Books I Enjoyed in 2021

Source: Look and Learn

Several years ago, I realized how separated I was from my love of reading. I decided to do something about it, and so for the past several years, I've set a reading goal via Goodreads. My goal in 2021 was 32, and I hit 35! I'm proud to say that only a handful of books are "easy reads." The rest are pretty hefty, both in volume and content, so 32 is pretty reasonable. But, I think I'll challenge myself in 2022 by hiking my goal to 35. 

Book recommendations flood the internet and social media, but just in case you're in need of some ideas, here are my top recs from what I read last year in no particular order. They made me laugh, think and rethink. They filled me with inspiration, awed me with their writing, reminded me of people I love and people I've lost. They helped me understand life, reminded me I'm not alone when it come to certain thoughts and feelings, and encouraged me on my quest to mesh my ideal reality with my real reality. 

• She Come By It Natural - Sarah Smarsh
• Caste - Isabel Wilkerson
• The Biology of Luck - Jacob Appel
• The Restoration of Celia Fairchild - Marie Bostwick
• One Good Mama Bone - Bren McClain
• Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
• The Bridge Ladies - Betsy Lerner
• Home - Marilynne Robinson
• Lila - Marilynne Robinson
• Henderson the Rain King - Saul Bellow
• The Book of Delights - Ross Gay

What should I add to my list for 2022? Put your recs in the comment!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Happy New Year!

From the Way-Back-When-Archives: Hey! Unto You a Child Is Born!

Recognize that line? It's from the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson in 1971. I had forgotten all about this little gem (a tidy 80 pages) until I stumbled upon it in a box of books while gearing up for a personal project I'm going to launch in 2013 (more on that later).

If you haven't read this story, or if, like me, it's been decades since you have, you owe it to yourself to grab a mug of hot cocoa and dive in. Written from a child's point of view, it's a hilarious and realistic take on the Christmas story, complete with cigar smoking, baby burping, and collection plate stealing. It made me giggle, and it sparked my Christmas spirit. It's also a charming example of Real Reality Vs. Ideal Reality.

I must confess: I also like the story because it takes me back to my childhood and my own experiences with the church Christmas play. I was always tapped to play Mary, and my friend, Kurt, suffered the role of Joseph year after year. (To this day, I do not believe this seasonal pairing was a coincidence. I highly suspect his mother had visions of the two of us hooking up in real life.)

In the 80s, the novel was made into a television special, starring Loretta Switt. You can watch it here.  

Enjoy!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Related Reading

A Book on the Brink of Censorship? Or: The Inappropriate Book I Read to the Peeps this Christmas

Originally published December 4, 2012 (an oldie, but a goodie!)

Oreo Train or Demon Slayer Mugen Train?

I always have high hopes for success with baking kits. For some reason, they bring out the eternal optimist in me. They never turn out quite right. 

This kit had eight easy steps. Um ... yeah. In hindsight, and with a little research into how to craft the perfect gingerbread house, patience and an abundance of royal icing are the two secret steps we needed. Turns out, we were supposed to hold pieces together for at least 5 minutes for the icing to harden. Lessons learned. 

Bottom line: The train wreck was tasty, and the peeps and I had a really good time putting it together-ish.

Happy Holidays! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, Keep It Real.

Connect on GoodReads

At Present

Finally made it back to my space. Since I Iast dropped in, I made a life move. After thinking and daydreaming and researching about my next career move for nearly THREE YEARS, I made a change. I quit my job last Friday, and I start a new one this Thursday! A little bump in title, a bigger bump in pay, an opportunity to engage my brain in a new industry ... personal insurance. I'm excited about my new adventure and this much needed change! I still can't quite believe I took the leap. But I know in my bones it was time. So. Burnt. Out.

What else? Thanksgiving has come and gone. We revived our TG tradition after skipping last year because of COVID. The Friday after TG, we headed to Crown Center for dinner at Lidia's, the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a tour of Union Station's holiday lights and a night at the Westin.

I didn't miss my dad, who died in January. I thought of him briefly, and I spent time feeling guilty for not missing him. I spent time wishing our relationship could have been closer so I would miss him more (my ideal reality), but I know that was not possible (my real reality). I have to be OK with that, take a breath and move on. That's what's on my mind right now as I type. 

