip ice cream pie with a homemade oreo crust. I went a little crazy for Sunday breakfast and made french toast. Badger has been requesting a ramen noodle dish from The Pretty Dish which has been on our meal plan for the past two weeks. I plan on making blueberry muffins to use up leftover buttermilk.

3. Exploring. With a little extra time, we have been exploring new trails on our walks. Badger and I strayed a bit from the beaten path but getting “lost” felt magical. The smell of pine, the lack of traffic noise, and not rushing felt like a vacation from the ho hum of every day life.

Photo by Frankie Lopez on Unsplash — Photo by Frankie Lopez on Unsplash

4. Summer camp. This was entirely Fox’s idea and I did not show her the excitement that I truly have. She came up with the idea of having adult summer camp on the weekends. Instead of wasting time thinking what we should do, we will have a designated activity like soccer, pickle ball, badminton or biking. Knowing how intense we can both get, badges and prizes will likely be involved.

5. Hope. Sharing these wise words from Fox: “I have learned that even when there are no words, there remains a way, forged in love and courage. Let the alchemy of anger and hope lead to change. Real change.”