Rather poorly at times, but spin I do. There are days when it feels as if there are more plates wobbling on the ground, just about to lose all sense of motion, than plates spinning neatly in the air.
Each day begins as a lottery, a game of chance: which plate meets the floor as the rest demand my attention? Will it be my little store? Will it be the gym? It will probably be the laundry; that plate spends so much time on the floor it’s established a dust colony. Today I will spin the work plate, the church plate, the “no child you are not dying of some strange illness you googled” plate.
I’d like to tell you that it all gets done eventually. But I’m beginning to suspect that eventually will never arrive. Incrementalism requires a great deal of patience and even more grace: a simple kind of self-love that says, “I’m worthy and enough, even if there isn’t enough of me to go around.” Be gentle with yourself, Wende. Walk gently.
It’s ok if the dog has fleas (OH MY GOD, how did this happen?) and your child is going to college in 3 weeks.
Breathe, Wende. Keep spinning those plates.
But some days, mother nature throws you a plate worth spinning. An 80 degree day in September: beautiful and clear. Balmy. The word is balmy — but only because Santa Barbara-y is not a word.
We’re not likely to get such an invitation again this year. So, I set down the work plate (though I gave it a few spins just to be safe) and worry plate. I stacked up the laundry and the pest control plates and everything else that can wait until tomorrow plate: and fell soul first into this beautiful day.
A long walk along the river. Spun! A fabulous dinner on the porch and finishing off that lovely Rosé. Spun! Raspberry Thyme Sorbet. Hey, I made that!! Taking goofy photos with the love of my life. I think you know the answer to that.
Check out Mireio tomorrow for the Raspberry Thyme Sorbet recipe.
I have the same emotional response to Thursday as I do to Monday.
I’m jolted by the reality that I am here, in this place.
How did a weekend escape, a week slip by?
Monday and Thursday turn in tandem, polar poles pushing against each other:
and I am caught up in their dance.
Day Two: every 80 minutes if you know what’s good for you.
Apparently, we should be using this stuff every day, no matter the weather. Day two of summer seems like a good reminder to slather up now that the sun is around. And, even if the sun isn’t.
She slipped through the hole, Unbeknownst to us. The torn screen door banging against its frame. A pale looper caught up in a breeze not quite summer, but harbinger just the same.
Dressed in dusty layers too fragile to touch, Not that we would, we cannot see her, But we can sense the change. The air is sweeter.
Welcome to Summer. Did you sense a change in your part of the world?
Photo: Campaea perlata “Pale Beauty” on my porch ceiling.
Day Thirty-one: Tropical Raspberry Fizzy—a great way to beat the heat.
It’s hardly warm out here on the coast of Oregon. July is wearing its usual ensemble of mist and patchy fog. But the rest of the country is experiencing waves of the warm stuff—sometimes at stultifying heights. For those of you trying to beat the heat, here’s my favorite fizzy drink concoction. And for those of you still waiting for summer to arrive, it’s a tasty (low-cal) way to get your daily dose of Vitamin C!
Tropical Raspberry Fizzy
Mix 1 package of Tropical Emergen-C and 1 package of Raspberry Emergen-C with 14 oz of water. Mix. Add 1/2 -1 single serve package of Truvia and then fill with ice. Stir until chilled. Enjoy! (50 calories, 2000 mg of Vitamin C)
I buy Emergen-c at Costco, which has the best price. It’s really expensive in a regular store. If you haven’t tried it before and want to test it first, Emergen-c will send you free samples! You’ll have to wait a few weeks, but I’ve got a feeling the heat isn’t going anywhere soon.
As for the Truvia, it’s a stevia product. Any will work, it’s just the only one IZ actually likes. What I like about Truvia is it is dental neutral and is considered diabetic friendly. Another alternative (but far more spendy) is Xylitol. It’s actually dental positive—dentists recommend taking it if you have poor enamel, as it helps fight cavities. Sweet! And of course, you can always drink it without a sweetener. It’s a bit tart, but very refreshing on a hot, hot day.