That's me at present.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

At Present

Can't believe it's been a couple of weeks since I've checked into this space. Would love to say that super cool, life-altering and magical things have happened, but ... not so much. 

I finished Anna Karenina. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I always find great comfort in knowing the internal problems, external issues (relationships, politics, religious questions), personal conflicts and self-doubts we experience today are universal in time and place. I'm looking forward to watching the 1935 movie version starring Greta Garbo. 

We've pumpkin patched and apple picked. We've cocktailed fire pit-side, started watching Squid Game and continued watching Only Murders in the Building.

I've met a friend for brunch, got my professional website/portfolio marirydings.com up and running, worked on my miniature project, and stepped out of my comfort zone with a top secret adventure that I hope I can reveal soon. 

How about you? What'cha been up to lately? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Let People In Your Life And ...

Source: Quotefancy.com

In my previous two posts, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2: The dreams we all hold in our hearts

Last but not least, Junior's realization that ...

If you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.

Whew ... such a scary, hard truth for me. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

 

Where Do You Want To Go? Everywhere

In my previous  post, I shared I had just finished reading the adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and that three scenes really stuck in my my mind after closing the book for the last time. 

Scene No. 1: The concept of metaphorical boners 

Scene No. 2 touched on my ideal reality of seeing the world. In the book, Junior (Arnold), and his kind of girlfriend Penelope about dreams and how everyone in her town had small dreams.

Junior: "What do you want to do?" 

Penelope: "I want to leave here as soon as I can. I think I was born with a suitcase."

Junior: "Where do you want to go?"

Penelope: "Everywhere. I want to walk on the Great Wall of China. I want to walk to the top of pyramids in Egypt. I wan to swim in every ocean. I want to climb Mount Everest. I want to go on an African safari. I want to ride a dogsled in Antarctica. I want all of it. Every single piece of everything."

Same. And I have no idea how to make it happen. I have felt so stuck for so long. Not unhappy. Just stuck. 

What about you? What's your ideal reality? 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real. 

Be Open to Life's Metaphorical Boners

Source: Max Pixel

Last week, I finished reading the young adult novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It's a book I've been wanting to read for years, and I stumbled across a copy at Once Upon a Time Books on our mini vacay to Bentonville, AR, earlier this year. It's a funny, engaging, heartbreaking yet hopeful story about life on the Spokane Indian reservation told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. Give it a read. 

I marked three scenes that really stood out to me because they spoke to my never-ending quest to merge my ideal reality with my real reality. The first scene was part of a conversation between Gordy and Junior about books and the mysteries they hold. 

Gordy: " ... you should approach each book — you should approach life — with the real possibility that you might get a metaphorical boner at any point." 

I don't know about you, but for the past 18 months, nothing in life has given me a metaphorical boner. In my ideal reality, I'm full of hope and curiosity and excitement for what life holds. In my real reality, every day is filled with the same responsibilities, obligations, tasks, arguments, fears and exhaustion. When I realized that, it made me sad. 

So, here's to seeking, discovering, being open to, and embracing life's metaphorical boners. I know they are out there. 

What about you? I hope you've had a few metaphorical boners lately, and I hope you'll share in the comments. 

Looking for my insight from my other two scenes? I'll share in later posts. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and keep your boner radar on!)

Discovering Wanda Ga'g and Millions of Cats

Four Wanda Ga'g books from the library

The Rabbit hOle is creating an exhibit around Wanda Ga'g's children's book Millions of Cats. I'd never heard of this author/illustrator so I let my curiosity be my guide and did a little researched and checked a few of her books from my local library. 

Turns out Wanda was a pioneer in children's literature, both for her writing and for combining illustration and text. Apparently, Millions of Cats (copyright 1928) is the oldest American picture book still in print. 

I really enjoyed Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, not only for the illustrations, but because it's a version of the story I hadn't heard before. Decidedly darker than Disney, and Snow White didn't wake up because of a prince's kiss. No spoilers here, so be sure to check it out for yourself! 

I forgot how much I enjoyed reading children's books. The peeps and I used to bring home stacks from the library and pile onto the couch for a good long reading session. If you have littles at home, I encourage you to pick up a few of Wanda's books. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and keep reading). 

