Summer Rally Time

It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of August. Early this summer I was so swept up in wedding planning and the always looming re-org at work that I didn't take proper advantage of sunny early morning runs, reading at the park, biking to get from point A to point B, warm walks at dusk, etc. I feel like last year SB and I went to the farmers market almost every weekend, and this year we've only been there a handful of times (although the season did start later than usual). And for me, it doesn't really get better than a sunny 8am visit to the market downtown.

Right now it is a perfect 80 degrees and the sun is shining. We're listening to some early Dylan records and are making our favorite go-to dinner: a veggie-heavy stir fry, and then we're off to walk by the river. So relaxing. To my surprise, I am just learning to savor time this way again. I wound myself so tightly with the wedding that, now that it is over, I tend to oscillate between feeling like I should be planning or starting some new project and being completely wiped out on the couch not wanting to lift a finger. I am such a creature of habit and routine that all of the transitions in my life have overwhelmed my whole way of being and I am now only beginning to feel that I am returning to myself and recharging.

And despite still dealing with the weight of job uncertainty, I am feeling happier day-to-day and more hopeful than ever in the promise of our shared future. I'm able to make time, take a breath and enjoy the little things again. So it is rally time - to get in all of that farmers market-ing, reading in the park, and walking and biking and basking in the sun before we return to cold weather. For my birthday we are planning to go camping, just the two of us (which we've never done before). Yay!

Speaking of getting outside - one last note. I recently read WILD by Cheryl Strayed, and highly recommend it. It was a quick but simultaneously raw and insightful and inspiring read about her life-affirming trek on the Pacific Crest Trail. I couldn't put it down. And now SB can't put it down, either, and it has a two-person wait list among our friends and family. Read it.

Added later - walk photos: