This post changed significantly. On the 9th day of June, I was sewing a dress to wear for my birthday celebration at the beach. We packed up and headed out, giddy to stretch out in the sun and swim in some gentle waves. On the way to the beach, someone t-boned us, and the trajectory of the day completely changed. Some moments in life are meant to remind us to be thankful. I am thankful that all three parties in vehicles were able to leave whole, capable of movement, capable to drive, and capable to use this experience to always be reminded that when we drive, we have an incredible responsibility to ourselves and others. Pay attention to the road, keep distractions at bay, and always, always, have insurance. After many tears, a gift of relief from the experience came to me later in the day and I can consider this chapter of my life partially closed.
Reflecting on 33 trips around the sun has brought me a new sense of closeness to self. Love does grow from within, and even if you are not always taught the skills, you can get to a place of feeling whole again stepping away from it all.
At 33, I am leaning into less obligation and guilt and more of what resonates for me. More time in the garden, more napping, more listening to music just to listen.
33 Things I am currently loving:
Walking through the garden early in the morning
AURORA
Live music at the Farmers Market
How chatty the birds are in the summertime
Social media breaks
Being a mom
Farmer Mai’s Flour Shares
Bread making classes
Fermenting anything
Borage! It is so versatile and the sprouts taste like cucumbers
My baby brother getting engaged!!!
Pelicans
Sandor Katz’s short series on YouTube on Fermentation
Ceviche tostadas
The unexpected surprise colors each sunset brings
Holding onto a kelp forest when surfing to get a stationary rest
My friends!
My baby sister embarking on a new journey and starting college
My friend Lili Arnolds’ stamp collection
Sleeping in
Corridos
Cucumber from the garden, macerated in garlic, rice vinegar, and soy sauce
Going out to see friends play live
Dancing
Having your heart broken into pieces and still being open to love again
A new Taiyaki place in Concord
Finding organizing systems with the help of Cas from Clutterbug
Sex! Can I say sex?
Improving at guitar
Getting closer to the life of my dreams
Not being broke and broken all the time
Thankful to be alive and breathing another year. It’s Gemini season y’all, and I’m a quiet storm.
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Written under a Gemini Sun and a Scorpio moon, feelin’ extra spunky.
Currently reading:
The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake
Currently listening to:
My friend Tim of Cement Ship and Aquanaut Audio is incredibly talented, and I have such an appreciation for our local songwriters. There must be something in the water, because his storytelling is just magical.
Every year I make a birthday playlist. This year is no different.
Listen to it here: Spotify
Live Shows
I am going on TOUR in September. My first date is Saturday, September 10th and I will be celebrating my release of Control and Demise.
I hope you will join me on September 10th at The Monkey House in Berkeley. It will be an incredible show with local songwriting friends I have met on my journey whose lyrics have touched my soul.
Tschüss!
Cover Photo is by Tim Brady of Aquanaut Audios