Ideal Reality Vs. Real Reality: Anna Karenina

When I started this blog way back when, I did it on the premise of finding ways to reconcile my ideal reality with my real reality. 

I love it when I stumble on examples in the world. One of the books I'm reading right now is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I love a good Russian lit drama, and this one does not disappoint.

Anna Karenina is cheating on her husband with Count Vronksy. And she's pregnant with his child. Yet, the excitement of a new (albeit illicit) relationship is wearing off. After the couple quarrels, Tolstoy writes,

"She placed both hands on his shoulders and gazed at him for a long time with a deep, rapturous and at the same time searching look. She studied his face to make up for the time in which she had not seen him. As at every meeting she was bringing together her imaginary idea of him (an incomparably better one, impossible in reality) with him as as he was." 

A perfect example of ideal reality vs. real reality ... and one that beautifully captures human nature. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

The Shingles Shot: Painfully Necessary

I really don't feel like writing tonight, but I gotta keep the writing muscle flexed. So, this is a weird little post that serves that purpose. Remember, I'm writing just for me so I can write what I want when I want and how I want.

I celebrated 50 years on this planet in April. With this milestone comes many health-related musts, namely the shingles vaccine and a procedure that I don't want to talk about. 😁

First some backstory, just because. I had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the primary care provider I've seen for years. I'm pretty healthy overall, which means I'm a low-maintenance patient. If a doctor sees me twice in one year, that's a busy year. You'd think a doctor would love having me on their patient list, but mine actually seemed a little annoyed when I'd come in for my annual check up. She never asked me questions about lifestyle habits or offer advice and guidance. I felt like I was bothering her. So, I vowed to switch docs this year, and I followed through. I had to wait until August to get in with a new one, but it was well worth the wait. 

So, the shingles shot. It hurts like a mother. My right arm is so sore. It is also red and puffy around the injection site and several inches beyond. I Googled it and apparently, those are common side effects. And I know the shot is way less painful than getting shingles, but man it hurts! And, I have to get a second dose in 2-6 months.

So there you have it. A mundane, random post about the healthcare needs of a 50 year old woman. Just what you were hoping for, yes?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep it Real (and stay up to date with your own health needs).

Content Share: There's Now a Willy Wonka Hotel Room With Lickable Wallpaper

Image Credit: LateRooms

This is the ultimate example of ideal reality meeting real reality.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is my all time favorite movie. How awesome would it be to experience an Willy Wonka hotel room? 

Read all about it on Hunker Willy Wonka and LateRooms' blog. Would you splurge for the chocolate bath? I'm a little on the fence about that.

Anyone else looking forward to the Willy Wonka prequal flick starring Timothee Chalamet?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (even when licking wallpaper).

The Blue Peanut M&M and the Hot Car

Troublemaker

On two of our past three road trips (Michigan and Breckenridge/Denver), I've lost a M&M in the car while we were driving home. Not a huge deal to anyone in the world except my husband. 

He keeps the inside and outside of our cars clean. It's a symbol of his love language, and I love him for it. 

The thought of an M&M rolling around inside a black car in the August heart, or worse, melting into  goo in some crevice makes him insane. He doesn't trust that I'll find it at the next stop or when we get home. 

The first time, it was a green plain M&M, and he couldn't handle it. We had to pull over at the next gas station and look for it. It didn't help that he was stressed from work, and I painted a verbal visual of the melting process (the car was pretty new at the time). The description made him really made. We found it, intact, not melted. In fact, one of the girls popped it her mouth with an exuberant, "Yum!" That about put the poor guy over the edge. The green M&M incident became a family joke (more to me and the girls than to him.)

Then, it happened again. This time, it was a blue peanut M&M. I searched and searched at the next stop, but no luck. I searched again when I got home and almost gave up. As a last ditch effort, I lifted a floor mat, and there the little guy was, intact, not melted. I lovingly brought it inside, snapped the pic above and sent it to my husband as proof that all was right in the world (at least in terms of melting M&Ms in hot cars.)

That's what love is ...

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

 

Food Rules: Breaking Even?

