…brings a return to ‘normalcy’ with the end of a brief, but spectacular, vacation.
Normalcy… what a word, huh? Perhaps not the best since I have been feeling anything but normal these days! I confess that I have been struggling a bit recently… Feeling off-kilter. Unsettled. Unfocused. Just going through the motions. (and yes, likely a bit depressed…which don’t think I would have recognized without having read these wise words)
But I have had some amazing lifelines this week (besides all the fresh air and hiking!) I don’t know who said they had read Braiding Sweetgrass (Jane maybe?) This book has been a balm to my day. The stolen moments I spent listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer were so amazing… it almost feels like I am sitting down with a cuppa to listen to a dear friend share stories, wisdom, and anecdotes. I have about 4 more hours of listening along with my ‘normal’ Monday List (although, perhaps not so normal with what feels like a metric ton of laundry!!)… but listening to Robin will make all of that much more palatable! Ha!
I brought my laptop for the sole purpose of joining the Read With Me discussion of Unsettled Ground… I can’t express how much more a good discussion lends to the enjoyment of a book, and Bonnie, Carole, and Kym have cultivated a very good group of ladies! That discussion had me thinking about Unsettled Ground again in some surprising new ways! Thank you all for making reading so much better!
Another good thing was all that fresh air and hiking! As I shared in my IG postcards last week, we had spectacular weather – yes, we had some occasional rain during the day but it was never enough to deter us and the couple of times it rained harder at night made sleeping in an unfamiliar bed easier! We saw so many birds, which I love! I also saw a few we had not seen before, thanks to a pair of binoculars! (A Green Heron across the bay, a pair of Gray Catbirds splashing in a puddle, and two shorebirds – a Solitary Sandpiper and a Semipalmated Plover!) We perfected our “quiet walking” and came upon a deer visiting a pond. I loved how she did not bolt, but rather just eased away into the forest.
And finally, coming back home! After more than a year of Pandemic Living one might think you get sick of being home and while it was good to be away, it is even better being back home… especially back to my own bed. A good nights sleep also helps combat the off kilter feelings, for sure! (as does the return of a “normal” routine!)
And with that, I am off to get going on that Normal Routine! See you all back here on Wednesday!
It sounds like the time away was very good and refreshing/rejuvenating for you. I think we’ve all had that unsettled feeling lately, and frankly I don’t even know what normal looks like anymore. But sometimes the boring and mundane things, like laundry, are comforting when the world seems to be going to you-know-what. Good luck with the laundry pile and enjoy your listening today!
I’m sorry that all that laundry is part of your Monday, but glad that you have a good accompaniment. Thank you for joining us for the Unsettled Ground discussion; it was an unexpected pleasure and honor to have you, especially since you were on vacation. And a big thank you for sharing that vacation with your postcards!
I’m glad you had a good and restorative time away and I’m flattered that you brought your laptop just for our book discussion. I hope reflecting on all of this will give you clarity and help you adjust to get back to feeling more like yourself.
The bird sightings alone are enough to make for a lovely vacation. I’m writing this from the balcony of our cottage getaway (AirBnB, not a cabin we own). It is beautiful on this lake but it will also feel good when we are back home.
Welcome Home! So glad you had a nice get-away filled with new birds and plenty of fresh air and hiking. We are looking forward to that in a week in New England!! I cannot wait as work is more and more hectic and I REALLY need a break. I think many of us are feeling off-kilter these days – whether it be a bit of depression or anxiety or something…this Pandemic is slamming so many of us in so many ways. Stay calm and healthy!
I’m so glad you had such a delightful vacation! Sometimes I think the main benefit of some time away . . . is coming home and “seeing” it all with fresh eyes again — a whole new level of appreciation. I’m so glad you were able to join us for Read With Us. It IS a great group, isn’t it? Welcome home.
I have Braided Grass! I have two other books on MOnks to finish first! THanks for a good review
It sounds like a blissful week, Kat! I’m so happy to hear it. (Coincidentally, my parents were on Presque Isle on Friday!) And I LOVE that picture of you. We had a green heron in our creek behind the cottage this summer–it was a first for me. Sounds like their population along the lake might be increasing? Happy settling-back-in this week.
welcome home! That photo of you wearing that gorgeous sweater, your hair blowing behind you, binoculars (or a camera?) … it’s beautiful – and a lovely reminder to keep looking out – and ahead!
Welcome back home, Kat. Your week sounds amazing – what a lovely break!
So many of us are feeling this slow down right now. It makes me feel so much better to hear that others are feeling it, too — so thank you for sharing it on your blog.
And I read that Robin Wall Kimmerer book last August and just sank into it. I’m glad to hear that you’re having a similar experience with it 🙂
I’m so glad you feel restored! We are trying to walk five days a week and it crowds out other stuff but exercise is important right now. I would love to go hiking! Anywhere.
What a great photo. I am glad you had time away to regroup. I’m with Sarah, I think it is hard to know what normal is these days. I did read Braiding Sweetgrass and it is one of my favorite books. We’ve been to see our kids in Ct. and I did not take my laptop in order to be present to every moment with them. We are home and glad to return safely.