"back to life, back to reality"

At and Nu were lovely while Big A and I were gone: they took care of themselves and the puppy sibs, attended Pride events together, hosted DSA-related meetings here, and kept the house neat through it all. So while I did a complete vacuuming, cleaning, and restocking of the house today, I didn't have to navigate any big messes--just the little ones that no one but me notices.

But I kept vacation vibes going with two long hikes with Big A. Then we vented and backup planned about the delay in his Michigan job, I worked on the garden (deer ate our hostas and annual flowers again), and Big A worked on replacing the mailbox that someone ran into last week. 

Also: I joined a new committee at work (the invitation came from someone I want to work with), am thinking about volunteering for taking on an extra overload course at work next year (we've had a sad and surprise departure in the department), and reassured an editor that I'll have work to them by the end of next week according to our schedule (I hope it's not wishful thinking).

We got home yesterday, but today felt like we were really back!

Pic: Big A with Huckie and Max. Not a very good picture, but it makes me smile--all of it: Huckie's side eye, Max's proprietary paw, the fact that Big A is still wearing the two-dollar bead bracelet I got him...
 

moving on with joy

Once in a way there's a travel picture of me that tells me about myself. Last year, the picture of me at Sagrada Familia reminded me of the experience of awe in the face of beauty.

The picture here reminds me that I am capable of silliness and joy. A touchstone to keep me going in the colder/harsher/busier months of the year... 

We were only gone for five days, but it was such a reset in so many ways, it feels so much longer.

Pic: Under a waterfall in the hotel swimming pool.

Jamaica 

so blue

A walk by myself this morning to say goodbye to this incredible blend of sea-sky-horizon blues.

Pic: From the boardwalk.

Jamaica (Day #5 LaterPost)

hanging out

Every day is for falling asleep in the sunshine cradled in hammocks and rocked by sea breezes...

Pic: Adjoining hammocks for me and Big A.

Jamaica (Day #4 LaterPost)

 

daydrinking / celebrating

We rarely drink anymore, so the sun and a second cocktail are all it takes to feel like a circus.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Pic: Sitting around in wet swimmies with drinks on the patio.

Jamaica (Day #3 LaterPost)

basic beach

I can't believe I'm actually on the beach! I love the vacation sunglasses I got online; I plan to wear them everywhere...

Pic: On the beach right after breakfast.

Jamaica (Day #2 LaterPost)

 

and off we go!

We had to leave at 4:15 am to make our flight...

We're masking less and less these days, but airplanes and elevators still make me anxious. Even if it's not Covid, I don't want your cooties, thank you very much. 

Pic: On the plane to Montego Bay 

Jamaica (Day #1 LaterPost)

so long

A day of goodbyes: an early morning stroll with L who is "on call" while At is in charge of the younger sibs, visits with my CASA kids, drinks with girlfriends this evening, extended hugs and detailed notes for the kids, wondering what Max will make of my absence...

Still unresolved: some packing dilemmas and general anxiety. I just gave myself a stern talking-to about how incongruous it is to be panicking about vacation. 

Pic: Waterlilies waking up; at MSU Radiology Gardens with L.

(as if) I am

I am not afraid of what I wished for 

I am a rock, I can grow old--

though tides pass over me like words 

for feelings I don't know

I sit still as breath in a shell, wonder

which side of sleep I am on

I open my arms to show you how big
but the ocean is already gone

Note: I guess I'm already daydreaming about sitting oceanside, although that's not till the end of the week. I'm so excited...

Pic: Max and Huck post groomer's. Max has such heart-emoji eyes for their big sib. Huck has somehow already lost their bandana.

bird by bird (or sheep by sheep)

Ok, it's past 3:00 am and I really should go to be in bed, but: 

• Huck and Max are cuddling on my feet,
• I've been working on the online course assignments that came with my service enlistment after a kind and encouraging reminder from the course facilitator, 
• Big A is at work and texting me and I kind of really like chatting with him;
• I need to check in on my sister who's fractured her hand and she is in a timezone that's 10 hours ahead, 
• I have to finish writing this,
• I want to read some more before I fall asleep. I'm currently reading the final installment of Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy and love old Thomas more than any self-respecting socialist should.
• etc. I have a lot more B.S. excuses for my sleep procrastination.

Next week, after I come back from vacation, I'm going to make sleep hygiene a priority. But one thing at a time. As the wonderful Anne Lamott says in another context, I should take it "bird by bird."

Pic: I was so delighted I got a warbling goldfinch in this shot! MSU Horticultural Gardens with L. 

mailboxes etc.

Things have shifted into a sweet, summer mode now that Nu's school is on break too. It has been quite the year for Nu, and it has been an education for me to watch as they worked on themselves and worked things out. I'm happy and proud... and reassured by this year. It's not how I would do things, but that's the whole point isn't it? 

This evening, as we were coming back from duct taping the mailbox back to its post (someone seems to have backed into it quite violently), we were laughing over finding a piece of the car that must have done it and styling ourselves as detectives. I cannot imagine either of us responding this way a year ago. I feel such deep gratitude for our journey. 

Pic: Red Cedar rapids this morning; just me, myself, and I.