Lunchtime

That's a picture of my lunch today. It's not a great picture because I was eating outside and I'm not a great photographer. It's a small bowl of canned chili leftover from the last time we had hot dogs (which was who knows when.) joined by side of leftover spaghetti, a few pepperonis slices, an apple and some water. 

You'll also notice a copy of Food Rules: An Eater's Manual by Michael Pollan nestled on the table. I finished reading while eating lunch. It's a fantastically interesting read. You should check it out. It's a quick read, entertaining and informational This was the first book I've read by this author, and I loved his writing style. Easy going, yet authoritative. Perfect blend. 

The "rules" Pollan sets forth are completely reasonable common sense. For me, the book was the perfect refresher to kickstart my approach to food and my relationship with it. I highly recommend it, but you have to get the copy with the illustrations by Maira Kalman. Beautiful and timeless. Her illustrations complemented the book perfectly. 

Anyway, back to my lunch. Here's how I see it, at least for today. The chili and pepperoni are likely food rule breakers and the spaghetti is a slightly better option (but it wasn't whole wheat). But the apply and water? Totally followed the rules with those choices. So, I think I pretty much broke even. Right? At least, that's how it works in my Ideal Reality. (Seriously? I'm supposed to avoid cereal that changes the milk's color? The struggle is real. Fortunately, my milk-altering cereal binges are few and far between. I think that means I follow the Treat Treats as Treats rule.)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.  

A Big Fudge of Awesomeness

I love my Alexa. She tries to hard to make me happy. She doesn't always get it right, and I love it. 

Today, I was goofing around and asked her to add "a big batch of awesomeness" to my grocery list. 

She added "big fudge of awesomeness." Who doesn't need that? 

Ideas for Where to Stay & What to Do: Breckenridge/Denver Areas

Just spent five days in the Breckenridge and Denver area (two days driving to/from Kansas City). Wanted to get a quick trip in before school starts and also find relief from the excessive heat warning in our area. 

Where We Stayed

The Irish Rose

After looking at umpteen Breckenridge condos, we decided on a VRBO. We wanted something a little less cram-packed with people, somewhere quiet where we wouldn't hear our neighbors all hours of the night. I can't recommend the Irish Rose in Alma, CO, enough. PERFECT. Mountain views. Plenty of space. About 20 miles south of Breckenridge and not far from Pike's National Forest. 

View from the cabin

What We Did - Alma, Fairplay, Breckenridge

We explored the area around the cabin (several old abandoned mining areas), hiked a small stretch of Mosquito Gulch Road and tooled around Fairplay, CO. We toured the South Park City Museum and Visitors Center (worth it!) and ate a pretty good meal at the South Park Pub & Grill. Mark pick up a "souvenir" from South Park Distilling. Our first night in town, we stopped at the South Park Brewing Company for some dinner. Great food, service and craft beer. 

We had planned on spending a day in Breckenridge, but when we got there the roads and streets were packed. Parking was at a premium, and our tolerance for crowds (and COVID-19) were at a low. So, we drove through town and headed back to our cabin. 

What We Did - Denver

My Brother's Bar

We spent one night in Denver, wanting to cut down on some of the driving we'd need to do on the way home. We walked the 16th Street Mall and went to the Denver Art Museum before heading to our hotel. We stayed in downtown Denver at the Fairfield Inn. It was a great location for us, easy highway access and within walking distance to the Platt Park neighborhood, a trendy spot with shops, an REI store and several restaurants. 

We ate dinner at My Brother's Bar, the oldest bar in Denver (AMAZING food, best onion rings ever) and grabbed some delish homemade ice cream at the Inside Scoop Creamery. That's it. Pretty low key, like we wanted. One of those beautiful moments in life where my Ideal Reality and Real Reality coexisted in peace and harmony. 

The Inside Scoop Creamery

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ...  Keep It Real. 

The Queen's Gambit:: The Beauty of Human Connection

Source: Wikimedia Commons

I just finished watching The Queen's Gambit on Netflix. I wasn't a chess fan before I started watching and the show didn't change my mind. But I enjoyed every minute, and two scenes stuck out in the final episode because of their humaness (is that a word)?

As Beth, the main character, battles the Russian player Borgov, she believes she is on her own, having alienated many of the people she met in the chess world with her arrogance and feelings of inadequacy. Beth only saw her interactions with them as chess lessons or people to best at the game. She didn't realize she was forming friendships and connections.  When a group of chess players she has known forever calls her in Russia to help her plan strategy, she realizes they are her friends and also the family she never had. She realizes they like her and genuinely care about her. Is there a feeling better than the moment when you realize you belong somewhere?

Then, at the end when Beth is on her way to the airport with her State Dept escort, he is going over her itinerary and talking points for the Russians delegation of chess players she must meet with upon her return to America. Tired of hearing how careful and wary she must be around Russians, Beth asks the driver to pull over. She steps out of the car and begins walking. She walks to a park filled with older. chess players who immediately recognize her as the new world chess champ. They greet her, shake her hand and ask her to play. In her heart Beth knew the gentleman were just like her ... humans, people, who enjoy a good game of chess. Is there a more beautiful or authentic connection?

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Image license: ShareAlike 4.0 International

Stuff I Find in My Yard - "I Need Weed"

 

My 1942 house is parked on a fairly busy thoroughfare, which means we find all sorts of trashy treasures in our yard on the regular. Some of the treasures blow their way from the Sinclair station across the street; others are dropped there by late night passersby. It's really a fascinating study in human nature and provides curious insight into the people around us. 

I found this sign in the yard yesterday. It was written on a  piece of cardboard from a Jack Linl beef jerky box. Another random piece had "Bronell be goin' bald" written in black Sharpie. People crack me up!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (like Bronell and the weed needer). 

Stay Curious

 

I've been a fan of Rob Walker and his book and newsletter The Art of Noticing for a few years. Such incredible, fun and interesting food for thoughts comes out of Rob's brain. 

Check out my previous posts:

• 4 Must-Read Enewsletters for Your Inbox

• Fire Hydrants & Snacks in the Stairwell: How I'm Paying Closer Attention

One of Rob's recent newsletters, Committing Acts of Curiosity, really stuck with me. He shared the joyful video Stand Here for Dance Party by Improv Everywhere. It's a beautiful and fun example why being curious is a trait that should be practiced, cultivated and encouraged.

On our recent trip to Denver, CO, we ate at My Brother's Bar, an unexpected gem. Great food, good vibe. On the sidewalk outside the door, there was a decal encouraging passersby to scan the QR code to find out "what happened at My Brother's Bar." I was treated to a short audio clip sharing fun history about the bar. My family thought I was crazy for scanning something on the sidewalk. :) 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ...  Keep It Real.

Out of Range

Alma, CO

We headed out west to Colorado for a few days. Just got back. No chance to post because no reliable service. It was glorious! Just days of gazing at a mountain, nights of sitting in a hot tub, mixed with a little hiking, movie watching and and exploring. I'll post pics and recs soon. Everyone deserves the chance to unplug!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

With Intention

I just finished reading The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living With Less by Christine Platt. I highly recommend the book. One concept that has stuck with me is that of living life with intention. Doing things with intention. I have several little mantras I repeat everyday. They all start with commands. The one I have been working on a lot lately is Stay Calm. Sounds easy. Is not easy.. In her book, Platt talks about setting intentions. She starts statements with, "I will ... ." I started adding those those two little words to my mantras. 

"I will stay calm."

It's working. I love simple solutions.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

Happy Belated Grab Some Nuts Day

In trying to find something - anything - to post about to keep up my four-day posting streak (go, me!), I came across this little gem: Apparently yesterday was Grab Some Nuts Day. And yeah, I giggled. Because I will always laugh at stuff like that, and audible toots, and jokes about Uranus. 

Also, I giggled because after about a year hiatus, my teenage girls are back on the deez nuts jokes, and Grab Some Nuts Day made me think of my girls. 

Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. To boost employee spirits at the hospital where I work, we all got a gigantic chocolate chip cookie. I was going to go halvsies with a co-worker, but ended up eating the whole thing myself before I realized it. Not the best habit, but sometimes it happens. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and enjoy some nuts and chocolate chip cookies).

I'm Diggin' The Rabbit hOle

Life-size replica of the bus in Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

I'm super excited about The Rabbit hOle, the world's first explor-a-storium, coming to fruition in Kansas City. It's going to be a a big 'ol celebration of 100 years of children's literature in interactive life-size form! I cannot wait! The museum is under construction right now, with an opening date scheduled for 2022. I got a behind-the-scenes peek a few weeks back, and it was a-MAZE-ing! I had the silliest grin on my face the entire tour I could envision myself working in every area (except the fabrication shop). 

The space is perfect, and the exhibits are fantastical in their form and fun. They made a life-size replica of the bus in Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. You can RIDE on it! And, it TRAVELS to events!  But The Rabbig hOle is so much more than exhibits. There's a bookstore and a writer's workshop area and a printing press and a craft area and a cafe. Plus, they plan to hose authors from around the country for presentations and author-in-resident stints. 

I've been thinking a lot lately about what excites me, what sparks my creativity, what I'm passionate about. My heart always comes back to books, reading and literacy.  When I left the classroom, I thought that passion died. I've realized it's still there. I just to give myself some time and space to realize it. I've been looking for ways to get more involved, and I think this will be one tremendous avenue. The most recent newsletter finally had an all-call for volunteers, and I jumped on the opportunity. 

Check out The Rabbit hOle website

Watch videos on The Rabbit hOle Channel 

Find The Rabbit hOle on Facebook

Follow The Rabbit hOle on Instagram

Yes, I'm obsessed! 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

A Draft From 4.26.20 Early Pandemic

I don't know how many times I've sat down over the past year-plus to write about the pandemic. Plenty. But the words, my thoughts, my feelings were so jumbled and confused it seemed pointless. I came across a draft I saved of a blog post from April 2020. I left it unfinished. Here it is. Typos and all.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

April 26, 2020

I don't know about you, but it has taken me several weeks to find my new normal. In the early weeks, all the changes and scary news and sad news was so overwhelming. I didn't know what to think or feel or do. I'm just now starting to feel like I'm settling in and wrapping my head around this pandemic and it's long-reaching effect on life.

That said, I still have unexpected highs and lows. Some mornings, I wake up full of hope and motivation and positivity. Others, I swing the other direction. I can't focus, engage in full on procrastination and lose my comprehension skills. Sometimes, I'm just unexplainably grumpy. I've had vibrant, strange dreams and nights when I wake up and can't get back to sleep. I've read that both of those behaviors are normal and my brain trying to process in a time of uncertainly (that's the commercial buzzword).

My saving grace has been my penchant for structure and routine. I find such comfort in consistency, and at least in this situation it's something I have some control over. Every morning, I workout, shower and get dressed, even dabbing on a little make up. I worked with the peeps to create a routine for their day, too. They days aren't perfect, but have some structures help.

There are silver linings. I have time to eat breakfast, and often lunch, with the girls. I relax more. I watch TV with the girls. I created Roblox (UndercoverKaryn) and TikTok (Karen7.0) accounts so we can play and laugh even more together. I'm baking more. My stomach isn't upset nearly as much as it was when I was going into the office. Not saying there's a connection, but definitely something I noticed. And you know what? I'm not doing those things during the day. I'm working my tail off during the day. I'm doing them at night and on the weekends with the same amount of time I've always had. Huh. Weird, right?

The time I spend scrolling mindlessly through social media as increased while the time I spend reading has decreased. Not proud of it, could easily change it, but right now, many days, I just need mindless.

I created a coronavirus journal in Google Docs. I don't make an entry every day (because sometimes there's nothing to report), but most days. It's not about my thoughts and feelings; just a log of what I did that day. I also started written journals for the peeps. It goes by weeks, and I start each entry with, "I loved it when you ...:, and I jot down different things I notice that they say or do during the week.

For Me

It's me. Dropping in. But this time, it's not with the hope I'll get likes, shares, pins, comments. It's because I need a space to write. Just write. For me. Not for an audience. Not for my job. Not to please or impress anyone. Just for me.

When I started My Ideal Reality all those years ago, I was excited about it. I enjoyed it. I loved crafting posts and planning content. And then, I didn't. Blogging became a chore. Writing in general  became less fun. I felt like blogging was something I "had" to do. Finally, I just stopped. And I haven't missed it all that much. 

So, we'll see what happens here now. Just me tapping away, adding my musings. Plain and simple. I won't worry about followers or SEO or content or typos or even having a point. 

It's just for me.

Wherever you are,whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.